bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance Investigations of the Uniformly and Non-Uniformly Excited Linear Arrays
Authors: Younis Roua Moafaq , Mohammed Jafar R.
Published: May 2021

Uniform linear arrays include the arrangement of all array elements in one dimension with equal amplitude excitations. Such types of arrays usually have good directivity, narrow beam-width, and they suffer from high sidelobe levels that may cause interference and degrade the overall system performance. The problem of high side lobe levels may overcome by using non-uniformly excited arrays instead of its uniform counterpart. In this paper, the Dolph and Taylor excited arrays are adopted as a non-uniformly excited array. The performance in terms of half power beam width (HPBW), Peak sidelobe level (SLL), directivity (D), and first null-to-null beam width of the uniformly and the two non-uniformly excited arrays are investigated and compared. Simulation results show that the non-uniformly excited arrays can significantly reduce the peak SLL at the cost of lower directivity and wider HPBW. Thus, it is advised to use the non-uniformly excited arrays in the environments that borne high interference pollution.
Side Lobe Reduction Using Non-Uniform Linear Phased Arrays
Authors: Mohammed Rasha Bashar , Mohammed Jafar R.
Published: May 2021

Non-uniform amplitude excitation arrays are nowadays very desirable in the modern wireless communication systems. They have ability to provide required radiation characteristics such as low side lobes and good directivity. The uniform amplitude excitation arrays are good in providing good directivity and narrow beam width. However, these desired radiation features are come at the cost of relatively high side lobes. Thus, these types of arrays are not widely used in the wireless communication systems especially when these arrays are operated in a noisy and crowded environment that contains many interfering signals. Non-uniform amplitude excitations such as Dolph and Taylor are considered in this paper and their performances are investigated under various array parameters. Simulation results show that as the amplitude excitations of the array elements decaying at the edge elements more reduction in the sidelobe patterns can be obtained.
Distributed Generation Embedding to Enhancing the Iraqi Grids Based on Optimization Technique
Authors: Jawad Ihsan Mousa , Wafaa Said Majeed
Published: May 2021

This research aims to analyze the impact of Distributed Generation (DG) on congestion line mitigation, power loss reduction, and voltage profile enhancement for Iraq’s 400kV national grid system. The suggested Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Exchange Market Algorithm (EMA) are implemented to specify the optimum size and location based on an analytic approach depended on voltage, active losses, and congestion lines as fitness. Then it is added to the super 400kV Iraqi grid. The results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach in determining the optimum size and location, decreasing the congestion line, reducing power losses, reducing line flow, and improving the bus voltage profile. The results are obtained with proposed algorithms implementation by using programming language within MATLAB/R2018a environment.
Integrated Artificial Intelligent with RS and GIS for Long-Term Drought Prediction
Authors: Yahya Bashar Muneer , Seker Dursun Zafer , Hameed Basman Younus
Published: May 2021

The accurate evaluation of drought plays an urgent role in the optimal solution for future development. The present research aimed to predict and assess drought in Nineveh governorate northwestern Iraq by integrated a fuzzy logic procedure with Geographical Information System (GIS) environment. Primary meteorological data for six stations were used in this study. Vegetation cover changes were detected using remote sensing analysis in which there was a decrease in the vegetation cover’s area by 17.7% from 592.3 km 2 in the year 1992 to 487.46 km 2 in the year 2016. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) as a proxy for drought conditions was simulated by developing the model of Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) as an artificial intelligent approach where its performance reached to 82% when evaluating the Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE)as performance criteria. However, the long-term meteorological drought was an assessment where the results show that the drought level will intensify in a future by 10.1% with more successive droughts levels. Those results were clarified through developing spatial distribution map for long-term drought simulation by employing the (GIS) as a database to develop future plans for the study area.
Influence of Dam to Rainfall-Runoff Response in a Tropical Climate – A Case Study of Selangor River Basin, Malaysia
Authors: Bahar A F , Yusop Z , Alias N E , Ramli M W A
Published: May 2021

This paper discusses the rainfall-runoff response by comparing the runoff coefficient, c between two catchments of different characteristics within the Selangor River Basin, namely Catchment A (CA) and Catchment B (CB). Catchment B is a sub-catchment of Catchment A, whereby CA is about 6.8 times larger than to CB. The landscape of CB is largely covered by forest, has higher river slope and a dam completed in year 2004 at upstream of the basin. Annual mean-areal-rainfall (MAR) and total runoff from 1990 until 2018 was used for the rainfall-runoff coefficient, c calculations. The rainfall-runoff response was assessed by separating the analysis into 2-time frames; 1990 to 2000 (before dam construction) and 2007 to 2018 (after dam construction). The analysis before dam construction showed that CB has higher runoff response compared to CA. This was due to the difference in land use, catchment slope and lesser water abstractions compared to CA. The runoff coefficient, c for CA was in the range of 0.19-0.48, while CB was in the range of 0.59-0.79. This means that 19% to 48% of the rainfall was converted into runoff for CA, and 59% to 79% of the precipitation turned into runoff for CB. As suspected, after the dam construction the c coefficient for CB changed to 0.28-0.89, indicating a higher variability in the catchment response due to dam operations and control at the upstream.
Effect of Biocementation via Enzymatic Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (EICP) on the Shear Strength of Compacted Clay Liner
Authors: Zango M U , Kassim K A , Muhammed A S , Ahmad K , Makinda J
Published: May 2021

The strength of residual soil treated via biocementation means by employing enzymatic induced calcium carbonate precipitation (EICP) was assessed based on the standard recommended for compacted clay liner. EICP treated samples were prepared at four different concentrations of cementation solution (urea-CaCl 2) (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 M) and at various moulding water content (-2, 0, +2 and +4% OMC) using reduced British standard light compaction effort (RBSL). The result obtained has shown UCS values of untreated natural soil at the four molding water contents were less 200 kPa, the minimum standard recommended for compacted clay liner. Upon EICP treatment, it was determined that the UCS values increase with the increase in the concentration of cementation solution. The treated soils at all the cementation solutions and molding water contents have UCS values greater than 200 kPa. The lowest strength of the treated soils was 468.5 kPa determined at 0.25 M cementation solution and +2% OMC molding water content. The maximum UCS (643.5 kPa) value was determined at 1.00 M urea-CaCl 2 and -2% OMC. The results also reveal that calcium carbonate content in the treated soil increases with the increase in the concentration of cementation solution. Microstructural analysis on the treated soil indicated the presence of white precipitation within the pore space of the soil, and the mineral was confirmed to be calcite through XRD analysis.
Effects of Cement on the Compaction Properties of Lateritic Soil
Authors: Wahab N A , Rashid A S A , Roshan M J , Rizal N H A , Yunus N Z M , Hezmi M A , Tadza M Y M
Published: May 2021

Lateritic soils at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Skudai, Malaysia was investigated subjected to their geotechnical properties and their suitability to be used as construction materials. The soil samples were collected and tested for various basic soil properties tests such as Atterberg Limit, Specific Gravity (SG), Sieve Analysis, and Compaction test. Atterberg’s consistency limit test shows that the liquid limit (LL) is 70.3%, the plastic limit (PL) is 42.0%, and the plasticity index (PI) is 28.3%. The specific gravity (SG) value for laterite is 2.74. For the compaction test, the optimum moisture content (OMC) and maximum dry density (MDD) obtained are 28% and 1.39 g/cm 3. A laboratory study was performed to compare and evaluate the stabilization efficiency of different percentages (3%, 6%, 9%, 12%) of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) when applied to the available laterite soil; a major soil group in the tropical areas. Analysis of laboratory data is assessed from a soil compaction test through the standard proctor method by using the automatic compactor. The soil mixtures were compacted at optimum moisture content in accordance with the British Standard (BS) of BS 1377-4:1990. From the preceding results, it was found that the OMC increase from 28% to 34% while the MDD increase from 1.39 g/cm³ to 1.47 g/cm³ with the rise in the percentage of cement.
Corrigendum: Hydrogen diffusion and local Volta potential in high- and medium-entropy alloys (2020 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 882 012015)
Authors: Rhode M , Wetzel A , Ozcan O , Nietzke J , Richter T , Schroepfer D
Published: May 2021

The pdf contains a corrigendum.
Microstructure and wear resistance of bimodal cemented carbide coating prepared by direct laser powder deposition
Authors: Ye Nan , Ma Yunzhu , Tang Jiancheng
Published: May 2021

Compact spherical WC-12Co composite powder was deposited on 304 stainless steel substrate by multi-layer laser powder deposition (LPD) to fabricate cemented carbide coating. The phase constitution and microstructure of the coating as well as the feedstock powder were characterized. Microhardness and dry sliding wear tests were also performed to assess the mechanical properties of the coating. The results showed that the coating exhibited distinct microstructures and phase constitutions at different depths due to the various thermal cycles and the resulting heat damages of feedstock powders. The upper region of the coating (i.e. the wear resistant layer) exhibited bimodal microstructure in which the incompletely dissolved WC-Co composite particles preserved the original submicron sintered structure and secondary carbides were precipitated around them. Owing to the fine-grained strengthening of submicron WC grains in the undissolved areas, the microhardness of wear resistant layer was enhanced to 8 times that of the substrate. The wear rate of the cemented carbide coating was about three orders of magnitude lower than that of the substrate when dry sliding against Al2O3 ball under 10 N normal load. The bimodal structure of the wear resistant layer and the synergistic enhancement of differently sized carbides are the key factors for the excellent wear resistance of the coating.
Ultra-broadband infrared gas sensor for pollution detection: the TRIAGE project
Authors: Napier Bruce , Bang Ole , Markos Christos , Moselund Peter , Huot Laurent , Harren Frans J M , Khodabakhsh Amir , Martin Hans , Briano Floria Ottonello , Balet Laurent , Lecomte Steve , Petersen Christian R , Israelsen Niels , Bastviken David , Gålfalk Magnus , Kubiszyn Łukasz , Warzybok Piotr
Published: May 2021

Air pollution is one of the largest risk factors for disease or premature death globally, yet current portable monitoring technology cannot provide adequate protection at a local community level. Within the TRIAGE project, a smart, compact and cost-effective air quality sensor network will be developed for the hyperspectral detection of gases which are relevant for atmospheric pollution monitoring or dangerous for human health. The sensor is based on a mid-infrared supercontinuum source, providing ultra-bright emission across the 2–10 µm wavelength region. Within this spectral range, harmful gaseous species can be detected with high sensitivity and selectivity. The spectroscopic sensor, which includes a novel multi-pass cell and detector, enables a smart robust photonic sensing system for real-time detection. With built-in chemometric analysis and cloud connection, the sensor will feed advanced deep-learning algorithms for various analyses, ranging from long-term continental trends in air pollution to urgent local warnings and alerts. Community-based distributed pollution sensing tests will be verified on municipal building rooftops and local transport platforms.
Electronic transport across extended grain boundaries in graphene
Authors: Majee Arnab K , Aksamija Zlatan
Published: May 2021

Owing to its superlative carrier mobility and atomic thinness, graphene exhibits great promise for interconnects in future nanoelectronic integrated circuits. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD), the most popular method for wafer-scale growth of graphene, produces monolayers that are polycrystalline, where misoriented grains are separated by extended grain boundaries (GBs). Theoretical models of GB resistivity focused on small sections of an extended GB, assuming it to be a straight line, and predicted a strong dependence of resistivity on misorientation angle. In contrast, measurements produced values in a much narrower range and without a pronounced angle dependence. Here we study electron transport across rough GBs, which are composed of short straight segments connected together into an extended GB. We found that, due to the zig-zag nature of rough GBs, there always exist a few segments that divide the crystallographic angle between two grains symmetrically and provide a highly conductive path for the current to flow across the GBs. The presence of highly conductive segments produces resistivity between 102 to 104 Ω μm regardless of misorientation angle. An extended GB with large roughness and small correlation length has small resistivity on the order of 103 Ω μm, even for highly mismatched asymmetric GBs. The effective slope of the GB, given by the ratio of roughness and lateral correlation length, is an effective universal quantifier for GB resistivity. Our results demonstrate that the probability of finding conductive segments diminishes in short GBs, which could cause a large variation in the resistivity of narrow ribbons etched from polycrystalline graphene. We also uncover spreading resistance due to the current bending in the grains to flow through the conductive segments of the GB and show that it scales linearly with the grain resistance. Our results will be crucial for designing graphene-based interconnects for future integrated circuits.
Time-resolved cathodoluminescence investigations of AlN:Ge/GaN nanowire structures
Authors: Jungclaus Jörgen , Spende Hendrik , Hille Pascal , Schörmann Jörg , Waag Andreas , Eickhoff Martin , Voss Tobias
Published: May 2021

Light emitting diodes represent a key technology that can be found in many areas of everydays life. Therefore, the improvement of the efficiency of such structures offers a high economic and ecological potential. One approach is electrostatic screening of the quantum-confined Stark effect (QCSE) in polar III-V heterostructures by n-type doping in order to increase the oscillator strength of electronic transitions in quantum structures. In this study, we analyzed the cathodoluminescene (CL) spectra of different functional parts of individual AlN/GaN nanowire superlattices and studied their decay characteristics with sub-nanosecond time resolution. This allows us to extract information about strain and electric fields in such heterostructures with an overall spatial resolution <100 nm. The samples, which were investigated in a temperature range from 10 to 300 K by using time-integrated cathodoluminescence spectroscopy (TICL) and time-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy (TRCL) consist of GaN bottom and top layer and a 40-fold stack of GaN nanodiscs, embedded in AlN barriers that were doped with Ge. We show, that the QCSE is reduced with increasing doping concentration due to a screening of the internal electric fields inside GaN nanodiscs, resulting in a reduction of the carrier lifetimes and a blue shift of the emitted light. Due to the small diameter of the electron excitation beam CL offers the possibility to individually analyze the different functional parts of the nanowires.
Ellipticity and Fredholmness of pseudo-differential operators on ℓ²(ℤⁿ)
Authors: Dasgupta Aparajita , Kumar Vishvesh
Published: May 2021

The minimal operator and the maximal operator of an elliptic pseudo-differential operator with symbols on

Z

n

×

T

n

\mathbb {Z}^n\times \mathbb {T}^n

are proved to coincide and the domain is given in terms of a Sobolev space. Ellipticity and Fredholmness are proved to be equivalent for pseudo-differential operators on

Z

n

\mathbb {Z}^n

. The index of an elliptic pseudo-differential operator on

Z

n

\mathbb {Z}^n

is also computed.
Equivariant correspondences and the inductive Alperin weight condition for type 𝖠
Authors: Feng Zhicheng , Li Conghui , Zhang Jiping
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we establish the inductive Alperin weight condition for the finite simple groups of Lie type

A

\mathsf A

, contributing to the program to prove the Alperin weight conjecture by checking the inductive condition for all finite simple groups.
Phospholipid flippases and Sfk1 are essential for the retention of ergosterol in the plasma membrane
Authors: Kishimoto Takuma , Mioka Tetsuo , Itoh Eriko , Williams David E. , Andersen Raymond J. , Tanaka Kazuma
Published: May 2021

Phospholipids are asymmetrically distributed in the plasma membrane (PM). However, our understanding of their physiological significance is still limited. Here we show that phospholipid flippases and a PM protein, Sfk1, cooperatively play an essential role in retaining ergosterol in the PM of budding yeast.
Stress fiber strain recognition by the LIM protein testin is cryptic and mediated by RhoA
Authors: Sala Stefano , Oakes Patrick W.
Published: May 2021

The ability of the LIM domain protein testin to recognize strained actin fibers is regulated by the cell, with active RhoA mediating its mechanosensitive behavior.
Characterization of Airborne Particulates and Worker Exposures in Electro-static Powder Coating Operations
Authors: Lee Chia-wei , Chung Shun-hui , Hsu Yu-ting , Chang Hong-bin , Chien Yeh-chung
Published: May 2021

This study was to examine the airborne particulates/dusts and worker exposures in electro-static powder coating operations. Temporal variation and size distribution of dusts were assessed using direct-reading instrument, while the worker task-specific dust exposures (n = 41) were measured in three factories using conventional filter method. Additionally, toxic metal levels in the coating powder (n = 27) were analyzed to assess hazard potentials. Continuous monitoring of airborne respirable dust levels indicated large temporal variation across a normal working day. The particulate levels outside spraying booths were generally low (below 0.10 mg m−3) during normal spraying operation, but short-term level may reach as high as 21.8 mg m−3 (averaged at 4–5 mg m−3) when specific task such as cleaning the pipelines and spraying booth, was performed. Exploratory assessment on particle size distribution at four major working zones, administration, uploading, spraying, and baking, indicated no major difference among the zones, and between factories. The particle count median aerodynamic diameter was 0.88–1.69 µm, while the mean number concentrations were 10.97, 15.17, 18.49, and 27.03 (# cm−3) for zones administration, uploading, spraying, and baking, respectively. The worker task-specific dust exposures were found low during normal spraying, with the mean short-term total and respirable dust concentrations being 0.88 and 0.41 mg m−3, respectively. Both levels increased to 3.48 and 5.19 mg m−3, respectively (P < 0.05), if powder changing and system cleaning were done. Short-term total and respirable dust concentrations were 94.2 and 56.1 mg m−3, respectively, when complete cleaning process was performed inside spraying booth. Both levels exceeded the short-term exposure limits. The mean concentration of metals in the powder samples were 6.78, 9.52, 10 717, 2805, 1020, and 1361 µg g−1 for Pb, Cr (total), Al, Fe, Cu, and Sr, respectively. This study demonstrated that cleaning of spraying booth resulted in high dust exposures well exceeding the exposure limit. Toxic metals, particularly Pb, Cd, and Cr (total), levels measured in the powder samples were found low, and the resulting exposures were below the exposure limits, indicating relative low risks associated with the exposure at current dust levels.
Weather stations for Mars
Authors: Strangeways Ian
Published: May 2021

Ian Strangeways looks at what we know about the weather on Mars – and how we might find out more
What lies beneath
Authors: Magee Craig , Jackson Chris
Published: May 2021

Craig Magee and Chris Jackson examine how geophysical seismic reflection data can be used to study the inner workings of volcanoes and magma plumbing systems
cfDNApipe: a comprehensive quality control and analysis pipeline for cell-free DNA high-throughput sequencing data
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wei Lei , Huang Jiaqi , Zhong Bixi , Li Jiaqi , Xu Hanwen , He Shuying , Liu Yu , Liu Juhong , Lv Hairong , Wang Xiaowo
Published: May 2021

Motivation

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is gaining substantial attention from both biological and clinical fields as a promising marker for liquid biopsy. Many aspects of disease-related features have been discovered from cfDNA high-throughput sequencing (HTS) data. However, there is still a lack of integrative and systematic tools for cfDNA HTS data analysis and quality control (QC).

Results

Here, we propose cfDNApipe, an easy-to-use and systematic python package for cfDNA whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) data analysis. It covers the entire analysis pipeline for the cfDNA data, including raw sequencing data processing, QC and sophisticated statistical analysis such as detecting copy number variations (CNVs), differentially methylated regions and DNA fragment size alterations. cfDNApipe provides one-command-line-execution pipelines and flexible application programming interfaces for customized analysis.

Availability and implementation

https://xwanglabthu.github.io/cfDNApipe/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The eyes have it: dim-light activity is associated with the morphology of eyes but not antennae across insect orders
Authors: Freelance Christopher B , Tierney Simon M , Rodriguez Juanita , Stuart-Fox Devi M , Wong Bob B M , Elgar Mark A
Published: May 2021

The perception of cues and signals in visual, olfactory and auditory modalities underpins all animal interactions and provides crucial fitness-related information. Sensory organ morphology is under strong selection to optimize detection of salient cues and signals in a given signalling environment, the most well-studied example being selection on eye design in different photic environments. Many dim-light active species have larger compound eyes relative to body size, but little is known about differences in non-visual sensory organ morphology between diurnal and dim-light active insects. Here, we compare the micromorphology of the compound eyes (visual receptors) and antennae (olfactory and mechanical receptors) in representative pairs of day active and dim-light active species spanning multiple taxonomic orders of insects. We find that dim-light activity is associated with larger compound eye ommatidia and larger overall eye surface area across taxonomic orders but find no evidence that morphological adaptations that enhance the sensitivity of the eye in dim-light active insects are accompanied by morphological traits of the antennae that may increase sensitivity to olfactory, chemical or physical stimuli. This suggests that the ecology and natural history of species is a stronger driver of sensory organ morphology than is selection for complementary investment between sensory modalities.
Sympatric occurrence of deeply diverged mitochondrial DNA lineages in Siberian geometrid moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae): cryptic speciation, mitochondrial introgression, secondary admixture or effect ofWolbachia?
Authors: Makhov Ilia A , Gorodilova Yelizaveta Y U , Lukhtanov Vladimir A
Published: May 2021

The divergent sympatric mitochondrial lineages within traditionally recognized species present a challenge regularly faced by taxonomists and evolutionary biologists. We encountered this problem when studying the Siberian geometrid moths, Alcis deversata and Thalera chlorosaria. Within each of these species we found two deeply diverged mitochondrial lineages that demonstrated a level of genetic differentiation exceeding the standard interspecific DNA barcode threshold. Using analyses of nuclear genes, morphology, ecological preferences and Wolbachia endosymbionts, we tested five hypotheses that might explain the mitochondrial pattern observed: cryptic speciation, ancestral polymorphism, interspecific mitochondrial introgression, secondary admixture of allopatrically evolved populations and an effect of intracellular Wolbachia endosymbionts. We demonstrate that in A. deversata and Th. chlorosaria the mitochondrial differences are not correlated with differences in nuclear genes, morphology, ecology and Wolbachia infection status, thus not supporting the hypothesis of cryptic species and an effect of Wolbachia. Mitochondrial introgression can lead to a situation in which one species has both its own mitochondrial lineage and the lineage obtained from another species. We found this situation in the species pair Alcis repandata and Alcis extinctaria. We conclude that the mitochondrial heterogeneity in A. deversata and Th. chlorosaria is most likely to be attributable to the secondary admixture of allopatrically evolved populations.
Neurobiological and behavioural outcomes of biofeedback-based training in autism: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Surgent Olivia , Dean Douglas C , Alexander Andrew L , Dadalko Olga I , Guerrero-Gonzalez Jose , Taylor Desiree , Skaletski Emily , Travers Brittany G
Published: May 2021

The human brain has demonstrated the power to structurally change as a result of movement-based interventions. However, it is unclear whether these structural brain changes differ in autistic individuals compared to non-autistic individuals. The purpose of the present study was to pilot a randomized controlled trial to investigate brain, balance, autism symptom severity and daily living skill changes that result from a biofeedback-based balance intervention in autistic adolescents (13–17 years old). Thirty-four autistic participants and 28 age-matched non-autistic participants underwent diagnostic testing and pre-training assessment (neuroimaging, cognitive, autism symptom severity and motor assessments) and were then randomly assigned to 6 weeks of a balance-training intervention or a sedentary-control condition. After the 6 weeks, neuroimaging, symptom severity and motor assessments were repeated. Results found that both the autistic and non-autistic participants demonstrated similar and significant increases in balance times with training. Furthermore, individuals in the balance-training condition showed significantly greater improvements in postural sway and reductions in autism symptom severity compared to individuals in the control condition. Daily living scores did not change with training, nor did we observe hypothesized changes to the microstructural properties of the corticospinal tract. However, follow-up voxel-based analyses found a wide range of balance-related structures that showed changes across the brain. Many of these brain changes were specific to the autistic participants compared to the non-autistic participants, suggesting distinct structural neuroplasticity in response to balance training in autistic participants. Altogether, these findings suggest that biofeedback-based balance training may target postural stability challenges, reduce core autism symptoms and influence neurobiological change. Future research is encouraged to examine the superior cerebellar peduncle in response to balance training and symptom severity changes in autistic individuals, as the current study produced overlapping findings in this brain region.
Breast cancer type 1 and neurodegeneration: consequences of deficient DNA repair
Authors: Leung Emily , Hazrati Lili-Naz
Published: May 2021

Numerous cellular processes, including toxic protein aggregation and oxidative stress, have been studied extensively as potential mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. However, limited therapeutic efficacy targeting these processes has prompted other mechanisms to be explored. Previous research has emphasized a link between cellular senescence and neurodegeneration, where senescence induced by excess DNA damage and deficient DNA repair results in structural and functional changes that ultimately contribute to brain dysfunction and increased vulnerability for neurodegeneration. Specific DNA repair proteins, such as breast cancer type 1, have been associated with both stress-induced senescence and neurodegenerative diseases, however, specific mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, this review explores DNA damage-induced senescence in the brain as a driver of neurodegeneration, with particular focus on breast cancer type 1, and its potential contribution to sex-specific differences associated with neurodegenerative disease.
Underwater Image Enhancement With Optimal Histogram Using Hybridized Particle Swarm and Dragonfly
Authors: Prasath R , Kumanan T
Published: May 2021

Typically, underwater image processing is mainly concerned with balancing the color change distortion or light scattering. Various researches have been processed under these issues. This proposed model incorporates two phases, namely, contrast correction and color correction. Moreover, two processes are involved within the contrast correction model, namely: (i) global contrast correction and (ii) local contrast correction. For the image enhancement, the main target is on the histogram evaluation, and therefore, the optimal selection of histogram limit is very essential. For this optimization purpose, a new hybrid algorithm is introduced namely, swarm updated Dragonfly Algorithm, which is the hybridization of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Dragonfly Algorithm (DA). Further, this paper mainly focused on Integrated Global and Local Contrast Correction (IGLCC). The proposed model is finally distinguished over the other conventional models like Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram, IGLCC, dynamic stretching IGLCC-Genetic Algorithm, IGLCC-PSO, IGLCC- Firefly and IGLCC-Cuckoo Search, IGLCC-Distance-Oriented Cuckoo Search and DA, and the superiority of the proposed work is proved.
Repeated Passive Mobilization to Stimulate Vascular Function in Individuals of Advanced Age Who Are Chronically Bedridden: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Pedrinolla Anna , Magliozzi Roberta , Colosio Alessandro L , Danese Elisa , Gelati Matteo , Rossi Stefania , Pogliaghi Silvia , Calabrese Massimiliano , Muti Ettore , Cè Emiliano , Longo Stefano , Esposito Fabio , Lippi Giuseppe , Schena Federico , Venturelli Massimo
Published: May 2021

Background

Vascular dysfunction and associated disorders are major side effects of chronic bed rest, yet passive mobilization as a potential treatment has only been theorized so far. This study investigated the effects of passive mobilization treatment on vascular function in older, chronically bedridden people.

Method

The study sample was 45 chronically bedridden people of advanced age (mean age: 87 years; 56% female; mean bed rest: 4 years) randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 23) or a control group (CTRL, n = 22). The treatment group received passive mobilization twice daily (30 minutes, 5 times/wk) for 4 weeks. A kinesiologist performed passive mobilization by passive knee flexion/extension at 1 Hz in one leg (treated leg [T-leg] vs control leg [Ctrl-leg]). The CTRL group received routine treatment. The primary outcome was changes in peak blood flow (∆peak) as measured with the single passive leg movement test at the common femoral artery.

Results

∆Peak was increased in both legs in the Treatment group (+90.9 mL/min, p < .001, in T-leg and +25.7 mL/min, p = .039 in Ctrl-leg). No difference in peak blood flow after routine treatment was found in the CTRL group.

Conclusion

Improvement in vascular function after 4 weeks of passive mobilization was recorded in the treatment group. Passive mobilization may be advantageously included in standard clinical practice as an effective strategy to treat vascular dysfunction in persons with severely limited mobility.
Alcohol Consumption and Methylation-Based Measures of Biological Age
Authors: Kresovich Jacob K , Martinez Lopez Alexandra M , Garval Emma L , Xu Zongli , White Alexandra J , Sandler Dale P , Taylor Jack A
Published: May 2021

Epigenetic age acceleration is considered a measure of biological aging based on genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation. Although age acceleration has been associated with the incidence of diseases and death, less is known about how it is related to lifestyle behaviors. Among 2316 women, we evaluate associations between self-reported alcohol consumption and various metrics of epigenetic age acceleration. Recent average alcohol consumption was defined as the mean number of drinks consumed per week within the past year; lifetime average consumption was estimated as the mean number of drinks per year drinking. Whole-blood genome-wide DNA methylation was measured with HumanMethylation450 BeadChips and used to assess 4 epigenetic clocks (Hannum, Horvath, PhenoAge, and GrimAge) and their corresponding metrics of epigenetic age acceleration (Hannum AgeAccel, Horvath AgeAccel, PhenoAgeAccel, and GrimAgeAccel). Although alcohol consumption showed little association with most age acceleration metrics, both lifetime and recent average consumption measures were positively associated with GrimAgeAccel (lifetime, per additional 135 drinks/year: β = 0.30 years, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11, 0.48, p = .002; recent, per additional 5 drinks/week: β = 0.19 years, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.37, p = .04). In a mutually adjusted model, only average lifetime alcohol consumption remained associated with GrimAgeAccel (lifetime, per additional 135 drinks/year: β = 0.27 years, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.50, p = .02; recent, per 5 additional drinks/week: β = 0.05 years, 95% CI: −0.16, 0.26, p = .64). Although alcohol use does not appear to be strongly associated with biological age measured by most epigenetic clocks, lifetime average consumption is associated with higher biological age assessed by the GrimAge epigenetic clock.
Development of Balanced Whole System Value Measures for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care in the IBD Qorus Collaborative Using a Modified Delphi Process
Authors: Oliver Brant J , Kennedy Alice M , van Deen Welmoed K , Weaver S Alandra , Heller Caren , Holthoff Megan M , Bank Jeffrey , Melmed Gil Y , Siegel Corey A , Nelson Eugene C
Published: May 2021

Background

The IBD Qorus Collaborative aims to reduce variation and increase the value of care for the adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community. To evaluate the success of the collaborative, we aimed to develop a balanced set of outcome measures that reflect a multistakeholder view of value in IBD care. To achieve this, we used the Clinical Value Compass framework and engaged a mixed-stakeholder group to conduct a modified Delphi process. The end result was a 10-measure set to assess the value of IBD care.

Method

The modified Delphi process included 3 iterative rounds of blinded voting and interactive webinar-style discussion. We recruited 18 participants for the Delphi panel, including clinicians, researchers, patients, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation staff, and payers. Participants first identified constructs to measure, then identified the tools to measure those constructs. A literature review and environmental scan of current measures in 4 domains were performed, and relevant measures were proposed for discussion and voting in each domain. Throughout the process, participants were invited to contribute additional measures.

Conclusion

The modified Delphi process led to selection of 10 value measures across 4 domains: (1) patient experience; (2) functional status; (3) clinical status; and (4) health care costs and utilization. We have successfully completed a 3-stage modified Delphi process to develop a balanced set of value measures for adult IBD care. The value measure set expands upon prior efforts that have established quality measures for IBD care by adding cost and experience of care elements. This work positions IBD Qorus to better assess, study, improve, and demonstrate value at individual, system, and population levels and will inform and empower related research, improvement, and implementation efforts.
Increasing Biosimilar Utilization at a Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and Associated Cost Savings: Show Me the Money
Authors: Morris Grant A , McNicol Megan , Boyle Brendan , Donegan Amy , Dotson Jennifer , Michel Hilary K , Maltz Ross M
Published: May 2021

Background

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (anti-TNFs) are a primary treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. Pharmaceutical expenditures and usage of specialty drugs are increasing. In the United States, biosimilars continue to be underutilized, despite opportunities for health care cost savings. Through quality improvement (QI) methodology, we aimed to increase biosimilar utilization among eligible patients initiating intravenous (IV) anti-TNF therapy and describe patient outcomes and associated cost savings.

Methods

Beginning in July 2019, all patients initiating IV anti-TNF therapy were identified and tracked. Using the Institute of Healthcare Improvement Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, a four-stage problem-solving model used for carrying out change, we trialed interventions to increase biosimilar utilization, including provider, staff, and family education, and utilization of a clinical pharmacist and insurance specialist. Statistical process control charts were used to show improvement over time. Patients’ clinical outcome and cost savings were reviewed.

Results

Using QI methodology, we increased biosimilar utilization from a baseline of 1% in June 2019 to 96% by February 2021, with sustained improvement. The originator (infliximab) was the insurance company’s preferred product for 20 patients (20%). Patient outcomes (IV anti-TNF levels, absence of antidrug antibodies, and physician global assessment) between biosimilars and originators were similar. Estimated cost savings over the project duration were nearly $381,000 (average sales price) and $651,000 (wholesale acquisition cost).

Conclusions

Through QI methodology, we increased biosimilar utilization from 1% to 96% with sustained improvement, without compromising patient outcomes or safety. Estimated cost savings were substantial. Similar methodology could be implemented at other institutions to increase biosimilar utilization and potentially decrease health care costs.
Blow-up Dynamics for L2-Critical Fractional Schrödinger Equations
Authors: Lan Yang
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we consider the $L^2$-critical fractional Schrödinger equation $iu_t-|D|^{\beta }u+|u|^{2\beta }u=0$ with initial data $u_0\in H^{\beta /2}(\mathbb{R})$ and $\beta $ close to $2$. We show that if the initial data have negative energy and slightly supercritical mass, then the solution blows up in finite time. We also give a specific description for the blow-up dynamics. This is an extension of the works of F. Merle and P. Raphaël for $L^2$-critical Schrödinger equations. However, the nonlocal structure of this equation and the lack of some symmetries make the analysis more complicated, hence some new strategies are required.
The Evolutionary History of Siphonophore Tentilla: Novelties, Convergence, and Integration
Authors: Damian-Serrano A , Haddock S H D , Dunn C W
Published: May 2021

Synopsis Siphonophores are free-living predatory colonial hydrozoan cnidarians found in every region of the ocean. Siphonophore tentilla (tentacle side branches) are unique biological structures for prey capture, composed of a complex arrangement of cnidocytes (stinging cells) bearing different types of nematocysts (stinging capsules) and auxiliary structures. Tentilla present an extensive morphological and functional diversity across species. While associations between tentillum form and diet have been reported, the evolutionary history giving rise to this morphological diversity is largely unexplored. Here we examine the evolutionary gains and losses of novel tentillum substructures and nematocyst types on the most recent siphonophore phylogeny. Tentilla have a precisely coordinated high-speed strike mechanism of synchronous unwinding and nematocyst discharge. Here we characterize the kinematic diversity of this prey capture reaction using high-speed video and find relationships with morphological characters. Since tentillum discharge occurs in synchrony across a broad morphological diversity, we evaluate how phenotypic integration is maintaining character correlations across evolutionary time. We found that the tentillum morphospace has low dimensionality, identified instances of heterochrony and morphological convergence, and generated hypotheses on the diets of understudied siphonophore species. Our findings indicate that siphonophore tentilla are phenotypically integrated structures with a complex evolutionary history leading to a phylogenetically-structured diversity of forms that are predictive of kinematic performance and feeding habits.
In vitroactivity of cefiderocol and comparators against isolates of Gram-negative pathogens from a range of infection sources: SIDERO-WT-2014–2018 studies in France
Authors: Naas Thierry , Lina Gerard , Santerre Henriksen Anne , Longshaw Christopher , Jehl Francois
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Over recent years, France has experienced an increase of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (GN) pathogens. Cefiderocol is approved in Europe for the treatment of aerobic GN infections in adults with limited treatment options. This study evaluated the in vitro activity of cefiderocol and comparators against GN clinical isolates from France.

Methods

MICs were determined by broth microdilution, according to International Organization for Standardization guidelines. Cefiderocol was tested using iron-depleted CAMHB. Susceptibility rates were based on EUCAST breakpoints. In the absence of a species-specific breakpoint, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic breakpoints were used.

Results

Of 2027 isolates, 1344 (66.3%) were Enterobacterales and 683 (33.7%) were non-fermenters. The most common pathogen was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.8%), followed by Escherichia coli (16.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.1%), Acinetobacter baumannii (7.9%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (5.1%). Isolates represented a range of infection sources including nosocomial pneumonia (33.6%), complicated urinary tract infection (24.3%), bloodstream infection (13.1%) and complicated intra-abdominal infection (18.0%). In total, 135/2027 (6.7%) isolates were meropenem resistant (MIC >8 mg/L); 133/135 (98.5%) were non-fermenters. Overall, 1330/1344 (99.0%) Enterobacterales and 681/683 (99.7%) non-fermenters were cefiderocol susceptible, including 100% of meropenem-resistant S. maltophilia (n = 98) and P. aeruginosa (n = 18) isolates. Susceptibility to cefiderocol was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in nosocomial pneumonia isolates (681/682 [99.9%]) than susceptibility to meropenem (586/682 [85.9%]), ceftolozane/tazobactam (593/682 [87.0%]), ceftazidime/avibactam (612/682 [89.7%]) and colistin (538/682 [78.9%]).

Conclusions

Cefiderocol demonstrated high in vitro susceptibility rates against a wide range of Gram-negative pathogens, including meropenem-resistant strains, and was significantly more active than comparators against pneumonia isolates.
Development and randomized controlled trial of an animated film aimed at reducing behaviours for acquiring antibiotics
Authors: Wilding Sarah , Kettu Virpi , Thompson Wendy , Howard Philip , Jeuken Lars J C , Pownall Madeleine , Conner Mark , Sandoe Jonathan A T
Published: May 2021

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis but reducing antibiotic use can help. Some antibiotic use is driven by patient demand.

Objectives

To develop an intervention to discourage antibiotic-seeking behaviour in adults.

Methods

Literature reviewed to identify behaviours for acquiring antibiotics among adults in the community. Behaviour change wheel approach was used to select the target behaviour and behaviour change techniques. An intervention in the form of a short animated film was developed and its potential impact evaluated in a randomized, controlled, online questionnaire study.

Results

Asking a general medical/dental practitioner for antibiotics was identified as the target behaviour. A short stop-motion animated film was chosen to deliver several behaviour-change techniques. Education and persuasion were delivered around information about the normal microbial flora, its importance for health, the negative effect of antibiotics, and about AMR. 417 UK-based individuals completed the questionnaire; median age 34.5 years, 71% female, 91% white ethnicity. 3.8% of participants viewing the test film intended to ask for antibiotics compared with 7.9% viewing the control film. Test film viewers had significantly higher knowledge scores. At 6 week follow up, knowledge scores remained significantly different, while most attitude and intention scores were not different.

Conclusions

Some patients continue to ask for antibiotics. The film increased knowledge and reduced intentions to ask for antibiotics. At 6 weeks, knowledge gains remained but intentions not to ask for antibiotics had waned. Evaluation in the clinical environment, probably at the point of care, is needed to see if antibiotic prescribing can be impacted.