bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the mechanical behaviour of hybrid fiber reinforced composite with aluminium laminates
Authors: R Ramesh , M Nalla Mohamed
Published: December 2022

The present study investigates the mechanical characteristics of a hybrid fiber-reinforced composite with aluminium laminates (HFRCAL). The hybrid composite specimens were fabricated by hand layup method including the epoxy as a Matrix material, with Al6061-T6 as the outer layers, while Kevlar-29, carbon fiber, basalt fiber, and E-glass fiber act as hybrid reinforcing laminates with varying order of arrangement. The prepared laminate composites were tested for performance under tensile, flexural, and impact loading conditions. Three combinations of the laminate composites were tested, namely the Al/K/C/E/B/K/Al (Al+5KH+Al), Al/C/B/E/K/C/Al (Al+5CH+Al), and Al/B/C/E/K/B/Al (Al+5BH+Al) composition laminates. Among the tested specimens, it was found that the Al+5KH+Al laminate composite exhibited the highest yield strength of 220 MPa, and Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 245 MPa. These were 11.53% and 11.2% higher than those of Al+5CH+Al, while Al+5BH+Al exhibited the lowest UTS of 202 MPa. During flexural loading, the Al+5CH+Al showed the highest flexural strength of 305.6 MPa which was 35.5% higher than that of Al+5BH+Al and 38.33% higher than the flexural strength of Al+5KH+Al. The impact strength of Al+5KH+Al was higher by 5.74% and 11.73% of Al+5CH+Al and Al+5BH+Al respectively.
Temperature dependence of single-event transients in SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistors for cryogenic applications
Authors: Pan Xiaoyu , Guo Hongxia , Feng Yahui , Liu Yinong , Zhang Jinxin , Fu Jun , Yu Guofang
Published: December 2022

We experimentally demonstrate that the dominant mechanism of single-event transients in silicon-germanium heterojunction bipolar transistors (SiGe HBTs) can change with decreasing temperature from +20 °C to −180 °C. This is accomplished by using a new well-designed cryogenic experimental system suitable for a pulsed-laser platform. Firstly, when the temperature drops from +20 °C to −140 °C, the increased carrier mobility drives a slight increase in transient amplitude. However, as the temperature decreases further below −140 °C, the carrier freeze-out brings about an inflection point, which means the transient amplitude will decrease at cryogenic temperatures. To better understand this result, we analytically calculate the ionization rates of various dopants at different temperatures based on Altermatt’s new incomplete ionization model. The parasitic resistivities with temperature on the charge-collection pathway are extracted by a two-dimensional (2D) TCAD process simulation. In addition, we investigate the impact of temperature on the novel electron-injection process from emitter to base under different bias conditions. The increase of the emitter–base junction’s barrier height at low temperatures could suppress this electron-injection phenomenon. We have also optimized the built-in voltage equations of a high current compact model (HICUM) by introducing the impact of incomplete ionization. The present results and methods could provide a new reference for effective evaluation of single-event effects in bipolar transistors and circuits at cryogenic temperatures, and could provide a new evidence of the potential of SiGe technology in applications in extreme cryogenic environments.
Modeling differential car-following behavior under normal and rainy conditions: A memory-based deep learning method with attention mechanism
Authors: Bai Hai-Jian , Guo Chen-Chen , Ding Heng , Wei Li-Yang , Sun Ting , Chen Xing-Yu
Published: December 2022

In order to analyze and learn the difference in car-following behavior between normal and rainy days, we first collect car-following trajectory data of an urban elevated road on normal and rainy days by microwave radar and analyze the differences in speed, relative speed, acceleration, space headway, and time headway among data through statistics. Secondly, owing to the time-series characteristics of car-following data, we use the long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network optimized by attention mechanism (AM) and sparrow search algorithm (SSA) to learn the different car-following behaviors under different weather conditions and build corresponding models (ASL-Normal, ASL-Rain, where ASL stands for AM-SSA-LSTM), respectively. Finally, the simulation test shows that the mean square error (MSE) and reciprocal of time-to-collision (RTTC) of the ASL model are better than those of LSTM and intelligent diver model (IDM), which is closer to the real data. The ASL model can better learn different driving behaviors on normal and rainy days. However, it has a higher sensitivity to weather conditions from cross test on normal and rainy data-sets which need classification training or sample diversification processing. In the car-following platoon simulation, the stability performances of two models are excellent, which can describe the basic characteristics of traffic flow on normal and rainy days. Comparing with ASL-Rain model, the convergence time of ASL-Normal is shorter, reflecting that cautious driving behavior on rainy days will reduce traffic efficiency to a certain extent. However, ASL-Normal model produces a more severe and frequent traffic oscillation within a shorter period because of aggressive driving behavior on normal days.
An at-scale tailless flapping wing hummingbird robot: II. Flight control in hovering and trajectory tracking
Authors: Fei Fan , Tu Zhan , Deng Xinyan
Published: December 2022

Flight control such as stable hovering and trajectory tracking of tailless flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles is a challenging task. Given the constraint on actuation capability, flight control authority is limited beyond sufficient lift generation. In addition, the highly nonlinear and inherently unstable vehicle dynamics, unsteady aerodynamics, wing motion caused body oscillations, and mechanism asymmetries and imperfections due to fabrication process, all pose challenges to flight control. In this work, we propose a systematic onboard control method to address such challenges. In particular, with a systematic comparative study, a nonlinear flight controller incorporating parameter adaptation and robust control demonstrates the preferred performances. Such a controller is designed to address time-varying system uncertainty in flapping flight. The proposed controller is validated on a 12-g at-scale tailless hummingbird robot equipped with two actuators. Maneuver experiments have been successfully performed by the proposed hummingbird robot, including stable hovering, waypoint and trajectory tracking, and stabilization under severe wing asymmetries.
Multiple Sclerosis and Depression: Translation and Adaptation of the Spanish Version of the Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory and the Study of Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Sanchis-Segura Carla , Cruz-Gómez Álvaro Javier , Esbrí Sónia Félix , Tirado Alba Sebastián , Arnett Peter A , Forn Cristina
Published: December 2022

Objective

Depressive disorder occurs in up to 50% of persons with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Accurate assessment of depression in MS is essential in clinical settings because depressive symptomatology can affect the clinical course of the disease.

Methods

We translated, adapted, and tested the Spanish version of the Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory (CMDI), a specific test to assess depression in neurological disorders. We compare our results with those obtained with previous versions of the questionnaire (English and Italian). Finally, we also analyze the relationship between the results obtained on the CMDI and demographic, clinical, and cognitive variables.

Results

The results obtained with the Spanish version of the CMDI were similar to those observed in previous published versions. We also observed higher depression scores in PwMS (especially in progressive forms) compared with healthy controls. Moreover, depression symptomatology was related to higher disability and fatigue and worse cognitive performance in PwMS.

Conclusions

The results support the validity of the CDMI in the Spanish population, as well as the association between depression and other characteristic symptoms of MS. These findings also emphasize the importance of good assessment and multidisciplinary treatment of depression in PwMS.
GLUT-1/PKM2 loop dysregulation in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction promotes metainflammation
Authors: Canonico Francesco , Pedicino Daniela , Severino Anna , Vinci Ramona , Flego Davide , Pisano Eugenia , d’Aiello Alessia , Ciampi Pellegrino , Ponzo Myriana , Bonanni Alice , De Ciutiis Astrid , Russo Sara , Di Sario Marianna , Angelini Giulia , Szczepaniak Piotr , Baldi Alfonso , Kapelak Boguslaw , Wierzbicki Karol , Montone Rocco A , D’Amario Domenico , Massetti Massimo , Guzik Tomasz J , Crea Filippo , Liuzzo Giovanna
Published: December 2022

Aims

The functional capacity of the immune cells is strongly dependent on their metabolic state and inflammatory responses are characterized by a greater use of glucose in immune cells. This study is aimed to establish the role of glucose metabolism and its players [glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) and pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 (PKM2)] in the dysregulation of adaptive immunity and inflammation observed in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Methods and results

We enrolled 248 patients allocated to three groups: NSTEMI patients, chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) patients, healthy subjects (HSs). NSTEMI patients showed higher expression of GLUT-1 and an enhanced glucose uptake in T cells when compared with CCS patients (P < 0.0001; P = 0.0101, respectively) and HSs (P = 0.0071; P = 0.0122, respectively). PKM2 had a prevalent nuclear localization in T lymphocytes in NSTEMI (P = 0.0005 for nuclear vs. cytoplasm localization), while in CCS and HS, it was equally distributed in both compartments. In addition, the nuclear fraction of PKM2 was significantly higher in NSTEMI compared with HS (P = 0.0023). In NSTEMI patients, treatment with Shikonin and Fasentin, which inhibits PKM2 enzyme activity and GLUT-1-mediated glucose internalization, respectively, led to a significant reduction in GLUT-1 expression along with the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.

Conclusion

NSTEMI patients exhibit dysregulation of the GLUT-1/PKM2 metabolic loop characterized by nuclear translocation of PKM2, where it acts as a transcription regulator of pro-inflammatory genes. This detrimental loop might represent a new therapeutic target for personalized medicine.
Mapping dead understoreyBuxus hyrcana Pojarkusing Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 data
Authors: Saba Fatemeh , Latifi Hooman , Valadan Zoej Mohammad Javad , Esmaili Rohollah
Published: December 2022

The Hyrcanian Forests comprise a continuous 800-km belt of mostly deciduous broadleaf forests and are considered as Iran’s most important vegetation region in terms of density, canopy cover and species diversity. One of the few evergreen species of the Hyrcanian Forests is the box tree (Buxus), which is seriously threatened by box blight disease and box tree moth outbreaks. Therefore, information on the spatial distribution of intact and infested box trees is essential for recovery monitoring, control treatment and management. To address this critical knowledge gap, we integrated a genetic algorithm (GA) with a support vector machine (SVM) ensemble classification based on the combination of leaf-off optical Sentinel-2 and radar Sentinel-1 data to map the spatial distribution of box tree mortality. We additionally considered the overstorey species composition to account for a potential impact of overstory stand composition on the spectral signature of understorey defoliation. We consequently defined target classes based on the combination of dominant overstorey trees (using two measures including the relative frequency and the diameter at breast height) and two defoliation levels of box trees (including dead and healthy box trees). Our classification workflow applied a GA to simultaneously derive optimal vegetation indices (VIs) and tuning parameters of the SVM. Then the distribution of box tree defoliation was mapped by an SVM ensemble with bagging using GA-optimized VIs and radar data. The GA results revealed that normalized difference vegetation index, red edge normalized difference vegetation index and green normalized difference vegetation index were appropriate for box tree defoliation mapping. An additional comparison of GA-SVM (using GA-optimized VIs and tuning parameters) with a simple SVM (using all VIs and user-based tuning parameters) showed that our suggested workflow performs notably better than the simple SVM (overall accuracy of 0.79 vs 0.74). Incorporating Sentinel-1 data to GA-SVM, marginally improved the performance of the model (overall accuracy: 0.80). The SVM ensemble model using Sentinel-2 and -1 data yielded high accuracies and low uncertainties in mapping of box tree defoliation. The results showed that infested box trees were mostly located at low elevations, low slope and facing north. We conclude that mortality of evergreen understorey tree species can be mapped with good accuracies using freely available satellite data if a suitable work-flow is applied.
Best Management Practices, Erosion, Residual Woody Biomass, and Soil Disturbances Within Biomass and Conventional Clearcut Harvests in Virginia’s Coastal Plain
Authors: Hawks Eric M , Chad Bolding M , Michael Aust W , Barrett Scott M
Published: December 2022

Forest residue utilization for energy has increased in the southeastern United States and additional increases are anticipated. However, such removals generate concerns regarding potential accelerated erosion and nutrient drains, which could affect site productivity and stream water quality. To address erosion and water quality concerns, postharvest erosion rates, operational feature areas, best management practice (BMP) implementation, residual ground cover, soil disturbance, and forest residue concentrations were evaluated on ten biomass and ten conventional clearcut harvests in Virginia’s Coastal Plain. No significant differences in erosion rates (P = 0.4727) were observed between biomass (0.71 tons ac-1 yr-1) and conventional (0.61 tons ac-1 yr-1) harvests. BMP compliance percentages were similar (P = 0.6776) for both biomass (88.54%) and conventional (90.99%) harvests. BMP implementation scores were determined to be a significant predictor of erosion rates (P < 0.0001). A significant reduction (28%) in postharvest residue concentrations was observed for biomass (10.22 tons ac-1) versus conventional harvests (14.24 tons ac-1) (P = 0.0173). Scores for BMP implementation and erosion rates were not significantly different between treatments, indicating that sufficient residual biomass exists for appropriate implementation of BMPs. BMPs provided similar erosion protection on both biomass and conventional clearcut harvests.

Study Implications: Forest residues are widely used to cover and stabilize bare soil as best management practices (BMPs) for erosion control. The expanding bioenergy market has raised concerns that overutilization of forest residues may occur. Comparisons of biomass and conventional harvests in the Coastal Plain of Virginia revealed few significant postharvest differences. Implementation of existing water quality BMPs is important for minimizing erosion on biomass harvests; however, the development of biomass harvesting guidelines in addition to current state BMPs appears unnecessary under current harvesting practices. Harvest residue management should be conducted to ensure adequate supplies of woody debris remain for site protection.
Evaluating the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for treatment of refractory perianal fistula in IBD patients: clinical trial phase I
Authors: Nazari Hojjatollah , Alborzi Foroogh , Heirani-Tabasi Asieh , Hadizadeh Alireza , Asbagh Reza Akbari , Behboudi Behnam , Fazeli Mohammad Sadegh , Rahimi Mojgan , Keramati Mohammad Reza , Keshvari Amir , Kazemeini Alireza , Soleimani Masoud , Ahmadi Tafti Seyed Mohsen
Published: December 2022

Background

Exosome administration is a novel medical approach that promises excellent immunomodulatory properties without the conventional side effects of current antitumor necrosis factor drugs and stem cells. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) exosomes to treat refractory fistulas in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods

MSCs were derived from the umbilical cords and their exosomes were isolated. Five patients with refractory perianal Crohn’s disease fistulas with a median age of 35 years (range 31–47 years) were enrolled in the study. Exosome injections were administered in the operating room to patients with refractory fistula (fistulas that are irresponsive to anti-tumor necrosis factor-α administration within 6 months). Six months later, a physical examination, face-to-face interviews, and magnetic resonance imaging were employed to evaluate the therapy responses of patients.

Results

The outcomes within 6 months after initiation of therapy showed that four patients had responded to therapy. Three patients who received exosome injections exhibited complete healing, while one reported no improvement and active discharge from the fistula site. In addition, five patients (100%) reported neither systemic nor local adverse effects.

Conclusions

Injection of exosomes extracted from MSCs demonstrates safety and a satisfactory therapeutic effect, as evidenced in this and other studies, and may play a significant role in the future treatment of gastrointestinal fistulas.
IBD Journal Editorial Fellowship: A Practical Guide for Future Fellows
Authors: Kurdi Ahmed T , Noor Nurulamin M , Gold Stephanie L
Published: December 2022

Lay Summary

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases offers an editorial fellowship for GI and IBD fellows with a background in clinical, translational, and basic research and who are interested to experience the editorial process. Herein, the inaugural fellows compile their experience as a guide for future applicants on the fellowship’s responsibilities and highlights.
Validation of the CompactDryTM “Nissui” TCR for Rapid Enumeration of Aerobic Bacteria in a Variety of Matrixes: AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM 082201
Authors: Hosokawa Shuhei , Yamazaki Tomoki , Toyota Katsuya
Published: December 2022

Background

CompactDry™ “Nissui” TCR are ready-to-use dry media sheets using a chromogenic medium for the enumeration of mesophilic aerobic bacteria in foods in as little as 24 h.

Objective

The CompactDry “Nissui” TCR method was validated to achieve AOAC Performance Tested MethodsSM certification.

Method

The performance of the CompactDry “Nissui” TCR was compared to that of USDA/FSIS MLG 3.02, FDA BAM Chapter 3, and SMEDP Chapter 6 for 11 matrixes. All 11 matrixes were tested by CompactDry incubation at 35 ± 1°C for 24 ± 2 and 48 ± 3 h. The three dairy matrixes were also evaluated by CompactDry incubation at 32 ± 1°C for 24 ± 2 and 48 ± 3 h and additionally at 72 ± 3 h for nonfat dry milk.

Results

After log10 transformation of the data, the standard deviation of repeatability (sr) was similar between CompactDry “Nissui” TCR and the respective reference methods, and method equivalence based on the 90% confidence interval of the difference of means being within (−0.5, 0.5) was demonstrated for all matrixes, incubation temperatures, and incubation times in the method developer and independent laboratory studies. The method was shown to be robust, and data are presented supporting product consistency and 18-month shelf life.

Conclusions

The CompactDry “Nissui” TCR method was validated for the determination of mesophilic aerobic bacteria in a variety of matrixes with incubation at 35 ± 1°C for 24 ± 2 and 48 ± 3 h and for dairy matrixes also at 32 ± 1°C for 24 ± 2, 48 ± 3, and 72 ± 3 h.

Highlights

The CompactDry “Nissui” TCR method is equivalent to the USDA/FSIS MLG 3.02, FDA BAM Chapter 3, and SMEDP Chapter 6 reference methods and is suitable for Performance Tested MethodsSM certification for the matrixes tested.
Multi-label feature selection using density-based graph clustering and ant colony optimization
Authors: Kakarash Zana Azeez , Mardukhia Farhad , Moradi Parham
Published: December 2022

Multi-label learning is a machine learning subclass that aims to assign more than one label simultaneously for each instance. Many real-world tasks include high-dimensional data which reduces the performance of machine learning methods. To solve this issue, a filter and multi-label feature selection is proposed in this paper. The main idea of the proposed method is to choose highly relevant and non-redundant features with the lowest information loss. The proposed method first uses a novel graph-based density peaks clustering to group similar features to reach this goal. It then uses the ant colony optimization search process to rank features based on their relevancy to a set of labels and also their redundancy with the other features. A graph first represents the feature space, and then a novel density peaks clustering is used to group similar features. Then, the ants are searched through the graph to select a set of non-similar features by remaining in the clusters with a low probability and jumping among the clusters with a high probability. Moreover, in this paper, to evaluate the solutions found by the ants, a novel criterion based on mutual information was used to assign a high pheromone value to highly relevant and non-redundant features. Finally, the final features are chosen based on their pheromone values. The results of experiments on a set of real-world datasets show the superiority of the proposed method over a set of baseline and state-of-the-art methods.
How European Markets Became Free: A Study of Institutional Drift
Authors: Gutierrez German , Philippon Thomas
Published: December 2022

Over the past 20 years, Europe has deregulated many industries, protected consumer welfare, and created strongly independent regulators. These policies represent a stark departure from historical traditions in continental Europe. How and why did this turnaround happen? We build a political economy model of market regulation and we compare the design of national and supra-national regulators. We show that countries in a single market willingly promote a supranational regulator that enforces free markets beyond the preferences of any individual country. We test and confirm the predictions of the model. European institutions are indeed more independent and enforce competition more strongly than any individual country ever did. Countries with ex-ante weaker institutions benefit more from the delegation of competition policy to the EU level.
Splitting hairs: differentiating juvenile from adult deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by hair width
Authors: Calhoun Timothy J , Mesa-Cruz J Bernardo , Holcombe Brogan E , Osborn David A , D’Angelo Gino J , Lafon Nelson , Kelly Marcella J
Published: December 2022

Ungulates are a main component in carnivore diets but determining consumption of juveniles is difficult. Past studies have used size of prey remains such as small hooves or bones to classify scat samples as containing content attributable to juveniles. Hair thickness and color may also be used, but seasonality could influence the coat of an adult by developing thinner hairs in summer that more closely resemble those from juveniles. Given this uncertainty, we aimed to quantitatively determine a hair diameter threshold to categorize the age-class of ungulate hair in scats. We obtained hair samples from captive (n = 133) and vehicle-killed (n = 5) white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Georgia and Virginia. We used microphotography image analysis to measure the width of hairs and their cuticular casts. We used a linear model to assess differences among body locations, age-classes, and locations along the hair strand. We also analyzed the change in hair width of juveniles as they aged. Hair diameter of adults, but not juveniles, differed significantly depending on body location, yet adult hairs were always significantly wider than those from juveniles. Juvenile hairs significantly increased in width after mid-September, when they molt into adult coats in our study area. We identified 104.2 µm measured at either 1/8 or 1/4 distance from the follicle as a threshold width to distinguish adult from juvenile hairs, with 95.3% accuracy. Our findings indicate that juvenile white-tailed deer can be distinguished from adults based on the width of hairs found in carnivore scats up until juveniles are 5 months old. More broadly, our results demonstrate that hair width may be used to classify juvenile versus adult prey remains in carnivore diet studies in other predator–prey systems.
Economic Contribution of the Forest Sector in Kentucky: Community Dependence and Economic Well-Being
Authors: Poudel Kamana , Ochuodho Thomas O , Dhungel Gaurav
Published: December 2022

Rural communities depend on the forest sector to fulfill their subsistence needs and maintain economic well-being. The forest sector in Kentucky provides significant economic and employment opportunities to the rural communities in the state. Despite this, little is understood of how Kentucky communities’ dependence on the forest sector is related to their economic well-being. In this research, we divided Kentucky into three regions based on physiographic conditions and examine the economic contribution of the forest sector. We applied regression and correlation analyses to assess the relationship between forest sector dependence and economic well-being for Kentucky and for the three regions using common socioeconomic indicators for 2010 and 2017. Results indicate that although the forest sector plays a critical role in the livelihood of rural communities, its contribution is usually overshadowed by bigger sectors such as services and manufacturing. Accordingly, dependence on the forest sector usually results in a negative relationship with economic well-being.
A Novel Homozygous Pathogenic Variant in CYP11B1 in a Female Iranian Patient with 11B Hydroxylase Deficiency
Authors: Hoseinzadeh Marziyeh , Molavi Newsha , Norouzi Mahnaz , Aghaei Shahrzad , Zeinalian Mehrdad , Hashemipour Mahin , Tabatabaiefar Mohammad Amin
Published: December 2022

Objective

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) addresses a number of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by the enzyme defects in steroid hormones biosynthesis. The second common form of CAH is caused by mutations in the CYP11B1 gene. Here, we reveal a novel mutation in the CYP11B1 gene related to the 11βOHD phenotype.

Methods and Results

Sequence analysis of the CYP11B1 gene in a 19-year-old Iranian woman with the 11βOHD phenotype was performed. In silico analysis and molecular docking were done. A novel missense homozygous variant c.1351C > T (p.L451F) in the CYP11B1 gene was identified in the patient and, according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics criteria, was categorized as likely pathogenic. Protein docking showed destructive effects of the variant on the CYP11B1 protein-ligand interactions.

Conclusion

This study broadens the CYP11B1 mutation spectrum and introduces the novel p.L451F likely pathogenic variant leading to destructive effects on protein-ligand interactions. Our results provide reliable information for genetic counseling and molecular diagnostics of CAH.
Modeling photometric variations due to a global inhomogeneity on an obliquely rotating star: Application to light curves of white dwarfs
Authors: Suto Yasushi , Sasaki Shin , Aizawa Masataka , Fujisawa Kotaro , Kashiyama Kazumi
Published: December 2022

We develop a general framework to compute photometric variations induced by the oblique rotation of a star with an axisymmetric inhomogeneous surface. We apply the framework to compute light curves of white dwarfs adopting two simple models of their surface inhomogeneity. Depending on the surface model and the location of the observer, the resulting light curve exhibits a departure from a purely sinusoidal curve that is observed for a fraction of white dwarfs. As a specific example, we fit our model to the observed phase-folded light curve of a fast-spinning white dwarf ZTF J190132.9+145808.7 (with a rotation period of 419 s). We find that the size and obliquity angle of the spot responsible for the photometric variation are Δθs ≈ 60° and θ⋆ ≈ 60° or 90°, respectively, implying an interesting constraint on the surface distribution of the magnetic field on white dwarfs.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN EXTENDED-RANGE BONNER SPHERE SPECTROMETER FOR CHINA INITIATIVE ACCELERATOR-DRIVEN SYSTEM
Authors: Wen Z W , Song S Y , Xu J K , Gong Y W , Huang Y X , Ran J L , Tang X Q , Chen Z Q , Li Y , Luo P
Published: December 2022

To measure the extended-range neutron spectra and calibrate the extended-range neutron dosemeters of the China initiative Accelerator-Driven System (CiADS), an Extended-range Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (EBSS) has been developed. The EBSS was designed based on the PHITS codes, investigating various combinations of materials and diameters of the neutron moderators and the neutron multipliers for extended-range neutrons. Finally, seven polyethylene-only spheres and seven extended-range spheres were selected and subsequently built. The neutron multipliers of the extended-range spheres embedded concentric shells of lead, copper and tungsten. The response functions of the EBSS were analyzed and experimentally validated. It was subsequently tested with 252Cf neutron source and cosmic ray neutron source. The results demonstrate that the EBSS is capable of accurately measuring neutron spectra.
The Variable Disadvantage of Nonstandard Employment for Entering Homeownership in Russia and Urban China: The Potential Role of Mortgage Prevalence
Authors: Wang Jia , Gerber Theodore P
Published: December 2022

Nonstandard employment (NSE) is a disadvantage for entry into homeownership because it is associated with both lower average income and greater uncertainty of future income. These features of NSE make formal mortgage loans from banks riskier to take on and harder to obtain. This mechanism implies that the relative disadvantage of NSE for homeownership entry is greater in societies where, due to institutional and macro-economic factors, mortgages are a more prevalent means to acquire homes. We test these theoretical expectations by analyzing entry to homeownership using panel surveys from Russia and urban China, two former state socialist countries with comparable labor market regulations, housing regimes, and welfare protections, but different mortgage prevalence. NSE is associated with lowers rates of entering homeownership in urban China, where mortgages are far more common, but not in Russia. Moreover, this negative effect in urban China pertains only to home acquisitions via mortgages, not to homeownership entry via other paths. Our findings broaden sociological understanding of how NSE contributes to inequality by highlighting the role of income uncertainty. They also suggest that cross-national differences in financial institutions may moderate the disadvantages of NSE and thus shape the consequences of market transition for stratification.
Challenges Facing the Translation of Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Cartilage Lesions
Authors: Grogan Shawn , Kopcow Joel , D’Lima Darryl
Published: December 2022

Osteoarthritis is a common disease resulting in significant disability without approved disease-modifying treatment (other than total joint replacement). Stem cell-based therapy is being actively explored for the repair of cartilage lesions in the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis. Embryonic stem cells are a very attractive source as they address many of the limitations inherent in autologous stem cells, such as variability in function and limited expansion. Over the past 20 years, there has been widespread interest in differentiating ESC into mesenchymal stem cells and chondroprogenitors with successful in vitro, ex vivo, and early animal studies. However, to date, none have progressed to clinical trials. In this review, we compare and contrast the various approaches to differentiating ESC; and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. Approaches relying on spontaneous differentiation are simpler but not as efficient as more targeted approaches. Methods replicating developmental biology are more efficient and reproducible but involve many steps in a complicated process. The small-molecule approach, arguably, combines the advantages of the above two methods because of the relative efficiency, reproducibility, and simplicity. To better understand the reasons for lack of progression to clinical applications, we explore technical, scientific, clinical, and regulatory challenges that remain to be overcome to achieve success in clinical applications.
A Systematic Review of Histopathologic Surveys on Mucocutaneous Biopsies in Patients Developed COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Dermatologic Manifestations
Authors: Salehi Sadaf , Sadeghi Sara , Kalantari Yasamin , Goodarzi Azadeh
Published: December 2022

Coronavirus 2 is an infectious agent primarily identified as the cause of a pandemic viral pneumonia. With the mass vaccination against this virus, one of the health issues is the safety of currently available vaccines considering their adverse reactions. This systematic review was conducted to assess and summarize all reported data on histopathologic findings associated with mucocutaneous reactions that developed after COVID-19 vaccination for a better pathophysiology interpretation and clinical management of these reactions. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases as well as Google Scholar engine for relevant English articles published till July 1, 2022. This review includes 131 studies with a total number of 287 cases. Eruptions that underwent a biopsy were mostly described as erythematous maculopapular, papulosquamous, vasculitis-like, lichenoid, or urticarial lesions. Histopathology revealed spongiosis, interstitial, and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration, erythrocyte extravasation, parakeratosis, endothelial inflammation, and the like. Findings were highly consistent with morbilliform erythema, psoriasiform dermatosis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and lichenoid or urticarial drug reactions. The majority of these reactions had a mild nature and were primarily observed in patients with underlying health conditions. Microscopic evaluation was also consistent with transient inflammatory changes, and features like neutrophilic infiltrates, subcorneal pustules, and vasculopathy were less frequently reported than what seen in COVID infection. Therefore, dermatologic reactions developing after vaccination in the general population should not hinder a complete vaccination.
Drug-coated balloons are not inferior to drug-coated stents in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction and shorten the duration of dual antiplatelet treatment
Authors: Yang Jing , Chang Shuting , Liu Jing , Zhang Guanzhao , Wang Yue , Zhang Baixue , Nie Zifan , Dong Yuanbao , Li Bo
Published: December 2022

Background

Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) are an up-and-coming tactic in treating in-stent restenosis and coronary artery small vessel disease, but their efficacy in treating acute myocardial infarction needs to be further explored.

Methods

A meta-analysis of 7 studies was conducted to make a comparison with the results of DCB and drug-eluting stent implantation after a median follow-up of 15 months.

Results

A total of 922 patients were included in this analysis in total, including 375 patients in the DCB group and 547 patients in the stent group. A total of 962 vascular diseases were manifested in the 2 groups. After 6 to 24 months of follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events (odds ratio [OR]: 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52–1.29; Z = 0.85; P = 0.39), cardiac death (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.39–2.12; Z = 0.21; P = 0.84), target lesion revascularization (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.53–2.25; Z = 0.24; P = 0.81), late lumen loss (MD: −0.05; 95% CI: −0.15 to 0.06; Z = 0.85; P = 0.40), or dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.53–2.05; Z = 0.11; P = 0.91) between the 2 groups. In the DCB group, persistent residual stenosis or C-F dissection occurrence necessitated that a total of 30 patients receive extra bailout implantations. The rate of bailout stenting was 11.8% (95% CI: 7.1–16). Moreover, the DCB group had a shorter DAPT duration compared with the stent group.

Conclusion

Drug-coated balloons with shorter DAPT durations may be as effective and safe as stent therapy in treating acute myocardial infarction.
Devastating neurologic injury associated with fat embolism syndrome
Authors: Balcome Charles D. , Lim Hoang
Published: December 2022

The diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome (FES) may present with a constellation of symptoms and continues to be a diagnosis of exclusion. Fat embolism syndrome is a poorly understood syndrome, which is typically associated with orthopedic trauma, most commonly with long bone fractures. Understanding the presentation of FES is essential to provide timely and appropriate interventions and to ensure optimal patient outcomes. The following is a case report of FES in a 39-year-old man following a motor vehicle collision in which he sustained a comminuted fracture of the right femur. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with FES using Gurd criteria in conjunction with frequent assessment of the patient's clinical picture, as well as exclusion of other differential diagnoses. Nurse practitioners and other providers should understand the constellation of symptoms that may be associated with FES to improve prevention and ensure timely intervention.
Pathogenesis of intrinsic acute kidney injury
Authors: Devarajan Prasad
Published: December 2022

Purpose of review

This review focuses on the pathogenesis of intrinsic acute kidney injury (AKI), emphasizing recent advances that hold therapeutic promise.

Recent findings

Enhanced endothelin and reduced endothelium-derived nitric oxide release in AKI can be blocked using endothelin receptor antagonists or nitric oxide supplementation. Vasodilatory agents such as theophylline and caffeine may prevent AKI. Free labile iron is a potent factor in the generation of reactive oxygen species and tubule damage in AKI. Apoptosis via induction of p53 is an important mechanism of cell death in AKI, which can be blocked using small interfering RNA. The AKI-driven reduction in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide can be countered using oral supplements. Surviving tubule cells regenerate after AKI, by upregulating genes encoding growth factors, such as hepatocyte growth factor. Pro-angiogenic agents (statins and erythropoietin) that can mobilize endothelial progenitor cells after AKI are currently being tested. The inflammatory response in AKI, including activation of C5a, can be therapeutically targeted. Contemporary single cell profiling technologies have identified novel genes with altered expression, new signalling pathways and drug targets in AKI.

Recent advances in the pathogenesis of intrinsic AKI have provided a better understanding of the clinical continuum and the rational deployment of promising therapeutics.
Anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of lamotrigine on pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in mice
Authors: Onishi Kouhei , Kamida Tohru , Fujiki Minoru , Momii Yasutomo , Sugita Kenji
Published: December 2022

Objectives

The anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of lamotrigine on status epilepticus (SE) are incompletely understood. We assessed these effects of lamotrigine on pilocarpine (Pilo)-induced SE in mice.

Methods

Male C57BL/J6 mice were assigned to three groups: the control group, Pilo (400 mg/kg, s.c.)-induced SE (Pilo group) and lamotrigine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) treated (Pilo/lamotrigine group). The latency to SE of Racine’s stage 3 or higher, the mortality rate within 2 h of Pilo administration, and the duration of SE until sacrifice were examined. Nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde and glutathione of oxidative stress biomarkers were detected in the hippocampus of the sacrificed animals in the above groups. NO was also detected in the cultured rat hippocampal neurons treated with 4 μM Pilo, Pilo+100 μM lamotrigine (Pilo/lamotrigine) and Pilo/lamotrigine+ N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist (10 μM MK-801, 3 μM ifenprodil) to examine the antioxidant effects of lamotrigine via non-NMDA-related pathways.

Results

lamotrigine prolonged the latency to SE, the SE duration until sacrifice, and decreased the mortality rate in mice with Pilo-induced SE. Lamotrigine also decreased hippocampal concentrations of NO and malondialdehyde and increased the concentrations of glutathione in the SE model. Furthermore, there were significant differences in NO concentrations between groups of cultured rat hippocampal neurons treated with Pilo and Pilo/lamotrigine, and with Pilo/lamotrigine and Pilo/lamotrigine+MK-801.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that lamotrigine exerts anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects on SE, but its antioxidant activity may not be fully exerted via NMDA-related pathways.
Diversity, multilingualism and inter-ethnic relations in the long-term history of the Upper Rio Negro region of the Amazon
Authors: Cayón Luis , Chacon Thiago
Published: December 2022

The Upper Rio Negro regional social system is made up of more than 30 languages belonging to six linguistic families. This results from socio-historical processes stretching back at least two millennia, which have built a system with different levels of autonomy and hierarchy associated with a mythical and ritual complex, and with social and linguistic exchanges. The analysis of these processes require an interdisciplinary outlook to understand the ways in which people from different linguistic families interacted and created it. More specifically, we ask how linguistic and cultural diversity have been created in the context of intense relations of multilingualism and inter-ethnic contact. To this end, we integrate perspectives from historical linguistics (regarding languages from the Tukanoan, Arawakan and Naduhup families) with archaeological data from the Amazonian past. Through this multidisciplinary approach, we seek to develop a linguistic–anthropological understanding of the dynamics shaping the region's diversity and inter-ethnic relations. We show that processes creating diversity are interrelated with changes in social histories, and are especially tied to the establishment of new forms of social organization as a result of pre-colonial inter-ethnic relations. This has led to the construction of various local multilingual ecologies connected to macro-regional processes in Amazonia.
Untangling the evolution of body-part terminology in Pano: conservative versus innovative traits in body-part lexicalization
Authors: Zariquiey Roberto , Vera Javier , Greenhill Simon J. , Valenzuela Pilar , Gray Russell D. , List Johann-Mattis
Published: December 2022

Although language-family specific traits which do not find direct counterparts outside a given language family are usually ignored in quantitative phylogenetic studies, scholars have made ample use of them in qualitative investigations, revealing their potential for identifying language relationships. An example of such a family specific trait are body-part expressions in Pano languages, which are often lexicalized forms, composed of bound roots (also called body-part prefixes in the literature) and non-productive derivative morphemes (called here body-part formatives). We use various statistical methods to demonstrate that whereas body-part roots are generally conservative, body-part formatives exhibit diverse chronologies and are often the result of recent and parallel innovations. In line with this, the phylogenetic structure of body-part roots projects the major branches of the family, while formatives are highly non-tree-like. Beyond its contribution to the phylogenetic analysis of Pano languages, this study provides significative insights into the role of grammatical innovations for language classification, the origin of morphological complexity in the Amazon and the phylogenetic signal of specific grammatical traits in language families.
The social lives of isolates (and small language families): the case of the Northwest Amazon
Authors: Van Gijn Rik , Norder Sietze , Arias Leonardo , Emlen Nicholas Q. , Azevedo Matheus C. B. C. , Caine Allison , Dunn Saskia , Howard Austin , Julmi Nora , Krasnoukhova Olga , Stoneking Mark , Wiegertjes Jurriaan
Published: December 2022

The Americas are home to patches of extraordinary linguistic (genealogical) diversity. These high-diversity areas are particularly unexpected given the recent population of the Americas. In this paper, we zoom in on one such area, the Northwest Amazon, and address the question of how the diversity in this area has persisted to the present. We contrast two hypotheses that claim opposite mechanisms for the maintenance of diversity: the isolation hypothesis suggests that isolation facilitates the preservation of diversity, while the integration hypothesis proposes that conscious identity preservation in combination with contact drives diversity maintenance. We test predictions for both hypotheses across four disciplines: biogeography, cultural anthropology, population genetics and linguistics. Our results show signs of both isolation and integration, but they mainly suggest considerable diversity in how groups of speakers have interacted with their surroundings.
Interpreting mismatches between linguistic and genetic patterns among speakers of Tanimuka (Eastern Tukanoan) and Yukuna (Arawakan)
Authors: Arias Leonardo , Emlen Nicholas Q. , Norder Sietze , Julmi Nora , Lemus Serrano Magdalena , Chacon Thiago , Wiegertjes Jurriaan , Howard Austin , Azevedo Matheus C. B. C. , Caine Allison , Dunn Saskia , Stoneking Mark , Van Gijn Rik
Published: December 2022

Northwestern Amazonia is home to a great degree of linguistic diversity, and the human societies in that region are part of complex networks of interaction that predate the arrival of Europeans. This study investigates the population and language contact dynamics between two languages found within this region, Yukuna and Tanimuka, which belong to the Arawakan and Tukanoan language families, respectively. We use evidence from linguistics, ethnohistory, ethnography and population genetics to provide new insights into the contact dynamics between these and other human groups in NWA. Our results show that the interaction between these groups intensified in the last 500 years, to the point that it is difficult to differentiate between them genetically. However, this close interaction has led to more substantial contact-induced language changes in Tanimuka than in Yukuna, consistent with a scenario of language shift and asymmetrical power relations.