bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutische Nanobodies gegen SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Güttler Thomas , Dobbelstein Matthias , Görlich Dirk
Published: February 2022

Monoclonal immunoglobulins are widely successful as therapeutics and have also been effective in treating COVID-19. However, their production in mammalian cells is expensive and cannot be scaled to meet the demand in a global pandemic. Camelid VHH antibodies (also called nanobodies), however, can be manufactured cost-efficiently in bacteria or yeast. Here we highlight our progress in developing nanobodies that effectively neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
Überlebenswichtig: Glutaminsynthetasehomologe Proteine in Streptomyceten
Authors: Krysenko Sergii , Wohlleben Wolfgang
Published: February 2022

Streptomycetes have to cope with fluctuating nitrogen conditions in soil. Key enzymes in nitrogen metabolism in streptomycetes are the two glutamine synthetases (GSs), GlnA and GlnII. We demonstrated that GlnA3 and GlnA4, proteins previously annotated as GSs, are involved in utilization and detoxification of polyamines and ethanolamine. Homologs of these enzymes are present in pathogenic Actinobacteria and are promising drug targets. We designed a novel strategy for development of anti-tubercular antibiotics based on the inhibition of GlnA3.
Vom Bierbrauen zur Forschung im 21. Jahrhundert
Authors: Westermann Benedikt , Klecker Till
Published: February 2022

Baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used in the production of food and alcoholic beverages since ancient times. In the last century it emerged as a leading model organism for studying molecular processes in eukaryotic cells, and it still is a very powerful experimental system in 21st century biology. The remarkable features of this unicellular fungus made its astonishing journey from the brewery and bakery to the research laboratory possible.
Einsatz von Elektroimpulsen für die Biotechnologie von Mikroalgen
Authors: Frey Wolfgang , Nick Peter
Published: February 2022

Electroporation is used to extract cells without the need for solvents. However, electrical fields can also be used to deploy biological signalling. Using microalgae as paradigm, we show the potential of electro-modulation for biotechnology. In Haematococcus, metabolic genes astaxanthin synthesis can be triggered. Likewise, electrical triggering of programmed cell death support energy-efficient, mild, and clean purification of Chlorella proteins for applications in food industry.
Entwicklung von Ustilago als Chassis für die CO2-neutrale Itakonatproduktion
Authors: Ullmann Lena , Blank Lars M.
Published: February 2022

The family Ustilaginaceae attracted attention in the field of industrial biotechnology, featuring a versatile product spectrum comprising organic acids (e. g., itaconate), polyols (e. g., erythritol), and extracellular glycolipids. This study focusses on establishing an Ustilago biocatalysts to (co-) consume the CO2-derived substrates acetate and formate, potentially contributing toward a carbon-neutral itaconate production.
SLC23-Nukleobasentransport entschlüsselt
Authors: Holzhüter Katharina , Geertsma Eric. R.
Published: February 2022

SLC23 family members transport either nucleobases or vitamin C. While the structure of SLC23 nucleobase transporters is resolved in high detail, their transport mechanism is not: they have been proposed, but not formally shown, to be proton-coupled symporters. Here, by establishing the first in vitro transport assay for this protein family, we demonstrate that a representative member of the SLC23 nucleobase transporters operates as a uniporter instead.
Eintauchen in die Sprache der Pilze
Authors: Rosenkranz Maaria , Schnitzler Jörg-Peter
Published: February 2022

Fungi produce a wide variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemical cues with central roles in mediating interspecific interactions. Here we present a platform consisting of 14 cuvettes and 2 types of mass spectrometers, that allows for the first time automated, real-time analysis of various microbial VOCs. We used this platform to comprehensively analyze the VOCs of 43 fungal species. The further computational analyses reveal fundamental links between VOCs and ecological functions of fungi.
Kurzübersicht des SARS-Coronavirus-2-Vermehrungszyklus
Authors: Bartenschlager Ralf
Published: February 2022

The severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic with major impact on human society, the economy, and our daily life. SARS-CoV-2 is a plus-strand RNA virus causing death of infected cells and an inflammation-dominated immune response. Replication of the virus occurs in the cytoplasm in distinct membranous compartments designated replication organelles, providing a shielded environment for synthesis of viral RNAs. Here, I will briefly summarize key aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 replication cycle.
Atomare Einblicke in die Dynamik der Membransysteme und der Biokatalyse
Authors: Etzkorn Manuel
Published: February 2022

Structural biology is targeting increasingly complex systems. Emerging fields such as cellular structural biology consequently apply integrative approaches that combine the strengths of different techniques. In this setting it is of fundamental importance that the applied methods focus on their inherent strengths. The unique features of nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) spectroscopy can play a valuable role in this endeavor. In this article, our research focusing on NMR-method development, tailored to the need of modern structural biology, is outlined.
Wie sich COVID-19 in der 3D-Zellkultur simulieren lässt
Authors: Wilflingseder Doris , Posch Wilfried
Published: February 2022

Excessive inflammation triggered by a hitherto undescribed mechanism is a hallmark of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and is associated with enhanced pathogenicity and mortality. Complement hyper activation promotes lung injury and was observed in patients suffering from MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 infections. To evaluate the very first interactions of SARS-CoV-2 patient isolates with human epithelial tissues, 3D models of the human respiratory tract as well as lung organoids are highly suitable.
An Introduction to Public International Law
Authors: Rose Cecily , Blokker Niels , Dam-de Jong Daniëlla , van den Driest Simone , Heinsch Robert , Koppe Erik , Schrijver Nico
Published: February 2022

Written for students working in a range of disciplines, this textbook provides an accessible, balanced, and nuanced introduction to the field of public international law. It explains the basic concepts and legal frameworks of public international law while acknowledging the field's inherent complexities and controversies. Featuring numerous carefully chosen and clearly explained examples, it demonstrates how the law applies in practice, and public international law's pervasive influence on world affairs, both past and present. Aiming not to over-emphasize any particular domestic jurisprudence or research interest, this textbook offers a global overview of public international law that will be highly valuable to any student new to the study of this very significant field.
Lateral cystic neck masses in adults: a ten-year series and comparative analysis of diagnostic modalities
Authors: Jones G H , Chudek D , Davies K , Upile N , Kinshuck A , Triantafyllou A , Fleming J C , Roland N J
Published: February 2022

Background

In adults, the solitary lateral cystic neck mass remains a diagnostic challenge with little solid material to target for cytology and few clues on imaging modalities to suggest underlying malignancy.

Method

This study was a retrospective review of patients presenting with a lateral cystic neck mass to a tertiary academic head and neck centre over a 10-year period.

Results

A total of 25 of 157 cystic lesions were subsequently malignant on paraffin section histopathology, with the youngest patient being 42 years. In the age cohort over 40 years, 30 per cent of males and 10 per cent of females were diagnosed with malignancy. The ipsilateral palatine tonsil was the most common primary site (50 per cent). A total of 85 per cent of cases demonstrated integrated human papillomavirus infection. Age, male sex and alcohol were significant risk factors on univariate analysis. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology and magnetic resonance imaging represented the most accurate pre-open biopsy tests.

Conclusion

The authors of this study advocate for a risk-stratified, evidence-based workup in patients with solitary lateral cystic neck mass in order to optimise timely diagnosis.
Intergenerational effects of early-life health shocks during the Chinese 1959–1961 famine
Authors: Xie Donghong , Zhu Zhisheng
Published: February 2022

A large literature has examined early-life insult and later-life health outcomes. However, whether early-life exposure might persist into the outcomes of future generations remains unclear. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies, this study examines the intergenerational effects of early-life health shocks during the great famine in China, distinguishes the intergenerational effects of in utero and early-life famine exposure, and estimates whether there is a sex-specific transgenerational response. Difference-in-difference results show that first-generation male in utero famine exposure (1959–1961) is associated with a series of health and economic disadvantages in the second generation, compared with the unexposed post-famine-born cohort (1964–1965) in China. The effect persists in the third generation but attenuates, and there is no same-sex transgenerational response. These findings may suggest a novel source of multigenerational persistence in health and economic poverty and may point to a need to consider evidence of transgenerational mechanisms.
A Comparison of Processing Methods for the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array
Authors: Chmielewski V. C. , Blair J. , Kennedy D. , MacGorman D. , Calhoun K. M.
Published: February 2022

The Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array (OKLMA) has consisted of 17 Very High Frequency (VHF) sensors in two separate clusters separated by roughly 150 km since 2012. This large footprint of sensors is expected to benefit the spatial coverage, sensitivity and accuracy of the network (e.g., Chmielewski & Bruning, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jd025159; Koshak et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1175/jtech-d-17-0041.1). The unique configuration of sensors facilitates the evaluation of treating the two clusters as a single, unified network. Network operators may wish to do this when processing networks in close proximity or for temporary network extensions during field projects. The 0000–0600 UTC period on 16 June 2019 included millions of VHF sources and thousands of flashes from isolated storms and a mesoscale convective system. The 0300–0700 UTC period on 12 June 2019 contained a single storm of interest proceeding scattered activity. The VHF solutions and their grouped flashes from the unified OKLMA network are compared to those generated from the combination of the two clusters each operating as separate, independent networks. The unified network processing not only required the substantially longer processing time, but also resulted in lower sensitivity and more noise, suggesting that the theoretical model of high accuracy and sensitivity with a large LMA footprint may not apply to this configuration. Additionally, relatively few (<10%) of the VHF sources observed by a single cluster of sensors matched a VHF source observed by the opposite cluster, suggesting that the sources mapped by each cluster of sensors were most often unique.
Observation‐Constrained Multicycle Dynamic Models of the Southern San Andreas and the Northern San Jacinto Faults: Addressing Complexity in Paleoearthquake Extent and Recurrence With Realistic 2D Fault Geometry
Authors: Liu Dunyu , Duan Benchun , Scharer Katherine , Yule Doug
Published: February 2022

Understanding mechanical conditions that lead to complexity in earthquakes is important to seismic hazard analysis. In this study, we simulate physics‐based multicycle dynamic models of the San Andreas fault (Carrizo through San Bernardino sections) and the San Jacinto fault (Claremont and Clark strands). We focus on a complex fault geometry based on the Southern California Earthquake Center Community Fault Model and its effect over multiple earthquake cycles. Using geodetically derived strain rates, we validate the models against geologic slip rates and recurrence intervals at various paleoseismic sites. We find that the interactions among fault geometry, dynamic rupture and interseismic stress accumulation produce stress heterogeneities, leading to rupture segmentation and variability in earthquake recurrence. Our models produce earthquakes with rupture extents similar to a recent comprehensive paleoseismic catalog. The “earthquake gates” of the Big Bend and the Cajon Pass occasionally impede dynamic ruptures. The angle of compression, which is the subtraction of the maximum shear strain rate direction from the local fault strike, can better determine the likelihood of the impedance of restraining bends to dynamic ruptures. Because the Big Bend has an angle of compression of ∼20°, ruptures that traverse the Big Bend, like the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake, are more frequent than expected based on empirical relations which predict the ∼40° restraining bend to terminate most ruptures. Our models indicate that large ruptures tend to initiate north of the Big Bend and propagate southwards, similar to the 1857 earthquake, providing critical information for ground shaking assessment in the region.
Coherent Lagrangian Pathways Near an East Alboran Front
Authors: Capó Esther , McWilliams James C.
Published: February 2022

In the eastern Alboran Sea, frontogenesis (FG) is a dominant process for fronts extending from the Spanish coast toward the basin interior, promoting large vertical displacements that connect the surface mixed layer with the oceanic interior. Using a realistic, high‐resolution model simulation for this region, we conduct the offline advection of virtual water parcels released near the surface during a 2‐day episode of intense FG. Three‐dimensional trajectories exhibit high variability depending on the release location, and some large, rapid vertical displacements are induced by different coherent submesoscale flow patterns and by interactions among them: Ageostrophic secondary circulation associated with strain‐ and mixing‐induced FG and internal waves generated by currents over topography. These deep displacements mostly are irreversible, at least on a short time scale, because of the rapidly changing flow patterns. Significant diapycnal mixing and density changes occur along trajectories as they pass through the surface and bottom boundary layers. While we expect these processes to be typical for this region, the computational expense of such a Lagrangian analysis and the complexity of its outcome present a considerable challenge for more comprehensive assessments.
Retrieval of Surface Spectral Emissivity in Polar Regions Based on the Optimal Estimation Method
Authors: Xie Yan , Huang Xianglei , Chen Xiuhong , L’Ecuyer Tristan S. , Drouin Brian J. , Wang Jun
Published: February 2022

Surface spectral emissivity plays an important role in the polar radiation budget. The significance of surface emissivity in the far‐infrared (far‐IR) has been recognized by recent studies, yet there have been no observations to constrain far‐IR surface spectral emissivity over the entire polar regions. In preparation for the Polar Radiant Energy in the Far‐InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE) mission, this study develops and assesses an optimal estimation‐based retrieval algorithm to estimate both mid‐IR and far‐IR polar surface emissivity from the future PREFIRE measurements. Synthetic PREFIRE spectra are simulated by feeding the ERA5 reanalysis and a global surface emissivity data set to a radiative transfer model. Information content analysis indicates that the far‐IR surface emissivity retrievals can be more influenced by the atmospheric water vapor abundance than the mid‐IR counterparts. When the total column water vapor is above 1 cm, the far‐IR surface emissivity retrievals largely rely on the a priori constraints. Performance of the optimal‐estimation algorithm is assessed using 960 synthetic PREFIRE clear‐sky radiance spectra over the Arctic. The results based on current best estimate of instrument performance show that all retrievals converge within 15 iterations, the retrieved surface spectral emissivity has a mean bias within ±0.01 and a root‐mean‐square error less than 0.024. The far‐IR surface emissivity retrievals are much more affected by the a priori choice than the mid‐IR ones. A properly constructed a priori covariance can also help to improve the computational efficiency. Influences of other factors for future operational retrievals are also discussed.
Thermal Conductivity and Compressional Velocity of Methane at High Pressure: Insights Into Thermal Transport Properties of Icy Planet Interiors
Authors: Meyer Dylan W. , Hsieh Wen‐Pin , Hsu Han , Kuo Ching‐Yi , Lin Jung‐Fu
Published: February 2022

Methane is a primary component of the “ice” layers in icy bodies whose thermal transport properties and velocity‐density profiles are essential to understanding their unique geodynamic and physiochemical phenomena. We present experimental measurements of methane's thermal conductivity and compressional velocity to 25.1 and 45.1 GPa, respectively, at room temperature, and theoretical calculations of its equation of state, velocity, and heat capacity up to 100 GPa and 1200 K. Overall, these properties change smoothly with pressure and are generally unaffected by the imposed atomic structure; though we observe a discrete spike in conductivity near the I‐A phase boundary. We cross‐plot the thermal conductivity and compressional velocity with density for the primary “ice” constituents (methane, water, and ammonia) and find that methane and water are the upper and lower bounds, respectively, of conductivity and velocity in these systems. These physical properties provide critical insights that advance the modeling of thermo‐chemical structures and dynamics within icy bodies.
Evolution of Rift Systems and Their Fault Networks in Response to Surface Processes
Authors: Neuharth Derek , Brune Sascha , Wrona Thilo , Glerum Anne , Braun Jean , Yuan Xiaoping
Published: February 2022

Continental rifting is responsible for the generation of major sedimentary basins, both during rift inception and during the formation of rifted continental margins. Geophysical and field studies revealed that rifts feature complex networks of normal faults but the factors controlling fault network properties and their evolution are still matter of debate. Here, we employ high‐resolution 2D geodynamic models (ASPECT) including two‐way coupling to a surface processes (SP) code (FastScape) to conduct 12 models of major rift types that are exposed to various degrees of erosion and sedimentation. We further present a novel quantitative fault analysis toolbox (Fatbox), which allows us to isolate fault growth patterns, the number of faults, and their length and displacement throughout rift history. Our analysis reveals that rift fault networks may evolve through five major phases: (a) distributed deformation and coalescence, (b) fault system growth, (c) fault system decline and basinward localization, (d) rift migration, and (e) breakup. These phases can be correlated to distinct rifted margin domains. Models of asymmetric rifting suggest rift migration is facilitated through both ductile and brittle deformation within a weak exhumation channel that rotates subhorizontally and remains active at low angles. In sedimentation‐starved settings, this channel satisfies the conditions for serpentinization. We find that SP are not only able to enhance strain localization and to increase fault longevity but that they also reduce the total length of the fault system, prolong rift phases and delay continental breakup.
Glycation damage to organelles and their DNA increases during maize seedling development
Authors: Tripathi Diwaker , Oldenburg Delene J. , Bendich Arnold J.
Published: February 2022

Shoot development in maize begins when meristematic, non-pigmented cells at leaf base stop dividing and proceeds toward the expanded green cells of the leaf blade. During this transition, promitochondria and proplastids develop into mature organelles and their DNA becomes fragmented. Changes in glycation damage during organelle development were measured for protein and DNA, as well as the glycating agent methyl glyoxal and the glycation-defense protein DJ-1 (known as Park7 in humans). Maize seedlings were grown under normal, non-stressful conditions. Nonetheless, we found that glycation damage, as well as defenses against glycation, follow the same developmental pattern we found previously for reactive oxygen species (ROS): as damage increases, damage-defense measures decrease. In addition, light-grown leaves had more glycation and less DJ-1 compared to dark-grown leaves. The demise of maize organellar DNA during development may therefore be attributed to both oxidative and glycation damage that is not repaired. The coordination between oxidative and glycation damage, as well as damage-response from the nucleus is also discussed.
Universality of ultrasonic attenuation coefficient of amorphous systems at low temperatures
Authors: Shukla Pragya
Published: February 2022

The competition between unretarded dispersion interactions between molecules prevailing at medium range order length scales and their phonon induced coupling at larger scales leads to appearance of nano-scale sub structures in amorphous systems. The complexity of intermolecular interactions gives rise to randomization of their operators. Based on a random matrix modelling of the Hamiltonian and its linear response to an external strain field, we show that the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient can be expressed as a ratio of two crucial length-scales related to molecular dynamics. A nearly constant value of the ratio for a wide range of materials then provides a theoretical explanation of the experimentally observed qualitative universality of the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient at low temperatures.
Numerical computation of 3D Brownian motion of thin film nanofluid flow of convective heat transfer over a stretchable rotating surface
Authors: Zeeshan  , Rasheed Haroon Ur , Khan Waris , Khan Ilyas , Alshammari Nawa , Hamadneh Nawaf
Published: February 2022

This research examines the thin-film nanomaterial movement in three dimensions over a stretchable rotating inclined surface. Similarity variables are used to transform fundamental systems of equations into a set of first-order differential equations. The Runge–Kutta Fourth Order approach is utilized for numerical computations. The impact of embedded parameters (variable thickness, unsteadiness, Prandtl number, Schmidt number, Brownian-motion, and thermophoretic) is examined carefully. Physically and statistically, the indispensable terms namely Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are also investigated. Results indicated that, as the dimensionless parameter S raises, the temperature field decreases. In reality, as the values of S increases, heat transmission rate from the disc to the flowing fluid reduces. Internal collisions of liquid particles are physically hampered at a low rate. The momentum boundary layer is cooled when the parameter S is increased, as a consequence local Nusselt number rises. Sherwood number decreases as the parameter S increases because of inter collision of the microscopic fluid particles. Enhancing in the apparent viscosity and concentrations of the chemical reactions, a higher Schmidt number, Sc, lowers the Sherwood number. With increasing values of Prandtl number the Nusselt number decreases. For validation purpose, the RK4 method is also compared with homotopy analysis method (HAM). The results are further verified by establishing an excellent agreement with published data.
Car engine sounds recognition based on deformable feature map residual network
Authors: Wu Zhuangwen , Wan Zhiping , Ge Dongdong , Pan Ludan
Published: February 2022

Aiming at the difficulty in extracting the features of time–frequency images for the recognition of car engine sounds, we propose a method to recognize them based on a deformable feature map residual network. A deformable feature map residual block includes offset and convolutional layers. The offset layers shift the pixels of the input feature map. The shifted feature map is superimposed on the feature map extracted by the convolutional layers through shortcut connections to concentrate the network to the sampling in the region of interest, and to transmit the information of the offset feature map to the lower network. Then, a deformable convolution residual network is designed, and the features extracted through this network are fused with the Mel frequency cepstral coefficients of car engine sounds. After recalibration by the squeeze and excitation block, the fused results are fed into the fully connected layer for classification. Experiments on a car engine sound dataset show that the accuracy of the proposed method is 84.28%. Compared with the existing state-of-the-art methods, in terms of the accuracy of recognizing car engine sounds under various operating conditions, the proposed method represents an improvement over the method based on dictionary learning and a convolutional neural network.
Convolutional autoencoder anomaly detection and classification based on distribution PMU measurements
Authors: Ehsani Narges , Aminifar Farrokh , Mohsenian‐Rad Hamed
Published: February 2022

The huge volume of data that is streamed from distribution phasor measurement units (DPMU) toward distribution management system (DMS) can rarely be used in the raw format. Data‐driven analysis to extract information out of massive raw data has revealed promising opportunities to overcome this challenge. This paper utilizes convolutional autoencoders (Conv‐AE) for the sake of anomaly detection based on the DPMU measurements in distribution systems. The Conv‐AE is unsupervised and independent of the event type. It dispenses preprocessing and feature extraction along with obtaining the essential information directly from the measured data. The anomaly detection is followed by a supervised classifier which is developed to identify the type of anomaly. This classifier is a convolutional neural network that is designed and fine‐tuned for the problem at hand. It uses an ensemble learning method to augment the fully‐labelled dataset. Performance of the proposed methodology is evaluated on modified IEEE 34‐node and IEEE 123‐node test feeders in various operating conditions, presence of noise, and different scenarios of DPMU outage. Moreover, a real‐world DPMU dataset is utilized to evaluate performance of the Conv‐AE model in practical conditions. Results confirmed effectiveness of the proposed technique to be used in future DMS platforms.
A modified droop control structure for simultaneous power‐sharing and DC voltage oscillations damping in MT‐HVDC grids
Authors: Azizi Neda , Moradi CheshmehBeigi Hassan , Rouzbehi Kumars
Published: February 2022

With increasing energy demand, the use of renewable energy resources is increasing. Renewable energy sources require power electronic converters to get integrated into power grids. Multi‐terminal high voltage direct current (MT‐HVDC) systems are a promising solution for their grid integration. Using droop‐based controller strategies in power converter stations of MT‐HVDC grid, in addition, to providing power‐sharing, can support the frequency of the connected AC grids. However, power changes lead to direct voltage deviations, thereby disrupting the stability of the MT‐HVDC system. Here, a new control structure for the droop controller of the voltage source converter (VSC) controller is proposed which is named modified droop controller (M‐Droop). This method, in addition to power‐sharing, uses an appropriate control action to provide the required voltage stability. Here, analytical studies of the modified control strategy are reported. Moreover, through a developed MATLAB Simulink platform, its performance is verified in the events of transients, consisting of fault, variable load, and change in power generation.
Discontinuous Galerkin and C0-IP finite element approximation of periodic Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman–Isaacs problems with application to numerical homogenization
Authors: Kawecki Ellya L. , Sprekeler Timo
Published: February 2022

In the first part of the paper, we study the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) and C0 interior penalty (C0-IP) finite element approximation of the periodic strong solution to the fully nonlinear second-order Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman–Isaacs (HJBI) equation with coefficients satisfying the Cordes condition. We prove well-posedness and perform abstract a posteriori and a priori analyses which apply to a wide family of numerical schemes. These periodic problems arise as the corrector problems in the homogenization of HJBI equations. The second part of the paper focuses on the numerical approximation to the effective Hamiltonian of ergodic HJBI operators via DG/C0-IP finite element approximations to approximate corrector problems. Finally, we provide numerical experiments demonstrating the performance of the numerical schemes.
Optimisation of branched-chain amino acid requirements for 15–21-day-old broiler chickens by using the Taguchi method
Authors: Sedghi Mohammad , Golian Abolghasem , Afsar Ali , Mirshekar Reza
Published: February 2022

Context There are complex inter-relationships among the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), making the use of full factorial design experiments more complicated, costly and time-consuming when attempting to estimate the optimal levels of the BCAAs. Aims Two experiments were conducted to determine optimal concentrations of BCAAs by using the Taguchi method and mathematical models for broiler chickens during 15–21 days of age. Methods In the first experiment, the optimal concentrations of BCAAs were determined for broiler chickens, and the accuracy of the results was evaluated in the second experiment. The orthogonal array layout of L16 (43) was applied to test four concentrations of leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile) and valine (Val). To test the validity of the results from 16 diets selected by the Taguchi method and four additional diets from the full factorial design method, a total of 960 broiler chickens was assigned to these 20 experimental diets, with six replicates of eight birds each. The Taguchi method, the multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) and the random search algorithm (RSA) were used to determine the best concentration of BCAAs on the basis of optimal bird performance, which was measured by bodyweight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). In the second experiment, six dietary treatments were formulated to establish the reliability of the predictions obtained from the first experiment (Experiment 1). Key results No exceptional concentrations of BCAAs were achieved for a maximum average daily gain and a minimum FCR; however, the diet containing 1.177–1.353% standardised ileal digestible (SID) Leu, 0.742–0.810% SID Ile, and 0.832–0.915% SID Val showed the best performance. The results of the second experiment indicated that the Taguchi method could be used instead of a full factorial design to optimise the amino acid requirements of broiler chickens. Conclusions The requirements of BCAAs were overestimated using the MOGA and RSA methods compared with the Taguchi method. Implications In commercial diets containing high levels of SID Leu, supplementation of an extra 5% SID Ile and Val may improve broiler performance during 15–21 days of age.
Viral Enteric Infections in Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Ostrowski Szymon , Croft Anthony
Published: February 2022

Background and Aims

Excluding superimposed enteric infection is critical in the management of acute severe ulcerative colitis [ASUC]. Whilst infection with Clostridium difficile and cytomegalovirus have been shown to increase colectomy and mortality rates, no data exist regarding the impact of common viral enteropathogens in ASUC. Our aim was to determine if viral enteric infection in ASUC alters the severity or outcomes of these episodes.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of cases presenting to a large tertiary centre. Data were obtained from an in-house, prospectively maintained inflammatory bowel disease database. We identified all ASUC cases treated between October 2015 and January 2021 and compared those testing positive for adenovirus 40/41, human rotavirus or norovirus GI by faecal multiplex polymerase chain reaction [PCR] to those testing negative.

Results

We identified 147 patients with ASUC and faecal multiplex PCR testing for viral pathogens. In total, 22/147 patients [14.9%] tested positive, two of whom tested positive for two viruses. The infected and non-infected cohorts did not differ significantly with regard to admission C-reactive protein [81.7 vs 76.6, p = 0.77], Mayo endoscopic subscore [2.4 vs 2.3, p = 0.43], length of hospital admission [7.9 vs 7.9 p = 0.99], requirement for rescue therapy [59% vs 56%, p = 0.75] or colectomy rate [4.5% vs 4.1%, p = 0.69].

Conclusions

Infection with viral enteropathogens was common in our ASUC cohort, but did not appear to affect disease severity at presentation, the need for rescue therapy or the success rate of rescue therapy.
The 2021 Genetics Society of America Medal: Douglas Koshland
Authors: Koshland Douglas
Published: February 2022

The Genetics Society of America Medal honors an individual member of the Society for outstanding contributions to the field of genetics in the last 15 years. Genetics Society of America established the Medal in 1981 to recognize members who exemplify the ingenuity of the Genetics Society of America membership through elegant and highly meaningful contributions to modern genetics. The 2021 Genetics Society of America Medal has been awarded to Douglas Koshland of the University of California, Berkeley. His advances in chromosome biology have not only illuminated fundamental features of the structure of chromosomes but also provided tools for many others to use.
Change in health, wellbeing and physical activity levels during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal cohort of parkrun participants in the United Kingdom
Authors: Quirk Helen , Haake Steve , Goyder Elizabeth , Bullas Alice , Graney Mike , Wellington Chrissie
Published: February 2022

Lockdown restrictions imposed across the UK in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on many people’s health and wellbeing. People were encouraged to be active, but population surveys suggest some groups found this easier than others. We explored the changes in health, wellbeing and physical activity levels among a sample in the UK who experienced the sudden loss of a weekly community-based physical activity opportunity, parkrun. A sample of UK parkrun participants responded to two surveys: pre-COVID-19 in January/February 2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020. Outcomes were happiness, life satisfaction, connections with others, physical health, mental health and physical activity. The sample was stratified by gender, age, deprivation status, physical activity and number of parkruns completed. Demographics were reported using descriptive statistics; distributions between sub-groups were compared using Chi-square tests while differences in outcomes were determined using the Mann–Whitney U test. Open text responses were also analysed. Happiness, life satisfaction, connections with others, physical health and mental health of 450 parkrun participants were negatively impacted for all sub-groups, although the impact was not experienced equally. Physical activity fell by 6% while happiness and life satisfaction fell by 12%. People experienced the worst negative impact on their connections with others. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the wellbeing of a greater proportion of females, younger adults, inactive people, those from higher deprivation areas, and those who had completed fewer parkruns. There is evidence that the wellbeing of those who were more active, and those more involved in a community-based physical activity initiative pre-pandemic, was less negatively affected during the COVID-19 lockdown.
US Special Forces transformation: post-Fordism and the limits of networked warfare
Authors: Bury Patrick
Published: February 2022

The last two decades have witnessed a rapid rise in the use, size and capability of many western Special Operations Forces (SOF). A response to the global jihadist threat, the growing presence, prominence and technology-enabled lethality of SOF in conflict zones has resulted in increased scholarly attention. Some have argued that their rise is indicative of important and ongoing changes in the character of war itself. One of the most influential of these works is Steven Niva's study of the transformation of US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Task Forces in Iraq. Niva argues that JSOC (more accurately its Task Force 714 Command Headquarters, henceforth TF714) was forced to adopt a networked organizational structure to counter Al-Qa'ida in Iraq (AQI). For Niva, this transformation provided evidence of a shift towards ‘counter-net’ and ‘chaoplexic’ forms of warfare conceptualized by Bousquet in this journal. This article uses new primary and secondary sources to critique these claims. It argues that although a network approach was an important part of TF714's transformation, it was only one part. Instead, JSOC's transformation is more accurately understood through a post-Fordist industrial framework of the centralization of management control and the simultaneous decentralization of decision-making; the integration of core and periphery forces; outsourcing; and a network approach to knowledge. From this analysis, it argues that post-Fordist, rather than network or chaoplexic theory, best describes even the most networked military organizations in the twenty-first century, and that more broadly, fully networked warfare is unlikely given the frictions associated with the coming ‘binary’ battlefield.
European populism and the return of ‘illiberal sovereignty’: a case-study of Hungary
Authors: Paris Roland
Published: February 2022

European populist leaders and movements often extol the virtues of sovereignty, but how exactly are they using this term? Scholars have typically relied on conventional understandings of the concept—Westphalian, popular and national sovereignty—to interpret populist discourses, but some have noted that these categories seem inadequate. This article asks whether much older, long overlooked, versions of sovereignty might help to explain the sovereignty discourse of European populists. These older variants include extralegal sovereignty (a leader's power to act outside the constraints of formal rules) and organic sovereignty (the power of a political community understood as a single ‘organism’). Both are inherently illiberal: extralegalism rejects constitutionalism, while organicism is inimical to political pluralism. An examination of the public speeches and statements of one prominent European populist leader, Prime Minister Victor Orbán of Hungary, reveals that he has, indeed, invoked these illiberal versions of sovereignty. By retrieving these older concepts, populists gain a powerful rhetorical tool to advance illiberal principles of political authority.
Built in Innovation
Authors: Bellringer Matthew
Published: February 2022

Matthew Bellringer MBCS discusses how divergent thinking can save your organisation from death-by-efficiency.
How to Design and Run an Inclusive Online Event
Authors: Stansfield Jo
Published: February 2022

While we are seeing a return to in-person and hybrid working, online events and conferences are here to stay, writes Jo Stansfield, Founder and Director of Inclusioneering,
Retraining for a Career in IT
Authors: Melsom Blair
Published: February 2022

BCS Student Member Maddy McMurray talks to Blair Melsom MBCS about imposter syndrome, inclusivity and what it’s like to retrain for a career in the IT industry.
Evaluating fitness-for-use of electronic health records in pragmatic clinical trials: reported practices and recommendations
Authors: Raman Sudha R , O’Brien Emily C , Hammill Bradley G , Nelson Adam J , Fish Laura J , Curtis Lesley H , Marsolo Keith
Published: February 2022

Objective

To empirically explore how pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) that used real-world data (RWD) assessed study-specific fitness-for-use.

Methods

We conducted interviews and surveys with PCT teams who used electronic health record (EHR) data to ascertain endpoints. The survey cataloged key concerns about RWD, activities used to assess data fitness-for-use, and related barriers encountered by study teams. Patterns and commonalities across trials were used to develop recommendations for study-specific fitness-for-use assessments.

Results

Of 15 invited trial teams, 7 interviews were conducted. Of 31 invited trials, 15 responded to the survey. Most respondents had prior experience using RWD (93%). Major concerns about EHR data were data reliability, missingness or incompleteness of EHR elements, variation in data quality across study sites, and presence of implausible or incorrect values. Although many PCTs conducted fitness-for-use activities (eg, data quality assessments, 11/14, 79%), less than a quarter did so before choosing a data source. Fitness-for-use activities, findings, and resulting study design changes were not often publically documented. Overall costs and personnel costs were barriers to fitness-for-use assessments.

Discussion

These results support three recommendations for PCTs that use EHR data for endpoint ascertainment. Trials should detail the rationale and plan for study-specific fitness-for-use activities, conduct study-specific fitness-for-use assessments early in the prestudy phase to inform study design changes before the trial begins, and share results of fitness-for-use assessments and description of relevant challenges and facilitators.

Conclusion

These recommendations can help researchers and end-users of real-world evidence improve characterization of RWD reliability and relevance in the PCT-specific context.
Detection and nudge-intervention on sensitive information in social networks
Authors: Alemany J , Botti-Cebriá V , Val E del , García-Fornes A
Published: February 2022

Detecting sensitive information considering privacy is a relevant issue on Online Social Networks (OSNs). It is often difficult for users to manage the privacy associated with their posts on social networks taking into account all the possible consequences. The aim of this work is to provide information about the sensitivity of the content of a publication when a user is going to share it in OSN. For this purpose, we developed a privacy-assistant agent that detects sensitive information. Based on this information, the agent provides a message through a nudge mechanism warning about the possible risks of sharing the message. To avoid being annoying, the agent also considers the user’s previous behaviour (e.g. if he previously ignored certain nudges) and adapts the messages it sends to give more relevance to those categories that are more important to the user from the point of view of the privacy risk. This agent was integrated into the social network Pesedia. We analysed the performance of different models to detect a set of sensitive categories (i.e. location, medical, drug/alcohol, emotion, personal attacks, stereotyping, family and association details, personal details and personally identifiable information) in a dataset of tweets in Spanish. The model that obtained the best results (i.e. F1 and accuracy) and that was finally integrated into the privacy-assistant agent was transformer-based.
Neural architecture search for the estimation of relative positioning of the autonomous mobile robot
Authors: Teso-Fz-Betoño Daniel , Zulueta Ekaitz , Sanchez-Chica Ander , Fernandez-Gamiz Unai , Teso-Fz-Betoño Adrian , Lopez-Guede Jose Manuel
Published: February 2022

In the present work, an artificial neural network (ANN) will be developed to estimate the relative rotation and translation of the autonomous mobile robot (AMR). The ANN will work as an iterative closed point, which is commonly used with the singular value decomposition algorithm. This development will provide better resolution for a relative positioning technique that is essential for the AMR localization. The ANN requires a specific architecture, although in the current work a neural architecture search will be adapted to select the best ANN for estimating the relative motion. At the end, these ANNs will be compared with conventional algorithms to check the good performance of adopting an intelligent method for relative positioning estimation.
The local hole: a galaxy underdensity covering 90 per cent of sky to ≈200 Mpc
Authors: Wong Jonathan H W , Shanks T , Metcalfe N , Whitbourn J R
Published: February 2022

We investigate the ‘Local Hole’, an anomalous underdensity in the local galaxy environment, by extending our previous galaxy K-band number-redshift and number-magnitude counts to ≈90 per cent of the sky. Our redshift samples are taken from the 2MASS Redshift Survey (2MRS) and the 2M++ catalogues, limited to K < 11.5. We find that both surveys are in good agreement, showing an $\approx 21\!-\!22{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ underdensity at z < 0.075 when compared to our homogeneous counts model that assumes the same luminosity function (LF) and other parameters as in our earlier papers. Using the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) for n(K) galaxy counts, we measure an underdensity relative to this model of $20 \pm 2 {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ at K < 11.5, which is consistent in both form and scale with the observed n(z) underdensity. To examine further the accuracy of the counts model, we compare its prediction for the fainter n(K) counts of the Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey. We further compare these data with a model assuming the parameters of a previous study where little evidence for the Local Hole was found. At 13 < K < 16, we find a significantly better fit for our galaxy counts model, arguing for our higher LF normalization. Although our implied underdensity of $\approx 20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ means local measurements of the Hubble Constant have been overestimated by ≈3 per cent, such a scale of underdensity is in tension with a global ΛCDM cosmology at an ≈3σ level.