bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on ultrasonic vibration assisted ploughing-extrusion process in forming μ-scale micro grooves
Authors: Zhang H D , Deng L , Wang X Y
Published: December 2022

The surface micro groove structure on metallic components has received extensive attention for its role in improving the heat transfer coefficient. Limited by the size effect, it is difficult to manufacture μ-scale micro groove structure with large depth-to-width ratio through conventional extrusion or rolling processes. A novel UV assisted ploughing-extrusion process was proposed to manufacture μ-scale micro grooves. A series of UV assisted compression tests were conducted to study the acoustic deformation behavior of α-Ti, and a modified Ludwik model were established., The influence of deformation parameters was investigated, and the optimized deformation parameters are the leading angle is 60°, the extruded angle is 40°, and the ultrasonic amplitude is 10.30 μm. The results indicate that the novel ultrasonic vibration assisted ploughing-extrusion is able to continuously form large-sized micro-grooves parts with high quality.
Grain refinement of Ti2AlNb-based alloy through canned multi-directional forging
Authors: Yang Z Y , Liu H W , Cui Z S
Published: December 2022

Ti2AlNb-based intermetallic alloy has a great potential application in the manufacturing of aeronautical structures. However, the casted ingots of this alloy often consist of very coarse grains even as large as in centimetre level. The refinement of the coarse grain by hot deformation is essential for prompting this material to the engineering applications. In this work, multi-directional isothermal forging (MDIF) was conducted on Ti-20Al-24Nb at 1200°C and 1050°C with 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 cycles, and a comparative study was emphasized on the grain refinement by two different reductions (30% and 40%) in each compression. The microstructure evolution has been systematically investigated. Results show that dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurred preferentially near grain boundary, and very large strains were required to refine B2 grains. For 40% reduction per compression, the recrystallization volume fraction after four cycles was more than 95%, and the grain size was evenly refined from centimetre level to ~250μm. However, for 30% reduction per compression, the original coarse grains still exist after 10 cycles, and the recrystallization is far from complete, although the total strain is much greater than the process by using 40% reduction but with fewer cycles. The results demonstrate that the grain refinement of this material depends mainly upon the height reduction per compression and the deformation temperature and the magnitude of deformation or strain is not the critical factor to determine the recrystallization.
Dynamic transformation of a near alpha high-temperature titanium alloy during hot deformation
Authors: Xu W X , Zhao Z L , Liu N , Huang X Y , Li S , Wang Y B
Published: December 2022

The rapid drop of peak flow stress in the initial stage of hot compression experiment was found to be related to the occurrence of dynamic transformation from alpha phase (hcp) into beta phase (bcc) of a near α high-temperature titanium alloy. In order to predict the flow stress at all strain, the dynamic recovery (DRV) model and the Back-Error Propagation (BP) neural network architecture were established and comprehensively utilized to characterize the flow stress, which exhibited high accuracy in tracking the flow behavior at different deformation parameters. The variation of peak flow stress at initial stage of hot compression indicated that the rapid drop extent of peak value increased with the rise of deformation temperature, the decrease of strain rate and the increase of strain. It was worth noting that the dynamic transformation evolution in the microstructure exhibited the consistent variation of peak flow stress with different deformation parameters. The high-magnification microstructure analysis indicated that the dynamic transformation was accomplished by the immigration of α/β interface and the penetration of beta phase into alpha phase from edge to inside, all of which were related to the dislocation motion. The experimental result proved that the dynamic transformation was the dominant factor resulting in the rapid drop of peak flow stress at the initial stage of hot deformation.
Optimum arrangement of rubber layout for stretch bending method to improve the shape accuracy
Authors: Muranaka T , Fujita Y , Otsu M
Published: December 2022

In bending process of sheet materials, a springback is remarkable due to the residual stress generated inside of the material, which greatly affects the product accuracy. In order to suppress the springback, the rubber-assisted stretch bending method, which bending process is performed with applying a tensile force in the longitudinal direction of a sheet material has been proposed. We propose the optimum arrangement of the two kinds of rubbers for the “rubber-assisted stretch bending method” for the uniform bending with a constant curvature radius. The optimum tensile stress is realized by each frictional force between the individual rubber and specimen. And since the rubber is partially affixed to the dies, the bending deformation is carried out by the metal surface of the die material, improvement of shape accuracy can be expected. The upper and lower dies are divided into three division on the surface, and the two elastic rubbers are placed on each part on the bending surface of the die. The springback was decreased to 17% in comparison with simple bending using ordinary metal dies by the optimum arrangement of rubber layout.
The preparation of gradient titanium alloy through laser deposition
Authors: Liu N , Liu Y L , Zhao Z L , Yang H O , Xu W X
Published: December 2022

Functionally gradient materials (FGMs) with continuous variation in composition or microstructure can realize gradient properties in different positions of the same component. The layer-by-layer laser deposition additive manufacturing is one of the most promising technologies that prepare FGMs with gradient properties. The present study is focused on the preparation of gradient titanium alloy by laser depositing Ti2AlNb powders on the substrate of a near-α high temperature titanium alloy. The microstructure, composition, and micro-hardness of prepared gradient titanium alloy with and without transition layer were compared and analyzed. Results show that an obvious bonding interface with variant microstructure morphology and element contents formed during directly deposited Ti2AlNb powders on near-α titanium alloy substrate and the bonding interface exhibits higher micro-hardness than the substrate and the deposited zone. However, the microstructure and the element exhibit gradient distribution characteristics along the deposition direction after adding the mixed powders of both two alloys as intermediate transition layers between the near-α titanium alloy and the Ti2AlNb alloy. The gradient distributed micro-hardness from the substrate to the top deposited zone sufficiently demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining gradient properties of gradient titanium alloy with composition transition layer during laser depositing.
Influence of amorphous phase on crack initiation and propagation behaviours in NiTi shape memory alloy based on extended finite element simulation
Authors: Zhang Y , Guo K , Jiang S
Published: December 2022

Local amorphous phases often appear in NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) which undergo a large degree of cold plastic deformation. Fracture damage is a common failure mode of NiTi SMAs in engineering application and it is usually caused by the crack initiation and propagation. The crack initiation and propagation behaviours in NiTi SMA parts containing amorphous phases have not been reported so far. In the present study, extended finite elements method (XFEM) was applied to investigate the influence of amorphous phase on crack initiation and propagation behaviours in a notched NiTi SMA specimen processed by cold plastic deformation. The results show that the amorphous zone has a significant influence on both the crack initiation and the crack propagation. Crack is easier induced if there exists amorphous phase in the NiTi SMA but it is difficult for the crack to pass through the amorphous zone.
Advances on manufacture methods for wide lightweight aluminium stiffened panels
Authors: Zhang Z , Zhou W , Shi Z , Lin J
Published: December 2022

Wide aluminium panels with stiffeners are extensively applied in aviation, bridge and marine structures due to their high stiffness and light-weighting. Many efforts and contributions have been made to overcome the manufacturing difficulties of wide aluminium stiffened panels over years. The aim of this study is to analyse and compare current methods for producing wide stiffened panels for different applications. The manufacturing techniques for stiffened panels such as riveting, welding, machining, additive manufacturing, extrusion, are discussed. Thereinto, extrusion is a very promising technology in the production of wide aluminium stiffened panels as it can efficiently obtain extruded products with high material utilisation, good mechanical properties and structure integrity. Therefore, the methods of widening the stiffened panels in extrusion technology such as spread extrusion and postproduction flattening after extrusion are analysed emphatically. The present study is an attempt to analyse these efforts in order to guide future work in the area of producing much wider aluminium stiffened panels.
Optimisation of panel component regions subject to hot stamping constraints using a novel deep-learning-based platform
Authors: Attar H R , Foster A , Li N
Published: December 2022

The latest hot stamping processes can enable efficient production of complex shaped panel components with high stiffness-to-weight ratios. However, structural redesign for these intricate processes can be challenging, because compared to cold forming, the non-isothermal and dynamic nature of these processes introduces complexity and unfamiliarity among industrial designers. In industrial practice, trial-and-error approaches are currently used to update non-feasible designs where complicated forming simulations are needed each time a design change is made. A superior approach to structural redesign for hot stamping processes is demonstrated in this paper which applies a novel deep-learning-based optimisation platform. The platform consists of the interaction between two neural networks: a generator that creates 3D panel component geometries and an evaluator that predicts their post-stamping thinning distributions. Guided by these distributions the geometry is iteratively updated by a gradient-based optimisation technique. In the application presented in this paper, panel component geometries are optimised to meet imposed constraints that are derived from post-stamping thinning distributions. In addition, a new methodology is applied to select arbitrary geometric regions that are to be fixed during the optimisation. Overall, it is demonstrated that the platform is capable of optimising selective regions of panel component subject to imposed post-stamped thinning distribution constraints.
Role of temporary thermostat adjustments as a fast, low-cost measure in reducing energy imports
Authors: Vulic N , Sulzer M , Rüdisüli M , Orehounig Kristina
Published: December 2022

Efforts to combat climate change involve long-term plans to reduce the energy demand and increase the share of locally generated renewable energy. However, a sudden change in the geopolitical situation may require an even more rapid response to reduce energy imports through energy-efficiency improvements. In the building sector, retrofits to the building envelope and heating systems are effective, yet time- and cost-intensive to improve energy efficiency. A fast, low-cost measure to address this need is to lower the temperature set-points in building heating systems to within comfortable limits. Here, we show the impact of reducing the temperature set-point by 1 °C on heating demand at different scales—building, regional, and national—using demand simulation of 240 Swiss building archetypes and clustering-based upscaling methods. We demonstrate a nearly 6% reduction in the residential space heating demand at the national level, about a third of which is met with natural gas. More importantly, the presented approach highlights potential implications of the proposed measure across a national residential building stock, considering differences in climate and building archetypes, as well as their spatial distribution.
Health care for older adults in Europe: how has it evolved and what are the challenges?
Authors: Stuck Andreas E , Masud Tahir
Published: December 2022

Geriatric medicine has evolved to an accepted specialty in 23 European countries. Despite much heterogeneity of postgraduate geriatric curricula, European societies have succeeded in defining a common core curriculum with a list of minimum training requirements for obtaining the specialty title of geriatric medicine. Geriatricians play a leading role in finding solutions for the challenges of health care of multimorbid older patients. One of these challenges is the demographic shift with the number of adults aged 80 years and older in Europe expected to double by 2050. Although geriatric units will play a role in the care of frail older patients, new care models are needed to integrate the comprehensive geriatric assessment approach for the care of the vast majority of older patients admitted to non-geriatric hospital units. Over the last few years, co-management approaches have been developed to address this gap. Innovative models are also in progress for ambulatory care, prevention and health promotion programs, and long-term care. Efforts to implement geriatric learning objectives in undergraduate training, and the generation of practice guidelines for geriatric syndromes may help to improve the quality of care for older patients.
Illusion of flight? Absence, evidence and the age of winged insects
Authors: Schachat Sandra R , Goldstein Paul Z , Desalle Rob , Bobo Dean M , Boyce C Kevin , Payne Jonathan L , Labandeira Conrad C
Published: December 2022

The earliest fossils of winged insects (Pterygota) are mid-Carboniferous (latest Mississippian, 328–324 Mya), but estimates of their age based on fossil-calibrated molecular phylogenetic studies place their origin at 440–370 Mya during the Silurian or Devonian. This discrepancy would require that winged insects evaded fossilization for at least the first ~50 Myr of their history. Here, we examine the plausibility of such a gap in the fossil record, and possible explanations for it, based on comparisons with the fossil records of other arthropod groups, the distribution of first occurrence dates of pterygote families, phylogenetically informed simulations of the fossilization of Palaeozoic insects, and re-analysis of data presented by Misof and colleagues using updated fossil calibrations under a variety of prior probability settings. We do not find support for the mechanisms previously suggested to account for such an extended gap in the pterygote fossil record, including sampling bias, preservation bias, and body size. We suggest that inference of an early origin of Pterygota long prior to their first appearance in the fossil record is probably an analytical artefact of taxon sampling and choice of fossil calibration points, possibly compounded by heterogeneity in rates of sequence evolution or speciation, including radiations or ‘bursts’ during their early history.
Social Capital, Mutual Aid and Desistance: A Theoretically Integrated Process Model
Authors: Albertson Katherine , Albertson Kevin
Published: December 2022

Positive social capital-building outcomes were identified in a longitudinal evaluation of a veteran-specific initiative supporting desistance from crime and substance misuse. A secondary analysis of the qualitative data generated is presented here. We identify three transformational subjective re-alignments across the veteran cohort who sustained their engagement in the mutual aid initiative. These re-alignments are linked to the mobilization of bonding, bridging and linking sources of social capital. We directly align mutual aid practice dynamics with the micro-, meso- and macro-level distinctions highlighted in relational desistance explanatory frameworks. Our analysis provides new insights into the relationship between social capital building and desistance. We present a theoretically informed social capital-building process model highlighting the generalizability of our findings to wider (ex-) offender populations.
White-matter abnormalities in presymptomaticGRNandC9orf72mutation carriers
Authors: Lee Hyunwoo , Mackenzie Ian R A , Beg Mirza Faisal , Popuri Karteek , Rademakers Rosa , Wittenberg Dana , Hsiung Ging-Yuek Robin
Published: December 2022

A large proportion of familial frontotemporal dementia is caused by TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa) proteinopathies. Accordingly, carriers of autosomal dominant mutations in the genes associated with TAR DNA-binding protein 43 aggregation, such as Chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) or progranulin (GRN), are at risk of later developing frontotemporal dementia. Brain imaging abnormalities that develop before dementia onset in mutation carriers may serve as proxies for the presymptomatic stages of familial frontotemporal dementia due to a genetic cause. Our study objective was to investigate brain MRI-based white-matter changes in predementia participants carrying mutations in C9orf72 or GRN genes. We analysed mutation carriers and their family member controls (noncarriers) from the University of British Columbia familial frontotemporal dementia study. First, a total of 42 participants (8 GRN carriers; 11 C9orf72 carriers; 23 noncarriers) had longitudinal T1-weighted MRI over ∼2 years. White-matter signal hypointensities were segmented and volumes were calculated for each participant. General linear models were applied to compare the baseline burden and the annualized rate of accumulation of signal abnormalities among mutation carriers and noncarriers. Second, a total of 60 participants (9 GRN carriers; 17 C9orf72 carriers; 34 noncarriers) had cross-sectional diffusion tensor MRI available. For each participant, we calculated the average fractional anisotropy and mean, radial and axial diffusivity parameter values within the normal-appearing white-matter tissues. General linear models were applied to compare whether mutation carriers and noncarriers had different trends in diffusion tensor imaging parameter values as they neared the expected age of onset. Baseline volumes of white-matter signal abnormalities were not significantly different among mutation carriers and noncarriers. Longitudinally, GRN carriers had significantly higher annualized rates of accumulation (estimated mean: 15.87%/year) compared with C9orf72 carriers (3.69%/year) or noncarriers (2.64%/year). A significant relationship between diffusion tensor imaging parameter values and increasing expected age of onset was found in the periventricular normal-appearing white-matter region. Specifically, GRN carriers had a tendency of a faster increase of mean and radial diffusivity values and C9orf72 carriers had a tendency of a faster decline of fractional anisotropy values as they reached closer to the expected age of dementia onset. These findings suggest that white-matter changes may represent early markers of familial frontotemporal dementia due to genetic causes. However, GRN and C9orf72 mutation carriers may have different mechanisms leading to tissue abnormalities.
Mixed logit models and network formation
Authors: Gupta Harsh , Porter Mason A
Published: December 2022

The study of network formation is pervasive in economics, sociology, and many other fields. In this article, we model network formation as a ‘choice’ that is made by nodes of a network to connect to other nodes. We study these ‘choices’ using discrete-choice models, in which agents choose between two or more discrete alternatives. We employ the ‘repeated-choice’ (RC) model to study network formation. We argue that the RC model overcomes important limitations of the multinomial logit (MNL) model, which gives one framework for studying network formation, and that it is well-suited to study network formation. We also illustrate how to use the RC model to accurately study network formation using both synthetic and real-world networks. Using edge-independent synthetic networks, we also compare the performance of the MNL model and the RC model. We find that the RC model estimates the data-generation process of our synthetic networks more accurately than the MNL model. Using a patent citation network, which forms sequentially, we present a case study of a qualitatively interesting scenario—the fact that new patents are more likely to cite older, more cited, and similar patents—for which employing the RC model yields interesting insights.
Effectiveness and Safety of Tofacitinib in the Management of Ulcerative Colitis: A Brazilian Observational Multicentric Study
Authors: Perin Ramir Luan , Magro Daniela Oliveira , Andrade Adriana Ribas , Argollo Marjorie , Carvalho Nayara Salgado , Damião Adérson Omar Moura Cintra , Dotti Adriana Zanoni , Ferreira Sandro da Costa , Flores Cristina , Ludvig Juliano Coelho , Nones Rodrigo Bremer , Queiroz Natalia Sousa Freitas , Parra Rogério Serafim , Steinwurz Flavio , Teixeira Fabio Vieira , Kotze Paulo Gustavo
Published: December 2022

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease which affects the colorectal mucosa with a relapsing–remitting pattern. The therapeutic options currently available for the medical management of UC include many options. Tofacitinib is an oral small molecule, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, more selective for JAK1 and JAK3, which reduces the inflammatory process involved in the pathogenesis of UC.

Methods

Retrospective observational multicentric study of patients with UC who used tofacitinib in any phase of their treatment. Clinical remission and response (according to Mayo score), mucosal healing, primary and secondary loss of response, discontinuation of the drug with possible causes, and the need for dose optimization or switching to biologicals, need for surgery and adverse events were evaluated.

Results

From a total of 56 included patients, clinical remission was observed in 43.6% at week 12, 54.5% at week 26, 57.9% at week 52, and 40% at the last follow-up visit. Clinical response was observed in 71.4%, 81.8%, 89.5%, and 61.8% at the same time periods, respectively. Mucosal healing rates were 50% and 17.8% needed colectomy.

Conclusions

Tofacitinib was effective in induction and maintenance of clinical response and remission rates, compatible to other international real-word studies and meta-analyses.
Magnetic sphincter augmentation and high-resolution manometry: impact of biomechanical properties on esophageal motility and clinical significance for selection and outcomes
Authors: Eriksson Sven E , Jobe Blair A , Ayazi Shahin
Published: December 2022

Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA)was introduced as an alternative to laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF). This reproducible, outpatient procedure addresses the etiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease by implanting a ring of magnetic beads across the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). MSA is designed to resist effacement of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and, similar to LNF, results in restoration of anti-reflux barrier competency by increasing overall length, intraabdominal length and resting pressure of the sphincter. However, the novel use of magnets to augment the physiology of the LES poses unique challenges to the physiology of the EGJ and esophagus. These impacts are best revealed through manometry. The degree of restrictive forces at the EGJ, as measured by intrabolus pressure and integrated relaxation pressure, is higher after MSA compared with LNF. In addition, contrary to the LNF, which retains neurohormonal relaxation capability during deglutition, the magnetic forces remain constant until forcibly opened. Therefore, the burden of overcoming EJG resistance is placed solely on the esophageal body contractile force, as measured by distal contractile integral and distal esophageal amplitude. The main utility of preoperative manometry is in determining whether a patient’s esophagus has sufficient contractility or peristaltic reserve to adapt to the challenge of an MSA. Manometric thresholds predictive of MSA outcomes deviate from those used to define named Chicago Classification motility disorders. Therefore, individual preoperative manometric characteristics should be analyzed to aid in risk stratification and patient selection prior to MSA.
Redo aortic arch replacement through a second transcostal approach for closure of type 1A endoleak after endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome
Authors: Meinert Étienne Fasolt Richard Corvin , Arif Rawa , Karck Matthias
Published: December 2022

A 41-year-old woman with Marfan syndrome suffering from chronic expanding type A dissection of the distal aortic arch and pectus excavatum underwent aortic arch replacement through a left parasternal approach. We demonstrate that this approach is also feasible in complex redo surgery on the aortic arch in selected patients.
Getting ahead of the game: in-hospital initiation of HFrEF therapies
Authors: Biegus Jan , Moayedi Yasbanoo , Saldarriaga Clara , Ponikowski Piotr
Published: December 2022

Hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) have become a global problem worldwide. Each episode of HF decompensation may lead to deleterious short- and long- term consequences, but on the other hand is an unique opportunity to adjust the heart failure pharmacotherapy. Thus, in-hospital and an early post-discharge period comprise an optimal timing for initiation and optimization of the comprehensive management of HF. This timeframe affords clinicians an opportunity to up titrate and adjust guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) to potentially mitigate poor outcomes associated post-discharge and longer-term. This review will cover this timely concept, present the data of utilization of GDMT in HF populations, discuss recent evidence for in-hospital initiation and up-titration of GDMT with a need for post-discharge follow-up and implementation this into clinical practice in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.
Stand Inventories as an Early Detection System for Forest Health Threats
Authors: Klockow Paul A , Edgar Christopher B , Windmuller-Campione Marcella A , Baker Fred A
Published: December 2022

Pest-specific inventories require substantial resources and are often infeasible, creating a need for alternative means of early pest detection. We examined the potential for stand inventories to detect forest health threats by using a unique dataset of mapped eastern spruce dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum Peck.) infestations in black spruce (Picea mariana Mill. B.S.P) stands of northern Minnesota, USA. We simulated stand inventories across a range of sampling intensities; that is, current standard (S) methods in Minnesota, adding one plot (S + 1), doubling the intensity (2S), and halving the intensity (S/2), using fixed-radius plots and transect buffers for detection. We categorized stands into low, moderate, and high infestation severity. We simulated detection at multiple viewing distances along S inventory transects in low severity infestation stands. Detection probability increased as sampling intensity increased. Plot-based detection averaged > 50% for moderate and high severity infestations except S/2 in moderate severity infestations. Notably, transect-based detection averaged ≥ 85% at viewing distances of 25 to 100 m. Results suggest stand inventories could provide opportunities to detect forest health threats with unique signatures when transect observations are included. Thus, forest health specialists may consider including pest-specific training for foresters in current inventory methods, requiring modest investment of time and effort.
Quantitative Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Forest Ecosystems
Authors: Liu Dan , Yan Hao , Yu Cheng Long , Yin Shi Ping , Wang Cheng Wei , Gong Li Juan
Published: December 2022

Characterizing and predicting the response of terrestrial ecosystems to global change is part of the fundamental challenges of contemporary ecology and ecological conservation. The assessment of climate change impact on forest ecosystems has rarely used a multi-index fusion method for quantitative evaluation. We used forest distribution, net primary productivity, and vegetation coverage to establish an assessment model of the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems. We analyzed the change characteristics of these indicators in the Heilongjiang Province of China. Our results indicate the following: (1) from 2001 to 2019, the forest area in Heilongjiang Province ranged from 234,000 to 246,000 km2. The forest net primary productivity (NPP) ranged from 4.40 to 5.55 MgC·ha-1·yr-1, and the vegetation coverage ranged from 42.42% to 67.64%. The forest NPP and the vegetation coverage showed a significant upward trend. (2) The values of forest ecological roles were significantly positively correlated with the climatic potential. (3) The contribution rate of climate change to forest ecosystem change was negatively correlated with forest coverage, which varied from 4.79% to 18.07% in different regions (cities) of the province.

Study Implications: Assessing the influence of climate on forest ecosystems comprehensively and accurately before the government prepares ecological measures is necessary. However, the responses of vegetation coverage and net primary productivity to climate change may not be consistent, so climate studies that consider forest ecosystem change trends by a single indicator may have confounding results. We established a model for evaluating the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems to solve this problem. This knowledge may provide a reference for the response, adaptation, and vulnerability assessment of forest ecosystems to climate change.
Chromosome-scale genome assembly of Eustoma grandiflorum, the first complete genome sequence in the genus Eustoma
Authors: Shirasawa Kenta , Arimoto Ryohei , Hirakawa Hideki , Ishimori Motoyuki , Ghelfi Andrea , Miyasaka Masami , Endo Makoto , Kawabata Saneyuki , Isobe Sachiko N
Published: December 2022

Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn. is an annual herbaceous plant native to the southern United States, Mexico, and the Greater Antilles. It has a large flower with a variety of colors and is an important flower crop. In this study, we established a chromosome-scale de novo assembly of E. grandiflorum genome sequences by integrating four genomic and genetic approaches: (1) Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) Sequel deep sequencing, (2) error correction of the assembly by Illumina short reads, (3) scaffolding by chromatin conformation capture sequencing (Hi-C), and (4) genetic linkage maps derived from an F2 mapping population. Thirty-six pseudomolecules and 64 unplaced scaffolds were created, with a total length of 1,324.8 Mb. A total of 36,619 genes were predicted on the genome as high-confidence genes. A comparison of genome structure between E. grandiflorum and C. canephora or O. pumila suggested whole-genome duplication after the divergence between the families Gentianaceae and Rubiaceae. Phylogenetic analysis with single-copy genes suggested that the divergence time between Gentianaceae and Rubiaceae was 74.94 MYA. Genetic diversity analysis was performed for nine commercial E. grandiflorum varieties bred in Japan, from which 254,205 variants were identified. This first report on the construction of a reference genome sequence in the genus Eustoma is expected to contribute to genetic and genomic studies in this genus and in the family Gentianaceae.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of community pharmacists towards household pharmaceutical waste disposal
Authors: Low Bee Yean , Ting Kang Nee , Lee Mei Kee
Published: December 2022

Objective

To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of community pharmacists (CP) towards household pharmaceutical waste disposal.

Methods

All pharmacists attending the Malaysian Community Pharmacy Guild event held in-person were invited to self-administer a web-based survey.

Key findings

The response rate was 61% (168/276). Overall, community pharmacists have mixed knowledge (mean ± SD: 5.89 ± 1.38) and positive attitude (mean ± SD: 9.58 ± 0.81) towards household pharmaceutical waste disposal. However, few community pharmacists (18/168, 10.7%) have promotional materials encouraging safe medication disposal in their pharmacies.

Conclusions

Community pharmacists do not proactively promote safe household pharmaceutical waste disposal to mitigate pharmaceutical pollutants entering the environment although they have satisfactory knowledge and attitude.
Repurposing crizotinib to target RIPK1-dependent cell death
Authors: Yu Yajie , Li Min , Fu Shufang , He Xiaoyan , Hu Xinqian , Zhu Guofeng , Wang Jia , You Xiaoling , Mou Yan , Ye Zhi , Wei Jun , Zha Yunhong
Published: December 2022

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) has emerged as a key regulator of cell death and inflammation, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory and degenerative diseases. RIPK1 is therefore a putative therapeutic target in many of these diseases. However, no pharmacological inhibitor of RIPK1-mediated cell death is currently in clinical use. Recognizing that a repurposed drug has an expedited clinical development pipeline, here we performed a high-throughput drug screen of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved compounds and identified a novel use for crizotinib as an inhibitor of RIPK1-dependent cell death. Furthermore, crizotinib rescued TNF-α-induced death in mice with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. RIPK1 kinase activity was directly inhibited by crizotinib. These findings identify a new use for an established compound and are expected to accelerate drug development for RIPK1-spectrum disorders.
Standard Venipuncture vs a Capillary Blood Collection Device for the Prospective Determination of Abnormal Liver Chemistry
Authors: Wickremsinhe Enaksha , Fantana Antoniu , Berthier Erwin , Quist Brook A , Lopez de Castilla Diego , Fix Charles , Chan Kahlil , Shi Jing , Walker Michael G , Kherani Jennifer F , Knoderer Holly , Regev Arie , Harding James J
Published: December 2022

Background

Abnormal liver function is a common manifestation of human disease and may also occur in approved and investigational medications as drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Capillary blood collection devices may allow for more frequent and convenient measurement outside of the clinic. Validation of such approaches is lacking.

Methods

This prospective, biospecimens collection study evaluated the Tasso+ in patients with abnormal liver tests (NCT05259618). The primary objective was to define the concordance of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) obtained via Tasso+ compared to standard venipuncture. Secondary objectives included measurement of 14 other analytes and patient surveys. At the time of venipuncture, 2 Tasso+ samples were collected: one was centrifuged and shipped, and the other was refrigerated and shipped as whole blood.

Results

Thirty-six patients with elevated ALT values were enrolled. In total, 100 venipuncture, 50 Tasso+ centrifuged, and 48 Tasso+ whole blood samples were obtained. Tasso+ centrifuged samples demonstrated concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) of >0.99 for ALT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin and CCC >0.95 for albumin, chloride, enzymatic creatinine, serum glucose, magnesium, and phosphorus. Tasso+ whole blood showed CCC of >0.99 for AST, bilirubin total, and enzymatic creatinine and CCC >0.95 for ALT, ALP, albumin, magnesium, and phosphorus. Hemolysis was comparable across the 3 sample types, but its impact was reflected in the Tasso+ potassium data. Patient feedback indicated a very favorable patient experience.

Conclusions

The capillary blood collection device, Tasso+, showed substantial to almost perfect concordance to standard venipuncture for measurement of abnormal liver function. Studies are ongoing to validate longitudinal sampling outside of the clinic.

Clinicaltrials.gov Registration Number: NCT05259618
A control technique for hybrid floating offshore wind turbines using oscillating water columns for generated power fluctuation reduction
Authors: Aboutalebi Payam , M’zoughi Fares , Garrido Izaskun , Garrido Aitor J
Published: December 2022

The inherent oscillating dynamics of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) might result in undesirable oscillatory behavior in both the system states and the generated power outputs, leading to unwanted effects on critical, extreme, and fatigue loads, and finally to a premature failure of the facility. Therefore, this kind of system should be capable of lessening such undesired effects. In this article, four oscillating water columns (OWC) have been installed within a FOWT barge-type platform. A novel switching control technique has been developed in order to reduce oscillations of the system created by both wind and wave, as well as the fluctuations in the generated power, by adequately regulating the airflow control valves. While the impact of the coupled wind-wave loads has been considered, a set of representative case studies have been taken into account for a range of regular waves and wind speeds. The study relies on the use of response amplitude operators (RAO) that have been pre-processed and evaluated in order to apply the switching control technique. In this sense, the starting time of the switching for below-rated, rated, and above-rated wind speeds have been calculated using the platform’s corresponding pitch RAO. Additionally, the blades’ pitch and generator torque have also been regulated by means of a constant torque variable speed controller to capture maximum energy for below-rated wind speed conditions and to match the rated generator power for rated and above-rated wind speed conditions, respectively. In order to peruse the feasibility and performance of the proposed strategy, a comparison has been carried out between the uncontrolled traditional barge-type platform and the controlled OWCs-based barge FOWT. The results demonstrate that the proposed control approach can effectively and successfully decrease both the oscillations in the system’s modes and the fluctuations in the generated power.
The Upscaling Effect: How the Decision Context Influences Tradeoffs between Desirability and Feasibility
Authors: Evangelidis Ioannis , Levav Jonathan , Simonson Itamar
Published: December 2022

Purchase decisions typically involve tradeoffs between attributes associated with desirability (e.g., quality) and feasibility (e.g., price). In this article, we examine how the decision context impacts consumers’ preference between a high-desirability (HD) option and a high-feasibility (HF) alternative. Nineteen studies demonstrate a novel context effect, the “upscaling effect,” whereby introducing a symmetrically dominated decoy option to a set (i.e., an option that is inferior compared to all alternatives in the set) leads to an increase in the choice share of the HD option. To account for the upscaling effect, we advance a two-stage model of consumer decision-making for decisions that involve tradeoffs between desirability and feasibility. According to our model, when the decision context provides a reason for choosing either option, such as when a decoy option is added to the set, consumers prioritize reasons that support choice of HD options over HF alternatives. Our model can explain the upscaling effect, as well as other findings reported in the literature, such as asymmetric attraction effects (Heath and Chatterjee 1995) and asymmetric sales promotion effects (Blattberg and Wisniewski 1989). Furthermore, the upscaling effect holds important managerial implications because it provides an effective way to increase sales of high-end products.
Racial and ethnic disparities in mortality among breast cancer survivors after a second malignancy
Authors: Deng Zhengyi , Jones Miranda R , Wang Mei-Cheng , Wolff Antonio C , Visvanathan Kala
Published: December 2022

Background

Racial and ethnic differences in survival after a first cancer are well established but have not been examined after a second primary cancer (SPC) despite the increasing incidence among survivors.

Methods

We examined 39 029 female breast cancer survivors who developed an SPC between 2000 and 2014 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression for competing risks data was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality after SPCs comparing Hispanic, Non-Hispanic Asian, and Non-Hispanic Black survivors with Non-Hispanic White survivors. Models were adjusted for sociodemographics, tumor characteristics, and treatments of the first and second cancer. Analyses were stratified by SPC type.

Results

During 17 years of follow-up, there were 15 117 deaths after SPCs. The risk of cancer death was 12% higher among Non-Hispanic Black survivors (HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.19) and 8% higher among Hispanic survivors (HR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.16) compared with Non-Hispanic White survivors. In subgroup analyses, the strongest associations were observed among Non-Hispanic Black survivors with a second breast or uterine cancer and among Hispanic survivors with a second breast cancer. Non-Hispanic Black survivors also experienced a 44% higher risk of cardiovascular disease death after SPC diagnosis than Non-Hispanic White survivors (HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.20 to 1.74).

Conclusions

Higher cancer mortality among Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic survivors and higher cardiovascular mortality among Non-Hispanic Black survivors exist among women who survive a first breast cancer to develop an SPC. Studies focused on identifying the contributors to these disparities are needed to enable implementation of effective mitigation strategies.
Toward Measuring Free-Riding: Counterfactuals, Alliances, and US–Philippine Relations
Authors: Ma Xinru , Kang David C
Published: December 2022

Do allies free ride? Although plausible, the concept of free riding relies upon a counterfactual: if the ally did not have a powerful patron, then it would invest more in its own defense. However, these claims are often asserted, not shown. The concept of free riding, although influential in the field of security studies, is almost unfalsifiable. In this article, we show logically how difficult it is to ascertain actual free riding. Rather than dismiss the entire concept, however, we attempt to provide two hypotheses and one scope condition that moves closer to a direct assessment of claims of free riding: first, if the ally is free riding, as the patron's commitment decreases, the ally should spend more on its own defense; second, all things being equal, a state with a powerful patron should spend less than one without. The key scope condition is whether the ally cares sufficiently about the issue to fight. We use the case of East Asia—and in particular the Philippines—to illustrate these dynamics. We conclude that the low defense spending of US allies and non-allies in East Asia is not free riding but rather a reflection of their low threat perceptions.
Rebel Resource Efficiency and the Escalation of Civil Conflict
Authors: Reeder Bryce W , Kwak Dongjin , Smith John R , Wales Michael D
Published: December 2022

What explains the ebbs and flows of government–rebel battles during civil conflict? We posit that rebels, as actors dissatisfied with the status quo, challenge the government when they can sustain fighting and absorb losses on the battlefield. This is possible when the group's resource base is stable and unlikely to be undermined by market forces, government action, or external interveners. If, however, rebel portfolios are extraordinarily profitable, rebels will focus on profiting from their investments, making the escalation of armed conflict less likely. Using a measure that captures the efficiency of rebel resource portfolios and two illustrative cases, we find evidence for this curvilinear relationship: conflicts escalate as resource portfolio efficiency increases but de-escalate slightly when portfolios are very efficient. Thus, the decision to escalate a conflict is revealed to be a function of the entire bundle of resources controlled by rebels and the market value of those resources. By accounting for the entirety of rebel resource portfolios, this study refines the insurgent–resource nexus, leading to a better understanding of civil conflict dynamics.
Constraining Type Ia supernovae through their heights in edge-on galaxies
Authors: Barkhudaryan Lilit V
Published: December 2022

In this Letter, using classified 197 supernovae (SNe) Ia, we perform an analysis of their height distributions from the disc in edge-on spirals and investigate their light-curve (LC) decline rates (Δm15). We demonstrate, for the first time, that 91T- and 91bg-like subclasses of SNe Ia are distributed differently toward the plane of their host disc. The average height from the disc and its comparison with scales of thin/thick disc components gives a possibility to roughly estimate the SNe Ia progenitor ages: 91T-like events, being at the smallest heights, originate from relatively younger progenitors with ages of about several 100 Myr, 91bg-like SNe, having the highest distribution, arise from progenitors with significantly older ages ∼10 Gyr, and normal SNe Ia, which distributed between those of the two others, are from progenitors of about one up to ∼10 Gyr. We find a correlation between LC decline rates and SN Ia heights, which is explained by the vertical age gradient of the stellar population in discs and a sub-Chandrasekhar mass white dwarf explosion models, where the Δm15 parameter is a progenitor age indicator.
Efficient single copy integration via homology-directed repair (scHDR) by 5′modification of large DNA donor fragments in mice
Authors: Medert Rebekka , Thumberger Thomas , Tavhelidse-Suck Tinatini , Hub Tobias , Kellner Tanja , Oguchi Yoko , Dlugosz Sascha , Zimmermann Frank , Wittbrodt Joachim , Freichel Marc
Published: December 2022

CRISPR/Cas-based approaches have largely replaced conventional gene targeting strategies. However, homology-directed repair (HDR) in the mouse genome is not very efficient, and precisely inserting longer sequences using HDR remains challenging given that donor constructs preferentially integrate as concatemers. Here, we showed that injecting 5′ biotinylated donor DNA into mouse embryos at the two-cell stage led to efficient single-copy HDR (scHDR) allele generation. Our dedicated genotyping strategy showed that these alleles occurred with frequencies of 19%, 20%, and 26% at three independent gene loci, indicating that scHDR was dramatically increased by 5′ biotinylation. Thus, we suggest that the combination of a 5′ biotinylated donor and diligent analysis of concatemer integration are prerequisites for efficiently and reliably generating conditional alleles or other large fragment knock-ins in the mouse genome.