bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome Sequence of
Erysipelothrix
sp. Strain Poltava, Isolated from Acute Septic Erysipelas of Swine in Ukraine
Authors: Tarasov Oleksandr , Kovalenko Ganna , Muzykina Larysa , Bezymennyi Maksym , Bortz Eric , Drown Devin M.
Published: August 2022

The complete genome of
Erysipelothrix
sp. strain Poltava, isolated from fatal acute septic erysipelas of swine in Ukraine, was assembled using Nanopore sequences. One circular chromosome of 1,794,858 bp (
N
50
, 1,794,858 bp) encodes 16 putative antibiotic resistance genes and secreted virulence factors, highlighting the risk of cross-species livestock and human infection.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Desiccation-Tolerant Strains, Bradyrhizobium japonicum TXVA and TXEA, Isolated from the Root Nodules of Soybean Grown in Texas
Authors: Peterson Christian , Niraula Sarbjeet , Parks Dylan , Chang Woo-Suk
Published: August 2022

Two
Bradyrhizobium japonicum
strains, TXVA and TXEA, were isolated for their desiccation tolerance and symbiotic performance with soybean as biofertilizers. Their genomes were sequenced and annotated using the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute annotation pipeline. Sequencing yielded chromosomes of 9,193,770 and 9,339,455 bp for TXVA and TXEA, respectively.
Virome of Giant Panda-Infesting Ticks Reveals Novel Bunyaviruses and Other Viruses That Are Genetically Close to Those from Giant Pandas
Authors: Ma Rui , Zhao Min , Wang Haoning , Hou Rong , Qin Kailin , Qian Yu , Zhang Han , Zhou Yanshan , Wu Wei , Gu Jiang , Wang Xiaochun , Shen Quan , Liu Songrui , Liu Jiabin , Bi Wenlei , Yu Xiang , Yang Shixing , Feng Feifei , Li Zusheng , Zhang Long , Lan Guanwei , Chen Chao , Xue Fei , Wang Yan , Chong Huang , Hong Yang , Ji Likai , Liu Yuwei , Qi Dunwu , Shan Tongling , Zhang Wen
Published: August 2022

Ticks rank only second to mosquitoes as blood-feeding arthropods, capable of spreading pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, and parasites) to hosts during a blood meal. To better understand the relationship between viruses carried by ticks and viruses that have been reported in giant pandas, it is necessary to analyze the viromes of giant panda-parasitic blood-sucking ticks.
Supplemental Material: Extensional mountain building along convergent plate boundary: Insights from the active Taiwan mountain belt
Authors: Chen Chih-Tung , al. et
Published: August 2022

40Ar/39Ar step-heating analysis and data. 
Massive lung necrosis due to microwave ablation in an octogenarian required urgent lobectomy
Authors: Nguyen Duy Thang , Vu Ngoc Tu , Dinh Thi Thanh Hong
Published: August 2022

We present a rare complication of microwave ablation (MWA) in a male patient in his 80s. His massive pulmonary necrosis and tension pneumothorax required urgent surgery. However, the damage to the lung tissue was too large, deep and fragile. We failed to suture or conduct wedge resection on the lung lesion, so, left upper lobectomy was necessary. Therefore, we suggest that it is probably possible to reduce the frequency and time threshold when performing MWA for the elderly with comorbidities.
Spin within systematic review abstracts on antiplatelet therapies after acute coronary syndrome: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wise Audrey , Mannem Deepika , Arthur Wade , Ottwell Ryan , Greiner Benjamin , Srouji Derek , Wildes Daniel , Hartwell Micah , Wright Drew N , Khojasteh Jam , Vassar Matthew
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Spin is a reporting practice in which study results are misrepresented by overestimating efficacy or underestimating harm. Prevalence of spin varies between clinical specialties, and estimates are based almost entirely on clinical trials. Little is known about spin in systematic reviews.

Design

We performed a cross-sectional analysis searching MEDLINE and Embase for systematic reviews and meta-analyses pertaining to antiplatelet therapies following acute coronary syndrome on 2 June 2020. Data were extracted evaluating the presence of spin and study characteristics, including methodological quality as rated by A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2). All data extraction was conducted in a masked, duplicate manner from 2 June 2020 to 26 June 2020.

Participants and setting

Not applicable.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We assessed abstracts of systematic reviews on antiplatelet therapy following acute coronary syndrome and evaluated the prevalence of the nine most severe types of spin. We additionally explored associations between spin and certain study characteristics, including quality.

Results

Our searches returned 15 263 articles, and 185 systematic reviews met inclusion criteria. Of these 185 reviews, 31.9% (59/185) contained some form of spin in the abstract. Seven forms of spin (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9) among the nine most severe were identified. No instances of types 6 or 8 were found. There were no statistically significant relationships between spin and the evaluated study characteristics or AMSTAR-2 appraisals.

Conclusions

Spin was present in abstracts for systematic reviews and meta-analyses; subsequent studies are needed to identify correlations between spin and specific study characteristics. There were no statistically significant associations between spin and study characteristics or AMSTAR-2 ratings; however, implementing changes will ensure that spin is reduced in the field of cardiology as well as other fields of medicine.
Investigating the relationship between thought interference, somatic passivity and outcomes in patients with psychosis: a natural language processing approach using a clinical records search platform in south London
Authors: Magrangeas Thibault Thierry , Kolliakou Anna , Sanyal Jyoti , Patel Rashmi , Stewart Robert
Published: August 2022

Objectives

We aimed to apply natural language processing algorithms in routine healthcare records to identify reported somatic passivity (external control of sensations, actions and impulses) and thought interference symptoms (thought broadcasting, insertion, withdrawal), first-rank symptoms traditionally central to diagnosing schizophrenia, and determine associations with prognosis by analysing routine outcomes.

Design

Four algorithms were developed on deidentified mental healthcare data and applied to ascertain recorded symptoms over the 3 months following first presentation to a mental healthcare provider in a cohort of patients with a primary schizophreniform disorder (ICD-10 F20-F29) diagnosis.

Setting and participants

From the electronic health records of a large secondary mental healthcare provider in south London, 9323 patients were ascertained from 2007 to the data extraction date (25 February 2020).

Outcomes

The primary binary dependent variable for logistic regression analyses was any negative outcome (Mental Health Act section, >2 antipsychotics prescribed, >22 days spent in crisis care) over the subsequent 2 years.

Results

Final adjusted models indicated significant associations of this composite outcome with baseline somatic passivity (prevalence 4.9%; adjusted OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.88), thought insertion (10.7%; 1.24, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.55) and thought withdrawal (4.9%; 1.36, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.69), but not independently with thought broadcast (10.3%; 1.05, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.22).

Conclusions

Symptoms traditionally central to the diagnosis of schizophrenia, but under-represented in current diagnostic frameworks, were thus identified as important predictors of short-term to medium-term prognosis in schizophreniform disorders.
Prevalence and heart rate variability characteristics of premature ventricular contractions detected by 24-hour Holter among outpatients with palpitations in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dong Yan , Li Xiaorong , Zheng Wei , Man Yilong , Liu Jin , Yu Ping , Zhang Fengxiang , Yang Bing , Cao Kejiang
Published: August 2022

Objective

To analyse the prevalence and heart rate variability (HRV) characteristics of premature ventricular contraction (PVC) detected by 24-hour Holter among Chinese outpatients with palpitations.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

This study was conducted in a tertiary hospital.

Participants

A total of 4754 outpatients who received 24-hour Holter for palpitations.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence, HRV time-domain and frequency-domain analyses of 24-hour Holter, and echocardiographic parameters were assessed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to balance baseline variables (age, gender) to decrease the bias between comparison groups.

Results

The prevalence of PVC was 67.7% (3220/4754), and was higher in men than women (69.9% vs 66.0%, p=0.004); the prevalence of frequent PVCs (PVC burden≥5%) was 7.7% (368/4754). Older patients had the highest frequency of PVC among all patients. However, among 3220 patients with PVC, younger patients’ PVC burden was much higher. Matched 1:1 by age and gender, the HRV time-domain parameters in patients with PVC were all lower than those in patients without PVC (all p<0.05); for the HRV frequency-domain parameters, the patients with frequent PVCs had a higher low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio (5.4 vs 2.8, p<0.001) than those with PVC burden less than 5%.

Conclusions

The prevalence of PVC and frequent PVCs were 67.7% and 7.7%, respectively, detected by 24-hour Holter among Chinese outpatients with palpitations. Decreased HRV time-domain parameters suggested the occurrence of PVC, and increased LF/HF ratio represented the imbalance of autonomic nervous system in patients with frequent PVCs. Further studies are needed to understand the HRV indexes in PVC patients.
Factors associated with discontinuation among long-acting reversible contraceptive users: a multisite prospective cohort study in urban public health facilities in Ethiopia
Authors: Mihretie Getasew Sisay , Abebe Solomon Mekonnen , Abebaw Yeshiwas , Gedefa Leta , Gure Tadesse , Alemayehu Birtukan Asmare , Amenu Demisew , Tadesse Daniel , Fanta Girma Abraham , Abubeker Ferid Abbas , Yemane Awol , G/Michael Amanuel Desta , Teklu Alula M , Damtew Mengistu Hailemariam , Girma Bisrat
Published: August 2022

Objective

The study aims to determine discontinuation among long-acting reversible contraceptive users at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after initiation and its associated factors among new long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) users.

Design

A facility-based multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted with a sample size of 1766 women.

Setting

The study was conducted in five large cities of Ethiopia (Addis Ababa, Gondar, Mekelle, Jimma and Harar) between March 2017 and December 2018. Various referral hospitals and health centres that are found in those cities are included in the study.

Participants

The study population was all women who were new users of LARCs and initiated LARCs in our selected public health facilities during the enrolment period.

Interventions

A pretested structured questionnaire was administered at enrolment and at 6 and 12 months to determine discontinuation proportion and factors associated with discontinuation.

Result

From the total of 1766 women sampled for the study only 1596 (90.4%) participants completed all the questionnaires including the 12-month follow-up study. The overall proportion of discontinuation of LARCs at 12 months was 21.8% (95% CI 19.8 to 23.9). The overall discontinuation proportions at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 2.94%, 8.53%, 3.94% and 6.36%, respectively. Location of method initiation (adjusted HR (aHR)=5.77; (95% CI 1.16 to 28.69)) and dissatisfaction with the method (aHR=0.09; (95% CI 0.03 to 0.21)) were found to be the predictors of discontinuation among intrauterine contraceptive device users. Being satisfied with the method (aHR=0.21; (95% CI 0.15 to 0.27)), initiation after post abortion (aHR=0.48; (95% CI: 0.26, 0.89)) and joint decision with partner for method initiation (aHR=0.67; (95% CI: 0.50, 0.90)) were inversely associated with implant discontinuation.

Conclusion

The majority of LARC users discontinue the method in the first 6 months after insertion and dissatisfaction with the method increased the likelihood of removal during the first year of LARC use.
Three-month follow-up of durability of response to the third dose of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in adults aged 60 years and older: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Eliakim-Raz Noa , Stemmer Amos , Leibovici-Weisman Yaara , Ness Asaf , Awwad Muhammad , Ghantous Nassem , Erez Noam , Bareket-Samish Avital , Levy-Barda Adva , Ben-Zvi Haim , Moskovits Neta , Bar-Haim Erez , Stemmer Salomon M
Published: August 2022

Objective

To evaluate the durability of response 3 months after the third BNT162b2 vaccine in adults aged 60 years and older.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Single tertiary centre.

Participants

Healthcare workers/family members aged ≥60 years old who received the third BNT162b2 dose.

Interventions

Blood samples were drawn immediately before (T0), 10–19 days (T1) and 74–103 days (T2) after the third dose.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Anti-spike IgG titres were determined using a commercial assay and seropositivity was defined as ≥50 arbitrary units (AU)/mL. Neutralising antibody titres were determined at T2. Adverse events, COVID-19 infections and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) levels were documented.

Results

The analysis included 97 participants (median age, 70 years (IQR, 66–74), 58% CFS level 2). IgG titres, which increased significantly from T0 to T1 (median, 440 AU/mL (IQR, 294–923) and median, 25 429 AU/mL (IQR, 14 203–36 114), respectively; p<0.001), decreased significantly by T2, but all remained seropositive (median, 8306 AU/mL (IQR, 4595–14 701), p<0.001 vs T1). In a multivariable analysis, only time from the second vaccine was significantly associated with lower IgG levels at T2 (p=0.017). At T2, 60 patients were evaluated for neutralising antibodies; all were seropositive (median, 1294 antibody titres; IQR, 848–2072). Neutralising antibody and anti-spike IgG levels were correlated (r=0.6, p<0.001). No major adverse events or COVID-19 infections were reported.

Conclusions

Anti-spike IgG and neutralising antibody levels remain adequate 3 months after the third BNT162b2 vaccine in healthy adults aged ≥60 years, although the decline in IgG is concerning. A third dose of vaccine in this population should be top priority.
Association of sedentary and physical activity behaviours with body composition: a genome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Ramadan Ferris A , Bea Jennifer W , Garcia David O , Ellingson Katherine D , Canales Robert A , Raichlen David A , Klimentidis Yann C
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Studies suggest that body composition can be independently improved through physical activity (PA). We performed a Mendelian randomisation (MR) study to test the incremental benefits of sedentary behaviour and various PA exposures on body composition outcomes as assessed by anthropometric indices, lean body mass (kg), body fat (%) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (kg).

Methods

Genetic instruments were identified for both self-reported and accelerometer-measured sedentary behaviour and PA. Outcomes included anthropometric and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures of adiposity, extracted from the UK Biobank and the largest available consortia. Multivariable MR (MVMR) included educational attainment as a covariate to address potential confounding. Sensitivity analyses were evaluated for weak instrument bias and pleiotropic effects.

Results

We did not identify consistent associations between genetically predicted self-reported and accelerometer-measured sedentary behaviour and body composition outcomes. All analyses for self-reported moderate PA were null for body composition outcomes. Genetically predicted PA at higher intensities was protective against VAT in MR and MVMR analyses of both accelerometer-measured vigorous PA (MVMR β=−0.15, 95% CI: −0.24 to –0.07, p<0.001) and self-reported participation in strenuous sports or other exercises (MVMR β=−0.27, 95% CI: −0.52 to –0.01, p=0.034) was robust across several sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

We did not identify evidence of a causal relationship between genetically predicted PA and body composition, with the exception of a putatively protective effect of higher-intensity PA on VAT. Protective effects of PA against VAT may support prior evidence of biological pathways through which PA decreases risk of downstream cardiometabolic diseases.
Adherence to an injury prevention program in male amateur football players is affected by players’ age, experience and perceptions
Authors: van de Hoef Peter Alexander , Brink Michel S , Brauers Jur J , van Smeden Maarten , Gouttebarge Vincent , Backx Frank J G
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Adherence to injury prevention programmes in football remains low, which is thought to drastically reduce the effects of injury prevention programmes. Reasons why (medical) staff and players implement injury prevention programmes, have been investigated, but player’s characteristics and perceptions about these programmes might influence their adherence. Therefore, this study investigated the relationships between player’s characteristics and adherence and between player’s perceptions and adherence following an implemented injury prevention programme.

Methods

Data from 98 of 221 football players from the intervention group of a cluster randomised controlled trial concerning hamstring injury prevention were analysed.

Results

Adherence was better among older and more experienced football players, and players considered the programme more useful, less intense, more functional and less time-consuming. Previous hamstring injuries, educational level, the programme’s difficulty and intention to continue the exercises were not significantly associated with adherence.

Conclusion

These player’s characteristics and perceptions should be considered when implementing injury prevention programmes.
Inactivated genotype 1a, 2a and 3a HCV vaccine candidates induced broadly neutralising antibodies in mice
Authors: Alzua Garazi Pena , Pihl Anne Finne , Offersgaard Anna , Duarte Hernandez Carlos Rene , Duan Zhe , Feng Shan , Fahnøe Ulrik , Sølund Christina , Weis Nina , Law Mansun , Prentoe Jannick C , Christensen Jan Pravsgaard , Bukh Jens , Gottwein Judith Margarete
Published: August 2022

Objective

A prophylactic vaccine is needed to control the HCV epidemic, with genotypes 1–3 causing >80% of worldwide infections. Vaccine development is hampered by HCV heterogeneity, viral escape including protection of conserved neutralising epitopes and suboptimal efficacy of HCV cell culture systems. We developed cell culture-based inactivated genotype 1–3 HCV vaccine candidates to present natively folded envelope proteins to elicit neutralising antibodies.

Design

High-yield genotype 1a, 2a and 3a HCV were developed by serial passage of TNcc, J6cc and DBN3acc in Huh7.5 cells and engineering of acquired mutations detected by next-generation sequencing. Neutralising epitope exposure was determined in cell-based neutralisation assays using human monoclonal antibodies AR3A and AR4A, and polyclonal antibody C211. BALB/c mice were immunised with processed and inactivated genotype 1a, 2a or 3a viruses using AddaVax, a homologue of the licenced adjuvant MF-59. Purified mouse and patient serum IgG were assayed for neutralisation capacity; mouse IgG and immune-sera were assayed for E1/E2 binding.

Results

Compared with the original viruses, high-yield viruses had up to ~1000 fold increased infectivity titres (peak titres: 6–7 log10 focus-forming units (FFU)/mL) and up to ~2470 fold increased exposure of conserved neutralising epitopes. Vaccine-induced IgG broadly neutralised genotype 1–6 HCV (EC50: 30–193 µg/mL; mean 71 µg/mL), compared favourably with IgG from chronically infected patients, and bound genotype 1–3 E1/E2; immune-sera endpoint titres reached up to 32 000.

Conclusion

High-yield genotype 1–3 HCV could be developed as basis for inactivated vaccine candidates inducing broadly neutralising antibodies in mice supporting further preclinical development.
Vitamin D receptor and STAT6 interactome governs oesophageal epithelial barrier responses to IL-13 signalling
Authors: Brusilovsky Michael , Rochman Mark , Shoda Tetsuo , Kotliar Michael , Caldwell Julie M , Mack Lydia E , Besse John A , Chen Xiaoting , Weirauch Matthew T , Barski Artem , Rothenberg Marc E
Published: August 2022

Objective

The contribution of vitamin D (VD) deficiency to the pathogenesis of allergic diseases remains elusive. We aimed to define the impact of VD on oesophageal allergic inflammation.

Design

We assessed the genomic distribution and function of VD receptor (VDR) and STAT6 using histology, molecular imaging, motif discovery and metagenomic analysis. We examined the role of VD supplementation in oesophageal epithelial cells, in a preclinical model of IL-13-induced oesophageal allergic inflammation and in human subjects with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE).

Results

VDR response elements were enriched in oesophageal epithelium, suggesting enhanced VDR binding to functional gene enhancer and promoter regions. Metagenomic analysis showed that VD supplementation reversed dysregulation of up to 70% of the transcriptome and epigenetic modifications (H3K27Ac) induced by IL-13 in VD-deficient cells, including genes encoding the transcription factorsHIF1AandSMAD3, endopeptidases (SERPINB3) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition mediators (TGFBR1, TIAM1, SRC, ROBO1, CDH1). Molecular imaging and chromatin immunoprecipitation showed VDR and STAT6 colocalisation within the regulatory regions of the affected genes, suggesting that VDR and STAT6 interactome governs epithelial tissue responses to IL-13 signalling. Indeed, VD supplementation reversed IL-13-induced epithelial hyperproliferation, reduced dilated intercellular spaces and barrier permeability, and improved differentiation marker expression (filaggrin, involucrin). In a preclinical model of IL-13-mediated oesophageal allergic inflammation and in human EoE, VD levels inversely associated with severity of oesophageal eosinophilia and epithelial histopathology.

Conclusions

Collectively, these findings identify VD as a natural IL-13 antagonist with capacity to regulate the oesophageal epithelial barrier functions, providing a novel therapeutic entry point for type 2 immunity-related diseases.
Low left atrial volume is an independent predictor of persistent hypotension after carotid artery stenting
Authors: Maekawa Kota , Ohara Nobuyuki , Takasugi Junji , Fujiwara Satoru , Okada Taiji , Miyakoshi Chisato , Imamura Hirotoshi , Kawamoto Michi , Sakai Nobuyuki
Published: August 2022

Background

Persistent hypotension (PH) after carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a relatively common complication; however, it is unclear which patients are more likely to experience this phenomenon. Recently, lower left atrial (LA) volume was associated with vasovagal syncope, which has a similar neurological mechanism to hypotension after CAS. This study aimed to investigate whether LA volume can predict PH after CAS.

Methods

This single center retrospective analysis used data from 316 patients who had undergone CAS between March 2013 and February 2021. After the exclusion of urgent CAS, 212 procedures (202 patients) with transthoracic echocardiograms were included. The procedures were divided among two groups according to the presence or absence of PH for more than 1 hour after CAS.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 73.0±7.5 years. PH was observed during 52 (24.5%) procedures. The PH group exhibited a lower LA volume index (LAVI) than the no-PH group (29.7±9.1 vs 37.7±12.5 mL/m2, respectively; p<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.716. The optimal cut-off value was 33.5 mL/m2(sensitivity 0.750, specificity 0.625). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that LAVI <33.5 mL/m2was an independent predictor for PH after CAS (OR 4.950, 95% CI 2.190 to 11.200; p<0.001). Preoperative hydration was negatively associated with PH (OR 0.235, 95% CI, 0.070 to 0.794; p=0.020).

Conclusions

A lower LA volume can predict PH after CAS, and preoperative hydration may prevent PH after CAS.
Brief report on IQOS point-of-sale marketing, promotion and pricing in IQOS retail partner stores in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Authors: Henderson Katherine C , Van Do Vuong , Wang Yu , Duan Zongshuan , Popova Lucy , Spears Claire Adams , Weaver Scott R , Ashley David L , Barker Dianne C , Huang Jidong
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Philip Morris has a history of aggressive marketing tactics in its global pursuit of IQOS sales, which extant literature suggests may appeal to non-smokers and young adults. This study was the first to examine point-of-sale (POS) marketing and pricing of IQOS after it entered the US market in October 2019.

Methods

Trained field staff assessed 75 retail partner stores selling IQOS/HeatSticks in the Atlanta area in February–November 2020 using an IQOS-tailored, standardised assessment tool. The tool assessed store characteristics, product availability and accessibility, marketing and promotions and pricing for each store.

Results

All stores assessed sold HeatSticks in at least one of the three flavours (tobacco, smooth menthol, fresh menthol), but did not sell the IQOS device. IQOS/HeatSticks marketing was present inside 98.5% and outside 17.3% of stores assessed. Marketing for other tobacco products was present inside 98.5% and outside 32% of stores. The average price per HeatSticks pack was US$6.40 compared with US$6.08 for Marlboro Red cigarettes.

Conclusion

Our study revealed a considerable amount of POS marketing and promotion for IQOS/HeatSticks at retail partner locations, visible to all retail consumers, including youth and non-smokers. This study was the first to examine IQOS POS marketing and promotion in the US context and findings add to the extant literature on IQOS global marketing strategies. As additional novel tobacco/nicotine products continue to enter the market, targeted monitoring of the POS marketing and promotion for these new products is warranted.
Monotonic and cyclic properties of silty sand and sandy silt for foundation design of offshore windfarms
Authors: Yang Shaoli , He Ben , Andersen Knut H. , Firouzianbandpey Sarah
Published: August 2022

This paper presents results of a series of monotonic and cyclic direct simple shear laboratory tests performed on reconstituted samples of two silty sands and one sandy silt. The laboratory program aimed to determine the cyclic shear strength and deformation characteristics of soils to be used in the offshore wind turbine foundation design. Various cyclic contour diagrams including cyclic shear strength and average and cyclic shear strains for different number of cycles were provided. The effect of strain rate for drained monotonic tests and overconsolidation ratio effect on both monotonic and cyclic properties were discussed. This study indicated that the fines content plays an important role in static and cyclic shear strength of silty soils, in addition to mineralogy and coefficient of uniformity.
The GALORE project
Authors: Romagnoni Marco , Bandiera Laura , Carraro Chiara , De Salvador Davide , Guidi Vincenzo , Mazzolari Andrea , Scatizza Luigi , Sgarbossa Francesco , Soldani Mattia , Sytov Alexei , Tamisari Melissa
Published: August 2022

Bent crystals are a compact and versatile tool to manipulate ultra-relativistic particle beams in accelerators. Indeed, the unrivaled steering power achievable exploiting channeling of particles between the atomic planes is comparable to that of a $$10^{2-3}$$

10

2
-
3

Tesla magnetic dipole. Since the first experiments in the 1980s, extensive research has been delivering important results for new physics experiments and applications in accelerators. The substantial technological development, accompanied by reliable Monte Carlo simulations, has increased the steering efficiency from a few % to the intrinsic maximum efficiency of $$\sim 80\%$$

∼
80
%

, limited by scattering of the particles with nuclei inside the crystal. The recently started two-year (2022–2023) project GALORE of INFN aims to assess experimentally the possibility to overcome this hard limit by developing a new generation of bent crystals, featuring an innovative geometry characterized by a crystalline microstructure which influences particle dynamic in the crystal lattice to boost efficiency close to 100%. The manufacturing process will exploit well-established techniques developed for silicon microelectronics, and experimental testing will be carried out at the extracted beamlines of CERN North Area with high-energy hadron beams. The success of this project could strongly impact the employment of bent crystal in frontier energy accelerators, boosting performance of already proposed schemes as well as enabling completely inedited use of bent crystal in particle physics experiment in accelerators.

Graphic Abstract
Tunneling gravimetry
Authors: Schach Patrik , Friedrich Alexander , Williams Jason R. , Schleich Wolfgang P. , Giese Enno
Published: August 2022

We examine the prospects of utilizing matter-wave Fabry–Pérot interferometers for enhanced inertial sensing applications. Our study explores such tunneling-based sensors for the measurement of accelerations in two configurations: (a) a transmission setup, where the initial wave packet is transmitted through the cavity and (b) an out-tunneling scheme with intra-cavity generated initial states lacking a classical counterpart. We perform numerical simulations of the complete dynamics of the quantum wave packet, investigate the tunneling through a matter-wave cavity formed by realistic optical potentials and determine the impact of interactions between atoms. As a consequence we estimate the prospective sensitivities to inertial forces for both proposed configurations and show their feasibility for serving as inertial sensors.
Laboratory simulation of gypsum rock dissolution at different pressures, water-flow velocities and pH ranges
Authors: Rahimi Mohammad Reza , Mohammadi Seyed Davoud , Taleb Beydokhti Alireza
Published: August 2022

Sulfate rocks, particularly gypsum rock as its most common near-surface form in the Earth's crust, are among the evaporitic rocks that due to their solubility can cause serious problems if they are present in the foundations and abutments of reservoir dams. To investigate the solubility of gypsum, gypsum blocks were taken from Gachsaran Formation outcrops located at a reservoir dam construction site in Iran. To perform the rock-dissolution experiments under pressure and water-flow conditions, a pneumatic–hydraulic pressure vessel with internal water circulation was designed and manufactured. Dissolution simulation experiments were performed at a constant temperature (25°C) and for a range of pressures, water-flow velocities and water acidities, the solution-rate constants for the experimental conditions considered. The results confirmed, first, that there are strong direct increasing relationships between pressure and the water-flow velocity with the solution-rate constant, while these relationships with increasing pH are reversed. Secondly, the values obtained from the rock-dissolution experiments under atmospheric conditions cannot be trusted as design parameters for dam foundation or abutments because the solution-rate constant values at the affected depth below reservoir dams can be several times higher than the surface value.
About this title - Cross-Border Themes in Petroleum Geology II: Atlantic Margin and Barents Sea
Authors: Chiarella D. , Archer S. G. , Howell J. A. , Jackson C. A.-L. , Kombrink H. , Patruno S.
Published: August 2022

This volume offers an up-to-date ‘geology-without-borders’ view of the stratigraphy, sedimentology, tectonics and oil-and-gas exploration trends of the entire Atlantic Margin and Barents Sea basin. The challenges associated with data continuity and nomenclature differences across median lines are discussed and mitigated. Examples of under-exploited cross-border plays and discoveries are discussed.
About this title - Quaternary Geoarchaeology of India
Authors: Tiwari N. , Singh V. , Mehra S. B.
Published: August 2022

The Quaternary Period in South Asia has a very prolonged and diverse history. Within this region, India represents various technological and cultural phases of hominin occupation adapting to different ecological zones throughout the Quaternary Period. The earliest records of this occupation can be traced back to 1.5 Ma ago and possibly to
c
. 2 Ma ago. Archaeological evidence has been reported from all known phases in India, showing a continuous record of occupation from the Early Pleistocene onwards and reflecting adaptation by multiple hominin species over time. This book aims to highlight recent advances in the Quaternary geoarchaeology by showcasing diverse methods such as archaeology, geology, palaeoclimatology, sedimentology, GIS, remote sensing and taphonomy. It presents a collection of papers that address various geoarchaeological aspects from different regions in India, within the time frame of the Early Pleistocene to Anthropocene. This volume provides an opportunity for new data to be disseminated, particularly by young researchers and, within the framework of worldwide research issues, it promotes new geoarchaeological perspectives from India.
About this title - Straits and Seaways: Controls, Processes and Implications in Modern and Ancient Systems
Authors: Rossi V. M. , Longhitano S. G. , Olariu C. , Chiocci F. L.
Published: August 2022

Straits and seaways are the key features that connect oceans, seas and lakes. They regulate water, sediment and biota exchanges, and influence local and global climate. A good understanding of the dynamic evolution of straits and seaways is therefore fundamental to accurately reconstruct the palaeogeography, tectonics, palaeoecology and stratigraphy of interconnected basins, the climate dynamics of Earth's past as well as to exploit both conventional and renewable energy resources.

This volume provides a comprehensive collection of articles dealing with both ancient and modern case studies, bringing together different but complementary disciplines, such as marine geology, process sedimentology and stratigraphy.

With the contents encompassing the evolution, geomorphology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, oceanography and palaeogeography of straits and seaways, and their influence on climate, the book will be of interest to Earth scientists working in many fields.
Workings of science
Authors: Tichy Walter
Published: August 2022

Software engineering was recognized as its own type of engineering in the 1960s. At first, the tools and guidelines developed for it were mostly based on common sense, intuition, and personal experience, but not empirical evidence. It took until the late 1990s for researchers in the area to embrace empirical methods. This article is a personal story of how I experienced the maturing of Software Engineering research into an evidence-based science. I will interpret this development using two competing philosophical concepts, rationalism and empiricism, and describe how pragmatism reconciles them.
Studies of Urban Safety Improvement for Anti-Corrosion Smokestack Protection Based on LOP Strategies
Authors: Tian Zhen , Hu Huaichen
Published: August 2022

With the continuous expansion of urban industry, there is a great risk of fire and explosion during the application of anti-corrosion protection in smokestacks construction. The safety improvement was proposed using
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
simulation including process design and comprehensive protective approach based on
Layers of Protection (LOP)
strategies. The safety of construction was improved by the development of flammable gas monitoring and an alarming ventilation control system widely used in urban regulatory network. The concentration of flammable gas in the hanging basket is controlled below 5.0% of the lower explosion limit with the possibility to reduce this further to as low as 1.0%. The threat of smokestacks explosion to urban safety is greatly reduced. This system has a certain reference value for the government and factories to use digital tools to improve construction efficiency and urban safety.
What Users Want From Cloud Deletion and the Information They Need: A Participatory Action Study
Authors: Ramokapane Kopo Marvin , Such Jose , Rashid Awais
Published: August 2022

Current cloud deletion mechanisms fall short in meeting users’ various deletion needs. They assume all data is deleted the same way—data is temporally removed (or hidden) from users’ cloud accounts before being completely deleted. This assumption neglects users’ desire to have data completely deleted instantly or their preference to have it recoverable for a more extended period. To date, these preferences have not been explored. To address this gap, we conducted a participatory study with four groups of active cloud users (five subjects per group). We examined their deletion preferences and the information they require to aid deletion. In particular, we explored how users want to delete cloud data and identify what information about cloud deletion they consider essential, the time it should be made available to them, and the communication channel that should be used. We show that cloud deletion preferences are complex and multi-dimensional, varying between subjects and groups. Information about deletion should be within reach when needed, for instance, be part of deletion controls. Based on these findings, we discuss the implications of our study in improving the current deletion mechanism to accommodate these preferences.
Domain Generalization for Activity Recognition via Adaptive Feature Fusion
Authors: Qin Xin , Wang Jindong , Chen Yiqiang , Lu Wang , Jiang Xinlong
Published: August 2022

Human activity recognition requires the efforts to build a generalizable model using the training datasets with the hope to achieve good performance in test datasets. However, in real applications, the training and testing datasets may have totally different distributions due to various reasons such as different body shapes, acting styles, and habits, damaging the model’s generalization performance. While such a distribution gap can be reduced by existing domain adaptation approaches, they typically assume that the test data can be accessed in the training stage, which is not realistic. In this article, we consider a more practical and challenging scenario: domain-generalized activity recognition (DGAR) where the test dataset
cannot
be accessed during training. To this end, we propose
Adaptive Feature Fusion for Activity Recognition (AFFAR)
, a domain generalization approach that learns to fuse the domain-invariant and domain-specific representations to improve the model’s generalization performance. AFFAR takes the best of both worlds where domain-invariant representations enhance the transferability across domains and domain-specific representations leverage the model discrimination power from each domain. Extensive experiments on three public HAR datasets show its effectiveness. Furthermore, we apply AFFAR to a real application, i.e., the diagnosis of Children’s Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which also demonstrates the superiority of our approach.
Time-Resolved Electrochemical Heat Flow Calorimetry for the Analysis of Highly Dynamic Processes in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Kunz Alexander , Berg Clara , Friedrich Franziska , Gasteiger Hubert A. , Jossen Andreas
Published: August 2022

Isothermal microcalorimetry is used to study the heat flow of lithium-ion cells to provide insight into active material characteristics and to provide data required for a thermal optimization on the cell and system level. Recent research has shown the application of this technique to cells during high cycling rates, for example fast charging. However, the limitation of isothermal microcalorimetry is the low-pass characteristic of the measured heat flow, introduced by the thermal inertia of the setup and the calorimeter itself. To solve this problem, we introduce an optimized cell holder design and a novel data processing method for a time-resolved measurement of highly dynamic heat flow profiles. These are described in detail and validated using a synthetic power profile applied to a dummy cell. Experiments on a graphite-lithium half-cell illustrate the improvement of the method and the optimized cell holder when compared to the state-of-the-art setup, demonstrating the 3.6 times faster time response, which was further improved using a post-processing deconvolution technique. The thus improved time resolution provides the acquisition of more detailed features than currently shown in the literature and allows an accurate correlation of the thermal signals to electrochemical features like, e.g., the differential voltage of the cell.
Nucleation, Growth and Electrochemical Performances of Polyaniline Electrodeposited on ITO Substrate
Authors: Aynaou Aziz , Youbi Boubaker , Lghazi Youssef , Himi Mohammed Ait , Bahar Jihane , El Haimer Chaimaa , Sahlaoui Ahmed , Bimaghra Itto
Published: August 2022

In the first part of the present work, we determined for the first time the electrodeposition mechanism of a polyaniline film on the ITO (Indium tin oxide) substrate in an acidic medium (HNO3 1 M ) using chronoamperometry. The analysis of the ascending parts and maxima of the current density-time transients and the images obtained by the SEM technique, allowed us to deduce that the polyaniline electrodeposition follows the mechanism of progressive 3D nucleation and growth. In the second part, we have studied, by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge, the effect of electropolymerization potential (0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 V) on the specific capacitance of the films. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the specific capacitance increases from 4.28 mF cm−2 (deposition potential 0.8 V/SCE) to 43.12 mF cm−2 (potential 1.2 V/SCE) for a scan rate of 5 mV/s. The specific capacitance decreases sharply with the scan rate for the deposition potentials 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 V/SCE, whereas it remains almost constant for the films obtained at 0.8 and 0.9 V/SCE. A similar behaviour was obtained by galvanostatic charge-discharge: the specific capacitance increases from 4.14mF cm−2 (0.8 V/SCE) to 60.60 mF cm−2 (1.2 V/SCE) for the discharge current density 0.1 mA cm−2.
Superconformal Copper Electroplating on an Ultrathin Cobalt Seed in an Acidic Copper Sulfate Electrolyte
Authors: Liu Y. , Brogan L. J. , Rigsby M. A. , Huie M. M. , Opocensky E. C. , Spurlin T. A. , Reid J. D.
Published: August 2022

Cu electroplating on an ultrathin Co seed has been developed for superconformal filling of advanced interconnects, in an acidic CuSO4 electrolyte containing plating additives, i.e., halide, suppressor, accelerator, and leveler. A suppressor-halide adlayer is found to play a bifunctional role in both suppressing Cu growth and inhibiting Co dissolution. Corrosion inhibition is attributed to adsorption of hydrophobic suppressor molecules on a halide-terminated Co surface that blocks water from interacting with Co, thereby retarding the formation of Co(OH)+, a corrosion immediate with which hydronium from the electrolyte would react to form soluble Co2+. With enhanced suppression, Co loss is mainly confined to the removal of native Co oxides in acid. Correspondingly, galvanic Cu deposition forms a monolayer shortly after immersion at open-circuit potential, becoming self-limited with growth of a second layer over the next 20 s as dynamic surface processes make more underlying Co available for the displacement reaction. Growth of the first Cu layer is controlled by the receding of native oxides in an exponential-decay manner. Native Co oxides, if not removed, promote Cu protrusions in electroplating. The proposed process produces void-free fill on a 22 nm wide feature with a Co liner about 20 Å thick after fill.
Heuristic Detection of the Most Vulnerable Regions in Electronic Devices for Radiation Survivability
Authors: Stepanoff Sergei P. , Rasel Md Abu Jafar , Haque Aman , Wolfe Douglas E. , Ren Fan , Pearton Stephen J.
Published: August 2022

As electronic systems become larger and more complex, detection of the most vulnerable regions (MVR) to radiation exposure becomes more difficult and time consuming. We present a heuristic approach where the mechanical and thermal aspects of devices are exploited to quickly identify MVRs. Our approach involves the topological mapping of two device conditions. The first condition identifies regions with the highest mechanical strain or density of defects and interfaces via thermal wave probing and phase analysis. The second condition identifies regions with high electrical field. It is hypothesized that the region with the highest thermal wave penetration resistance and electrical field will exhibit the highest sensitivity to incoming radiation for single events and potentially, total ionizing dose. Our approach implements a simplistic design that improves analysis time by ∼2–3 orders of magnitude over current radiation sensitivity mapping methods. The design is demonstrated on the well-studied operational amplifier LM124, which shows agreement with the literature in identifying sensitive transistors–QR1, Q9, and Q18–with relatively high phase percentile values (>70%) and ΔT percentiles (>50%), satisfying conditions for elevated radiation susceptibility. This is followed by experimental results on a static random access memory (HM-6504) and a Xilinx Artix-7 35 T system on a chip.
Nfkb2 deficiency and its impact on plasma cells and immunoglobulin expression in murine small intestinal mucosa
Authors: Papoutsopoulou Stamatia , Tang Joseph , Elramli Ahmed H. , Williams Jonathan M. , Gupta Nitika , Ikuomola Felix I. , Sheibani-Tezerji Raheleh , Alam Mohammad T. , Hernández-Fernaud Juan R. , Caamaño Jorge H. , Probert Chris S. , Muller Werner , Duckworth Carrie A. , Pritchard D. Mark
Published: August 2022

Novel transcriptomic analysis of murine proximal intestinal mucosa revealed an unexpected B cell signature in Nfkb2−/− mice. In-depth analysis revealed a defect in the CD38+ B cell population and a gut-specific dysregulation of immunoglobulin levels.
[Retracted] Construction of the Public Management Performance Assessment Algorithm Using Fuzzy Clustering
Authors: Zhang Rong
Published: August 2022

This paper analyzes the limitations of the current public management performance evaluation system, puts forward a public management performance evaluation model based on fuzzy clustering, and expounds on the theoretical framework and principle of this method. In addition, this paper introduces the concept and method of public management performance evaluation into the evaluation content system of government under the rule of law and realizes the combination of government under the rule of law theory and public management performance evaluation methodology. At the same time, through the analysis of the organizational system, technical system, institutional mechanism, result orientation, public satisfaction, and related index content, a public management performance evaluation index system is designed. Through macro and micro, qualitative and quantitative analysis and evaluation, the performance evaluation index system is improved, which provides an objective basis for forecasting and decision‐making, control, and adjustment. The research shows that the highest accuracy of this clustering method can reach about 96%, and its accuracy is about 10% higher than that of the ID3 algorithm. It is expected that this research can make some contributions to the research of the public management performance evaluation index system. At the same time, it highlights the importance of research on performance evaluation of government ruled by law.