bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Winter Flounder Navigate the Postsettlement Gauntlet with a Bet-Hedging Strategy
Authors: Dolan Tara E. , McElroy Anne E. , Cerrato Robert , Hice-Dunton Lyndie A. , Fede Catherine , Frisk Michael G.
Published: September 2021

Winter Flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus, a coastal flatfish species of historically economic and cultural importance, have declined throughout the past few decades within the southern New England and mid-Atlantic region of the United States, reaching a low point of less than 9% of their historic biomass in 2009. Unusually high postsettlement mortality is thought to impose a critical recruitment bottleneck on the population, potentially stalling recovery of Winter Flounder populations despite management measures. Survival and growth during early life history play a key role in the recruitment dynamics of marine fishes. Spatiotemporal differences in these vital rates from young-of-the-year (i.e., age-0) Winter Flounder have been variously linked to environmental gradients, anthropogenic stressors, differences in the timing of settlement, and location. To better understand local declines in recruitment productivity, we assessed vital rates of age-0 Winter Flounder in five different bays in Long Island, New York. A weekly or biweekly beam-trawl survey targeting age-0 Winter Flounder was implemented over five summers. We compared survey-based estimates of age-0 mortality and growth, finding significant differences between locations in growth but not mortality. A consistently high abundance of age-0 Winter Flounder in Shinnecock Bay and Mattituck Creek was prolonged by a secondary settlement pulse later in the season. Hypothesizing that multiple settlement pulses are a bet-hedging strategy against temporally varying environmental conditions, we compared mortality, growth, and occupied habitat conditions between settlement pulses (cohorts), finding differences in growth and habitat occupancy that varied across years.
Neurofilament Light Chain as a Biomarker for Cognitive Decline in Parkinson Disease
Authors: Aamodt Whitley W. , Waligorska Teresa , Shen Junchao , Tropea Thomas F. , Siderowf Andrew , Weintraub Daniel , Grossman Murray , Irwin David , Wolk David A. , Xie Sharon X. , Trojanowski John Q. , Shaw Leslie M. , Chen‐Plotkin Alice S.
Published: September 2021

Background

Neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) is a promising biomarker of neurodegeneration.

Objectives

To determine whether plasma and CSF NfL (1) associate with motor or cognitive status in Parkinson's disease (PD) and (2) predict future motor or cognitive decline in PD.

Methods

Six hundred and fifteen participants with neurodegenerative diseases, including 152 PD and 200 healthy control participants, provided a plasma and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NfL sample. Diagnostic groups were compared using the Kruskal−Wallis rank test. Within PD, cross‐sectional associations between NfL and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS‐III) and Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS‐2) scores were assessed by linear regression; longitudinal analyses were performed using linear mixed‐effects models and Cox regression.

Results

Plasma and CSF NfL levels correlated substantially (Spearman r = 0.64, P < 0.001); NfL was highest in neurocognitive disorders. PD participants with high plasma NfL were more likely to develop incident cognitive impairment (HR 5.34, P = 0.005).

Conclusions

Plasma NfL is a useful prognostic biomarker for PD, predicting clinical conversion to mild cognitive impairment or dementia. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Mathematical analysis of the dynamics of COVID‐19 in Africa under the influence of asymptomatic cases and re‐infection
Authors: Oke Abayomi Samuel , Bada Oluwafemi Isaac , Rasaq Ganiyu , Adodo Victoria
Published: September 2021

Coronavirus pandemic (COVID‐19) hit the world in December 2019, and only less than 5% of the 15 million cases were recorded in Africa. A major call for concern was the significant rise from 2% in May 2020 to 4.67% by the end of July 15, 2020. This drastic increase calls for quick intervention in the transmission and control strategy of COVID‐19 in Africa. A mathematical model to theoretically investigate the consequence of ignoring asymptomatic cases on COVID‐19 spread in Africa is proposed in this study. A qualitative analysis of the model is carried out with and without re‐infection, and the reproduction number is obtained under re‐infection. The results indicate that increasing case detection to detect asymptomatically infected individuals will be very effective in containing and reducing the burden of COVID‐19 in Africa. In addition, the fact that it has not been confirmed whether a recovered individual can be re‐infected or not, then enforcing a living condition where recovered individuals are not allowed to mix with the susceptible or exposed individuals will help in containing the spread of COVID‐19.
External Dynamic InTerference Estimation and Removal (EDITER) for low field MRI
Authors: Srinivas Sai Abitha , Cauley Stephen F. , Stockmann Jason P. , Sappo Charlotte R. , Vaughn Christopher E. , Wald Lawrence L. , Grissom William A. , Cooley Clarissa Z.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Point‐of‐care MRI requires operation outside of Faraday shielded rooms normally used to block image‐degrading electromagnetic interference (EMI). To address this, we introduce the EDITER method (External Dynamic InTerference Estimation and Removal), an external sensor‐based method to retrospectively remove image artifacts from time‐varying external interference sources.

Theory and Methods

The method acquires data from multiple EMI detectors (tuned receive coils as well as untuned electrodes placed on the body) simultaneously with the primary MR coil during and between image data acquisition. We calculate impulse response functions dynamically that map the data from the detectors to the time varying artifacts then remove the transformed detected EMI from the MR data. Performance of the EDITER algorithm was assessed in phantom and in vivo imaging experiments in an 80 mT portable brain MRI in a controlled EMI environment and with an open 47.5 mT MRI scanner in an uncontrolled EMI setting.

Results

In the controlled setting, the effectiveness of the EDITER technique was demonstrated for specific types of introduced EMI sources with up to a 97% reduction of structured EMI and up to 76% reduction of broadband EMI in phantom experiments. In the uncontrolled EMI experiments, we demonstrate EMI reductions of up to 99% using an electrode and pick‐up coil in vivo. We demonstrate up to a nine‐fold improvement in image SNR with the method.

Conclusion

The EDITER technique is a flexible and robust method to improve image quality in portable MRI systems with minimal passive shielding and could reduce the reliance of MRI on shielded rooms and allow for truly portable MRI.
A data‐driven T2 relaxation analysis approach for myelin water imaging: Spectrum analysis for multiple exponentials via experimental condition oriented simulation (SAME‐ECOS)
Authors: Liu Hanwen , Joseph Tigris S. , Xiang Qing‐San , Tam Roger , Kozlowski Piotr , Li David K. B. , MacKay Alex L. , Kramer John L. K. , Laule Cornelia
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The decomposition of multi‐exponential decay data into a T2 spectrum poses substantial challenges for conventional fitting algorithms, including non‐negative least squares (NNLS). Based on a combination of the resolution limit constraint and machine learning neural network algorithm, a data‐driven and highly tailorable analysis method named spectrum analysis for multiple exponentials via experimental condition oriented simulation (SAME‐ECOS) was proposed.

Theory and Methods

The theory of SAME‐ECOS was derived. Then, a paradigm was presented to demonstrate the SAME‐ECOS workflow, consisting of a series of calculation, simulation, and model training operations. The performance of the trained SAME‐ECOS model was evaluated using simulations and six in vivo brain datasets. The code is available at https://github.com/hanwencat/SAME‐ECOS.

Results

Using NNLS as the baseline, SAME‐ECOS achieved over 15% higher overall cosine similarity scores in producing the T2 spectrum, and more than 10% lower mean absolute error in calculating the myelin water fraction (MWF), as well as demonstrated better robustness to noise in the simulation tests. Applying to in vivo data, MWF from SAME‐ECOS and NNLS was highly correlated among all study participants. However, a distinct separation of the myelin water peak and the intra/extra‐cellular water peak was only observed in the mean T2 spectra determined using SAME‐ECOS. In terms of data processing speed, SAME‐ECOS is approximately 30 times faster than NNLS, achieving a whole‐brain analysis in 3 min.

Conclusion

Compared with NNLS, the SAME‐ECOS method yields much more reliable T2 spectra in a dramatically shorter time, increasing the feasibility of multi‐component T2 decay analysis in clinical settings.
Analytical solutions of 1‐D chemo‐hydro‐mechanical coupled model of saturated soil considering osmotic efficiency
Authors: Zheng Xinjiang , Wang Lei , Xu Yongfu
Published: September 2021

In the complex chemical environment of municipal waste landfills, the chemo‐hydro‐mechanical coupled flows in the compacted clay layer (CCL) and its deformation are very complicated. When studying the chemo‐hydro‐mechanical consolidation of soil, the osmotic flow, ultrafiltration, and the osmosis effect on solute migration were neglected due to the low osmotic efficiency. However, the permeability of CCL of landfill is very small, and their osmotic efficiency is higher. The osmotic phenomenon and influence of osmotic efficiency must be considered. In this paper, a 1‐D chemo‐hydro‐mechanical coupled model of saturated soil is proposed considering osmotic efficiency. The analytical solutions of the model under specific boundary conditions were obtained by Fourier transform. The degradation model is compared with the existing governing equations and results in the literature, and the correctness of the proposed governing equations and analytical solutions is verified. Through the analysis of specific case, it can be concluded that chemo‐osmotic consolidation significantly affects the consolidation of the soil layers. The osmotic consolidation leads to the generation of negative pore pressure, but it decreases with the decrease of the osmotic pressure gradient. This process leads to the rebound effect of the soil settlement. The osmotic efficiency significantly affects the consolidation characteristics of this soil layer, and therefore the effect of osmotic efficiency must be considered in soils with high osmotic efficiency.
Emicizumab in pediatric hemophilia: Bleeding and surgical outcomes from a single‐center retrospective study
Authors: Cohen Clay T. , Diaz Rosa
Published: September 2021

Real‐world data describing emicizumab prophylaxis in pediatric hemophilia A is limited with current literature providing a heterogenous approach to procedural management. We performed a retrospective review on the 28 patients who have been treated with emicizumab prophylaxis at Texas Children's Hospital from 2018 to 2021. After starting emicizumab, the mean annualized bleeding rate reduced from 3.61 to 0.44. Seven surgical procedures were performed in the cohort, and all treated with pre‐ and postoperative factor replacement resulting in one minor bleeding event. We demonstrate a successful experience with emicizumab prophylaxis and safe perioperative approach with a focus on minimizing postoperative bleeding.
Evaluation of umbilical venous flow volume measured using ultrasound compared to circuit flow volume in the EXTra‐uterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND) system in fetal sheep
Authors: Ozawa Katsusuke , Davey Marcus G. , Tian Zhiyun , Hornick Matthew A. , Mejaddam Ali Y. , McGovern Patrick E. , Flake Alan W. , Rychik Jack
Published: September 2021

Objective

To compare and validate umbilical venous flow volume (UVFV) measured at the intra‐abdominal portion using ultrasound with actual flow volume of umbilical vein (UV) in fetal sheep sustained on the EXTrauterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND) system.

Methods

Circuit flow volume through the oxygenator was obtained using sensors. Ultrasound derived UVFV (ml/min) was calculated as (UV diameter [cm]/2)2 3.14 maximum velocity (cm/s) 0.5 60, measured at approximately the mid portion between its abdominal insertion and the origin of the ductus venosus. UVFV was measured by ultrasound once daily and was compared to the average of daily circuit flow volume directly measured.

Results

UVFV was measured 168 times in 15 fetal sheep. The ratio of circuit flow volume to combined cardiac output remained stable within the anticipated physiological range throughout. UVFV measured by ultrasound showed good correlation to directly measured circuit flow (r = 0.72). Interclass correlation coefficients for intra‐observer variability was 0.991 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.979‐0.996).

Conclusion

UVFV measured at the intra‐abdominal portion using ultrasound shows a good correlation with directly measured circuit flow volume in UV of fetal sheep on the EXTEND system. Regular incorporation of such validated UVFV measures into clinical use may offer opportunities to better understand conditions of placental dysfunction.
Requirement of respiratory support in acute bronchiolitis in infants is linked to endothelial and neutrophil activation
Authors: Juliana Amadu , Plötz Frans B. , Achten Niek , Bultman Anita , Jongman Rianne M. , van Meurs Matijs , Wilschut Jan C , Zonneveld Rens
Published: September 2021

Background

Evidence shows that activation of pulmonary vascular endothelium and neutrophils are involved in the pathophysiology of acute bronchiolitis. We hypothesized that levels of markers of endothelial activation and leukocyte counts are associated with requirement and duration of respiratory support.

Methods

Thirty‐four infants with bronchiolitis and eight controls were included. Nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were taken at admission. Serum levels of Angiopoietin (Ang)‐1, Ang‐2, sP‐selectin, sE‐selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (sVCAM‐1), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1), and leukocyte counts were measured. For univariate analysis, bronchiolitis cases were grouped into two groups, namely those not requiring and those requiring any form of respiratory support. To control for known risk factors for poor outcome (i.e., age, prematurity, and congenital heart disease), and for days post symptom onset, linear regression analysis was performed with duration of any type of respiratory support in days.

Results

Ang‐2 levels, Ang‐2/Ang‐1 ratios, sE‐selectin levels, immature neutrophil count, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were higher in acute bronchiolitis versus controls. Ang‐2, and NLR levels were significantly higher, and lymphocyte counts significantly lower, in infants that required respiratory support versus those that did not. Ang‐2 levels (β: .32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19–1.19) and NLR (β: .68, 95% CI: 0.17–1.19) were positive predictors for the duration of respiratory support.

Conclusions

Markers of endothelial and neutrophil activation are associated with respiratory support for acute bronchiolitis. Admission Ang‐2 levels and NLR may be promising markers to determine requirement of respiratory support and deserve further study.
Revealing the Synthesis of Triangular Silver Nanoplates: A Study of the Photochemical Growth Mechanism around the pH and Trisodium Citrate Variations
Authors: Arcos-Pareja José , Lasso Esteban D. , Ibarra-Barreno Carolina M. , Benalcázar Joselyn , Robalino Kevin , Debut Alexis , Briceño Sarah , Chacón‐Torres Julio C.
Published: September 2021

Triangular silver nanoplates (T‐SNPs) are synthesized via a facile, low‐cost photochemical process. It is proved that both the pH and the concentration of trisodium citrate (TSC) are the key factors to describe the mechanism for the photochemical growth and modulation of the extinction band along the formation of T‐SNPs. A precise photoreduction growth mechanism of T‐SNPs is proposed and confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) considering the face block theory and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in T‐SNPs revealing the optimal conditions for their growth to be at a neutral pH of 7, a concentration between 1.0 and 2.0 mm of TSC preferentially monodentate, and using a 520 nm excitation energy. These results exhibit important implications for the behavior of T‐SNPs in a wide variety of plasmonic applications that can be further moved to controlled surface‐enhanced biomedical applications.
Understanding of C/Ti‐Doped SnS2 Photocatalytic Behaviors from Electronic Structures
Authors: Jiang Lei , Jiang Zhen-Yi , Lin Yan-Ming , Zheng Ji-Ming
Published: September 2021

The physical mechanisms governing the photocatalytic behaviors of C‐ or Ti‐doped SnS2 are investigated based on first‐principles calculations. The calculations reveal that C atoms prefer to occupy interstitial sites around the surface, whereas Ti atoms are more likely to occupy the Sn atom positions around the surface. C atoms that occupy the Ci−2 interstitial site around the surface and inside the bulk will result in an occupied shallow defect state above the valence band maximum (VBM). The electronic lifetimes excite by visible‐light irradiation at the conduction band minimum (CBM) will be prolonged due to different real‐space positions of electrons at the CBM and the holes at the defect state. Ti atoms that occupied the Sn atom positions in the inner bulk will introduce two local shallow unoccupied defect states below the CBM, which are electron traps and delay the return of excited electrons to the valence band. The lifetime of holes at the VBM will be prolonged, The theoretical explanations based on Shockley–Read–Hall recombination theory enable the photocatalytic behavior to be understood deeply under the theoretical framework of semiconductor physics.
Output‐feedback stabilization of a class of stochastic nonlinear systems with time‐varying powers
Authors: Liu Ying , Li Yongming , Li Wuquan
Published: September 2021

This article considers the output‐feedback control problem for a class of stochastic high‐order nonlinear systems with time‐varying powers. In the control design process, by choosing proper upper and lower bounds for time‐varying powers, a state observer is constructed to estimate the unmeasured states. With the help of the adding a power integrator technique, the backstepping technique, and homogeneous domination design method, an output‐feedback control scheme is designed. The closed‐loop systems can be proved to be globally asymptotically stable in probability. Finally, the efficiency of the presented control method is verified by a simulation example.
Surface Functionalization of Metal Oxide Semiconductors with Catechol Ligands for Enhancing Their Photoactivity
Authors: Sakib Sadman , Bakhshandeh Fatemeh , Saha Sudip , Soleymani Leyla , Zhitomirsky Igor
Published: September 2021

Metal oxide nanostructures are increasingly important materials for various emerging photocatalytic, photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications. They are commonly used as photoelectrode materials due to their unique functional properties such as wide bandgap, reactive electronic transitions, and high stability. To increase the effectiveness of semiconductor metal oxides photoelectrodes, researchers seek to use various photoabsorption amplification and colloidal stability enhancement strategies. An effective method for achieving this is the surface functionalization of metal oxide semiconductors with catechol‐type ligands. Catechol‐type ligands are a family of organic molecules that adsorb very strongly onto metal oxides by forming complexes with metal atoms through adjacent phenolic —OH groups. Once adsorbed, catechol‐type ligands facilitate improved particle dispersion by inhibiting agglomeration and enhance photoexcitation in metal oxide semiconductors by improving visible light absorption. Herein, the surface complexation of catechol‐type ligand onto metal oxide semiconductor surfaces and their photoabsorption enhancement mechanisms is described. In addition, recent advances and trends in this area are described by presenting recent advancements made in applications of catechol‐modified metal oxide systems in photocatalysis, PEC biosensing, and solar cells.
Optimizing the Ratio of Sn4+ and Sn2+ in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Precursor Solution via Air Environment for Highly Efficient Solar Cells
Authors: Liang Guang-Xing , Yu Zi-Xuan , Xie Zhi-Gao , He Yang , Lin Jin-Hong , Chen Shuo , Zheng Zhuang-Hao , Luo Jing-Ting , Fan Ping , Su Zheng-Hua , Ma Hong-Li , Zhang Xiang-Hua
Published: September 2021

The use of different Sn valence states (such as Sn4+ and Sn2+) in the Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) precursor solution is especially important for the quality of the subsequent growth of the CZTSSe films. The latest study has found that replacing SnCl2·2H2O with anhydrous SnCl4 can remarkably improve the performance of CZTSSe solar cells, but it needs to be operated in the glovebox. Herein, for the precursor solution, SnCl4·5H2O powder is used instead of anhydrous SnCl4 in air environment, and the proportion of Sn4+ and Sn2+ precursor solutions is further systematically studied. When the ratio of Sn4+ to Sn2+ is 1:1, a uniform, compact, and noncracking CZTSSe thin film is obtained, effectively alleviating the interface recombination and reducing the concentration of deep‐level defects. In particular, the concentration of CuZn antisite defects is decreased by an order of magnitude, and the carrier recombination and band tail effect are alleviated. When JSC is maintained, VOC and FF are considerably improved. Finally, CZTSSe thin‐film solar cells are fabricated with an efficiency of over 11%. Herein, the feasibility of controlling the ratio of Sn4+ to Sn2+ in the CZTSSe precursor solution for higher efficiency of CZTSSe thin‐film solar cells is demonstrated.
Biomimetic 3D Membranes with MXene Heterostructures for Superior Solar Steam Generation, Water Treatment, and Electricity Generation
Authors: Cai Chenyang , Wang Yongqin , Wei Zechang , Fu Yu
Published: September 2021

2D MXene materials have shown great potential in photothermal conversion, especially for solar steam generation. However, the obvious light losses at the liquid−solid interfaces still limit its broad applications, thereby resulting in a poor light absorption ability. To this end, a facile and general approach is designed for the construction of nanoflower MXene@MoS2 with excellent photothermal conversion ability via one‐step hydrothermal process. Thanks to the multireflective and synergestic effects between MXene and MoS2, the hierarchical MXene@MoS2 heterostructure exhibits broadband light absorption and improved photothermal conversion capacity (69 °C after 10 min solar illumination). Furthermore, inspired by the water vapor process in multiple channels of trees, an ultrathin MXene@MoS2‐based nanofibrous membrane is assembled via directional electrospinning technology. Compared with traditional irregular channels, the controllable and tree‐inspired 3D structure shows competitive advantages in solar absorption and water transport. Thus, the as‐prepared self‐floating membrane presents durable hydrophobicity (contact angle [CA] = 125°) and a high evaporation rate of 1.39 kg/(m2h) (91% efficiency) under 1 sun, which is higher than reported. This 3D MXene‐based device also shows promising electrical generation, solar‐driven sewage, and desalination treatments (99% desalination efficiency). Such high‐performance self‐floating photothermal membranes with multifunctionalities might provide an effective strategy for solving the global problems of freshwater shortage.
Transparency with Second Language and Multilingual Transcription
Authors: Seibert Andrew Douglas
Published: September 2021

Previous methodological discussions in TESOL Quarterly (TQ) discuss imperatives for transparent and reflexive research practices and reporting (Derrick, 2016; Rabbidge, 2017). This article follows these methodological discussions by considering issues in second language (L2) and multilingual transcription by inspecting transcription and analyzing its reporting in empirical contributions to TQ. The study analyzes a series of transparency continuums with transcription reporting in TQ as they pertain to general transcription reporting and reporting that is particular to L2 and multilingual transcription. The article draws its argument from seminal scholarly discussions on transcription, calling for greater transparency with the transcription process in scholarly research reports.
Launching a Cross-disciplinary and Cross-national Conversation on Engaged Fatherhood
Authors: Grau Grau Marc , Riley Bowles Hannah
Published: September 2021

The aim of this chapter is to explain the motivations for launching an international, cross-disciplinary conversation on fatherhood engagement. This volume stemmed from a Meeting of Experts from three sectors: Health and Wellbeing, Social Policy, and Work and Organizations. This chapter illuminates the unique learning opportunity afforded by coming together to examine the differential and common struggles across these three fields to support engaged fatherhood. The chapter is divided in four parts covering (1) the urgency and importance of supporting fatherhood engagement, (2) the benefits of studying and supporting fatherhood engagement from a cross-sectoral perspective, (3) the main contribution of each chapter in this volume, and (4) our grateful acknowledgements of the many people who made this collaboration possible.
Fatherhood Among Marginalised Work-Seeking Men in South Africa
Authors: Malinga Mandisa , Ratele Kopano
Published: September 2021

Several factors have been shown to shape the ways in which men parent/engage with their children and families. Socio-economic status, culture, history, political background, and access to paid employment are among these factors. In this chapter we focus on the ways in which precarious employment shapes the parenting practices of marginalized men in South Africa. These are men who seek work on the side of the road, often referred to as ‘day labourers’. We report on data collected through semi-structured interviews with 46 men who identified as fathers. The data was analysed using the grounded theory method of constant comparison which involved two phases of coding (initial- and focused coding). Following the coding process, the data was compared for similarities, differences, and contradictions. Lastly, the analysis involved the thematic organization of codes which resulted several main themes. The first theme explored in this chapter draws on the integration of parenting roles, where men not only focus on financial provision, but also highlight the significance of being physically present and showing their children love. The second theme we explored highlights the significance of traditional practices – amasiko – as practices of gatekeeping that hinder the involvement of men with their biological children.
Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Considerations for Top-Down Governance for Biosecurity and Synthetic Biology
Authors: Hamilton R. Alexander , Mampuys Ruth , Galaitsi S. E. , Collins Aengus , Istomin Ivan , Ahteensuu Marko , Bakanidze Lela
Published: September 2021

Synthetic biology promises to make biology easier to engineer (Endy 2005), enabling more people in less formal research settings to participate in modern biology. Leveraging advances in DNA sequencing and synthesis technologies, genetic assembly methods based on standard biological parts (e.g. BioBricks), and increasingly precise gene-editing tools (e.g. CRISPR), synthetic biology is helping increase the reliability of and accessibility to genetic engineering. Although potentially enabling tremendous opportunities for the advancement of the global bioeconomy, opening new avenues for the creation of health, wealth and environmental sustainability, the possibility of a more ‘democratic’ (widely accessible) bioengineering capability could equally yield new opportunities for accidental, unintended or deliberate misuse. Consequently, synthetic biology represents a quintessential ‘dual-use’ biotechnology – a technology with the capacity to enable significant benefits and risks (NRC 2004).
Cyberbiosecurity and Public Health in the Age of COVID-19
Authors: Adler Aaron , Beal Jake , Lancaster Mary , Wyschogrod Daniel
Published: September 2021

Cyberbiosecurity, the aspect of biosecurity involving the digital representation of biological data, had already been emerging as a matter of public concern even prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key issues of concern include, among others, the privacy of patient data, the security of public health databases, the integrity of diagnostic test data, the integrity of public biological databases, the security implications of automated laboratory systems and the security of proprietary biological engineering advances.
Synthetic Biology Brings New Challenges to Managing Biosecurity and Biosafety
Authors: Jin Andrew , Linkov Igor
Published: September 2021

Novel biology technologies like gene editing and genetic engineering are creating a proliferation of breakthroughs in engineered biological systems that will change our world in areas ranging from medicine, to textiles, to energy. New developments in gene editing technologies, especially CRISPR-Cas9, have shown early signs of extraordinary potential in a variety of fields, including from basic research, applied biotechnology, and biomedical research. While the possibility of directly targeting and modifying genomic sequences in almost all eukaryotic cells could significantly improve standards of living, these technologies have the potential to pose serious biological hazards.
Combining outlier analysis algorithms to identify new physics at the LHC
Authors: van Beekveld Melissa , Caron Sascha , Hendriks Luc , Jackson Paul , Leinweber Adam , Otten Sydney , Patrick Riley , de Austri Roberto Ruiz , Santoni Marco , White Martin
Published: September 2021

Abstract

The lack of evidence for new physics at the Large Hadron Collider so far has prompted the development of model-independent search techniques. In this study, we compare the anomaly scores of a variety of anomaly detection techniques: an isolation forest, a Gaussian mixture model, a static autoencoder, and aβ-variational autoencoder (VAE), where we define the reconstruction loss of the latter as a weighted combination of regression and classification terms. We apply these algorithms to the 4-vectors of simulated LHC data, but also investigate the performance when the non-VAE algorithms are applied to the latent space variables created by the VAE. In addition, we assess the performance when the anomaly scores of these algorithms are combined in various ways. Using super- symmetric benchmark points, we find that the logical AND combination of the anomaly scores yielded from algorithms trained in the latent space of the VAE is the most effective discriminator of all methods tested.
3d gravity in Bondi-Weyl gauge: charges, corners, and integrability
Authors: Geiller Marc , Goeller Christophe , Zwikel Céline
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We introduce a new gauge and solution space for three-dimensional gravity. As its name Bondi-Weyl suggests, it leads to non-trivial Weyl charges, and uses Bondi-like coordinates to allow for an arbitrary cosmological constant and therefore spacetimes which are asymptotically locally (A)dS or flat. We explain how integrability requires a choice of integrable slicing and also the introduction of a corner term. After discussing the holographic renormalization of the action and of the symplectic potential, we show that the charges are finite, symplectic and integrable, yet not conserved. We find four towers of charges forming an algebroid given by $$ \mathfrak{vir}\oplus \mathfrak{vir}\oplus $$
vir
⊕
vir
⊕
Heisenberg with three central extensions, where the base space is parametrized by the retarded time. These four charges generate diffeomorphisms of the boundary cylinder, Weyl rescalings of the boundary metric, and radial translations. We perform this study both in metric and triad variables, and use the triad to explain the covariant origin of the corner terms needed for renormalization and integrability.
Dark Matter as dark dwarfs and other macroscopic objects: multiverse relics?
Authors: Gross Christian , Landini Giacomo , Strumia Alessandro , Teresi Daniele
Published: September 2021

Abstract

First order phase transitions can leave relic pockets of false vacua and their particles, that manifest as macroscopic Dark Matter. We compute one predictive model: a gauge theory with a dark quark relic heavier than the confinement scale. During the first order phase transition to confinement, dark quarks remain in the false vacuum and get compressed, forming Fermi balls that can undergo gravitational collapse to stable dark dwarfs (bound states analogous to white dwarfs) near the Chandrasekhar limit, or primordial black holes.
Existence and Uniqueness of Isothermal, Slightly Compressible Stratified Flow
Authors: Passerini Arianna
Published: September 2021

We show well-posedness for the equations describing a new model of slightly compressible fluids. This model was recently rigorously derived in Grandi and Passerini (Geophys Astrophys Fluid Dyn, 2020) from the full set of balance laws and falls in the category of anelastic Navier–Stokes fluids. In particular, we prove existence and uniqueness of global regular solutions in the two-dimensional case for initial data of arbitrary “size”, and for “small” data in three dimensions. We also show global stability of the rest state in the class of weak solutions.
SAMHD1 in cancer: curse or cure?
Authors: Schott Kerstin , Majer Catharina , Bulashevska Alla , Childs Liam , Schmidt Mirko H. H. , Rajalingam Krishnaraj , Munder Markus , König Renate
Published: September 2021

Human sterile α motif and HD domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1), originally described as the major cellular deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase (dNTPase) balancing the intracellular deoxynucleotide (dNTP) pool, has come recently into focus of cancer research. As outlined in this review, SAMHD1 has been reported to be mutated in a variety of cancer types and the expression of SAMHD1 is dysregulated in many cancers. Therefore, SAMHD1 is regarded as a tumor suppressor in certain tumors. Moreover, it has been proposed that SAMHD1 might fulfill the requirements of a driver gene in tumor development or might promote a so-called mutator phenotype. Besides its role as a dNTPase, several novel cellular functions of SAMHD1 have come to light only recently, including a role as negative regulator of innate immune responses and as facilitator of DNA end resection during DNA replication and repair. Therefore, SAMHD1 can be placed at the crossroads of various cellular processes. The present review summarizes the negative role of SAMHD1 in chemotherapy sensitivity, highlights reported SAMHD1 mutations found in various cancer types, and aims to discuss functional consequences as well as underlying mechanisms of SAMHD1 dysregulation potentially involved in cancer development.
Diabetes concomitant to aortic stenosis is associated with increased expression of NF-κB and more pronounced valve calcification
Authors: Kopytek Magdalena , Mazur Piotr , Ząbczyk Michał , Undas Anetta , Natorska Joanna
Published: September 2021

Aims/hypothesis

Type 2 diabetes has been demonstrated to predispose to aortic valve calcification. We investigated whether type 2 diabetes concomitant to aortic stenosis (AS) enhances valvular inflammation and coagulation activation via upregulated expression of NF-κB, with subsequent increased expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2).

Methods

In this case–control study, 50 individuals with severe isolated AS and concomitant type 2 diabetes were compared with a control group of 100 individuals without diabetes. The median (IQR) duration of diabetes since diagnosis was 11 (7–18) years, and 36 (72%) individuals had HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol (≥6.5%). Stenotic aortic valves obtained during valve replacement surgery served for in loco NF-κB, BMP-2, prothrombin (FII) and active factor X (FXa) immunostaining. In vitro cultures of valve interstitial cells (VICs), isolated from obtained valves were used for mechanistic experiments and PCR investigations.

Results

Diabetic compared with non-diabetic individuals displayed enhanced valvular expression of NF-κB, BMP-2, FII and FXa (all p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, the expression of NF-κB and BMP-2 positively correlated with amounts of valvular FII and FXa. Only in diabetic participants, valvular NF-κB expression was strongly associated with serum levels of HbA1c, and moderately with fructosamine. Of importance, in diabetic participants, valvular expression of NF-κB correlated with aortic valve area (AVA) and maximal transvalvular pressure gradient. In vitro experiments conducted using VIC cultures revealed that glucose (11 mmol/l) upregulated expression of both NF-κB and BMP-2 (p < 0.001). In VIC cultures treated with glucose in combination with reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor (N-acetyl-l-cysteine), the expression of NF-κB and BMP-2 was significantly suppressed. A comparable effect was observed for VICs cultured with glucose in combination with NF-κB inhibitor (BAY 11–7082), suggesting that high doses of glucose activate oxidative stress leading to proinflammatory actions in VICs. Analysis of mRNA expression in VICs confirmed these findings; glucose caused a 6.9-fold increase in expression of RELA (NF-κB p65 subunit), with the ROS and NF-κB inhibitor reducing the raised expression of RELA by 1.8- and 3.2-fold, respectively.

Conclusions/interpretation

Type 2 diabetes enhances in loco inflammation and coagulation activation within stenotic valve leaflets. Increased valvular expression of NF-κB in diabetic individuals is associated not only with serum HbA1c and fructosamine levels but also with AVA and transvalvular gradient, indicating that strict long-term glycaemic control is needed in AS patients with concomitant type 2 diabetes. This study suggests that maintaining these variables within the normal range may slow the rate of AS progression.

Graphical abstract
Self-reported auditory problems are associated with adverse mental health outcomes and alcohol misuse in the UK Armed Forces
Authors: Parker Fred N. H. , Fear Nicola T. , Stevelink S. A. M. , Rafferty L.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Auditory problems, such as hearing loss and tinnitus, have been associated with mental health problems and alcohol misuse in the UK general population and in the US Armed Forces; however, few studies have examined these associations within the UK Armed Forces. The present study examined the association between auditory problems and probable common mental disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol misuse.

Methods

5474 serving and ex-service personnel from the UK Armed Forces were examined, selected from those who responded to phase two (data collection 2007–09) and phase three (2014–16) of a military cohort study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between auditory problems at phase two and mental health problems at phase three.

Results

9.7% of participants reported ever experiencing hearing problems alone, 7.9% reported tinnitus within the last month alone, and 7.8% reported hearing problems with tinnitus. After adjustment, hearing problems with tinnitus at phase two was associated with increased odds of probable common mental disorders (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.09–2.08), post-traumatic stress disorder (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.41–3.76), and alcohol misuse (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.28–2.96) at phase three. Tinnitus alone was associated with probable post-traumatic stress disorder (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.03–3.15); however, hearing problems alone were not associated with any outcomes of interest.

Conclusions

The association between auditory problems and mental health problems emphasises the importance of the prevention of auditory problems in the Armed Forces: through enhanced audiometric screening, improved hearing protection equipment, and greater levels of utilisation of such equipment.
Attitudes toward the use of humanoid robots in healthcare—a cross-sectional study
Authors: Andtfolk Malin , Nyholm Linda , Eide Hilde , Rauhala Auvo , Fagerström Lisbeth
Published: September 2021

The use of robotic technology in healthcare is increasing. The aim was to explore attitudes toward the use of humanoid robots in healthcare among patients, relatives, care professionals, school actors and other relevant actors in healthcare and to analyze the associations between participants’ background variables and attitudes. The data were collected through a cross-sectional survey (N = 264) in 2018 where participants met a humanoid robot. The survey was comprised of background variables and items from a modified Robot Attitude Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis and Spearman’s Rho correlation were used to analyze associations between variables. Most of the participants were positive toward the use of humanoid robots in healthcare and only a few were negative. Attitudes toward the use of humanoid robots were more positive among other relevant actors, such as service personnel and politicians in healthcare, participants with a higher educational level and older adults. More research is needed on the reasons underlying negative attitudes because these might affect the introduction of humanoid robots in healthcare. A careful evaluation of appropriate first target groups as well as which tasks are appropriate for humanoid robots to perform in healthcare are needed.
A critical review on the environmental impact of manufacturing: a holistic perspective
Authors: Panagiotopoulou Vasiliki Christina , Stavropoulos Panagiotis , Chryssolouris George
Published: September 2021

Manufacturing sector is considered to be the second highest contributor in greenhouse gases emissions in EU, secondary to energy sector. The environmental impact of products, processes, and infrastructures of manufacturing is defined as the mass equivalent of carbon dioxide emissions, also known as carbon footprint, because carbon dioxide accounts for the largest portion of greenhouse gases emissions. The aim of this review is to show the impact of manufacturing on carbon emissions and to investigate the importance of carbon emission factors on the carbon footprint of manufacturing. This was performed via (1) mapping and categorizing the sources of carbon emission at process, machine, and system level; (2) identifying the weight factor of carbon emissions factors via sensitivity analysis; and (3) determining which carbon emission factor has the heaviest contribution in carbon footprint calculation. In all examples of the sensitivity analysis, it was shown that carbon emission factor for electrical energy was the only contributing factor at process level while being the strongest at machine level. At system level, the strongest contributor was the carbon emission factor for material production. To reduce the carbon emissions, one must identify the tuneable parameters at process, machine, and system level, from material, machine tool, and energy point of view. However, the highest reduction in carbon footprint can be achieved by reducing the carbon emission factors of electrical energy using renewable power sources such as solar or wind and by reducing the carbon emission factors for material production using recycling materials as “raw” material.
Manufacturing technologies and joining methods of metallic thin-walled pipes for use in high pressure cooling systems
Authors: McNair Sophie A. M. , Chaharsooghi Alborz Shokrani , Carnevale Mauro , Rhead Andrew , Onnela Antti , Daguin Jerome , Cichy Kamil , Postema Hans , Bacchetta Nicola , French Thomas , Lunt Alexander J. G.
Published: September 2021

Small diameter thin-walled pipes, typically with a diameter less than 20 mm and a ratio of outer diameter to wall thickness is 20 or above, have increasingly become a key value adding factor for a number of industries including medical applications, electronics and chemical industries. In high-energy physics experiments, thin-walled pipes are needed in tracking detector cooling systems where the mass of all components needs to be minimised for physics measurement reasons. The pipework must reliably withstand the cooling fluid operation pressures (of up to 100 bar), but must also be able to be reliably and easily joined within the cooling system. Suitable standard and/or commercial solutions combining the needed low mass and reliable high-pressure operation are poorly available. The following review of literature compares the various techniques that exist for the manufacture and joining of thin-walled pipes, both well-established techniques and novel methods which have potential to increase the use of thin-walled pipes within industrial cooling systems. Gaps in knowledge have been identified, along with further research directions. Operational challenges and key considerations which have to be identified when designing a system which uses thin-walled pipes are also discussed.
Two-stage contests with preferences over style
Authors: Kaplan Todd R. , Wettstein David
Published: September 2021

Many grant applications have a preliminary stage where only a select group are invited to submit a full application. Similarly, procurement contracts by governments are often awarded through a two-stage procedure. We model and analyze such environments where the designer cares about the style of the application as well as its quality. The designer has the option of choosing an initial stage, where contestants can enter and learn about their desirability while the designer learns about their style. We determine closed form solutions for equilibrium outcomes and designer payoffs and use this to analyze whether or not a second stage is desirable, different rules for deciding who will advance, and whether or not to communicate the number of contestants that qualify for the second stage.
Negative-ion field desorption revitalized by using liquid injection field desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry on recent instrumentation
Authors: Linden Mathias H. , Linden H. Bernhard , Gross Jürgen H.
Published: September 2021

Field ionization (FI), field desorption (FD), and liquid injection field desorption/ionization (LIFDI) provide soft positive ionization of gaseous (FI) or condensed phase analytes (FD and LIFDI). In contrast to the well-established positive-ion mode, negative-ion FI or FD have remained rare exceptions. LIFDI provides sample deposition under inert conditions, i.e., the exclusion of atmospheric oxygen and water. Thus, negative-ion LIFDI could potentially be applied to highly sensitive anionic compounds like catalytically active transition metal complexes. This work explores the potential of negative-ion mode using modern mass spectrometers in combination with an LIFDI source and presents first results of the application of negative-ion LIFDI-MS. Experiments were performed on two orthogonal-acceleration time-of-flight (oaTOF) instruments, a JEOL AccuTOF GCx and a Waters Micromass Q-TOF Premier equipped with LIFDI sources from Linden CMS. The examples presented include four ionic liquids (ILs), i.e., N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium dicyanamide, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethide, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate), 3-(trifluoromethyl)-phenol, dichloromethane, iodine, polyethylene glycol diacid, perfluorononanoic acid, anionic surfactants, a tetraphosphazene silanol-silanolate, and two bis(catecholato)silanes. Volatile samples were delivered as vapors via the sample transfer capillary of the LIFDI probe or via a reservoir inlet. Condensed phase samples were applied to the emitter as dilute solutions via the sample transfer capillary. The compounds either yielded ions corresponding to their intact anions, A−, or the [M–H]− species formed upon deprotonation. This study describes the instrumental setups and the operational parameters for robust operation along with a discussion of the negative-ion LIFDI spectra of a variety of compounds.