bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly Performances Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Devices and Efficient Host-Emitter Interactions
Authors: Zhu Qi , Zhao Xuesen , Liu Weiqiang , Cui Yingjie , Duanmu Qingduo
Published: January 2021

The influence of host-emitter interactions on electroluminescent (EL) performances of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitter had not explored in detail. In this study, by doping DMTDAc into host materials with different polarity and energy levels as emitting layer, we demonstrated that the choice of host can be able to greatly impact on the EL performances. Finally, we found the variation of device performances was mainly dominated by energy transfer and charge trapping progresses in emitting layers, and stable blue TADF device with maximum efficiencies and brightness of 23.74 cd/A, 24.05 lm/W, 21.9% and 5695 cd/m2, was obtained.
Density Region of Low-Threshold Parametric Decay Instabilities in Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating Experiments in Tokamak
Authors: Yao Kun
Published: January 2021

The density conditions under which low-threshold parametric decay instabilities occur are analyzed by a physical model. Calculations show that low-threshold parametric decay instabilities occur in the density region. Magnetic field effects on the density region are analyzed. The maximum width of the density region is found. The plasma temperature has little effect on the density region. In order to avoid the low-threshold parametric decay instabilities, the daughter wave’s frequency must be far from the UH frequency inside magnetic island. It’s the key to control the magnetic field inside the magnetic island.
Review of Radon and Its Progeny Measurement Technology in Environmental Gamma Measurement
Authors: Zeng Chenhao , Zhou Jinge , Lai Wanchang , Feng Xiaojie , Chen Jiehao , Yu Yongping
Published: January 2021

The contribution of radon and its progeny to environmental gamma dose should not be ignored. In recent years, a large number of scholars all over the world have studied the migration behavior of radon and its progeny in the environment, and analyzed their impact on environmental gamma dose. Especially in uranium (thorium) bearing mining areas and other special areas, the influence of radon and its progeny is more prominent, which poses an important challenge to radiation monitoring. This paper summarizes the analysis and processing technology of radon and its progeny in environmental gamma monitoring, and puts forward the research trend and development direction of radon and its progeny analysis technology.
Fast Calculation of Mont Carlo Ion Transport Code
Authors: Qi Meiling , Yang Qiong , Chen Xiaolong , Yang Jizheng Duanand Lei
Published: January 2021

In this work, a Monte Carlo code has been developed for quick simulation of carbon ion bombardment in materials. This program realizes the calculation of the displacement damage and ionization of particle (<10MeV/amu) in materials. In addition, high energy carbon (<500MeV/amu) transport calculation is developed to simulate the ionization dose in water. The GPU parallel algorithm is adopted to speed up the program. Subsequently, the vacancies and ionization of target materials induced by various energy carbon iron were simulated and compared with the SRIM2013. Dose depth distributions of different energy carbon in water were simulated and compared with GSI experimental data. Results of simulation are consonant well with SRIM2013 and experimental data. It achieves significant speed-up ratio in different GPU devices.
A Low-Frequency Sound Absorption Device Fitting for Power Transformation and Distribution Room
Authors: Wu Xiaowen , Lu Ling , Xie Ziyin , Kim Hakbong
Published: January 2021

Aiming at the low-frequency noise in power transformation and distribution rooms in residential areas, a sound absorption device which can effectively reduce the low-frequency noise of 100 Hz was proposed. Through an efficient and integrated design, the resonance frequency of the device, the frequency of bending vibration from S-shaped tubes when anastomosis effects ocurred, the frequency of Helmholtz resonant cavities in the S-shaped tubes, and the frequency of the slit resonant sound-absorbing structure consisting of the splits between S-shaped tubes and the cavity behind them were all designed at 100 Hz. Thus, the sound energy of 100 Hz in the power transformation and distribution rooms could be absorbed efficiently. Through sound field simulation, the acoustical performance of S-shaped tubes was further analyzed, and the wave peak of S-shaped tube was optimized to effectively enhance the sound absorption coefficient. The results showed that the device of sound absorption had a good acoustical performance.
Numerical Simulation of Gas-Liquid-Solid Three Phase in Bubble Column
Authors: Wang Le , Cao Zhourong , Cai Hulin , Wang Yifei
Published: January 2021

Based on the Euler-Euler-Lagrangian framework, the Euler-Euler two-fluid model coupled with population balance model (PBM) and the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) model were used to simulate the gas-liquid-solid three phase dynamic behavior in the laboratory bubble column. The non-Newtonian properties of the liquid phase was considered in the numerical simulation, and the cases with different numerical models were discussed. It is found that the peak value velocity of liquid phase decrease due to the solid phase. The gas holdup remains almost the same in different cases with or without solid phase. There is no obvious periodic oscillation plume in non-Newtonian fluid. The interaction between solid and liquid has an effect on the flow field, gas distribution and viscosity distribution. The flow field calculated by CFD+PBM+DPM model forms three obvious vortices, while the symmetrical vortex is formed by CFD+PBM+DPM model, which is located on both sides of the bubble column. The distribution of dynamic viscosity simulated by different numerical models is basically the same in vary cases.
Universality classes and machine learning
Authors: Chertenkov Vladislav , Shchur Lev
Published: January 2021

We formulate the problem of the universality class investigation using machine learning. We chose an example of the universality class of the two-dimensional 4-state Potts model. There are four known models within the universality class – the 4-state Potts model, the Baxter-Wu model, the Ashkin-Teller model, and the Turban model. All four of them together are not equivalent in the Hamiltonian representation, in the lattice symmetry, and the layout of spins on the lattice. We generate statistically independent datasets for all models using the same Monte Carlo technique. The machine learning methods will be used for the analysis of the universality class of models based on generated datasets.
Vortex annealing of structural disorder in non-equilibrium critical relaxation of the two-dimensional site-diluted XY-model with generalized model of disorder
Authors: Popova Anna P , Popov Ivan S , Prudnikov Pavel V
Published: January 2021

The work is devoted to investigation of non-equilibrium vortex annealing of structural disorder in the two-dimensional site-diluted XY-model. The system incorporates mobile and fixed structure defects, with concentrations c
(a) and c
(q) correspondingly. Limiting cases c
(a) ≃ c
(q) and c
(a) ≪ c
(q) were considered. Dynamic clusterization of mobile defects was investigated by analysis of time dependences of size of the largest clusters and of averaged size of clusters. A comparison of the results with behavior of the XY-model with mobile defects only, revealed a qualitative change in non-equilibrium critical relaxation in case of c
(a) ≪ c
(q). That may be related to considerable slowing down of non-equilibrium vortex dynamics due to vortex pinning on fixed defects and attraction of percolation fixed point.
Graphical interactive user interface system for a stationary trainer to perform lower limb rehabilitation tasks
Authors: Mohan Santhakumar , Sunilkumar Parvathi , Khawase Chaitanya , Rybak Larisa
Published: January 2021

The graphical interactive user interface system of a stationary trainer for performing lower-limb rehabilitation tasks is presented in this article. The stationary trainer considered here for the interactive system development is based on a foot-plate operating system. The foot-plate is an end-effector of a parallel Cartesian manipulator. The interactive system primarily designed for the therapeutic tasks associated with passive range of motion (PROM) of the lower limbs. Further, the interactive system concentrated on the hip and knee joint motion therapies which include flexion/extension of knee and hip as well as abduction/adduction of hip. Various clinically suggested motions along with their working nature are designed in the interactive user interface. The suggested interface would generate the system settings (the various system parameters to be fixed during the real-time training) are generated based on the patient’s physical parameters such as limb length, patient’s weight, height, etc. The interactive simulator of the stationary trainer is demonstrated and verified using computer-based numerical simulations.
Semi-Lagrangian shallow water equations solver on the cubed-sphere grid as a prototype of new-generation global atmospheric model
Authors: Shashkin V V , Goyman G S
Published: January 2021

Next generation weather prediction atmospheric models will have horizontal resolution of about 3-5 km. The problem dimension will be 1010. One will need to use efficiently 104-105 computational cores to make a practical operational forecast. This leads to the need for the deep revision of numerical methods and algorithms used in atmospheric models. One of the problems to be solved is the horizontal discretization of atmospheric dynamics equations on the quasi-uniform spherical grids. This problem can be investigated using shallow water model that is much computationally cheaper than the use of full atmosphere model. We are developing an atmospheric dynamics solver for the next generation numerical weather prediction model at the Institute of Numerical Mathematics and Hydrometeorological center of Russia. Within this work, the solver for the shallow water equations using gnomonic cubed-sphere grid has been developed. The solver is verified using standard shallow water test cases. The accuracy of the presented solver is analysed. The good agreement to the reference solutions is achieved, when 4-th order spatial approximations are used.
Development of the global multiscale atmosphere model: computational aspects
Authors: Tolstykh M A , Goyman G S , Fadeev R Y , Travova S V , Shashkin V V
Published: January 2021

The global atmosphere model SL-AV is applied for operational numerical weather prediction in Russia at the time scales from days to month and also for simulation of modern climate. It is important to achieve the best wall-clock time for all of the model applications with different grid sizes. In this paper, we analyse the effect of switching computations and parallel exchanges from double to single precision in the semi-Lagrangian advection and elliptic equations solver blocks on the quality of the medium-range forecast and evaluate the change in wall-clock time. We have also optimized OpenMP parallelization in the computations of the right-hand sides of meteorological prognostic equations. The effect of these changes is studied for SL-AV model versions with different resolutions.
The corrosion analysis and prevention of secondary cable joints used in outdoor terminal boxes of substation in humid environment
Authors: Hu Yujing , Hu Wei , Yang Wen , Wu Junjie , Chang Yan , Yin Fucheng , Xie Yi
Published: January 2021

The reasons for corrosion cracking of secondary cable joints used in outdoor terminal boxes of a 220 kV substation in humid environment were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and ion dissolution test. According to the results of ion dissolution test, polyvinyl chlorid (PVC) insulated and sheathed cable material would precipitate chloride (Cl) ions under humid environment and at a certain temperature, which leads to accelerated corrosion cracking of the exposed copper core wires of secondary cable. In addition, the newly supplied PVC and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) materials without Cl precipitation under the same experimental conditions, indicating that PVC materials would precipitate Cl after reaching a service time threshold. Therefore, it is recommended that XLPE used for the insulation materials and accessories of secondary cable in outdoor terminal box of substation, as well as humidity in the terminal box should be controlled.
Ground Current Suppression for Grid Connected Transformerless Photovoltaic Inverter with Filter Capacitor
Authors: Su Na
Published: January 2021

The full-bridge inverter with unipolar PWM (UPWM) or hybrid PWM (HPWM) has higher efficiency and lower filtering requirement. However, when it is used for grid-connected transformerless photovoltaic system, the ground current may be high due to the parasitic capacitors and high frequency common-mode voltage. In this paper, the output filter capacitor is proposed to suppress the ground current. In this method, the output filter capacitor is parallelled with the parasitic capacitors. The analytical method is established to calculate the ground current. The effect of the novel method under different modulation technique is studied. Efficiency estimation is done for comparison of different topologies. Finally, the validity of the proposed method is verified by simulation and experimental results.
Application Research of Blockchain Technology in Energy Internet
Authors: Pang Bo , Song Li , Liu Dunnan , Li Genzhu
Published: January 2021

At present, the application of blockchain in the energy field has begun to take shape. The decentralization, cooperative autonomy, marketization and intelligence of blockchain technology coincide with the concept of energy Internet. Some high-tech companies in Europe and the United States have begun to apply blockchain technology to the energy sector. Based on the basic research of blockchain technology and energy Internet coupling, this paper deeply analyzes the application of blockchain technology in energy internet, and analyzes the business model of energy blockchain. The aim is to lay the foundation for the transformation and upgrading of energy companies and the early deployment of relevant fields.
Research on the Evaluation of Construction Regional Development Level Based on the Whole Industry Chain
Authors: Zhao Likun , Li Dong
Published: January 2021

From the perspective of the whole industry chain, this article divides the construction industry from the construction process, construction products, and participants into the whole process, all-round, and full-staff principles, and divides the construction industry of each province into upstream industries and midstream industries based on all links of the entire industry chain. This paper constructs the evaluation index system of three dimensions of downstream industry. Based on valid statistical data, the development level of the construction industry in 28 provinces in my country in 2019 was analyzed based on combination weighting and principal component analysis, and the development level of the construction industry in each region was ranked. The results show that there are obvious regional differences in the development of construction regions. The development level of the construction industry in the eastern and coastal provinces and cities is significantly better than that in the western and central provinces and cities, which is consistent with the status and verifies the validity of the model.
Effects of different light quality ratio on growth and photosynthesis capacity in pakchoi under excess nitrate stress
Authors: Li Zelin , Chen Guangyou , Gao Fuqiang , Luo Jiaping , Li Chunwen , He Zhongqun , Zhou Xiaoting
Published: January 2021

In this study, light-emitting diode (LED) was used as light source to cultivate pakchoi in hydroponics. The effects of red light and far red light ratio (R: FR) of 0.7, 1.0 and 4.2(CK) on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of pakchoi under different nitrate stress concentrations were studied. The results showed that the growth indexes, gas exchange parameters (except intercellular CO2 concentration) of pakchoi decreased significantly under excess nitrate stress. And the growth of pakchoi was more inhibited under high nitrate stress concentration. Under low R: FR ratio, the growth indexes and net photosynthetic rate of pakchoi increased significantly, while the intercellular CO2 concentration decreased significantly, and the effect was achieved when R:FR=0.7. Therefore, reducing R: FR ratio can alleviate the inhibition of excess nitrate stress on the growth and improve the yield of pakchoi.
Evaluation Of Water Environmental Carrying Capacity In Xi’an City
Authors: Yuan Qing Min , Kou Xiang Bo
Published: January 2021

Based on the analysis of xi’an’s water resources, this paper constructs the evaluation index system of Xi’an’s water environment carrying capacity. The coefficient of variation method and the bearing capacity model of each evaluation index were used to calculate the weight of each index and the bearing capacity of each index, and then the bearing capacity of the water environment of Xi’an city was calculated according to the original value of each index and the method of “module addition”, and then the variation trend was analyzed, the deficiency was pointed out and the improvement measures were put forward.
Experimental study on a new riser in large flume under the influence of wave and current
Authors: Jin Ruijia , Guo Quan , Chen Songgui , Geng Baolei
Published: January 2021

The traditional riser system needs to recover all the risers when typhoon comes, which often takes a long time and high risk. In recent years, a new type of anti-typhoon riser system emerged, which can realize the emergency separation of the upper offshore platform and the lower riser system near the water surface, and the remaining riser can stand in the deep water freely through the net buoyancy provided by the buoy. In order to verify the feasibility of the new anti-typhoon riser system, the vortex induced response of the riser under the combined action of wave and current is studied by physical model test in large flume with geometric scale of 1:21 under three different net buoyancy conditions; The results show that the net buoyancy of the buoy has a great influence on the natural frequency and motion response of the new riser. Under the combined wave current condition, the wave restrains the vortex induced motion of the riser in a certain extent and reduces its overall offset.
Experimental study of the wave load on the main pier of Huangmaohai Bridge under wave-current coupling effect
Authors: Liu Mingyang , Liu Haiyuan , Ma Jun , Ge Longzai , Chen Hanbao
Published: January 2021

For the wave-current coupling effect on the main pier of Huangmaohai Bridge, experimental study is conducted to measure the load under wave-only and wave-and-current actions. Parametric studies are carried out to reveal the variation trend of the wave load with wave height and period. With the scouring depth of 12m and under the high-water level and wave height of 300-year return period, the maximum horizontal force FX on the pile cap is 13686.1kN, the maximum overturning moment MY is 260115.5kN·m, while the maximum horizontal force on the pile cluster is 13775.0kN. For the cap and cluster, the load caused by irregular wave is greater than that caused by regular wave. The load increases with increasing wave height and period. Under the wave-current coupling effect, the variation trend of the wave load is similar to that under wave-only conditions. The load on the cap decreases with the increase of scouring depth, due to the wave deformation in shallow water. The load on the pile cluster increases with the increasing scouring depth due to the greater exposure to the fluid environment.
Effect of Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis on Anura Populations Batrachochytrium
Authors: Tsoi Yuettung
Published: January 2021

Chytrium (Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis) is a chytrium fungus that causes amphibian chytriomycosis. They were first discovered in 1998 and have been responsible for a large number of amphibian deaths over the next decade. Chytrid fungus grows on amphibian skin and produces free aquatic spores. They are widely distributed in deserts and lowland forests to cold hilltops. They can cause disease in upland (low temperature) amphibians, causing significant mortality. Chytrid infection has been associated with large numbers of amphibian deaths in north, south and central America, Europe and Australia. In this paper, the author summarized several factors influencing the transmission of chytrid by analyzing the existing data and data, including the transmission route, the worldwide distribution range and harm degree of chytrid, and the existing research and discussion on the elimination and prevention methods of chytrid. After collecting and analyzing data and literature, the author comes to the following conclusions: Firstly, the fungus originated in Africa and spread around the world through trade in animals such as xenopus africanus, and was endemic in Africa for many years before spreading around the world. Secondly, chytridiomycosis is one of the important factors contributing to the extinction of some amphibians in many places, including Africa and Australia. Thirdly, the factors that will affect the chytrid strain of chytrid fungus, the active degree and spread range of factors are temperature, human activities, amphibian’s own immunity, chemicals in pesticides, etc.
Radical Innovation Process in Sustainable Development and Knowledge Management: Toyota Prius Case Study
Authors: Tomlins Richard , Malynka Oksana , Sukumar Arun , Rao Mimi , Pandya Kaushik
Published: January 2021

This article looks at the inter-linkages and causalities between innovation and knowledge management in terms of sustainable development goals through the case study method. Taking the case of the Toyota Prius, these concepts are further developed in detail. Recognising the fact that no organisational process can happen in a vacuum and that there are a host of extraneous factors that have a significant impact on the process, factors such as culture, vision, incentives are also examined here. Further, this article delves into some of the characteristics that successful organisations display and seeks to extrapolate from the specific to general implications for organisations that aim to be successfully innovative.
De novo genome assembly of Solanum sitiens reveals structural variation associated with drought and salinity tolerance
Authors: Molitor Corentin , Kurowski Tomasz J , Fidalgo de Almeida Pedro M , Eerolla Pramod , Spindlow Daniel J , Kashyap Sarvesh P , Singh Bijendra , Prasanna H C , Thompson Andrew J , Mohareb Fady R
Published: January 2021

Motivation

Solanum sitiens is a self-incompatible wild relative of tomato, characterized by salt and drought-resistance traits, with the potential to contribute through breeding programmes to crop improvement in cultivated tomato. This species has a distinct morphology, classification and ecotype compared to other stress resistant wild tomato relatives such as S.pennellii and S.chilense. Therefore, the availability of a reference genome for S.sitiens will facilitate the genetic and molecular understanding of salt and drought resistance.

Results

A high-quality de novo genome and transcriptome assembly for S.sitiens (Accession LA1974) has been developed. A hybrid assembly strategy was followed using Illumina short reads (∼159× coverage) and PacBio long reads (∼44× coverage), generating a total of ∼262 Gbp of DNA sequence. A reference genome of 1245 Mbp, arranged in 1483 scaffolds with an N50 of 1.826 Mbp was generated. Genome completeness was estimated at 95% using the Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) and the K-mer Analysis Tool (KAT). In addition, ∼63 Gbp of RNA-Seq were generated to support the prediction of 31 164 genes from the assembly, and to perform a de novo transcriptome. Lastly, we identified three large inversions compared to S.lycopersicum, containing several drought-resistance-related genes, such as beta-amylase 1 and YUCCA7.

Availability and implementation

S.sitiens (LA1974) raw sequencing, transcriptome and genome assembly have been deposited at the NCBI’s Sequence Read Archive, under the BioProject number ‘PRJNA633104’. All the commands and scripts necessary to generate the assembly are available at the following github repository: https://github.com/MCorentin/Solanum_sitiens_assembly.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Narrative scientific data visualization in an immersive environment
Authors: Liu Richen , Wang Hailong , Zhang Chuyu , Chen Xiaojian , Wang Lijun , Ji Genlin , Zhao Bin , Mao Zhiwei , Yang Dan
Published: January 2021

Motivation

Narrative visualization for scientific data explorations can help users better understands the domain knowledge, because narrative visualizations often present a sequence of facts and observations linked together by a unifying theme or argument. Narrative visualization in immersive environments can provide users with an intuitive experience to interactively explore the scientific data, because immersive environments provide a brand new strategy for interactive scientific data visualization and exploration. However, it is challenging to develop narrative scientific visualization in immersive environments. In this article, we propose an immersive narrative visualization tool to create and customize scientific data explorations for ordinary users with little knowledge about programming on scientific visualization. They are allowed to define point of interests (POIs) conveniently by the handler of an immersive device.

Results

Automatic exploration animations with narrative annotations can be generated by the gradual transitions between consecutive POI pairs. Besides, interactive slicing can be also controlled by device handler. Evaluations including user study and case study are designed and conducted to show the usability and effectiveness of the proposed tool.

Availability and implementation

Related information can be accessed at: https://dabigtou.github.io/richenliu/

Supplementary information

Supplementary data (video) are available at Bioinformatics online.
Krüppel-like factor 14 deletion in myeloid cells accelerates atherosclerotic lesion development
Authors: Wang Huilun , Guo Yanhong , Lu Haocheng , Luo Yonghong , Hu Wenting , Liang Wenying , Garcia-Barrio Minerva T , Chang Lin , Schwendeman Anna , Zhang Jifeng , Chen Y Eugene
Published: January 2021

Aims

Atherosclerosis is the dominant pathologic basis of many cardiovascular diseases. Large genome-wide association studies have identified that single-nucleotide polymorphisms proximal to Krüppel-like factor 14 (KLF14), a member of the zinc finger family of transcription factors, are associated with higher cardiovascular risks. Macrophage dysfunction contributes to atherosclerosis development and has been recognized as a potential therapeutic target for treating many cardiovascular diseases. Herein, we address the biologic function of KLF14 in macrophages and its role during the development of atherosclerosis.

Methods and results

KLF14 expression was markedly decreased in cholesterol loaded foam cells, and overexpression of KLF14 significantly increased cholesterol efflux and inhibited the inflammatory response in macrophages. We generated myeloid cell-selective Klf14 knockout (Klf14LysM) mice in the ApoE-/- background for the atherosclerosis study. Klf14LysMApoE-/- and litter-mate control mice (Klf14fl/flApoE-/-) were placed on the Western Diet for 12 weeks to induce atherosclerosis. Macrophage Klf14 deficiency resulted in increased atherosclerosis development without affecting the plasma lipid profiles. Klf14-deficient peritoneal macrophages showed significantly reduced cholesterol efflux resulting in increased lipid accumulation and exacerbated inflammatory response. Mechanistically, KLF14 upregulates the expression of a key cholesterol efflux transporter, ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1), while it suppresses the expression of several critical components of the inflammatory cascade. In macrophages, activation of KLF14 by its activator, perhexiline, a drug clinically used to treat angina, significantly inhibited the inflammatory response and increased cholesterol efflux in a KLF14-dependent manner in macrophages without triggering hepatic lipogenesis.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into the anti-atherosclerotic effects of myeloid KLF14 through promoting cholesterol efflux and suppressing the inflammatory response. Activation of KLF14 may represent a potential new therapeutic approach to prevent or treat atherosclerosis.
Bronchoscopic submucosal dissection with Hybrid Knife: a new technique treating tracheal leiomyoma
Authors: Gu Chuanjia , Chen Junxiang , Zheng Xiaoxuan , Sun Jiayuan
Published: January 2021

Primary tracheal leiomyoma is exceedingly rare and recommended management has not been defined yet. Surgical management has been considered to be the standard treatment historically. Bronchoscopic intervention may be an ideal alternative for patients who refuse or are not fit for surgery. We report the first bronchoscopic submucosal dissection using an innovative water-jet Hybrid Knife performed on a patient with recurrent primary tracheal leiomyoma.
Inhibition of alternative respiration system of Scheffersomyces stipitis and effect on glucose or xylose fermentation
Authors: Granados-Arvizu J A , Canizal-García M , Madrigal-Pérez L A , González-Hernández J C , Regalado-González C
Published: January 2021

Scheffersomyces stipitis is a Crabtree-negative pentose fermenting yeast, which shows a complex respiratory system involving a cytochrome and an alternative salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM)-sensitive respiration mechanism that is poorly understood. This work aimed to investigate the role of the antimycin A (AA) sensitive respiration and SHAM-sensitive respiration in the metabolism of xylose and glucose by S. stipitis, upon different agitation conditions. Inhibition of the SHAM-sensitive respiration caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in glycolytic flux and oxygen consumption when using glucose and xylose under agitation conditions, but without agitation, only a mild reduction was observed. The combination of SHAM and AA abolished respiration, depleting the glycolytic flux using both carbon sources tested, leading to increased ethanol production of 21.05 g/L at 250 rpm for 0.5 M glucose, and 8.3 g/L ethanol using xylose. In contrast, inhibition of only the AA-sensitive respiration, caused increased ethanol production to 30 g/L using 0.5 M glucose at 250 rpm, and 11.3 g/L from 0.5 M xylose without agitation. Results showed that ethanol production can be induced by respiration inhibition, but the active role of SHAM-sensitive respiration should be considered to investigate better conditions to increase and optimize yields.
Remaking the World in America's Image: Surprise, Strategic Culture, and the American Ways of Intervention
Authors: Boyle Michael J , Lang Anthony F
Published: January 2021

Why does the United States seek to export its own political and economic system as part of an intervention? We argue that the United States has an ideologically inflected strategic culture which has yielded two “ways” of intervention over time. The limited model is cost-conscious and cedes control over the future of the state to local actors provided that they guarantee open markets and good government. The vindicationist model involves the United States paying costs to remake another society in its own image. We argue that the vindicationist way of intervention is activated by specific types of strategic surprises, which cause policymakers to react by gambling on interventions to remake another society. To empirically investigate this claim, we examine the record of America's major interventions from 1946 to 2005 and present two contrasting case studies of Cold War interventions in Lebanon and the Dominican Republic.
War, Performance, and the Survival of Foreign Ministers
Authors: Bäck Hanna , Teorell Jan , Von Hagen-Jamar Alexander , Quiroz Flores Alejandro
Published: January 2021

Why do some foreign ministers stay longer in office than others? Are they punished when the country loses a war? Several scholars have focused on the tenure of leaders as an important predictor of foreign policy outcomes, such as war onset, creating an interest in leadership survival. We here shift the focus to the survival of other important politicians in cabinet—foreign ministers, hypothesizing that their tenure depends on their performance in office. For example, we expect that foreign ministers stay longer in office when the country experiences an armed conflict resulting in a win or in a compromise agreement. We evaluate and find support for several of our hypotheses using an original historical dataset, which comprises all foreign ministers of the world's thirteen great powers from the early modern period to the present, covering about 1,100 foreign minister-terms of office.
Iatrogenic Iron Promotes Neurodegeneration and Activates Self-Protection of Neural Cells against Exogenous Iron Attacks
Authors: Xia Maosheng , Liang Shanshan , Li Shuai , Ji Ming , Chen Beina , Zhang Manman , Dong Chengyi , Chen Binjie , Gong Wenliang , Wen Gehua , Zhan Xiaoni , Zhang Dianjun , Li Xinyu , Zhou Yuefei , Guan Dawei , Verkhratsky Alexei , Li Baoman
Published: January 2021

Metal implants are used worldwide, with millions of nails, plates, and fixtures grafted during orthopedic surgeries. Iron is the most common element of these metal implants. As time passes, implants can be corroded and iron can be released. Ionized iron permeates the surrounding tissues and enters circulation; importantly, iron ions pass through the blood–brain barrier. Can iron from implants represent a risk factor for neurological diseases? This remains an unanswered question. In this study, we discovered that patients with metal implants delivered through orthopedic surgeries have higher incidence of Parkinson’s disease or ischemic stroke compared to patients who underwent similar surgeries but did not have implants. Concentration of serum iron and ferritin was increased in subjects with metal implants. In experiments in vivo, we found that injection of iron dextran selectively decreased the presence of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) in neurons through increasing the expression of Ndfip1, which degrades DMT1 and does not exist in glial cells. At the same time, excess of iron increased expression of DMT1 in astrocytes and microglial cells and triggered reactive astrogliosis and microgliosis. Facing the attack of excess iron, glial cells act as neuroprotectors to accumulate more extracellular iron by upregulating DMT1, whereas neurons limit iron uptake through increasing DMT1 degradation. Cerebral accumulation of iron in animals is associated with impaired cognition, locomotion, and mood. Excess iron from surgical implants thus can affect neural cells and may be regarded as a risk factor for neurodegeneration.
Social network analysis of the genealogy of strawberry: retracing the wild roots of heirloom and modern cultivars
Authors: Pincot Dominique D. A , Ledda Mirko , Feldmann Mitchell J , Hardigan Michael A , Poorten Thomas J , Runcie Daniel E , Heffelfinger Christopher , Dellaporta Stephen L , Cole Glenn S , Knapp Steven J
Published: January 2021

The widely recounted story of the origin of cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) oversimplifies the complex interspecific hybrid ancestry of the highly admixed populations from which heirloom and modern cultivars have emerged. To develop deeper insights into the three-century-long domestication history of strawberry, we reconstructed the genealogy as deeply as possible—pedigree records were assembled for 8,851 individuals, including 2,656 cultivars developed since 1775. The parents of individuals with unverified or missing pedigree records were accurately identified by applying an exclusion analysis to array-genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We identified 187 wild octoploid and 1,171 F. × ananassa founders in the genealogy, from the earliest hybrids to modern cultivars. The pedigree networks for cultivated strawberry are exceedingly complex labyrinths of ancestral interconnections formed by diverse hybrid ancestry, directional selection, migration, admixture, bottlenecks, overlapping generations, and recurrent hybridization with common ancestors that have unequally contributed allelic diversity to heirloom and modern cultivars. Fifteen to 333 ancestors were predicted to have transmitted 90% of the alleles found in country-, region-, and continent-specific populations. Using parent–offspring edges in the global pedigree network, we found that selection cycle lengths over the past 200 years of breeding have been extraordinarily long (16.0-16.9 years/generation), but decreased to a present-day range of 6.0-10.0 years/generation. Our analyses uncovered conspicuous differences in the ancestry and structure of North American and European populations, and shed light on forces that have shaped phenotypic diversity in F. × ananassa.
The genetic architecture of human complex phenotypes is modulated by linkage disequilibrium and heterozygosity
Authors: Holland Dominic , Frei Oleksandr , Desikan Rahul , Fan Chun-Chieh , Shadrin Alexey A , Smeland Olav B , Andreassen Ole A , Dale Anders M
Published: January 2021

We propose an extended Gaussian mixture model for the distribution of causal effects of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for human complex phenotypes that depends on linkage disequilibrium (LD) and heterozygosity (H), while also allowing for independent components for small and large effects. Using a precise methodology showing how genome-wide association studies (GWASs) summary statistics (z-scores) arise through LD with underlying causal SNPs, we applied the model to GWAS of multiple human phenotypes. Our findings indicated that causal effects are distributed with dependence on total LD and H, whereby SNPs with lower total LD and H are more likely to be causal with larger effects; this dependence is consistent with models of the influence of negative pressure from natural selection. Compared with the basic Gaussian mixture model it is built on, the extended model—primarily through quantification of selection pressure—reproduces with greater accuracy the empirical distributions of z-scores, thus providing better estimates of genetic quantities, such as polygenicity and heritability, that arise from the distribution of causal effects.
Scarless engineering of theDrosophilagenome near any site-specific integration site
Authors: Feng Siqian , Lu Shan , Grueber Wesley B , Mann Richard S
Published: January 2021

We describe a simple and efficient technique that allows scarless engineering of Drosophila genomic sequences near any landing site containing an inverted attP cassette, such as a MiMIC insertion. This two-step method combines phiC31 integrase-mediated site-specific integration and homing nuclease-mediated resolution of local duplications, efficiently converting the original landing site allele to modified alleles that only have the desired change(s). Dominant markers incorporated into this method allow correct individual flies to be efficiently identified at each step. In principle, single attP sites and FRT sites are also valid landing sites. Given the large and increasing number of landing site lines available in the fly community, this method provides an easy and fast way to efficiently edit the majority of the Drosophila genome in a scarless manner. This technique should also be applicable to other species.
‘As Good as New’ – Sale of Repaired or Refurbished Goods: Commendable Practice or Trade Mark Infringement?
Authors: Kur Annette
Published: January 2021

Prolonging the life cycle of products in order to reduce waste and preserve resources is a call of our time. Entrepreneurial activity on the market for used and repaired goods should therefore be encouraged. However, problems may arise where trade-marked products are offered for sale after repair or refurbishment by third parties. While commercialisation of goods once put on the market by the trade mark holder or with their consent is free in principle, this does not apply when the condition of the product was changed after the first sale. This may cause a dilemma for persons who want to be active on the secondary market for repaired or refurbished goods: if the trade mark remains on the product, this may result in infringement; on the other hand, under the jurisprudence of the CJEU removal of the trade mark may equally be prohibited. This article explores the issue with a view to CJEU as well as German case law on this and adjacent scenarios. It concludes that instead of a strictly binary choice – either the trade mark remains on the product or is removed – a middle solution should apply that allows using the trade mark in relation to repaired or refurbished goods in addition to providing further information.
An Institutional Protocol for the Treatment of Severe Frostbite Injury—A 6-Year Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Lacey Alexandra M , Rogers Charlotte , Endorf Frederick W , Fey Ryan M , Gayken Jon R , Schmitz Kyle R , Punjabi Gopal V , Whitley Angela B , Masters Thomas C , Moore Johanna C , Nygaard Rachel M
Published: January 2021

The treatment of severe frostbite injury has undergone rapid development in the past 30 years with many different diagnostic and treatment options now available. However, there is currently no consensus on the best method for management of this disease process. At our institution, we have designed a protocol for severe frostbite injury that includes diagnosis, medical treatment, wound cares, therapy, and surgery. This study assess the efficacy of our treatment since its implementation six years ago. During this time, all patients with severe frostbite injury were included in prospective observational trial of the protocol. We found that this protocol results in significant tissue salvage with over 80.7% of previously ischemic tissue becoming viable and not requiring amputation. We also were able to improve our center’s efficiency over the course of six years and now our current average time from rapid rewarming to delivery of thrombolytics is under six hours.
Parsimonious Modelling for Estimating Hospital Cooling Demand to Improve Energy Efficiency
Authors: Dulce-Chamorro Eduardo , Javier Martinez-de-Pison Francisco
Published: January 2021

Of all the different types of public buildings, hospitals are the biggest energy consumers. Cooling systems for air conditioning and healthcare uses are particularly energy intensive. Forecasting hospital thermal-cooling demand is a remarkable and innovative method capable of improving the overall energy efficiency of an entire cooling system. Predictive models allow users to forecast the activity of water-cooled generators and adapt power generation to the real demand expected for the day ahead, while avoiding inefficient subcooling. In addition, the maintenance costs related to unnecessary starts and stops and power-generator breakdowns occurring over the long term can be reduced. This study is based on the operations of a real hospital facility and details the steps taken to develop an optimal and efficient model based on a genetic methodology that searches for low-complexity models through feature selection, parameter tuning and parsimonious model selection. The methodology, called GAparsimony, has been tested with neural networks, support vector machines and gradient boosting techniques. Finally, a weighted combination of the three best models was created. The new operational method employed herein can be replicated in similar buildings with similar water-cooled generators.
Modeling Diameter Distributions of Loblolly Pine Plantations in Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Authors: Lou Xiongwei , Weng Yuhui , Fang Luming , Grogan Jason
Published: January 2021

Diameter distribution models are useful tools for forest management planning, in particular for even-aged plantations of important commercial species such as loblolly pine. Using data collected from loblolly pine plantations across East Texas, two diameter distribution model systems were developed, with the first being a conventional, Weibull-form statistical model system and the second being developed using gradient boosting (GB) technique. Both models were tested using an independent data set and compared with the regional model currently being used, which was developed by Lee and Coble (2006). Compared with Lee and Coble (2006), the Weibull-form model of this study had 66.7% smaller prediction bias, 27.2% lower mean absolute error (MAE), and 18.9% smaller root-mean-square error (RMSE). Compared with the Weibull-form model of this study, the GB model had 33.9% lower MAE, 39.5% smaller RMSE, and greater R2. Thus, the GB model greatly outperformed the Weibull-form model, which, in turn, was greatly improved over the Lee and Coble (2006) in prediction accuracy. By combining a regional volume or weight equation, both proposed diameter distribution models can be used to predict stand wood volume or weight by diameter class. Both models, in particular the GB model, are recommended for use in predicting stand structures and developing stand and stock tables for loblolly pine plantations in the region.

Study Implications

Knowing future stand tree size distributions is important for forest management planning. This study developed two quantitative tools to predict diameter distributions for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations in the Western Gulf Coastal Plain, with one based on the Weibull function (Weibull-form model) and the other developed using the gradient boosting technique (GB model). For the Weibull-form model, using current stand information, readers can manually calculate future stand trees per acre by diameter class. Importantly, the Weibull-form model provides more accurate (less bias and more precise) prediction than any currently available models for loblolly pine in the region. The GB model, which uses the same predictors as the Weibull-form model, can achieve even better (similar bias but more precise) prediction than the Weibull-form model. However, no equations and model coefficients for the GB model were provided, and use of the GB model relies on computer programming. A computer program was developed to implement the GB model. We recommend use of both models, in particular of the GB model, in managing loblolly pine in the region. The results aid our understanding in loblolly pine stand structure development and management in the region.
Contribution of PET imaging to radiotherapy planning and monitoring in glioma patients - a report of the PET/RANO group
Authors: Galldiks Norbert , Niyazi Maximilian , Grosu Anca L , Kocher Martin , Langen Karl-Josef , Law Ian , Minniti Giuseppe , Kim Michelle M , Tsien Christina , Dhermain Frederic , Soffietti Riccardo , Mehta Minesh P , Weller Michael , Tonn Jörg-Christian
Published: January 2021

The management of patients with glioma usually requires multimodality treatment including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy. Accurate neuroimaging plays a central role for radiotherapy planning and follow-up after radiotherapy completion. In order to maximize the radiation dose to the tumor and to minimize toxic effects on the surrounding brain parenchyma, reliable identification of tumor extent and target volume delineation is crucial. The use of positron emission tomography (PET) for radiotherapy planning and monitoring in gliomas has gained considerable interest over the last several years, but Class I data are not yet available. Furthermore, PET has been used after radiotherapy for response assessment and to distinguish tumor progression from pseudoprogression or radiation necrosis. Here, the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) working group provides a summary of the literature and recommendations for the use of PET imaging for radiotherapy of patients with glioma based on published studies, constituting levels 1-3 evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine.