bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplementation of freezing medium with encapsulated or free glutathione during cryopreservation of bull sperm
Authors: Nadri Touba , Towhidi Armin , Zeinoaldini Saeed , Riazi Gholamhossein , Sharafi Mohsen , Zhandi Mahdi , Kastelic John , Gholami Dariush
Published: January 2022

The objective was to compare effects of encapsulated or free glutathione (GSH) on the quality of frozen‐thawed bull sperm. Ejaculates were collected via artificial vagina from six mature Holstein bulls once weekly for 6 weeks. All ejaculates had motility ≥70%, sperm concentration ≥1.0 × 109/ml and ≤15% morphologically abnormal sperm. Each week, semen was pooled and diluted with lecithin‐based extenders containing various concentrations of encapsulated (E0, E1, E2.5 and E5 mM) or free (F0, F1, F2.5 and F5 mM) GSH, with total glutathione content determined before and after cryopreservation. Total GSH in fresh semen was (mean+SEM) 4.8 ± 0.2 nmol/108 sperm, whereas in frozen‐thawed semen of group F0 (control), it decreased to 1.4 ± 0.2 nmol/108 sperm, a 70.8% reduction (p < .05). In addition, total GSH in frozen‐thawed semen from groups E2.5, E5 and F5 were 2.4 ± 0.2, 2.8 ± 0.2 and 1.8 ± 0.2 nmol/108 sperm, respectively (E5 versus. F0, p < .05). Compared to group F0, frozen‐thawed sperm from group E2.5 had greater (p < .05) percentages of sperm that were viable (Annexin‐V) (61.1 ± 1.8 versus. 71.1 ± 1.8) and that had cell membrane integrity (eosin‐nigrosin) (64.5 ± 3.1 versus. 80.0 ± 3.1). Furthermore, frozen‐thawed sperm from group E2.5 had the numerically highest total and progressive motility (CASA) and cell membrane functionality (HOS) and the lowest percentage of early apoptotic sperm (Annexin‐V). However, acrosome membrane integrity (PSA) of E5 had the lowest mean (p < .05), whereas E2.5 caused a small nonsignificant decrease (69.1 ± 1.4%) compared to E0 and F0. In conclusion, 2.5 mM encapsulated GSH in semen extender significantly improved the quality of frozen‐thawed bull sperm.
Comparing the Real-World Performance of Exponential-Family Random Graph Models and Latent Order Logistic Models for Social Network Analysis
Authors: Clark Duncan A. , Handcock Mark S.
Published: January 2022

Exponential-family random graph models (ERGMs) are widely used in social network analysis when modelling data on the relations between actors. ERGMs are typically interpreted as a snapshot of a network at a given point in time or in a final state. The recently proposed Latent Order Logistic model (LOLOG) directly allows for a latent network formation process. We assess the real-world performance of these models when applied to typical networks modelled by researchers. Specifically, we model data from an ensemble of articles in the journal Social Networks with published ERGM fits, and compare the ERGM fit to a comparable LOLOG fit. We demonstrate that the LOLOG models are, in general, in qualitative agreement with the ERGM models, and provide at least as good a model fit. In addition, they are typically faster and easier to fit to data, without the tendency for degeneracy that plagues ERGMs. Our results support the general use of LOLOG models in circumstances where ERGMs are considered.
Empirical Bayes PCA in High Dimensions
Authors: Zhong Xinyi , Su Chang , Fan Zhou
Published: January 2022

When the dimension of data is comparable to or larger than the number of data samples, principal components analysis (PCA) may exhibit problematic high-dimensional noise. In this work, we propose an empirical Bayes PCA method that reduces this noise by estimating a joint prior distribution for the principal components. EB-PCA is based on the classical Kiefer–Wolfowitz non-parametric maximum likelihood estimator for empirical Bayes estimation, distributional results derived from random matrix theory for the sample PCs and iterative refinement using an approximate message passing (AMP) algorithm. In theoretical ‘spiked’ models, EB-PCA achieves Bayes-optimal estimation accuracy in the same settings as an oracle Bayes AMP procedure that knows the true priors. Empirically, EB-PCA significantly improves over PCA when there is strong prior structure, both in simulation and on quantitative benchmarks constructed from the 1000 Genomes Project and the International HapMap Project. An illustration is presented for analysis of gene expression data obtained by single-cell RNA-seq.
The association between the locations of arteriovenous fistulas and patency rates: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gan Wenyuan , Shao Danni , Zhu Fan , Xu Li , Tuo Yanhong , Mao Huihui , Wang Wenzhe , Xiao Wei , Xu Fang , Chen Wenli , Zeng Xingruo
Published: January 2022

Background

The arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) continue to be the most prevalent type of vascular access for hemodialysis (HD). However, the appropriate locations of AVF are controversial. We conducted the meta‐analysis to investigate the differences in patency between upper‐arm and forearm AVF.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and ISI Web of Science were searched to identify studies with differences in AVF patency at different locations. Reviewers searched the database, screened studies according to inclusion criteria, and conducted Meta‐analysis.

Results

A total of 12 studies involving 3437 patients were selected. Pooled data showed that primary patency (PP) of AVF were higher in upper‐arm than forearm at 1 and 2 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.54, p = 0.0005; OR = 2.45, p = 0.001), but the differences in cumulative patency (CP) were not statistically significant at 1 and 2 years (OR = 2.10, p = 0.08; OR = 2.16, p = 0.1). The differences in PP and CP between upper‐arm and forearm AVF in patients older than 65 years were not statistically significant at 1 (OR = 1.61, p = 0.05; OR = 2.05, p = 0.17) and 2 years (OR = 3.40, p = 0.13; OR = 1.38, p = 0.16). In Asian patients, the differences in PP and CP between upper‐arm and forearm AVF were not statistically significant at 1 (OR = 1.17, p = 0.41; OR = 1.02, p = 0.94) and 2 years (OR = 2.95, p = 0.08; OR = 1.23, p = 0.41).

Conclusions

In this study, the CP of upper‐arm and forearm AVF was similar in overall population. There was no difference in PP and CP of AVF between upper‐arm and forearm in Asian population or the elderly. The forearm AVF could be consider to be the first choice. for Asian patients or the elderly.
Short‐term high‐intensity interval training improves fitness before surgery: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Woodfield John C. , Clifford Kari , Wilson Genevieve A. , Munro Fran , Baldi James C.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Improving cardiopulmonary reserve, or peak oxygen consumption( O2peak), may reduce postoperative complications; however, this may be difficult to achieve between diagnosis and surgery. Our primary aim was to assess the efficacy of an approximate 14‐session, preoperative high‐intensity interval training(HIIT) program to increase O2peak by a clinically relevant 2 ml·kg−1·min−1. Our secondary aim was to document clinical outcomes.

Methodology

In this prospective study, participants aged 45–85 undergoing major abdominal surgery were randomized to standard care or 14 sessions of HIIT over 4 weeks. HIIT sessions involved approximately 30 min of stationary cycling. Interval training alternated 1 min of high (with the goal of reaching 90% max heart rate at least once during the session) and low/moderate‐intensity cycling. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing(CPET) measured the change in O2peak from baseline to surgery. Clinical outcomes included postoperative complications, length of stay(LOS), and Short Form 36 quality of life questionnaire(SF‐36).

Results

Of 63 participants, 46 completed both CPETs and 50 completed clinical follow‐up. There was a significant improvement in the HIIT group's mean ± SD O2peak (HIIT 2.87 ± 1.94 ml·kg1·min−1 vs standard care 0.15 ± 1.93, with an overall difference of 2.73 ml·kg1·min−1 95%CI [1.53, 3.93] p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for clinical outcomes, although the observed differences consistently favored the exercise group. This was most notable for total number of complications (0.64 v 1.16 per patient, p = 0.07), SF‐36 physical component score (p = 0.06), and LOS (mean 5.5 v 7.4 days, p = 0.07).

Conclusions

There was a significant improvement in O2peak with a four‐week preoperative HIIT program. Further appropriately powered work is required to explore the impact of preoperative HIIT on postoperative clinical outcomes.
Harnessing growth mindsets to help individuals flourish
Authors: Burnette Jeni L. , Billingsley Joseph , Hoyt Crystal L.
Published: January 2022

Psychologists are uniquely positioned to help with our collective obligation to advance scientific knowledge in ways that help individuals to flourish. Growth mindsets may offer one such tool for improving lives, yet some research questions the potential to replicate key findings. The aims in the current work are to help explain mixed results and outline ways to improve intervention impact. To reach these goals, we first offer a brief overview of the links between growth mindsets and psychological flourishing. Second, we outline key theories of causal mechanisms and summarize sources of meaningful heterogeneity in growth mindset interventions, with a focus on those designed to improve mental health. Third, we provide cautionary notes that highlight nuances of growth mindset messaging in contexts with stigmatized social identities. Fourth, to conclude, we suggest areas for future research aimed at understanding how to most powerfully harness growth mindsets to help individuals reach optimal psychological functioning.
New HLA‐DQB1 intronic variants detected by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Marin Rubio Luis Alberto , Rada Ramon , Ontañon Jesús
Published: January 2022

Four novel HLA‐DQB1 alleles, ‐DQB1*02:02:01:08, ‐DQB1*02:01:01:11, ‐DQB1*03:01:01:30 and ‐DQB1*03:01:01:36, characterized in Spanish individuals.
Fuzzy Concept Evaluation Based on Prospect Theory and Heterogeneous Evaluation Information
Authors: Jiang Shaofei , Dou Yubo , He Shun , Tan Bowen , Peng Xiang , Jing Liting
Published: January 2022

Concept evaluation is the core stage of new product development and has a significant impact on the downstream process of product development. Because of the uncertainty and ambiguity of early design information, the concept evaluation process not only relies on the semantic terms of decision makers (DMs) but also includes uncertain criteria values (such as crisp numbers and interval numbers). In addition, DMs will have psychological preference errors when evaluating concepts owing to the risks taken in the evaluation. To address these drawbacks, a fuzzy concept evaluation approach based on prospect theory and heterogeneous evaluation information is proposed. Initially, based on the definition of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs), a numerical model is developed to unify the representation of crisp numbers, interval numbers, and fuzzy numbers, and a normalized decision matrix is constructed. Second, a weight distribution method of DMs is proposed, which introduces hesitation and similarity, and the weighted intuitionistic fuzzy evaluation information is transformed into interval IFNs. Third, the weight of the evaluation criteria is determined using the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory model (DEMATEL), and an evaluation information correction model based on the prospect theory is established to select the optimal concepts. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed approach is demonstrated using a bar-peeling machine, and a comparison and sensitivity analysis is conducted to verify the robustness of the decision results.
Review of Urban Heat Island and Building Energy Modeling Approaches
Authors: Ameer B. , Krarti M.
Published: January 2022

In this paper, a review of the current literature in modeling urban heat island (UHI) phenomena including its main causes and effects is summarized. The main goal of the review is to assess the current modeling capabilities to accurately determine the impacts of UHI on outdoor comfort levels and urban building energy demands. In particular, the analysis techniques and modeling approaches are overviewed to estimate the mutual thermal interactions between urban atmosphere and buildings. In addition, the applications and the limitations of various modeling methods are discussed to predict outdoor thermal comfort and urban building energy consumption. The specific capabilities of the reviewed modeling approaches are highlighted to assess the effectiveness of mitigation strategies of the UHI effects. As part of the review analysis, recommendations are outlined to improve current modeling approaches to predict more accurately the impacts of UHI phenomena on urban building energy performance.
Level Set-Based Structural Optimization With Uniform Wall Thickness for Wire-Fed Metal Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Tran Quang Dat , Kambampati Sandilya , Kim H. Alicia , Jang Gang-Won
Published: January 2022

A new three-dimensional structural optimization is presented based on the level set method to obtain favorable designs for wire-fed metal additive manufacturing with uniform wall thickness. By exploiting the signed distance nature of a level set function, a structure under design is always defined as a thin domain with uniform thickness without employing any constrains or penalty functionals. The boundary surfaces of a thin-walled domain are defined as the surfaces with level set values of ±t/2(t: wall thickness). Design velocity can be represented in terms of curvatures of the zero-level-set surface, extended to level set grids in the narrow band. Therefore, the calculation of accurate curvatures on the zero-level set is crucial for correct design sensitivities. In this investigation, mean and Gaussian curvatures at a point on the triangle mesh of the discretized zero-level set are calculated by spatial averages over the Voronoi cell of the point, by which the sensitivity of a material volume can be calculated with optimal accuracy. To address the high computational cost by a dense regular mesh for representing thin walls, degrees of freedom in void regions is mostly removed. Design examples of beams and a T-joint structure with uniform thickness are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Experimental Determination of Heat Transfer Coefficient on Impingement Cooled Gear Flanks: Validation of the Evaluation Method
Authors: Ayan Emre , von Plehwe Felix C. , Keller Marc C. , Kromer Christian , Schwitzke Corina , Bauer Hans-Jörg
Published: January 2022

Understanding the heat transfer characteristics of impingement cooling of high-speed high-power gears is essential to design a reliable gearbox for a new generation of jet engines. However, experimental data on the impingement cooling of gears is limited in the literature. The experimental setup at the Institute of Thermal Turbomachinery aims at closing this gap. It includes a rotating gear instrumented with thermocouples. The measured temperatures are used to determine a spatially resolved heat transfer coefficient distribution on the gear tooth. The iterative evaluation approach applied in the postprocessing of the experimental data is validated with two reference cases. First, it is shown that the interpolation of temperature data between thermocouple locations leads to inaccurate results and would not be valid for the evaluation of the experiments, even if the number of thermocouples were increased. The iterative evaluation approach can reproduce the reference heat transfer coefficient distributions very accurately even with a low spatial resolution of temperature data. A new iterative method based on the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm is implemented within this study. The new method generally converges faster than the existing method. The difference in required computational time is negligible in the easy to evaluate high heat transfer case, whereas a speed-up of up to three times is observed in the relatively cumbersome evaluation of the low heat transfer case.
Effects of Internal Fluid on the Dynamic Behaviors of Double Cylindrical Shells Subjected to Underwater Explosion
Authors: Huang Shizhang , Tong Xiandong , Chen Yong , Li Zengguang
Published: January 2022

Fluid-filled double cylindrical shells were widely used in the marine engineering field and their blast resistance was considerably concerned. In this paper, the dynamic behaviors of fluid-filled double cylindrical shells subjected to underwater explosion were studied through a combination of experimental and numerical methods. First, a series of comparative underwater explosion tests were carried out on the scaled empty and fluid-filled double cylindrical shells. Then, more detailed numerical simulations were developed to give more results, and the model was verified by comparing with the data gathered from tests. Based on the experimental and numerical results, the effects of internal fluid on the shock wave propagation process, deformation modes, dynamic response, and energy characteristics of structures were analyzed. It is shown that the internal fluid is helpful to resist the structural deformation of outer shell and significantly decreased the axial strains of inner shell. Meanwhile, the dynamic response of the inner shell of fluid-filled shells was more violent. Besides, the internal and kinetic energy of outer shell decreased markedly. Above results would provide a reference for the protection of fluid-filled structures.
Coupled Flexural–Torsional Forced Vibration Analysis of a Piezoelectrically Actuated Double-Cantilever Structure
Authors: Zargarani Anahita , O’Donnell John , Mahmoodi S. Nima
Published: January 2022

In this paper, the forced coupled flexural–torsional vibration of a piezoelectrically actuated double-cantilever structure is investigated. The double-cantilever structure is composed of two uniform and identical Euler–Bernoulli cantilever beams connected by a rigid tip connection at their free ends. There is also a piezoelectric layer attached on the top surface of each cantilever beam. The characteristic equation for the coupled flexural–torsional vibrations of the structure is derived and solved to determine the natural frequencies. The time response to the forced vibrations of the structure is studied using the Galerkin approximation method. The effects of dimensional parameters, including the length of the cantilever beams and the length of the tip connection, and the piezoelectric input voltage on the coupled flexural–torsional natural frequencies and amplitude of vibrations of the structure are investigated analytically and experimentally. The results show that the coupled flexural–torsional fundamental frequency of the piezoelectrically actuated double-cantilever structure decreases as either the length of the cantilever beams or the tip connection is increased. Moreover, the amplitude of the coupled flexural–torsional vibrations of the structure is proportional to the piezoelectric input voltage; however, the slope of the curves depends on dimensional parameters. For a given voltage, the effect of either of the aforementioned dimensional parameters on the amplitude of vibrations depends on the other dimensional parameter such that there is a turning point in all the curves, whose location depends on the configuration of the structure.
Description of Achaemenothrombium khashayarshahi sp. nov. (Prostigmata: Achaemenothrombiidae) from Iran with new host records
Authors: Kohansal Mahnaz , Ramroodi Sara , Noei Javad , Rakhshani Ehsan , Rabieh Mohammad Mahdi
Published: January 2022

Achaemenothrombium khashayarshahi Noei sp. nov. (Acari: Achaemenothrombiidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on Lepidoptera from Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan provinces, Iran. This is the fifth larval species of the genus, this far known only from Iran. A key to the larval species of Achaemenothrombium is presented.
Motion compensation using joint-sub-band phase unwrapping for synthetic aperture sonar
Authors: Chen Shiping , Chi Cheng , Zhang Pengfei , Wang Peng , Li Yu , Liu Jiyuan , Huang Haining
Published: January 2022

Displaced phase center antenna (DPCA) micro-navigation has been widely applied in the motion compensation of synthetic aperture sonars (SASs). Estimating the time delay is the most important step for DPCA-based motion compensation. However, at present, the existing methods of estimating the time delay in motion compensation are not sufficiently accurate, which limits the improvement of imaging quality of SASs. This paper proposes a time delay estimation method using joint-sub-band phase unwrapping, which achieves much higher estimation accuracy than the reference method. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method dramatically improves the SAS imaging quality, compared to the reference method.
Formation of magnetic nanowire arrays by cooperative lateral growth
Authors: Chen Fei , Yang Zihao , Li Jing-Ning , Jia Fei , Wang Fan , Zhao Di , Peng Ru-Wen , Wang Mu
Published: January 2022

Nanowires typically grow along their longitudinal axis, and the long-range order among wires sustains only when a template exists. Here, we report an unprecedented electrochemical growth of ordered metallic nanowire arrays from an ultrathin electrolyte layer, which is achieved by solidifying the electrolyte solution below the freezing temperature. The thickness of the electrodeposit is instantaneously tunable by the applied electric pulses, leading to parallel ridges on webbed film without using any template. An array of metallic nanowires with desired separation and width determined by the applied pulses is formed on the substrate with arbitrary surface patterns by etching away the webbed film thereafter. This work demonstrates a previously unrecognized fabrication strategy that bridges the gap of top-down lithography and bottom-up self-organization in making ordered metallic nanowire arrays over a large area with low cost.
Synthetic dimension band structures on a Si CMOS photonic platform
Authors: Balčytis Armandas , Ozawa Tomoki , Ota Yasutomo , Iwamoto Satoshi , Maeda Jun , Baba Toshihiko
Published: January 2022

Synthetic dimensions, which simulate spatial coordinates using nonspatial degrees of freedom, are drawing interest in topological science and other fields for modeling higher-dimensional phenomena on simple structures. We present the first realization of a synthetic frequency dimension on a silicon ring resonator integrated photonic device fabricated using a CMOS process. We confirm that its coupled modes correspond to a one-dimensional tight-binding model through acquisition of up to 280-GHz bandwidth optical frequency comb-like spectra and by measuring synthetic band structures. Furthermore, we realized two types of gauge potentials along the frequency dimension and probed their effects through the associated band structures. An electric field analog was produced via modulation detuning, whereas effective magnetic fields were induced using synchronized nearest- and second nearest–neighbor couplings. Creation of coupled mode lattices and two effective forces on a monolithic Si CMOS device represents a key step toward wider adoption of topological principles.
Human skin-resident host T cells can persist long term after allogeneic stem cell transplantation and maintain recirculation potential
Authors: de Almeida Gustavo P. , Lichtner Peter , Eckstein Gertrud , Brinkschmidt Tonio , Chu Chang-Feng , Sun Shan , Reinhard Julian , Mädler Sophia C. , Kloeppel Markus , Verbeek Mareike , Zielinski Christina E.
Published: January 2022

Tissue-resident memory T cells (T
RM
) have recently emerged as crucial cellular players for host defense in a wide variety of tissues and barrier sites. Insights into the maintenance and regulatory checkpoints of human T
RM
cells remain scarce, especially due to the difficulties associated with tracking T cells through time and space in humans. We therefore sought to identify and characterize skin-resident T cells in humans defined by their long-term in situ lodgment. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) preceded by myeloablative chemotherapy unmasked long-term sequestration of host T cell subsets in human skin despite complete donor T cell chimerism in the blood. Single-cell chimerism analysis paired with single-cell transcriptional profiling comprehensively characterized these bona fide long-term skin-resident T cells and revealed differential tissue maintenance for distinct T cell subsets, specific T
RM
cell markers such as galectin-3, but also tissue exit potential with retention of the transcriptomic T
RM
cell identity. Analysis of 26 allo-HSCT patients revealed profound interindividual variation in the tissue maintenance of host skin T cells. The long-term persistence of host skin T cells in a subset of these patients did not correlate with the development of chronic GvHD. Our data exemplify the power of exploiting a clinical situation as a proof of concept for the existence of bona fide human skin T
RM
cells and reveal long-term persistence of host T cells in a peripheral tissue but not in the circulation or bone marrow in a subset of allo-HSCT patients.
Reproducibility of deep learning based scleral spur localisation and anterior chamber angle measurements from anterior segment optical coherence tomography images
Authors: Liu Peng , Higashita Risa , Guo Philip Yawen , Okamoto Keiichiro , Li Fei , Nguyen Anwell , Sakata Rei , Duan Lixin , Aihara Makoto , Lin Shan , Zhang Xiulan , Leung Christopher Kai-Shun , Liu Jiang
Published: January 2022

Aims

To apply a deep learning model for automatic localisation of the scleral spur (SS) in anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) images and compare the reproducibility of anterior chamber angle (ACA) width between deep learning located SS (DLLSS) and manually plotted SS (MPSS).

Methods

In this multicentre, cross-sectional study, a test dataset comprising 5166 AS-OCT images from 287 eyes (116 healthy eyes with open angles and 171 eyes with primary angle-closure disease (PACD)) of 287 subjects were recruited from four ophthalmology clinics. Each eye was imaged twice by a swept-source AS-OCT (CASIA2, Tomey, Nagoya, Japan) in the same visit and one eye of each patient was randomly selected for measurements of ACA. The agreement between DLLSS and MPSS was assessed using the Euclidean distance (ED). The angle opening distance (AOD) of 750 µm (AOD750) and trabecular-iris space area (TISA) of 750 µm (TISA750) were calculated using the CASIA2 embedded software. The repeatability of ACA width was measured.

Results

The mean age was 60.8±12.3 years (range: 30–85 years) for the normal group and 63.4±10.6 years (range: 40–91 years) for the PACD group. The mean difference in ED for SS localisation between DLLSS and MPSS was 66.50±20.54 µm and 84.78±28.33 µm for the normal group and the PACD group, respectively. The span of 95% limits of agreement between DLLSS and MPSS was 0.064 mm for AOD750 and 0.034 mm2for TISA750. The respective repeatability coefficients of AOD750 and TISA750 were 0.049 mm and 0.026 mm2for DLLSS, and 0.058 mm and 0.030 mm2for MPSS.

Conclusion

DLLSS achieved comparable repeatability compared with MPSS for measurement of ACA.
Testing the ability of contact mats to identify problematic stall configurations
Authors: Zambelis A. , Vasseur E.
Published: January 2022

Comparing the frequency of cow contact with stall rails across multiple stall designs may help to determine which stall configurations best promote cow ease of movement and reduce injury risk. The objective of this study was to compare the frequency of cow contact with the dividers across different stall treatments using the contact mat (CM) system to identify problematic stall designs. A total of six stall treatments were each tested against for six consecutive weeks against control (CON) stall condition: three treatments that modified the placement of the tie-rail (TRFARM, TRNEW1, TRNEW2) and three separate treatments that increased chain length (LCL), doubled stall width (DSW), and shortened manger wall (SMW) height. CM were affixed to the stall dividers to record the frequency of cow contact per second. Cows were ranked in descending order from highest frequency of divider contact to lowest frequency of divider contact for each week. TRNEW1 and TRNEW2 were the only stall treatments with a consistently lower frequency of divider contact than CON, whereas DSW was consistently higher than CON. The results suggest that the CM system can be used to identify problematic stall configurations to independently substantiate findings related to cow comfort.
Assessing the size spectra of marine fish communities with hydroacoustics: examining the challenges of abundant schools, diverse assemblages, and variable orientations
Authors: Bolser Derek G. , Egerton Jack P. , Souza Philip M. , Boswell Kevin M. , Erisman Brad E.
Published: January 2022

Assessing marine fish community size spectra with hydroacoustics is challenging, as communities are diverse, schooling and swim-bladder-less fishes are common, and fish orientation is variable. We developed an approach to examine these challenges and applied it to data from 51 optic–acoustic surveys of fishes at petroleum platforms throughout the US Gulf of Mexico. When in situ target strength (TS; dB re 1 m2) distributions were used to calculate the density (and subsequently abundance) of schooling fishes, fish lengths and size spectra slopes were significantly smaller than in simulated communities and fish community censuses at platforms (i.e., reference datasets). However, acoustic slopes were comparable to reference slopes when simulated TS values (based on species composition) were used to calculate schooling fish abundance. These findings held regardless of whether specific or general models were used to convert TS to length. Fish orientation was not a useful predictor of TS or slope, but may explain why in situ TS measurements from small groups of fishes around schools were unsuitable for abundance calculations. By examining the challenges associated with assessing size spectra with acoustics, this study aids progress towards using acoustic size spectra metrics for ecological inferences.
Root adaptations of black spruce growing in water-saturated soil
Authors: Krause Cornelia , Lemay Audrey
Published: January 2022

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) is the main tree species growing within peatlands. The difficult growing conditions within peatlands are associated with low individual wood productivity, and only tree species tolerant to high ground water level can survive. We examine the effect of water-saturated soil on the growth potential of black spruce trees and specific adaptation of the root system. Experimental mesocosms were constructed with two drainage regimes (saturated and well-drained soil conditions). We measured biomass, height, and diameter at stem base of 55 black spruce saplings and noted the location of each horizontal root. Black spruce exhibited a very shallow root system located above saturated commercial peat 19 years after the experiment was initiated. Most roots were adventitious in the water-saturated mesocosms. Overall aerial and root biomass accumulation of the black spruce trees growing under saturated soil conditions was significantly lower than that of the well-drained mesocosms. Interestingly, root–shoot ratios were similar across the two drainage regimes. Soil conditions induced adaptation of the root system in black spruce trees, and physiological stress affected the entire individual with lower biomass productivity in all components (stem, branches, root system). However, biomass distribution remained similar to that of trees growing in well-drained mesocosms.
Dynamical particles in spatially flat FLRW space-times
Authors: Cotăescu Ion I.
Published: January 2022

Metrics of dynamical point particles embedded in spatially flat FLRW space-times are derived as isotropic solutions of the Einstein equations with the energy–momentum tensor of a perfect fluid. These particles are produced by central singularities of the fluid density but without changing the pressure of the asymptotic FLRW space-times. It is shown that each particle gets a dynamical photon sphere before a critical instant when two dynamical apparent horizons arise just on the photon sphere evolving then as C-curves. The angular radius of the shadow associated to the photon sphere is derived and compared with the known results.
An Effective Approach for Rumor Detection of Arabic Tweets Using eXtreme Gradient Boosting Method
Authors: Gumaei Abdu , Al-Rakhami Mabrook S. , Hassan Mohammad Mehedi , De Albuquerque Victor Hugo C. , Camacho David
Published: January 2022

Twitter is currently one of the most popular microblogging platforms allowing people to post short messages, news, thoughts, and so on. The Twitter user community is growing very fast. It has an average of 328 million active accounts today, making it one of the most common media for getting information during any influential or important event. Because it is freely used by the public, some credibility checking is required, especially when it comes to events of high importance. Automatic rumor detection in Arabic tweets is a challenging task due to the changes in the structural and morphological nature of the Arabic language, which makes the detection of rumors more difficult than in other languages. In this article, we proposed an effective approach for rumor detection of Arabic tweets using an eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) classifier. We conducted a set of experiments on a public dataset that contained a large number of rumor and non-rumor tweets. The model uses a comprehensive set of features, including content-based, user-based, and topic-based features, allowing one to look at credibility from different angles. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed XGBoost-based approach achieves 97.18% accuracy on 60% of the dataset as a training set, which is the highest accuracy rate compared with the other methods used in recent related work.
Games in the Time of COVID-19: Promoting Mechanism Design for Pandemic Response
Authors: Pejó Balázs , Biczók Gergely
Published: January 2022

Most governments employ a set of quasi-standard measures to fight COVID-19, including wearing masks, social distancing, virus testing, contact tracing, and vaccination. However, combining these measures into an efficient holistic pandemic response instrument is even more involved than anticipated. We argue that some non-trivial factors behind the varying effectiveness of these measures are selfish decision making and the differing national implementations of the response mechanism. In this article, through simple games, we show the effect of individual incentives on the decisions made with respect to mask wearing, social distancing, and vaccination, and how these may result in sub-optimal outcomes. We also demonstrate the responsibility of national authorities in designing these games properly regarding data transparency, the chosen policies, and their influence on the preferred outcome. We promote a mechanism design approach: It is in the best interest of every government to carefully balance social good and response costs when implementing their respective pandemic response mechanism; moreover, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when designing an effective solution.
A Survey on Assertion-based Hardware Verification
Authors: Witharana Hasini , Lyu Yangdi , Charles Subodha , Mishra Prabhat
Published: January 2022

Hardware verification of modern electronic systems has been identified as a major bottleneck due to the increasing complexity and time-to-market constraints. One of the major objectives in hardware verification is to drastically reduce the validation and debug time without sacrificing the design quality. Assertion-based verification is a promising avenue for efficient hardware validation and debug. In this article, we provide a comprehensive survey of recent progress in assertion-based hardware verification. Specifically, we outline how to define assertions using temporal logic to specify expected behaviors in different abstraction levels. Next, we describe state-of-the art approaches for automated generation of assertions. We also discuss test generation techniques for activating assertions to ensure that the generated assertions are valid. Finally, we present both pre-silicon and post-silicon assertion-based validation approaches that utilize simulation, formal methods as well as hybrid techniques. We conclude with a discussion on utilizing assertions for verifying both functional and non-functional requirements.
Simultaneous Determination of Catechol and Paraquat Using a Flexible Electrode of PBAT and Graphite Modified with Gold Nanoparticles and Copper Phthalocyanine (g-PBAT/AuNP/CuTsPc) LbL Film
Authors: Maciel Cristiane C. , Freitas Amanda de S. M. , Medrades Jennifer P. , Ferreira Marystela
Published: January 2022

A flexible sensor based on polymer poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) mixed with graphite was surface modified with AuNP (gold nanoparticule) and copper phthalocyanine using Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique for simultaneous determination of catechol (CC) and paraquat (PQ). The device with and without modification was characterized by contact angle, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Electrochemical characterization was performed by Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) technique was used to detect CC and PQ molecules in an interval of 100 to 200 μM, some parameters were obtained from the analytical curve, such as linear regression values (R2) equal to 0.9998 and 0.9993 and detection limit (LOD) equal to 1.36 × 10−6 and 1.31 × 10−6 for CC and PQ, respectively. The sensor (g-PBAT/AuNP-PAH/CuTsPc)3 presented good stability, reproducibility, and repeatability, with recovery values ranging between 98.4%–105.6% for CC and 94.4%–106.1% for PQ when the sensor was subjected to analysis of samples contaminated with tap water. Electrodes produced in this work had the advantage of being flexible, disposable, reproducible, and of low manufacturing cost, which makes them attractive for portable environmental analysis.
Model-Based Optimization of CMP Process Parameters for Uniform Material Removal Selectivity in Cu/Barrier Planarization
Authors: Akbar Wazir , Ertunç Özgür
Published: January 2022

Chemical mechanical planarization is a process of achieving planar surfaces in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The planarization of a surface is achieved by material removal from the wafer surface. The material removal depends on material properties and the process input parameters. Several studies have investigated the role of slurry chemistry to achieve a certain material removal selectivity of different materials on a patterned wafer. Here we propose a methodology of achieving planar patterned surface of Cu/Mn/MnN system using a model-based optimization for mechanical process parameters. The parameters include applied force, slurry solid concentration, and abrasive particle size. The methodology has been developed via optimization using a genetic algorithm. The proposed methodology suggests that a lower downforce is the key parameter to achieve the desired material removal selectivity and planarity. The first part of the study suggests a low material removal rate (MRR) to achieve a lower standard deviation in MRR. The second part investigates the standard deviation in the thickness removed in the average time needed to remove a known thickness of the materials under consideration. It has been found that the application of lower downforce can also minimize the standard deviation in the thickness removed and a planar patterned surface can be achieved.
The Impact of Variation in Diameter and Dielectric Materials of the CNT Field-Effect Transistor
Authors: Abdul Hadi M. F. , Hussin H. , Soin N.
Published: January 2022

In today’s semiconductor industry, transistor size has been continuously scaled down due to the competition between developers to provide a better performance device. Based on Moore’s Law, the use of MOSFET technology might end due to its dimensions’ limitation that affects its performance. Carbon Nanotube Field-effect Transistor (CNTFET) has become a prospect to replace MOSFET technology due to its carbon nanotube properties (CNT). In the CNTFET design parameters, the changes in the diameter of CNT and the dielectric materials of the oxide layer significantly affect the transistor’s performance. The results show that by increasing the diameter of CNT and having a higher dielectric constant material, the on-current (Ion) and the transconductance, gm of the CNTFET will significantly increase. This effect will produce a device with a higher current ratio (Ion/Ioff) and provide a better device performance. The study also included the effect of this design parameter on the channel’s average electron velocity. From this study, it can be deduced that the diameter of CNT and the dielectric material of the oxide layer greatly affect the transistor’s performance.
Effect of Substrate Temperature on Structural, Electrical and Optical Properties of Sprayed Tin Selenide Thin Films Applicable for Photovoltaic Measurements
Authors: Mangaiyar Karasi Anitha Ezhil , Sambasivam R. , Seshadri S. , Amalraj
Published: January 2022

Thin films of Tin selenide (SnSe) have been prepared on glass substrates at different temperatures in the range of 250 °C–375 °C in steps of 25 °C for optimization were discussed. The deposited tin selenide thin films were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Elemental dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Optical absorption, Photoluminescence (PL), Raman spectroscopy and electrical measurements. From XRD analysis a single-phase tin selenide thin film having orthorhombic crystalline structure with crystallite size of 17 nm to 62 nm were investigated. The surface morphology revealed the presence of uniformly distributed spherical grains of SnSe thin films without pores and voids. Optical absorption spectrum revealed a direct band gap of 1.15 eV and having very high absorption coefficient (˃104/cm) was calculated. The Raman scattering analysis confirmed the presence of B3g and Ag vibrational modes of SnSe thin films. PL studies revealed a strong luminescence peak near-band-edge (NBE) emission at 785 nm due to recombination of bound excitons. Photoconductivity characteristics of SnSe thin films were due to the existence of continuous distribution of localized states in the band gap data. Thus tin selenide thin films were used as an absorber layer in the photovoltaic application.
(Invited) An Electrochemical Perspective on Electrophysiological Measurements
Authors: Yeh Malcolm H. , Leddy Johna
Published: January 2022

Electrophysiological measurement such as EEG and peripheral nerve conduction studies are commonly used in neurology research and medical diagnoses. Bioelectrochemical structures and reactions at the molecular to micrometer scale propagate charge through space. Electrophysiological measurements made across distances on the scale of centimeters map collective effects of many charge propagation events. In peripheral nerves, charge propagates along nerves in the limbs at ~50 m/s. Voltages measured from the surface of the skin are in the range of 6 to 8 µV for peripheral nerves and as high as 40-60 µV in EEG studies. Charge propagation events that generate measured electrophysiological signals can be viewed with the same electrostatic fundamentals that describe how potentials are established in electrochemical systems.

Polarization of a synaptic membrane generates a flux of positive charge and then a charge balancing flux of negative charge as the membrane depolarizes. The flux separates charge that generates a dipole. The dipole propagates down a peripheral nerve as the membrane separates charge sequentially. A sketch of the dipole is based in electrostatics.

From an electrostatic perspective, the separation and magnitude of the charges establishes an electrical potential Φ(x,y,z). Consider a single dipole at an instant in time. Evaluation of charge separation yields a map of potential in space as shown in the Figure. The gradient in the electrical potential establishes the electric field. Migration is driven by potential gradients such that the electric field may play a role in dipole propagation.

The Figure is an instantaneous snapshot of potential associated with a dipole in space. In electrophysiological measurements, multiple dipoles events yield the measured voltages as nerve impulses that propagate in time along a peripheral nerve tract. A sketch of the correlations between electrophysiological measurements and electrochemical fundamentals is presented.

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Empagliflozin Enhances Autophagy, Mitochondrial Biogenesis, and Antioxidant Defense and Ameliorates Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion in Nondiabetic Rats
Authors: Ala Moein , Khoshdel Mohammad Reza Fallahpour , Dehpour Ahmad Reza
Published: January 2022

Background. Recent meta-analyses have shown that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors alleviate chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury in diabetic patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of empagliflozin on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in nondiabetic rats and find the possible mechanisms. Experimental Approach. Eighteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, including healthy control, ischemic control, and empagliflozin-treated group. Thirty minutes of bilateral renal ischemia was induced by clamping the renal hilum. Forty-eight hours after reopening the clamps, rats’ blood samples and tissue specimens were collected. Empagliflozin 10 mg/kg was administered by gavage, 2 hours before ischemia and 24 hours after the first dose. Results. I/R injury led to a significant rise in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen which was significantly decreased after treatment with empagliflozin. Empagliflozin also alleviated tubulointerstitial and glomerular damage and significantly decreased tissue histology scores. Empagliflozin decreased the increased levels of malondialdehyde, interleukin 1β, and tumor necrosis factor α. SGLT2 inhibition increased the decreased expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and PPARG coactivator 1 alpha that conduct antioxidant defense and mitochondrial biogenesis, respectively. Furthermore, empagliflozin markedly increased LC3-II/LC3-I and bcl2/bax ratios, showing its beneficial effect on activation of autophagy and inhibition of apoptosis. Despite its effects on diabetic nephropathy, empagliflozin did not activate the Sestrin2/AMP-activated protein kinase pathway in this study. Conclusion. Empagliflozin improved renal I/R injury in nondiabetic rats in this study by promoting autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis and attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.