bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban transport sustainability assessment for the Use of motorized vehicles in road transport india
Authors: Thakare Kalpana N Kawathekar , Bakde V K
Published: June 2021

Urban population growth in India observes continuous increase since 1901 with 34.03 % in 2018 allowing swelling of urban limits as per the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Considering urban growth the Ministry of Transport has been active for developing urban roads increasing road length to 58, 97, 671 km in 2017. Consequent to urban growth and developed roads is observed the raise in vehicle ownership adding on to motorized vehicles adapting modal shifts leading to amassed use of speed moving motorized vehicle/s. The total number of motorized vehicles in 2017 is 253,311 thousands. A research study marks the rate of increase in motorized vehicles as 11.69% against the 1.84% growth of the population in India. These Motorized vehicles are the major pollution contributor, producing significant amounts of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other pollution leading to significant number sharing about 2/3rd of air pollution-related deaths in India. The road side landscape can help in reducing the effect of pollution due to these vehicles if planted appropriately. The use of multimodal integrated transportation is one of the solution to integrate the public transport allowing private transport network with provisions for non-motorized transport. This paper aims to urban transport sustainability assessment for the use of motorized vehicles in road transport India. The objectives of this paper include the study of increasing rate of motorized vehicles as against the urban growth and accidents due to air pollution from these vehicles, and the probable solutions for the reduction of accidents in India with emphasis on study from Maharashtra. Maharashtra being at the top in the vehicle ownership in India it is selected for the case study along with the assessment study on multi modal transport solution at Nagpur.
Optimization of stochastic chinese postman networks problem using priorities
Authors: Bhuranda Lokesh Kumar , Rizwanullah Mohd
Published: June 2021

The postman problem is concern with the choice of root to follow in order that he or she pass each streets at least once and return at starting point with least traveling distance. The Chinese postman problem is transformed as network optimization problem under certain constraint. Stochastic networks are networks of non-binary vertices that differ over time, reflecting the probability of a connection of two nodes. This paper deals with theoretical and mathematical foundation of stochastic networks related to an additional feature of the Chinese postman Problem (CPP) is that postman visited with first priority node as soon as possible. Fleury’s and Dijkstra’s algorithm have been used with respect to Eulerian path. Finally, this paper also illustrates and justify the implementation of the methodology and algorithms. Consideration of cost factors in the ever network problems gives another scope of research.
Dynamics of SEIR model with delay effects - latent period and recovery period
Authors: Raut S , Janardhan S
Published: June 2021

A compartmental SEIR epidemic model with constant latent and recovery periods as delay effects is proposed in this paper. Incidence rate applied in the model is non-monotonic. Basic reproduction number for the model is calculated and the dynamical behavior is analyzed by studying the local & global asymptotic stability of disease free and endemic equilibriums of this model. Numerical simulation of this model is given to illustrate the results.
Inverse transient thermoelastic problem with heat source in an annular disc
Authors: Shinde A K , Navlekar AA , Ghadle K P
Published: June 2021

This article deals with formulating an inverse problem of heat conduction to analyse thermoelastic stress in a thick annular disc due to internal heat generation within the solid. The integral transformation techniques, Marchi-Zgrablich transform and finite MarchiFasulo integral transform, are employed in order to solve governing transient heat conduction equation, under stated thermal boundary conditions. The outcomes obtained from analytical solution are represented in the form of infinite series consisting Bessel’s functions. Numerical verification is done for a particular case of a thick annular disc made of aluminummetal and results are depicted graphically.
Solution of heat equation (Partial Differential Equation) by various methods
Authors: Vaidya N V , Deshpande A A , Pidurkar S R
Published: June 2021

In the present paper we solved heat equation (Partial Differential Equation) by various methods. The methods used here are Laplace Transform method, method of separation of variables, Fourier Transform and MATLAB software. We reached the same solution at the end in Laplace Transform method, method of separation of variables, but by Fourier Transform we reached solution in different form that is in sine and cosine series form.
An IoT Framework for Healthcare Monitoring System
Authors: Dharmik R C , Gotarkar Shashank , Dinesh Pooja , Sant Burde Harshal
Published: June 2021

As a result of the developments made in medical and technical aspects, the healthcare sector has been constantly evolving. Over the decades, healthcare has developed by using the best available PC technology. It has become an in-depth source of valuable analytical and analysis data. The health aspects of the person need to be monitored with the utmost concern and treated with appropriate medications. Proactive monitoring of one’s health can cure and prevent several diseases. In recent decades, technology has evolved to its height due to the availability of many wearable devices and health tracking gadgets on the market. Expert doctors also find it difficult to estimate the disease from the symptoms seen from the diseased, but using advanced technical tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud/edge computing, machine learning and AI along with Big Data will make it much easier for doctors to dig out and describe the root cause of the disease and predict its severity using modern algorithms. The objective is to be able to extract relevant and important information from the massive data usually produced in IOT devices by the front-end sensor frameworks and few intelligences that could be included in the front-end module itself to allow the front-end to make a decision based on data priority.
Experimental study on the effect of aspect ratio and volume fraction of steel fibre on the mechanical properties of metakaolin SFR concrete with mathematical model
Authors: Chandak Mayuri , Pawade P Y
Published: June 2021

The study is undertaken to find the combined effect of 16% metakaolin (MK) along with steel fiber reinforcement (SFR) on M40 grade of concrete with Portland pozzolana cement (PPC). For this purpose steel fiber of aspect ratio (l/d) as 41.67 and 81.33 were used. Cubes, cylinders and prisms were casted by using different eight concrete mixtures using 0.5% 1% and 1.5% steel fibers by volume of concrete. At 28 days of water curing these casted specimens were subjected to tests like compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and ultrasonic pulse speed test. It was located that metallic fiber along with metakaolin mixture has significantly stepped forward these properties. Regression analysis on experimental results generated some statistical model predicting the results in good agreement.
Information Retrieval using Machine learning for Ranking: A Review
Authors: Chavhan Sushilkumar , Raghuwanshi M M , Dharmik R C
Published: June 2021

The Ranking is one of the big issues in various information retrieval applications (IR). Various approaches to machine learning with various ranking applications have new dimensions in the field of IR. Most work focuses on the various strategies for enhancing the efficiency of the information retrieval system as a result of how related questions and documents also provide a ranking for successful retrieval. By using a machine learning approach, learning to rank is a frequently used ranking mechanism with the purpose of organizing the documents of different types in a specific order consistent with their ranking. An attempt has been made in this paper to position some of the most widely used algorithms in the community. It provides a survey of the methods used to rank the documents collected and their assessment strategies.
A method for preparing the pH-responsive superhydrophobic paper with high stability
Authors: Jiang Shangjie , Zhou Shisheng
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a simple method for preparing high stability superhydrophobic paper with pH-induced wettability transition was proposed. Firstly, the pH-responsive monomer 2- (dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), the silicon-containing crosslinking monomer 3-trimethoxysilyl propyl methacrylate (TSPM) and the fluorine-containing monomer hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (HFMA) were polymerized to prepare the pH-responsive polymer PHFMA-PTSPM-PDMAEMA. Afterwards, the amino-modified SiO2 was grafted onto the polymer to provide roughness and then coated on the paper to prepare the superhydrophobic paper with pH-responsive properties. Further research found that the modified paper prepared by this method not only has strong stability and transparency, but also can realize the reversible regulation of superhydrophobic & lipophilic and super-oleophobic & hydrophilic properties under different pH-induction, and it has important application value in the field of oil-water separation in industrial applications.
NASA Mars craft gets to work as it arrives at the red planet
Authors: Dacey James
Published: June 2021

NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully landed on Mars in the Jezero Crater – a 45 km-wide basin pockmarked with boulders and steep cliffs – on 18 February
Battling bovine belching
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: June 2021

Cutting methane production from livestock is considered vital to climate change mitigation, with lots of research focusing on how animals breed and are fed. But physicists are playing their part too by developing ways to measure the emissions from cattle, using techniques such as spectroscopic analysis and aerial sampling, as Michael Allen discovers
Mission to Mars
Authors: Glester Andrew
Published: June 2021

Andrew Glester reviews Dream Big: How to Reach for Your Stars by Abigail Harrison
Assessment of the carbon abatement and removal opportunities of the Arabian Gulf Countries
Authors: Alatiq Abdulrahman , Aljedani Wail , Abussaud Abdullah , Algarni Omar , Pilorgé Hélène , Wilcox Jennifer
Published: June 2021

The Arabian Gulf Countries (AGC) are strongly reliant on the economic export of fossil fuels, while being vulnerable to climate change that is resulting in temperature increase, air pollution and sea-level rise, and threatening the health of the population and ecosystem. In agreement with the Paris Accords, most of the AGC have published short-term goals to reduce their carbon emissions in the coming decades. In relation to these goals, this study explores the potential CO2 reduction, avoidance and removal in the region, by comparing a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario to three decarbonization scenarios for the power sector. In 2018, the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the AGC were ~1333 MtCO2/yr and are expected to rise to 1568 MtCO2/yr in 2030 following a BAU scenario, which is likely to be reduced to 1522 MtCO2/yr in 2030 by following the countries’ planning. Countries issued plans for the coming decades that focus on increasing the share of renewable energy in their grid mix. The three decarbonization scenarios presented in this study focus on supply-side technological solutions. The retirement of the oldest natural-gas and oil power plants could lead to a total emissions reduction of ~75 MtCO2/yr, without accounting for the embodied carbon emissions associated with renewable energy. In addition, the implementation of point-source capture at power plants expected to retire in >10 years’ time could avoid emissions of ~240 MtCO2/yr, provided the CO2 is permanently sequestered in appropriate geological formations. The region also shows high-quality solar resources and large CO2-storage potential that could couple to direct air-capture plants to offset difficult-to-avoid emissions. This last scenario has the potential to ultimately result in net negative emissions.
Genome Assembly of the Cold-Tolerant Leaf BeetleGonioctena quinquepunctata, an Important Resource for Studying Its Evolution and Reproductive Barriers between Species
Authors: Lukicheva Svitlana , Flot Jean-François , Mardulyn Patrick
Published: June 2021

Coleoptera is the most species-rich insect order, yet is currently underrepresented in genomic databases. An assembly was generated for ca. 1.7 Gb genome of the leaf beetle Gonioctena quinquepunctata by first assembling long-sequence reads (Oxford Nanopore; ± 27-fold coverage) and subsequently polishing the resulting assembly with short sequence reads (Illumina; ± 85-fold coverage). The unusually large size (most Coleoptera species are associated with a reported size below 1 Gb) was at least partially attributed to the presence of a large fraction of repeated elements (73.8%). The final assembly was characterized by an N50 length of 432 kb and a BUSCO score of 95.5%. The heterozygosity rate was ± 0.6%. Automated genome annotation informed by RNA-Seq resulted in 40,568 predicted proteins, which is much larger than the typical range 17,000–23,000 predicted for other Coleoptera. However, no evidence of a genome duplication was detected. This new reference genome will contribute to our understanding of genetic variation in the Coleoptera. Among others, it will also allow exploring reproductive barriers between species, investigating introgression in the nuclear genome, and identifying genes involved in resistance to extreme climate conditions.
Spectral models for seismological source parameters, path attenuation and site-effects in Alborz region of northern Iran
Authors: Davatgari Fami Tafreshi Mehran , Bora Sanjay Singh , Mirzaei Noorbakhsh , Ghofrani Hadi , Kazemian Javad
Published: June 2021

We analysed 478 three-component strong ground motion time-series from 65 events in the moment magnitude (Mw) 3–6.5 range recorded at 111 stations at distances up to 150 km from 1997 to 2019 in the Alborz region. Non-parametric spectral functions for seismological source, path and site-effects were derived from Fourier amplitude spectra of observed acceleration time-histories using the generalized inversion technique (GIT) for the Alborz region of Iran. To characterize the spectral models in terms of the anelastic attenuation (Q), geometrical spreading, magnitude and stress parameter (Δσ), we fitted non-parametric attenuation and source functions (resulted from inversion) with the standard parametric models. The frequency-dependent non-parametric attenuation function shows a rapid decay at close distances (<60 km) and decreases monotonically at larger distances. The frequency-independent geometrical spreading follows a bilinear hinged model with a crossover distance at 70 km. For hypocentral distances Rhypo < 70 km, the geometrical spreading is ${R^{ - 1.01}}$, and for Rhypo > 70 km it is ${R^{ - 1.37}}$. The corresponding quality factor is $Q\ ( f ) = \ 146{f^{0.91}}$. The non-parametric source spectra were found in a good agreement with Brune's ω-squared model. The stress-parameter (Δσ) values were found to exhibit large variability from 0.36 to 86.7 MPa with no significant magnitude-dependence. The average Δσ was found to be 8.6 MPa. The mean value of the estimated near-surface attenuation (κ0) from high-frequency part of non-parametric source function is 0.032 s (±0.01 s). In general, there is a good agreement between subsoil resonance frequencies and amplification levels estimated from GIT and HVSR (horizontal to vertical spectral ratio). The results of this study provide updated values of seismological source, attenuation and site properties in the Alborz region of northern Iran, which are expected to improve regional seismic hazard analysis studies in the region.
Sowing and Cultivating the Seed of Diversity in Agri-Food: Intellectual Property Protection in Transnational and Comparative Perspective
Authors: Granieri Massimiliano
Published: June 2021

This article combines intellectual property and comparative law insights to propose an evolutionary analysis of protection for seeds in the contemporary legal order. From a regime of commons for seeds, to plant variety protection, to patents for genetically engineered plants, exclusive rights have been progressively introduced for innovators in the field of agriculture to provide incentives in a world of growing need for food and raw materials. Such evolution has caused reduced common practices in agriculture that implied the freedom to save and exchange seeds. Among other values, a potential loss of biodiversity is the consequence. Likewise, legal systems tend to converge towards certain models of protection for innovators, although regulatory competition can exert significant pressure on states to preserve alternative models and offer solutions that balance all the values at stake.**
Predictors of negative psychosocial and health behavior impact of COVID-19 among young adults
Authors: Romm Katelyn F , Patterson Brooke , Wysota Christina N , Wang Yan , Berg Carla J
Published: June 2021

Given the global impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on mental and physical health, we examined young adults’ changes in mental health, intimate relationship quality, alcohol use and weight-related behaviors during COVID-19 and their correlates (depressive symptoms, resilience, social context and COVID-19-related factors). We analyzed data from a longitudinal study of 1082 young adults across six metropolitan areas (Mage = 24.76 ± 4.70; 51.8% female; 73.6% White and 12.5% Hispanic), using multivariate linear regressions for continuous outcomes (magnitude of mental health impact) and logistic regressions for categorical outcomes (decreased relationship quality, physical activity and nutrition and increased alcohol use and sedentary behavior). Of five negative mental health impacts assessed, participants reported experiencing an average of 3.54 (SD = 5.46), experiencing more correlated with increased childcare responsibilities and lower resilience. Additionally, 23.6% of those in relationships experienced negative relationship impact, 41.3% increased alcohol use, 47.2% decreased physical activity, 74.0% were more sedentary and 34.7% experienced poorer nutrition, all of which was predicted by greater depressive symptoms. Additionally, lower resilience predicted negative relationship impact and poorer nutrition and social context/roles correlated with various outcomes (e.g. relationships and alcohol use). Interventions to reduce negative health behaviors given societal stressors should address key psychosocial and situational factors, including depressive symptoms and resilience.
Torsional rigidity for tangential polygons
Authors: Keady Grant
Published: June 2021

An inequality on torsional rigidity is established. For tangential polygons, this inequality is stronger than an inequality of Polya and Szego for convex domains.
Genomic Analysis of Clostridioides difficile in 2 Regions of the United States Reveals a Diversity of Strains and Limited Transmission
Authors: Pecora Nicole , Holzbauer Stacy , Wang Xiong , Gu Yu , Taffner Samantha , Hatwar Trupti , Hardy Dwight , Dziejman Michelle , D’Heilly Paige , Pung Kelly , Guh Alice , Qiu Xing , Gill Steven , Dumyati Ghinwa
Published: June 2021

Background

The distribution of Clostridioides difficile strains and transmission dynamics in the United States are not well defined. Whole-genome sequencing across 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Emerging Infections Program C. difficile infection (CDI) surveillance regions (Minnesota and New York) was performed to identify predominant multilocus sequence types (MLSTs) in community-associated (CA) and healthcare-associated (HCA) disease and assess transmission.

Methods

Whole-genome sequencing was performed on C. difficile isolates from patients with CDI over 3 months between 2016 and 2017. Patients were residents of the catchment area without a positive C. difficile test in the preceding 8 weeks. CDI cases were epidemiologically classified as HCA or CA.

Results

Of 422 isolates, 212 (50.2%) were HCA and 203 (48.1%) were CA. Predominant MLSTs were sequence type (ST) 42 (9.3%), ST8 (7.8%), and ST2 (8.1%). MLSTs associated with HCA-CDI included ST1 (76%), ST53 (83.3%), and ST43 (80.0%), while those associated with CA-CDI included ST3 (76.9%) and ST41 (77.8%). ST1 was more frequent in New York than in Minnesota (10.8% vs 3.1%). Thirty-three pairs were closely related genomically, 14 of which had potential patient-to-patient transmission supported by record review.

Conclusions

The genomic epidemiology of C. difficile across 2 regions of the United States indicates the presence of a diverse strain profile and limited direct transmission.
Neonatal Bacille Calmette-Guérin Vaccination and Infections in the First Year of Life: The MIS BAIR Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Messina Nicole L , Pittet Laure F , Gardiner Kaya , Freyne Bridget , Francis Kate L , Zufferey Christel , Abruzzo Veronica , Morrison Clare , Allen Katrina J , Flanagan Katie L , Ponsonby Anne-Louise , Robins-Browne Roy , Shann Frank , South Mike , Vuillermin Peter , Donath Susan , Casalaz Dan , Curtis Nigel
Published: June 2021

Background

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination has beneficial off-target effects that may include protecting against non-mycobacterial infectious diseases. We aimed to determine whether neonatal BCG vaccination reduces lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in infants in the Melbourne Infant Study: BCG for Allergy and Infection Reduction (MIS BAIR) trial.

Methods

In this investigator-blinded trial, neonates in Australia were randomized to receive BCG-Denmark vaccination or no BCG at birth. Episodes of LRTI were determined by symptoms reported in parent-completed, 3-month questionnaires over the first year of life. Data were analyzed by intention-to-treat using binary regression.

Results

A total of 1272 neonates were randomized to the BCG vaccination (n = 637) or control (n = 635) group. The proportion of participants with an episode of LRTI in the first year of life among BCG-vaccinated infants was 54.8% compared to 58.0% in the control group, resulting in a risk difference of −3.2 (95% confidence interval, −9.0 to 2.6) after multiple imputation. There was no interaction observed between the primary outcome and sex, maternal BCG, or the other prespecified effect modifiers.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of this trial, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of neonatal BCG vaccination to prevent LRTI in the first year of life in high-income settings.
A quantitative analysis of bone lamellarity and bone collagen linearity induced by distinct dosing and frequencies of teriparatide administration in ovariectomized rats and monkeys
Authors: Sato Takanori , Takakura Aya , Lee Ji-Won , Tokunaga Kazuaki , Matsumori Haruka , Takao-Kawabata Ryoko , Iimura Tadahiro
Published: June 2021

The lamellar structure of bone, which endows biomechanical rigidity to support the host organism, is observed in mammals, including humans. It is therefore essential to develop a quantitative analysis to evaluate the lamellarity of bone, which would especially be useful for the pharmacological evaluation of anti-osteoporotic drugs. This study applied a current system for the semi-automatic recognition of fluorescence signals to the analysis of un-decalcified bone sections from rat and monkey specimens treated with teriparatide (TPTD). Our analyses on bone formation pattern and collagen topology indicated that TPTD augmented bone lamellarity and bone collagen linearity, which were possibly associated with the recovery of collagen cross-linking, thus endowing bone rigidity.
Feasibility and safety of rVSV-ZEBOV vaccination of humanitarian health workers against Ebola virus disease: an observational study
Authors: Carnino Luisa , Vetter Pauline , Peyraud Nicolas , Aebischer-Perone Sigiriya , Chappuis François , Huttner Angela , Kaiser Laurent , Eperon Gilles
Published: June 2021

Background and rationale

Geneva University Hospitals were granted a temporary authorization to administer the recombinant live vesicular stomatitis virus rVSV-ZEBOV (Ervebo®) vaccine to expatriate humanitarian frontline workers (FLWs) prior to mission deployment.

Objectives

Our aims were to assess the feasibility of FLW vaccination before deployment and to report adverse events (AEs).

Methods

FLWs received a single injection of rVSV-ZEBOV (>7.2E7 plaque forming unit) during their pre-deployment medical check-up at the Travel Medicine Clinic of the Geneva University Hospitals (Day 0). A safety questionnaire regarding potential AEs was emailed to FLWs on Days 3 and 21. Early and delayed AEs were those starting within 3 or 21 days of vaccination, respectively.

Results

Between 1 August 2019 and 30 June 2020, 124 FLWs received the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine. Eighty-six volunteers (86/124; 69%) received a concomitant vaccine. The response rate to the follow-up questionnaire was 88 and 55% at Days 3 and 21, respectively. Most respondents (105/109; 96.3%), experienced at least one AE, with a mean of three (±SD 1.75) AEs per person. The most common AE was injection site pain, followed by fever (53/109; 48.6%), fatigue (51/109; 46.7%) and myalgia (49/109; 44.9%). Most early AEs (360/377; 95.4%) resolved within 3 days, reflecting vaccine reactogenicity. Delayed AEs were reported by 6/69 (7.2%) subjects, the median time to symptom onset was 11 days (range: 5–14); half of them were joint-related AEs (3/6). Four serious adverse events (SAE) were observed: two cases of high grade fever, one rash and one case of arthritis. Two suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions were observed: one case of continuing recurrent transient dizziness and fatigue considered related to the vaccine; and one case of presbyopia that was deemed unrelated.

Conclusion

AEs to rVSV-ZEBOV were common but in general transient and were well tolerated, pre-deployment rVSV-ZEBOV vaccination in FLW is feasible and can be included with pre-mission check-up.
Detecting pulsars with neural networks: a proof of concept
Authors: Künkel Lars , Thomas Rajat M , Verbiest Joris P W
Published: June 2021

Pulsar searches are computationally demanding efforts to discover dispersed periodic signals in time- and frequency-resolved data from radio telescopes. The complexity and computational expense of simultaneously determining the frequency-dependent delay (dispersion) and the periodicity of the signal is further exacerbated by the presence of various types of radio-frequency interference (RFI) and observing-system effects. New observing systems with wider bandwidths, higher bit rates, and greater overall sensitivity (also to RFI) further enhance these challenges. We present a novel approach to the analysis of pulsar search data. Specifically, we present a neural-network-based pipeline that efficiently suppresses a wide range of RFI signals and instrumental instabilities and furthermore corrects for (a priori unknown) interstellar dispersion. After initial training of the network, our analysis can be run in real time on a standard desktop computer with a commonly available, consumer-grade graphics processing unit (GPU) . We complement our neural network with standard algorithms for periodicity searches. In particular with the Fast Fourier Transform and the Fast Folding Algorithm and demonstrate that with these straightforward extensions, our method is capable of identifying even faint pulsars while maintaining an extremely low number of false positives. We furthermore apply our analysis to a subset of the PALFA survey and demonstrate that in most cases the automated dispersion removal of our network produces a time series of similar quality as dedispersing, using the actual dispersion measure of the pulsar in question. On our test data, we are able to make predictions whether a pulsar is present in the data or not 200 times faster than real time.
What to expect from dynamical modelling of cluster haloes – I. The information content of different dynamical tracers
Authors: Li Qingyang , Han Jiaxin , Wang Wenting , Cui Weiguang , Li Zhaozhou , Yang Xiaohu
Published: June 2021

Using hydrodynamical simulations, we study how well the underlying gravitational potential of a galaxy cluster can be modelled dynamically with different types of tracers. In order to segregate different systematics and the effects of varying estimator performances, we first focus on applying a generic minimal assumption method (oPDF) to model the simulated haloes using the full 6D phase-space information. We show that the halo mass and concentration can be recovered in an ensemble unbiased way, with a stochastic bias that varies from halo to halo, mostly reflecting deviations from steady state in the tracer distribution. The typical systematic uncertainty is ∼0.17 dex in the virial mass and ∼0.17 dex in the concentration as well when dark matter (DM) particles are used as tracers. The dynamical state of satellite galaxies are close to that of DM particles, while intracluster stars are less in a steady state, resulting in an ∼0.26-dex systematic uncertainty in mass. Compared with galactic haloes hosting Milky-Way-like galaxies, cluster haloes show a larger stochastic bias in the recovered mass profiles. We also test the accuracy of using intracluster gas as a dynamical tracer modelled through a generalized hydrostatic equilibrium equation, and find a comparable systematic uncertainty in the estimated mass to that using DM. Lastly, we demonstrate that our conclusions are largely applicable to other steady-state dynamical models including the spherical Jeans equation, by quantitatively segregating their statistical efficiencies and robustness to systematics. We also estimate the limiting number of tracers that leads to the systematics-dominated regime in each case.
Focal plane wavefront sensing using machine learning: performance of convolutional neural networks compared to fundamental limits
Authors: Orban de Xivry G , Quesnel M , Vanberg P-O , Absil O , Louppe G
Published: June 2021

Focal plane wavefront sensing (FPWFS) is appealing for several reasons. Notably, it offers high sensitivity and does not suffer from non-common path aberrations (NCPAs). The price to pay is a high computational burden and the need for diversity to lift any phase ambiguity. If those limitations can be overcome, FPWFS is a great solution for NCPA measurement, a key limitation for high-contrast imaging, and could be used as adaptive optics wavefront sensor. Here, we propose to use deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to measure NCPAs based on focal plane images. Two CNN architectures are considered: ResNet-50 and U-Net that are used, respectively, to estimate Zernike coefficients or directly the phase. The models are trained on labelled data sets and evaluated at various flux levels and for two spatial frequency contents (20 and 100 Zernike modes). In these idealized simulations, we demonstrate that the CNN-based models reach the photon noise limit in a large range of conditions. We show, for example, that the root mean squared wavefront error can be reduced to <λ/1500 for 2 × 106 photons in one iteration when estimating 20 Zernike modes. We also show that CNN-based models are sufficiently robust to varying signal-to-noise ratio, under the presence of higher order aberrations, and under different amplitudes of aberrations. Additionally, they display similar to superior performance compared to iterative phase retrieval algorithms. CNNs therefore represent a compelling way to implement FPWFS, which can leverage the high sensitivity of FPWFS over a broad range of conditions.
Voronoia 4-ever
Authors: Staritzbichler Rene , Ristic Nikola , Goede Andrean , Preissner Robert , Hildebrand Peter W
Published: June 2021

We present an updated version of the Voronoia service that enables fully automated analysis of the atomic packing density of macromolecules. Voronoia combines previous efforts to analyse 3D protein and RNA structures into a single service, combined with state-of-the-art online visualization. Voronoia uses the Voronoi cell method to calculate the free space between neighbouring atoms to estimate van der Waals interactions. Compared to other methods that derive van der Waals interactions by calculating solvent-free surfaces, it explicitly considers volume or packing defects. Large internal voids refer either to water molecules or ions unresolved by X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM, cryptic ligand binding pockets, or parts of a structural model that require further refinement. Voronoia is, therefore mainly used for functional analyses of 3D structures and quality assessments of structural models. Voronoia 4-ever updates the database of precomputed packing densities of PDB entries, allows uploading multiple structures, adds new filter options and facilitates direct access to the results through intuitive display with the NGL viewer. Voronoia is available at: htttp://proteinformatics.org/voronoia.
Carotid In-Stent Stenosis: Cutting Balloon Angioplasty: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Domingo Ricardo A , Ravindran Krishnan , Tawk Rabih G ,   Endovascular Neurosurgery Research Group (ENRG), Arthur Adam , Bain Mark , Bendock Bernard , Jo Binning Mandy , Boulos Alan S , Webster Crowley , Fessler Richard , Grande Andrew , Guterman Lee , Hanel Ricardo , Hoit Daniel , Nelson Hopkins III L , Howington Jay , James Robert , Jankowitz Brian , Kan Peter , Khalessi Alex A , Kim Louis , Langer David , Lanzino Giuseppe , Levitt Michael , Levy Elad I , Lopes Demetrius , Mack William , Mericle Robert , Mocco J , Ogilvy Chris , Pandey Aditya , Replogle Robert , Riina Howard , Ringer Andrew , Rodriguez Rafael , Saugaveau Eric , Schirmer Clemens , Siddiqui Adnan H , Spiotta Alex , Sultan Ali , Tawk Rabih , Thomas Ajith , Turner Raymond , Veznedaroglu Erol , Welch Babu , White Jonathan
Published: June 2021

In-stent stenosis has a reported prevalence of 14% to 19% at 1-yr follow-up after carotid stenting and is associated with an increased risk of acute ischemic stroke.
1,2
Risk factors include female sex, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Cutting balloon angioplasty is a safe and effective treatment modality for the treatment of carotid in-stent stenosis, and alternative treatment options include observation with medical management and placement of another stent.
3,4

 The authors present the case of a 61-yr-old man with carotid in-stent restenosis and progressive worsening on serial imaging with ultrasound. The patient had a history of carotid stenting for symptomatic stenosis 6 mo prior and was maintained on aspirin and clopidogrel. In light of the progressive worsening, the in-stent stenosis was confirmed on computed tomography (CT) angiogram. The options were discussed with the patient and he consented for treatment with cutting balloon angioplasty. Final angiogram showed improvement of the luminal diameter with a residual stenosis of 15%. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home on postoperative day 1. Follow-up ultrasound demonstrated moderate improvement in peak systolic velocities, and the plan is to continue observation with a clinical follow-up and repeat carotid Dopplers at 3 mo.
DWARF53 interacts with transcription factors UB2/UB3/TSH4 to regulate maize tillering and tassel branching
Authors: Liu Yuting , Wu Guangxia , Zhao Yongping , Wang Hu Hailing , Dai Zhouyan , Xue Weicong , Yang Juan , Wei Hongbin , Shen Rongxin , Wang Haiyang
Published: June 2021

Strigolactones (SLs) are a recently identified class of phytohormones that regulate diverse developmental processes in land plants. However, the signaling mechanism of SLs in maize (Zea mays) remains largely unexplored. Here, we identified the maize gene DWARF 53 (ZmD53) and demonstrated that ZmD53 interacts with the SL receptors DWARF 14A/B (ZmD14A/B) in a rac-GR24-dependent manner. Transgenic maize plants expressing a gain-of-function mutant version of Zmd53 exhibited insensitivity to exogenous rac-GR24 treatment and a highly pleiotropic phenotype, including excess tillering and reduced tassel branching, indicating that ZmD53 functions as an authentic SL signaling repressor in maize. In addition, we showed that ZmD53 interacts with two homologous maize SPL transcription factors, UB3 and TSH4, and suppresses their transcriptional activation activity on TB1 to promote tillering. We also showed that UB2, UB3, and TSH4 can physically interact with each other and themselves, and that they can directly regulate the expression of TSH4, thus forming a positive feedback loop. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ZmD53 can repress the transcriptional activation activity of UB3 and TSH4 on their own promoters, thus decreasing tassel branch number. Our results reveal new insights into the integration of SL signaling and the miR156/SPL molecular module to coordinately regulate maize development.
OsFes1C, a potential nucleotide exchange factor for OsBiP1, is involved in the ER and salt stress responses
Authors: Qian Dandan , Xiong Shuo , Li Mei , Tian Lihong , Qing Qu Le
Published: June 2021

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) quality control system monitors protein homeostasis and relies on the activity of many molecular chaperones. Binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) is a major ER luminal chaperone that is involved in most functions of the organelle. BiP activity is tightly regulated by nucleotide exchange factors (NEFs). However, information about NEFs in plants is limited. We obtained a Fes1-like protein (OsFes1C) through isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation-based proteomics analysis of ER-stressed rice (Oryza sativa) seeds. Unlike its homologs in yeast and mammals, which are located in the cytosol and respond to heat stress, OsFes1C is an ER membrane protein and responds to ER and salt stresses. OsFes1C interacts directly with OsBiP1 and the interaction is inhibited by ATP but promoted by ADP, suggesting that OsFes1C acts as a potential NEF of OsBiP1 in vivo. Overexpression or suppression of OsFes1C led to hypersensitivity to ER stress and affected the growth of rice. Furthermore, we established that OsFes1C directly interacts with a putative salt response protein and is involved in the salt response. Taken together, our study marks an important step toward elucidating the functional mechanisms of an identified ER stress response factor in rice.
Option Return Predictability
Authors: Zhan Xintong (Eunice) , Han Bing , Cao Jie , Tong Qing
Published: June 2021

We uncover new return predictability in the cross-section of delta-hedged equity options. Expected returns to writing delta-hedged calls are negatively correlated with stock price, profit margin, and firm profitability, but positively correlated with cash holding, cash flow variance, new shares issuance, total external financing, distress risk, and dispersion of analysts’ forecasts. Our option portfolio strategies have annual Sharpe ratio above two and remain profitable after transaction costs. Their profits can be explained by two option factors, while equity risk factors have no explanatory power. We find support for several economic channels at work, yet the option return predictability remains puzzling.
Phylogenomic Analysis Reveals Dispersal-Driven Speciation and Divergence with Gene Flow in Lesser Sunda Flying Lizards (Genus Draco)
Authors: Reilly Sean B , Stubbs Alexander L , Arida Evy , Karin Benjamin R , Arifin Umilaela , Kaiser Hinrich , Bi Ke , Iskandar Djoko T , McGuire Jimmy A
Published: June 2021

The Lesser Sunda Archipelago offers exceptional potential as a model system for studying the dynamics of dispersal-driven diversification. The geographic proximity of the islands suggests the possibility for successful dispersal, but this is countered by the permanence of the marine barriers and extreme intervening currents that are expected to hinder gene flow. Phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses of flying lizards (genus Draco) using single mitochondrial genes, complete mitochondrial genomes, and exome-capture data sets identified 9–11 deeply divergent lineages including single-island endemics, lineages that span multiple islands, and parapatrically distributed nonsister lineages on the larger islands. Population clustering and PCA confirmed these genetic boundaries with isolation-by-distance playing a role in some islands or island sets. While gdi estimates place most candidate species comparisons in the ambiguous zone, migration estimates suggest 9 or 10 species exist with nuclear introgression detected across some intra-island contact zones. Initial entry of Draco into the archipelago occurred at 5.5–7.5 Ma, with most inter-island colonization events having occurred between 1–3 Ma. Biogeographical model testing favors scenarios integrating geographic distance and historical island connectivity, including an initial stepping-stone dispersal process from the Greater Sunda Shelf through the Sunda Arc as far eastward as Lembata Island. However, rather than reaching the adjacent island of Pantar by dispersing over the 15-km wide Alor Strait, Draco ultimately reached Pantar (and much of the rest of the archipelago) by way of a circuitous route involving at least five overwater dispersal events. These findings suggest that historical geological and oceanographic conditions heavily influenced dispersal pathways and gene flow, which in turn drove species formation and shaped species boundaries. [Biogeography; genomics, Indonesia; lizards; phylogeography; reptiles]
Clinical Effects and Predictive Factors Affecting the Clinical Severity of Scorpion Envenomations in Western Turkey
Authors: Çelik Elif , Çağlar Aykut , Çelik Serkan Fazlı
Published: June 2021

Background

Scorpion envenomation is a common medical emergency in many countries, including Turkey. Severe systemic symptoms occur more easily in children and mortality rates are higher. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical effects and predictive factors affecting the clinical severity of scorpion envenomations in Western Turkey.

Methods

Two hundred one children (138 mild cases, 34 moderate, and 29 severe) with scorpion envenomation aged between 1 month and −17 years were included in the study. The patients’ demographic and laboratory characteristics were compared among clinical severity subgroups.

Results

The patients’ median age was 7 (4–11) years. The median age of the severe group was significantly lower than that of the mild and moderate groups (p < 0.001). Seventeen patients (8.5%) developed myocarditis, while no pulmonary edema was observed in any case. Leukocyte, neutrophil and platelet (PLT) counts, and plateletcrit (PCT) and glucose levels increased significantly with the severity of envenomation (p < 0.001). PLT counts and PCT levels exhibited positive correlation with leukocyte and neutrophil counts (p < 0.001, r = 0.781, r = 0.638, r = 0.772, and r = 0.629, respectively). Supraventricular tachycardia developed in 1 (5.9%) patient, and dilated cardiomyopathy in another (5.9%). No mortality occurred in any case.

Conclusion

Increased PLT counts and PCT levels may be helpful in evaluating clinical severity in patients with scorpion sting envenomation. The possibility of myocarditis development in children should be remembered and cardiac enzymes should be checked, even if patients are asymptomatic and cardiac enzymes are normal on admission.
Increased virulence of Italian infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) associated with the emergence of new strains
Authors: Abbadi Miriam , Gastaldelli Michele , Pascoli Francesco , Zamperin Gianpiero , Buratin Alessandra , Bedendo Giulia , Toffan Anna , Panzarin Valentina
Published: June 2021

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is the causative agent of IHN triggering a systemic syndrome in salmonid fish. Although IHNV has always been associated with low levels of mortality in Italian trout farming industries, in the last years trout farmers have experienced severe disease outbreaks. However, the observed increasing virulence of IHNV is still based on empirical evidence due to the poor and often confounding information from the field. Virulence characterization of a selection of sixteen Italian isolates was performed through in vivo challenge of juvenile rainbow trout to confirm field evidence. The virulence of each strain was firstly described in terms of cumulative mortality and survival probability estimated by Kaplan–Meier curves. Furthermore, parametric survival models were applied to analyze the mortality rate profiles. Hence, it was possible to characterize the strain-specific mortality peaks and to relate their topology to virulence and mortality. Indeed, a positive correlation between maximum mortality probability and virulence was observed for all the strains. Results also indicate that more virulent is the strain, the earliest and narrowest is the mortality peak. Additionally, intra-host viral quantification determined in dead animals showed a significant correlation between viral replication and virulence. Whole-genome phylogeny conducted to determine whether there was a relation between virulence phenotype and IHNV genetics evidenced no clear clustering according to phenotype. Moreover, a root-to-tip analysis based on genetic distances and sampling date of Italian IHNV isolates highlighted a relevant temporal signal indicating an evolving nature of the virus, over time, with the more virulent strains being the more recent ones. This study provides the first systematic characterization of Italian IHNV’s virulence. Overall results confirm field data and point out an abrupt increase in IHNV virulence, with strains from 2015–2019 showing moderate to high virulence in rainbow trout. Further investigations are needed in order to extensively clarify the relation between evolution and virulence of IHNV and investigate the genetic determinants of virulence of this viral species in rainbow trout.