bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UB-H: an unbalanced-hierarchical layer binary-wise construction method for high-dimensional data
Authors: Ihm Sun-Young , Park So-Hyun , Park Young-Ho
Published: January 2021

Cloud computing, which is distributed, stored and managed, is drawing attention as data generation and storage volumes increase. In addition, research on green computing, which increases energy efficiency, is also widely studied. An index is constructed to retrieve huge dataset efficiently, and the layer-based indexing methods are widely used for efficient query processing. These methods construct a list of layers, so that only one layer is required for information retrieval instead of the entire dataset. The existing layer-based methods construct the layers using a convex hull algorithm. However, the execution time of this method is very high, especially in large, high-dimensional datasets. Furthermore, if the total number of layers increases, the query processing time also increases, resulting in efficient, but slow, query processing. In this paper, we propose an unbalanced-hierarchical layer method, which hierarchically divides the dimensions of input data to increase the total number of layers and reduce the index building time. We demonstrate that the proposed procedure significantly increases the total number of layers and reduces the index building time, compared to existing methods through the various experiments.
Traumatic open globe injury—epidemiology, risk factors and visual outcome at the University Hospital Aachen
Authors: Djalali-Talab Yassamin , Mazinani Babac , Djalali-Talab Yassin
Published: January 2021

Background

Ocular trauma is still a major cause leading to enucleation. This study aims to analyze the visual outcome, epidemiology and risk factors of open globe injury (OGI) at the University Hospital Aachen, Germany.

Material and methods

A retrospective analysis of patient records involving traumatic OGI treated surgically between 2005 and 2015 was conducted. Age, gender, cause of accident, ocular trauma score, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation and after treatment as well as location of injury were evaluated.

Results

Of 2272 eyes with trauma, 102 patients with OGI were identified, of which 65% were male and 35% were female. Women were significantly older than men (p < 0.001). The most common cause of injury was domestic syncopal episodes (47%). Work-related injuries occurred exclusively in men in 8.8%. A total of 16% had no light perception (NLP) at presentation, 69% of which improved post intervention to hand movement or better. Endophthalmitis was observed in 4% of all cases. Enucleation was needed mostly due to rupture. Location of OGI, pseudophakia and initial BCVA are risk factors for poor final BCVA. Patients’ BCVA did not improve further after three surgeries.

Conclusion

Traumatic OGI still poses a challenge in terms of treatment planning and prognostic outcome. A rise in elderly patients with multimorbidity represents a secondary obstacle to treatment. Patients with initial NLP can be treated with moderate success. Nevertheless, risk factors and ocular trauma score are unable to provide definitive therapy decisions. OGI should be assessed case by case, taking risk factors for OGI into account. Treating physicians should consider the ethical and economic reasons with regard to whether a high number of surgeries with possible comorbidities is justified.
Arginine methylation: the promise of a ‘silver bullet’ for brain tumours?
Authors: Samuel Sabrina F. , Barry Antonia , Greenman John , Beltran-Alvarez Pedro
Published: January 2021

Despite intense research efforts, our pharmaceutical repertoire against high-grade brain tumours has not been able to increase patient survival for a decade and life expectancy remains at less than 16 months after diagnosis, on average. Inhibitors of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) have been developed and investigated over the past 15 years and have now entered oncology clinical trials, including for brain tumours. This review collates recent advances in the understanding of the role of PRMTs and arginine methylation in brain tumours. We provide an up-to-date literature review on the mechanisms for PRMT regulation. These include endogenous modulators such as alternative splicing, miRNA, post-translational modifications and PRMT–protein interactions, and synthetic inhibitors. We discuss the relevance of PRMTs in brain tumours with a particular focus on PRMT1, -2, -5 and -8. Finally, we include a future perspective where we discuss possible routes for further research on arginine methylation and on the use of PRMT inhibitors in the context of brain tumours.
Hardware Failure Prediction on Imbalanced Times Series Data
Authors: Rücker Nadine , Pflüger Lea , Maier Andreas
Published: January 2021

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems and their continuous, failure-free operation is crucial for high-quality diagnostics and seamless workflows. One important hardware component is coils as they detect the magnetic signal. Before every MRI scan, several image features are captured which represent the used coil’s condition. These image features recorded over time are used to train machine learning models for classification of coils into normal and broken coils for faster and easier maintenance. The state-of-the-art techniques for classification of time series involve different kinds of neural networks. We leveraged sequential data and trained three models, long short-term memory (LSTM), fully convolutional network (FCN), and the combination of those called LSTMFCN as reported by Karim et al. (IEEE access6:1662–1669, 2017). We found LSTMFCN to combine the benefits of LSTM and FCN. Thus, we achieved the highest F1-score of 87.45% and the highest accuracy of 99.35% using LSTMFCN. Furthermore, we tackled the high data imbalance of only 2.1% data collected from broken coils by training a Gaussian process (GP) regressor and adding predicted sequences as artificial samples to our broken labelled data. Adding 40 synthetic samples increased the classification results of LSTMFCN to an F1-score of 92.30% and accuracy of 99.83%. Thus, MRI head/neck coils can be classified normal or broken by training a LSTMFCN on image features, successfully. Augmenting the data using GP-generated samples can improve the performance even further.
Clinical value of digital tomographic fusion imaging in the diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in adults
Authors: Zhang Jiangang , Wang Zhuhai , Hong Ge
Published: January 2021

Background

To explore the clinical significance of digital tomographic fusion imaging in the diagnosis of avascular disease of the femoral head in adults.

Methods

Eighty-two adult patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head confirmed by MRI in the department of orthopedics of our hospital were studied retrospectively. The related signs of adult avascular necrosis of the femoral head were diagnosed by digital tomographic fusion imaging, and the detection rates of digital X-ray (DR) and digital tomosynthesis (DTS) were compared to clarify the clinical value of digital tomographic fusion imaging in the diagnosis of adult avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Results

DTS detected DR and 78 cases identified 55 cases. Taking the results of CT/MRI as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of DR and DTS in the diagnosis of ANFH were calculated. There was a significant difference in the detection rate between the two methods (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The digital tomographic fusion imaging technique has the advantages of high detection rate and excellent image quality, is economical, and is worth popularizing. For those with negative X-rays, DTS diagnosis and CT or/and MRI can avoid unnecessary CT and MRI examinations, which is helpful to reduce the waste of medical resources.
Treatment of Aggressive T Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma/leukemia Using Anti-CD5 CAR T Cells
Authors: Feng Jia , Xu Haichan , Cinquina Andrew , Wu Zehua , Chen Qi , Zhang Ping , Wang Xingen , Shan Huiming , Xu Lei , Zhang Qian , Sun Lihua , Zhang Wenli , Pinz Kevin G. , Wada Masayuki , Jiang Xun , Hanes William M , Ma Yupo , Zhang Hongyu
Published: January 2021

While treatment for B-cell malignancies has been revolutionized through the advent of CAR immunotherapy, similar strategies for T-cell malignancies have been limited. Additionally, T-cell leukemias and lymphomas can commonly metastasize to the CNS, where outcomes are poor and treatment options are associated with severe side effects. Consequently, the development of safer and more effective alternatives for targeting malignant T cells that have invaded the CNS remains clinically important. CD5 CAR has previously been shown to effectively target various T-cell cancers in preclinical studies. As IL-15 strengthens the anti-tumor response, we have modified CD5 CAR to secrete an IL-15/IL-15sushi complex. In a Phase I clinical trial, these CD5-IL15/IL15sushi CAR T cells were tested for safety and efficacy in a patient with refractory T-LBL with CNS infiltration. CD5-IL15/IL15sushi CAR T cells were able to rapidly ablate the CNS lymphoblasts within a few weeks, resulting in the remission of the patient’s lymphoma. Despite the presence of CD5 on normal T cells, the patient only experienced a brief, transient T-cell aplasia. These results suggest that CD5-IL15/IL15sushi CAR T cells may be a safe and useful treatment of T-cell malignancies and may be particularly beneficial for patients with CNS involvement.

Graphical Abstract
New Insights on the Role of TRP Channels in Calcium Signalling and Immunomodulation: Review of Pathways and Implications for Clinical Practice
Authors: Froghi Saied , Grant Charlotte R. , Tandon Radhika , Quaglia Alberto , Davidson Brian , Fuller Barry
Published: January 2021

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and is central to many physiological processes, including immune system activation and maintenance. Studies continue to reveal the intricacies of calcium signalling within the immune system. Perhaps the most well-understood mechanism of calcium influx into cells is store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), which occurs via calcium release-activated channels (CRACs). SOCE is central to the activation of immune system cells; however, more recent studies have demonstrated the crucial role of other calcium channels, including transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. In this review, we describe the expression and function of TRP channels within the immune system and outline associations with murine models of disease and human conditions. Therefore, highlighting the importance of TRP channels in disease and reviewing potential. The TRP channel family is significant, and its members have a continually growing number of cellular processes. Within the immune system, TRP channels are involved in a diverse range of functions including T and B cell receptor signalling and activation, antigen presentation by dendritic cells, neutrophil and macrophage bactericidal activity, and mast cell degranulation. Not surprisingly, these channels have been linked to many pathological conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis, atherosclerosis, hypertension and atopy.
Explanations of variability in Middle Stone Age stone tool assemblage composition and raw material use in Eastern Africa
Authors: Blinkhorn J. , Grove M.
Published: January 2021

The Middle Stone Age (MSA) corresponds to a critical phase in human evolution, overlapping with the earliest emergence of Homo sapiens as well as the expansions of these populations across and beyond Africa. Within the context of growing recognition for a complex and structured population history across the continent, Eastern Africa remains a critical region to explore patterns of behavioural variability due to the large number of well-dated archaeological assemblages compared to other regions. Quantitative studies of the Eastern African MSA record have indicated patterns of behavioural variation across space, time and from different environmental contexts. Here, we examine the nature of these patterns through the use of matrix correlation statistics, exploring whether differences in assemblage composition and raw material use correlate to differences between one another, assemblage age, distance in space, and the geographic and environmental characteristics of the landscapes surrounding MSA sites. Assemblage composition and raw material use correlate most strongly with one another, with site type as well as geographic and environmental variables also identified as having significant correlations to the former, and distance in time and space correlating more strongly with the latter. By combining time and space into a single variable, we are able to show the strong relationship this has with differences in stone tool assemblage composition and raw material use, with significance for exploring the impacts of processes of cultural inheritance on variability in the MSA. A significant, independent role for terrain roughness for explaining variability in stone tool assemblages highlights the importance of considering the impacts of mobility on structuring the archaeological record of the MSA of Eastern Africa.
Characterisation of charred organic matter in micromorphological thin sections by means of Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Lambrecht Glenn , Rodríguez de Vera Caterina , Jambrina-Enríquez Margarita , Crevecoeur Isabelle , Gonzalez-Urquijo Jesus , Lazuen Talía , Monnier Gilliane , Pajović Goran , Tostevin Gilbert , Mallol Carolina
Published: January 2021

Burned or charred organic matter in anthropogenic combustion features may provide important clues about past human activities related to fire. To interpret archaeological hearths, a correct identification of the organic source material is key. In the present work, Raman spectroscopy is applied to characterise the structural properties of char produced in laboratory heating- and open-fire experiments. This reference data set is compared to analyses of three different archaeological sites with Middle Palaeolithic combustion contexts. The results show that it is possible to determine whether a charred fragment is the product of burning animal-derived matter (e.g. meat) or plant-derived matter (e.g. wood) by plotting a few Raman spectral parameters (i.e. position of G and D bands, and intensity ratios HD/HG and HV/HG) against one another. The most effective parameters for discriminating animal- from plant-derived matter are the position of the G band and the HV/HG intensity ratio. This method can be applied on raw sample material and on uncovered micromorphological thin sections. The latter greatly compliments micromorphology by providing information about char fragments without any clear morphological characteristics. This study is the first of its kind and may provide archaeologists with a robust new method to distinguish animal- from plant-derived char in thin sections.
Skill and Sensitivity to Reasons
Authors: Shepherd Joshua
Published: January 2021

In this paper I explore the relationship between skill and sensitivity to reasons for action. I want to know to what degree we can explain the fact that the skilled agent is very good at performing a cluster of actions within some domain in terms of the fact that the skilled agent has a refined sensitivity to the reasons for action common to the cluster. The picture is a little bit complex. While skill can be partially explained by sensitivity to reasons – a sensitivity often produced by rational practice – the skilled human agent, because imperfect, must navigate a trade-off between full sensitivity and a capacity to succeed.
Explication as a Three-Step Procedure: the case of the Church-Turing Thesis
Authors: De Benedetto Matteo
Published: January 2021

In recent years two different axiomatic characterizations of the intuitive concept of effective calculability have been proposed, one by Sieg and the other by Dershowitz and Gurevich. Analyzing them from the perspective of Carnapian explication, I argue that these two characterizations explicate the intuitive notion of effective calculability in two different ways. I will trace back these two ways to Turing’s and Kolmogorov’s informal analyses of the intuitive notion of calculability and to their respective outputs: the notion of computorability and the notion of algorithmability. I will then argue that, in order to adequately capture the conceptual differences between these two notions, the classical two-step picture of explication is not enough. I will present a more fine-grained three-step version of Carnapian explication, showing how with its help the difference between these two notions can be better understood and explained.
Asymptotic stability of porous-elastic system with thermoelasticity of type III
Authors: Lacheheb Ilyes , Messaoudi Salim A. , Zahri Mostafa
Published: January 2021

In this work, we investigate a one-dimensional porous-elastic system with thermoelasticity of type III. We establish the well-posedness and the stability of the system for the cases of equal and nonequal speeds of wave propagation. At the end, we use some numerical approximations based on finite difference techniques to validate the theoretical results.
Mazur’s rational torsion result for pointless genus one curves: examples
Authors: Dwarshuis Arjan , Roelfszema Majken , Top Jaap
Published: January 2021

This note reformulates Mazur’s result on the possible orders of rational torsion points on elliptic curves over$$\mathbb {Q}$$Qin a way that makes sense for arbitrary genus one curves, regardless whether or not the curve contains a rational point. The main result is that explicit examples are provided of ‘pointless’ genus one curves over$$\mathbb {Q}$$Qcorresponding to the torsion orders 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 (and hence, all possibilities) occurring in Mazur’s theorem. In fact three distinct methods are proposed for constructing such examples, each involving different in our opinion quite nice ideas from the arithmetic of elliptic curves or from algebraic geometry.
Wave Breaking in Undular Bores with Shear Flows
Authors: Bjørnestad Maria , Kalisch Henrik , Abid Malek , Kharif Christian , Brun Mats
Published: January 2021

It is well known that weak hydraulic jumps and bores develop a growing number of surface oscillations behind the bore front. Defining the bore strength as the ratio of the head of the undular bore to the undisturbed depth, it was found in the classic work of Favre (Ondes de Translation. Dunod, Paris, 1935) that the regime of laminar flow is demarcated from the regime of partially turbulent flows by a sharply defined value 0.281. This critical bore strength is characterized by the eventual breaking of the leading wave of the bore front. Compared to the flow depth in the wave flume, the waves developing behind the bore front are long and of small amplitude, and it can be shown that the situation can be described approximately using the well known Kortweg–de Vries equation. In the present contribution, it is shown that if a shear flow is incorporated into the KdV equation, and a kinematic breaking criterion is used to test whether the waves are spilling, then the critical bore strength can be found theoretically within an error of less than ten percent.
A non-contact system for the assessment of hand motor tasks in people with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Monteiro Oliveira Fábio Henrique , Fernandes da Cunha Daniel , Gomes Rabelo Amanda , David Luiz Luiza Maire , Fraga Vieira Marcus , Alves Pereira Adriano , de Oliveira Andrade Adriano
Published: January 2021

Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) motor symptoms remains a problem. Most of the current studies focus on objective evaluations to make the evaluation more reliable. Most of these systems are based on the use of inertial and electromyographic sensors that require contact with the body part being assessed. Contact sensors restrict natural movement, may be uncomfortable and may require preparation of the body, which may cause irritation. As an alternative to contact sensors for the study of hand motor tasks performed by subjects with and without PD, electrical potential sensing technology is used in this research. A custom hardware has been designed to enable data collection by hand movement. A micro-machine system validated the developed system, and a relationship model was established between hand displacement and non-contact capacitive (NCC) sensor response. An experiment was conducted, including 57 subjects, 30 with PD (experimental group) and 27 healthy control group, followed by an analysis of statistical features extracted from the instantaneous mean frequency (IMNF) of NCC sensor. These results were compared with those obtained from gyroscope signals that are considered in the field to be the gold standard. As a result, NCC responses were correlated linearly with hand displacement (R2 = 0.7692 and $${\text{R}}_{\text{adj}}^{2}$$

R

adj

2

 = 0.7631). The statistical evaluation of IMNF features showed, that both, contact and non-contact sensors, were able to discriminate movement patterns of the control group from the experimental one. The results confirm statistical similarity between features extracted from NCC and gyroscope signals.
Tool wear analysis in milling of locomotives wheels
Authors: Pacheco P. A. P. , Esteves Júnior R. C. , Mendes T. J. P. , Meireles B. , Formigon I.
Published: January 2021

The present work aims to evaluate the tool wear during the milling process of locomotives wheels—class C. A digital microscope is used to identify both the wear and the damage. The wear or damage, when propagated, can compromise the wheel roughness, which has a significant economic importance to railroad maintenance. A system for image capture composed of an ISM-PM200S INSIZE Digital Microscope and the ISM-Pro software is used to measure the flank wear. Firstly, milling process is applied with different numbers of passes. The results showed that, after flank wear, the most common wear is the thermal crack. It is also possible to observe the appearance of chipping and fracture as a consequence of the combination of thermal and mechanical cracks in the same insert. The inserts are more damaged in the raceway, due to the hardening of this region during its use. Inserts in the frieze region also showed higher values of wear, justified by the conditions of the railway. The highest values observed are around 0.1 mm. It is possible to notice that some inserts showed other damages, such as breaks and chipping, even before reaching the end of life due to wear.
Degradation of high energetic material hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) by a microbial consortium using response surface methodological approach
Authors: Sharma Kirty , Sharma Praveen , Celin S. Mary , Rai Pramod Kumar , Sangwan Pritam
Published: January 2021

Soil and water get polluted with hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) during its manufacturing, storage and use for civil and military purposes. RDX has toxic effects on living and non-living environment and is a recalcitrant compound. Therefore, the remediation of this compound is necessary. Microbial degradation of RDX can be a suitable and sustainable option to reduce its deleterious impact on the environment. Therefore, the optimization for degradation of energetic munition compound RDX employing the consortium of native bacterial species, isolated from an actual contaminated site, was performed. The experiment was planned with three independent variables (initial RDX concentration, inoculum size of microbes, and duration of the experiment) and three dependent variables (percentage removal of RDX, optical density, and nitrite release). Both independent and dependent variables were analyzed by the response surface methodology (RSM) using the Box–Behnken design. The statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) depicted a high regression coefficient, R2 = 0.9881 with the statistically significant p-value fitted into a quadratic regression model for percentage removal of RDX. Results showed an initial RDX concentration of 40 mg/L, inoculation size 6 mL and a time duration of 12 days was optimal for the reduction of RDX up to 80.4%.
On the optimum operating temperature for steam floods
Authors: Lawal Kazeem A. , Olamigoke Olugbenga
Published: January 2021

The technical, environmental and economic performances of a steam flood are partly influenced by the operating temperature (pressure). However, the definition and procedure for determining the optimum operating temperature are still debatable. Employing a combination of analytic modelling and numerical simulations, this paper investigates the existence (or otherwise) of an optimum injection temperature Topt for saturated-steam floods. Considering the maximization of productivity and thermal efficiency as objective, an analytic procedure, which explores the effects of temperature on injectivity, total steam enthalpy, oil viscosity and relative permeabilities, shows that the operating temperature (pressure) of a steam flood should not exceed 515 K (3.5 MPa). A simple closed-form expression is proposed for Topt as a function of basic rock and fluid properties. For an example three-dimensional reservoir model comprising an 8-m oil shale unit sandwiched between two sandy units each 15 m thick, numerical simulations show sensitivity to temperature (and viscosity effect) in the range 350–450 K, but becomes increasingly insensitive in the band 500–650 K. It is established that ~500–550 K is the optimum band when the optimization objective is to maximize both discounted oil recovery and cumulative oil-steam ratio. These results agree with an optimum injection temperature of ~501 K estimated from the proposed analytical model in this case. Therefore, based on the results of the analytical model, thermal simulations and other considerations, it is concluded that the optimum steam-injection temperature is project and system specific. The insights gained should find relevance in the design and management of steam floods, as well as other steam-based recovery processes.
The potential use of lightweight cellular concrete in pavement application: a review
Authors: Ni Frank Mi-Way , Oyeyi Abimbola Grace , Tighe Susan
Published: January 2021

Protecting the pavement subgrade to increase the service life of road pavements is an aspect currently being explored. Several alternative pavement subbase materials are being considered, including Lightweight Cellular Concrete (LCC). Due to its lower weight, LCC incorporating industrial by-product, making it sustainable, and ease of use amongst other benefits, is seen as a potential candidate. This paper reports reviewing the potential application of LCC within the pavement structure with a specific application as a subbase. It examines the various properties such as modulus of elasticity, compressive and tensile strength, Water absorption, and freeze-thaw resistance necessary for pavement application. It also assesses its use in the field in Canada considering the design methods utilized. Some limitations and gaps for LCC application in pavements are also established and recommendations on how to further its use and performance. This review concludes that LCC possesses potential as a pavement subbase alternative; however, other mechanical properties like LCC’s fatigue life is essential. A comparative field study is also recommended to monitor actual performance and various factors on performance.
Experimental study of base stabilization with fibrillated fiber
Authors: Chen Dar-Hao , Rew Younho , Tapase Anand Bajarang , Crockford William
Published: January 2021

Potential benefits in applying polypropylene fiber to stabilize expansive soils and cement treated bases is already been reported in previous studies. So a critical need exists to incorporate the use of fiber into the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s) Guidelines for Modification and Stabilization of Soils and Base for Use in Pavement Structures. The present paper discusses the results collected from the first experimental test section on FM897 in the TxDOT Paris District. Three 500-ft (152.4m) test sections were constructed with 2 percent cement on FM897 in February 2020 in the north bound lane loaded truck direction which includes a new sandstone base, full depth reclamation (FDR), and control. However, only the new sandstone base and FDR sections were built with fiber. In this project, two types of fibers were used —(a) fibrillated fiber Fibermesh300, and (b) macro-synthetic fiber Enduro 600. The surface and base layers from the new sandstone base section were removed and used for the edge widening area of the FDR and control sections. Based on the laboratory tests, the optimum fiber contents were found to be 0.6 percent and 0.4 percent for a new sandstone base and FDR, respectively. The laboratory Unconfine Compression Strength (UCS) results showed significant improvements (<112.36 percent) when fibers were added to the sandstone base. To have better control, fiber and cement were manually distributed, following the US Army Corps of Engineers’ recommendations. Becaus e of unexpected construction equipment failure that caused compaction delays of approximately 5 hours, cement was in contact with moisture for approximately 5 hours before compaction. UCS results showed an approximate 55 percent reduction when there was a 5-hour delay from the time water was introduced (resulting in the start of the hydration process) until the time of compaction. It indicated that there are detrimental effects on UCS if there is delay on compaction. There were significant reductions on the normalized W1 deflections at 5 months after construction. In particular, the FDR and new sandstone base sections (with fiber) experienced over 52 percent reduction as compared to 1 week after construction FWD data. Furthermore, the averaged W1 deflections were lower than before construction for both FDR and new sandstone base sections (with fiber). This indicates that there were rapid increases in structural capacity and significant strength developed in the fiber sections between 1 week and 5 months. Further research is needed to explain the mechanism and phenomena.
Recent advances in characterizing the “bee” structures and asphaltene particles in asphalt binders
Authors: Wang Yuhong , Zhao Kecheng , Li Fangjin , Gao Qi , Lai King Wai Chiu
Published: January 2021

The microscopic surface features of asphalt binders are extensively reported in existing literature, but relatively fewer studies are performed on the morphology of asphaltene microstructures and cross-examination between the surface features and asphaltenes. This paper reports the findings of investigating six types of asphalt binders at the nanoscale, assisted with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The surface features of the asphalt binders were examined by using AFM before and after being repetitively peeled by a tape. Variations in infrared (IR) absorbance at the wavenumber around 1700 cm−1, which corresponds to ketones, were examined by using an infrared s-SNOM instrument (scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscope). Thin films of asphalt binders were examined by using STEM, and separate asphaltene particles were cross-examined by using both STEM and AFM. In addition, connections between the microstructures and binder’s physicochemical properties were evaluated. The use of both microscopy techniques provide comprehensive and complementary information on the microscopic nature of asphalt binders. It was found that the dynamic viscosities of asphalt binders are predominantly determined by the zero shear viscosity of the corresponding maltenes and asphaltene content. Limited samples also suggest that the unique bee structures are likely related to the growth of asphaltene content during asphalt binder aging process, but more asphalt binders from different crude sources are needed to verify this finding.
Durability assessment of open-graded friction course using a sustainable polymer
Authors: Al-Busaltan Shakir , Al-Yasari Rand , Al-Jawad Ola , Saghafi Behrooz
Published: January 2021

Open-graded friction course (OGFC) asphalt mixture, usually used to construct porous pavements, represents one of the materials supporting low-impact development (LID) philosophy due to its use of coarse aggregate gradation. Using such mixtures brings several benefits related to safety, environment and economy. Alas, coarse, open-graded skeleton of OGFC mixtures is prone to failure, particularly raveling and stripping. Continuous traffic loading and the environmental impacts give hand in hand to further increase the potential for failure, hence higher pavement maintenance and rehabilitation costs. Application of different types of modifiers has proved effective in mitigating failure potential. The most common modifiers are polymers, fibers and anti-stripping agents. Aiming at minimizing the costs and maximizing the lifespan while considering sustainability, the study was to investigate the effect of using a recycled stabilizing material as an asphalt modifier on the performance of OGFC asphalt mixtures. Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene (R-LDP) was adopted in this investigation. Changes in mixture air void, porosity, draindown, permeability, rut depth, moisture damage and abrasion loss were observed to evaluate the effect. Compared with unmodified asphalt samples, R-LDP modification increased mixture air void, porosity and permeability by 15%, 10% and at least 40%, respectively. Also, it noticeably contributed to reducing rut depth, moisture damage and abrasion loss (both unaged and aged) by 31%, 20% and at least 40%, respectively. More significantly, it almost eliminated the draindown problem. Incorporating R-LDP proved effective in upgrading OGFC mixture properties to an acceptable level required by most specifications.
Development of a 4.75 mm asphalt mixture design for Implementation in Louisiana DOTD Specifications
Authors: Salari Saman , Cooper Samuel , Mohammad Louay N. , Barghabany Peyman
Published: January 2021

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and other state agencies are continuously looking for techniques to reduce roadway maintenance and construction costs. A common consideration is to introduce asphalt mixtures with a smaller nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) for utilization in roadways. In a previous study, DOTD concluded that mixtures with a 4.75 mm NMAS provided acceptable performance as a surface layer. Excessive stockpiles of unused smaller aggregates can result in an economically competitive source to be consi dered for asphalt mixtures. The DOTD developed mixtures with four aggregate types and two binder types. A comprehensive evaluation of performance was conducted through volumetric and mechanistic testing. Performance testing consisted of the Loaded Wheel Tracking (LWT) test to determine rutting resistance, Semi-Circular Bend (SCB) test to evaluate intermediate temperature cracking resistance, and dynamic modulus (E*) to ascertain the stiffness at intermediate temperatures. As expected, asphalt binder grade, aggregate type and mixture composition affected the performance of mixtures evaluated. Gravel mixtures were susceptible to cracking, while limestone mixtures were susceptible to rutting. An economic analysis was conducted to determine the viability of 4.75 mm mixtures. The cost per ton of 4.75 mm mixtures in Louisiana was higher than conventional 12.5 mm mixtures. However, when considering the lift thickness of potential overlays, the 4.75 mm aggregate mixtures became more viable. Further, a life-cycle analysis of a designed pavement using AASHTO Pavement-ME was performed to compare the lifetime durability of the 4.75 mm NMAS mixtures to a conventional 12.5 mm mixture.
An Asian nostalgia?
Authors: Mitter Rana
Published: January 2021

Searching for common themes, this afterword questions the meaning and experience of nostalgia in Asia today. The collected essays show the important roles that conflict, trauma, and the need to create a new modernity shape, and are shaped by notions of nostalgia through much of Asia. Perhaps more so than in Europe, nostalgia in Asia seems very national. The case studies in this collection are excellent examples of how nostalgic longings are deployed to enhance national power, as well as a demonstration of the enduring influence of the nation-state over individual imagination across the region.
A tough trade-off? The asymmetrical impact of populist radical right inclusion on satisfaction with democracy and government
Authors: Harteveld Eelco , Kokkonen Andrej , Linde Jonas , Dahlberg Stefan
Published: January 2021

Populist radical right (PRR) parties are increasingly included in coalition governments across Western Europe. How does such inclusion affect satisfaction with democracy (SWD) in these societies? While some citizens will feel democracy has grown more responsive, others will abhor the inclusion of such controversial parties. Using data from the European Social Survey (2002–2018) and panel data from the Netherlands, we investigate how nativists’ and non-nativists’ SWD depends on mainstream parties’ strategies towards PRR parties. We show that the effect is asymmetrical: at moments of inclusion nativists become substantially more satisfied with democracy, while such satisfaction among non-nativists decreases less or not at all. This pattern, which we attribute to Easton’s ‘reservoir of goodwill’, that is, a buffer of political support generated by a track-record of good performance and responsiveness, can account for the seemingly contradictory increase in SWD in many Western European countries in times of populism.
Phospholipid dynamics in ex vivo lung cancer and normal lung explants
Authors: Lesko Julia , Triebl Alexander , Stacher-Priehse Elvira , Fink-Neuböck Nicole , Lindenmann Jörg , Smolle-Jüttner Freyja-Maria , Köfeler Harald C. , Hrzenjak Andelko , Olschewski Horst , Leithner Katharina
Published: January 2021

In cancer cells, metabolic pathways are reprogrammed to promote cell proliferation and growth. While the rewiring of central biosynthetic pathways is being extensively studied, the dynamics of phospholipids in cancer cells are still poorly understood. In our study, we sought to evaluate de novo biosynthesis of glycerophospholipids (GPLs) in ex vivo lung cancer explants and corresponding normal lung tissue from six patients by utilizing a stable isotopic labeling approach. Incorporation of fully 13C-labeled glucose into the backbone of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylinositol (PI) was analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Lung cancer tissue showed significantly elevated isotopic enrichment within the glycerol backbone of PE, normalized to its incorporation into PI, compared to that in normal lung tissue; however, the size of the PE pool normalized to the size of the PI pool was smaller in tumor tissue. These findings indicate enhanced PE turnover in lung cancer tissue. Elevated biosynthesis of PE in lung cancer tissue was supported by enhanced expression of the PE biosynthesis genes ETNK2 and EPT1 and decreased expression of the PC and PI biosynthesis genes CHPT1 and CDS2, respectively, in different subtypes of lung cancer in publicly available datasets. Our study demonstrates that incorporation of glucose-derived carbons into the glycerol backbone of GPLs can be monitored to study phospholipid dynamics in tumor explants and shows that PE turnover is elevated in lung cancer tissue compared to normal lung tissue.
A new precision medicine initiative at the dawn of exascale computing
Authors: Nussinov Ruth , Jang Hyunbum , Nir Guy , Tsai Chung-Jung , Cheng Feixiong
Published: January 2021

Which signaling pathway and protein to select to mitigate the patient’s expected drug resistance? The number of possibilities facing the physician is massive, and the drug combination should fit the patient status. Here, we briefly review current approaches and data and map an innovative patient-specific strategy to forecast drug resistance targets that centers on parallel (or redundant) proliferation pathways in specialized cells. It considers the availability of each protein in each pathway in the specific cell, its activating mutations, and the chromatin accessibility of its encoding gene. The construction of the resulting Proliferation Pathway Network Atlas will harness the emerging exascale computing and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) methods for therapeutic development. Merging the resulting set of targets, pathways, and proteins, with current strategies will augment the choice for the attending physicians to thwart resistance.
Microbial niche differentiation explains nitrite oxidation in marine oxygen minimum zones
Authors: Sun Xin , Frey Claudia , Garcia-Robledo Emilio , Jayakumar Amal , Ward Bess B
Published: January 2021

Nitrite is a pivotal component of the marine nitrogen cycle. The fate of nitrite determines the loss or retention of fixed nitrogen, an essential nutrient for all organisms. Loss occurs via anaerobic nitrite reduction to gases during denitrification and anammox, while retention occurs via nitrite oxidation to nitrate. Nitrite oxidation is usually represented in biogeochemical models by one kinetic parameter and one oxygen threshold, below which nitrite oxidation is set to zero. Here we find that the responses of nitrite oxidation to nitrite and oxygen concentrations vary along a redox gradient in a Pacific Ocean oxygen minimum zone, indicating niche differentiation of nitrite-oxidizing assemblages. Notably, we observe the full inhibition of nitrite oxidation by oxygen addition and nitrite oxidation coupled with nitrogen loss in the absence of oxygen consumption in samples collected from anoxic waters. Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, including novel clades with high relative abundance in anoxic depths, were also detected in the same samples. Mechanisms corresponding to niche differentiation of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria across the redox gradient are considered. Implementing these mechanisms in biogeochemical models has a significant effect on the estimated fixed nitrogen budget.
Negative frequency-dependent selection and asymmetrical transformation stabilise multi-strain bacterial population structures
Authors: Harrow Gabrielle L , Lees John A , Hanage William P , Lipsitch Marc , Corander Jukka , Colijn Caroline , Croucher Nicholas J
Published: January 2021

Streptococcus pneumoniae can be divided into many strains, each a distinct set of isolates sharing similar core and accessory genomes, which co-circulate within the same hosts. Previous analyses suggested the short-term vaccine-associated dynamics of S. pneumoniae strains may be mediated through multi-locus negative frequency-dependent selection (NFDS), which maintains accessory loci at equilibrium frequencies. Long-term simulations demonstrated NFDS stabilised clonally-evolving multi-strain populations through preventing the loss of variation through drift, based on polymorphism frequencies, pairwise genetic distances and phylogenies. However, allowing symmetrical recombination between isolates evolving under multi-locus NFDS generated unstructured populations of diverse genotypes. Replication of the observed data improved when multi-locus NFDS was combined with recombination that was instead asymmetrical, favouring deletion of accessory loci over insertion. This combination separated populations into strains through outbreeding depression, resulting from recombinants with reduced accessory genomes having lower fitness than their parental genotypes. Although simplistic modelling of recombination likely limited these simulations’ ability to maintain some properties of genomic data as accurately as those lacking recombination, the combination of asymmetrical recombination and multi-locus NFDS could restore multi-strain population structures from randomised initial populations. As many bacteria inhibit insertions into their chromosomes, this combination may commonly underlie the co-existence of strains within a niche.
Cervicovaginal bacterial communities in reproductive-aged Tanzanian women withSchistosoma mansoni,Schistosoma haematobium, or without schistosome infection
Authors: Bullington Brooke W , Lee Myung Hee , Mlingi Jane , Paul Ndalloh , Aristide Christine , Fontana Emily , Littmann Eric R , Mukerebe Crispin , Shigella Peter , Kashangaki Philibert , Kalluvya Samuel E , de Dood Claudia J , van Dam Govert J , Corstjens Paul L A M , Fitzgerald Daniel W , Pamer Eric G , Downs Jennifer A
Published: January 2021

Schistosome infection is recognized as a potentially modifiable risk factor for HIV in women by the World Health Organization. Alterations in cervicovaginal bacteria have been associated with HIV acquisition and have not been studied in schistosome infection. We collected cervical swabs from Tanzanian women with and without S. mansoni and S. haematobium to determine effects on cervicovaginal microbiota. Infected women were treated, and follow-up swabs were collected after 3 months. 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on DNA extracted from swabs. We compared 39 women with S. mansoni with 52 uninfected controls, and 16 with S. haematobium with 27 controls. S. mansoni-infected women had increased abundance of Peptostreptococcus (p = 0.026) and presence of Prevotella timonesis (p = 0.048) compared to controls. High-intensity S. haematobium infection was associated with more diverse cervicovaginal bacterial communities than uninfected controls (p = 0.0159). High-intensity S. mansoni infection showed a similar trend (p = 0.154). At follow-up, we observed increased alpha diversity in S. mansoni (2.53 vs. 1.72, p = 0.022) and S. haematobium (2.05 vs. 1.12, p = 0.066) infection groups compared to controls. Modifications in cervicovaginal microbiota, particularly increased diversity and abundance of taxa associated with bacterial vaginosis and HIV (Peptostreptococcus, Prevotella), were associated with schistosome infection.
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor and the gut–brain axis
Authors: Barroso Andreia , Mahler João Vitor , Fonseca-Castro Pedro Henrique , Quintana Francisco J.
Published: January 2021

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor initially identified as the receptor for dioxin. Almost half a century after its discovery, AHR is now recognized as a receptor for multiple physiological ligands, with important roles in health and disease. In this review, we discuss the role of AHR in the gut–brain axis and its potential value as a therapeutic target for immune-mediated diseases.
Retraction Note: Mass–Energy Equivalence Extension onto a Superfluid Quantum Vacuum
Authors: Šorli Amrit Srečko
Published: January 2021

Editor's Note: this Article has been retracted; the Retraction Note is available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80949-z.
Protein degradation profile reveals dynamic nature of 20S proteasome small molecule stimulation
Authors: Coleman Rachel A. , Mohallem Rodrigo , Aryal Uma K. , Trader Darci J.
Published: January 2021

Small molecule stimulators of the 20S core particle of the proteasome can lead to the degradation of a variety of protein substrates.
Light-induced modulation of DNA recognition by the Rad4/XPC damage sensor protein
Authors: Tavakoli Amirrasoul , Paul Debamita , Mu Hong , Kuchlyan Jagannath , Baral Saroj , Ansari Anjum , Broyde Suse , Min Jung-Hyun
Published: January 2021

Rad4/XPC DNA damage sensor protein specifically binds to a photocleavable NPOM-DNA adduct, and this recognition is abolished upon photo-cleavage of NPOM.
Efficient photorelease of carbon monoxide from a luminescent tricarbonyl rhenium(i) complex incorporating pyridyl-1,2,4-triazole and phosphine ligands
Authors: Hernández Mejías Ángel D. , Poirot Alexandre , Rmili Meriem , Leygue Nadine , Wolff Mariusz , Saffon-Merceron Nathalie , Benoist Eric , Fery-Forgues Suzanne
Published: January 2021

In this new Re(i) PhotoCORM, the efficient photoproduction of carbon monoxide is visualized through a strong colour change of the emitted phosphorescence.