bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investment in outside governance monitoring and real earnings management: evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Ghaleb Belal Ali Abdulraheem , Kamardin Hasnah , Hashed Abdulwahid Ahmed
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The main aim of this study is to examine the effect of investment in outside governance monitoring (IOGM), through non-executive directors' remuneration (NEDR) and external audit fees (AFEE), on real earnings management (REM) in an emerging market in the Southeast Asia region, Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The data comprises 1,056 observations from manufacturing companies listed on Bursa Malaysia for the four-year period, 2013 to 2016. The study tests IOGM individually and aggregately with REM. Feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) regression is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that NEDR is negatively and significantly associated with REM. Likewise, AFEE is significantly associated with lower REM. Aggregate IOGM significantly mitigates REM. Additional tests conducted show consistent findings.

Research limitations/implications

This evidence supports agency theory and signaling theory, that a high level of investment in governance monitoring signals a high demand for monitoring and fewer agency problems. It justifies more investment in outside scrutiny and monitoring to limit the existence of managers' opportunistic behavior in concentrated markets. This study relies on an aggregate measure of REM and focuses on manufacturing companies in Malaysia; thus, the results may not be the same using other measurements and samples.

Originality/value

The study, to the best of the researchers' knowledge, is the first to document evidence in an emerging market suggesting that higher NEDR and AFEE are individually and aggregately associated with lower REM. Policymakers, shareholders and researchers may consider investment in these two mechanisms as a proxy of high-quality monitoring that mitigates REM.
Performance assessment of the built environment in healthcare facilities
Authors: Salaheldin Mohammad H. , Hassanain Mohammad A. , Hamida Mohammad B. , Ibrahim Ahmed M.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study presents findings of post-occupancy evaluation (POE), through a performance assessment, on a polyclinic, as a health-care facility, in Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of the literature is conducted to identify the recent publications, on conducting POE, and performance indicators (PIs) assessing performance of health-care facilities. This research uses a triangulated approach by adopting several qualitative and quantitative methods, on a case study. The approach comprised conducting investigative walkthrough to assess the case study facility, interviews with group of occupants to assess its satisfaction levels. The findings were presented to a focus group, where a plan of recommendations was raised to improve the performance of the case study facility.

Findings

A total of 24 PIs were identified, and clustered, mainly under: “Thermal comfort”, “Natural lighting”, “Artificial lighting” and others. The case study has proven a satisfactory performance to the evaluated indicators. However, observations of performance snags were identified that formulated conclusions, related to: “Improvements to air temperature performance in summer season”, “Need of control on natural lighting due to glare”, “Accommodating an over demand for car parking spaces”, Need for development of systems dedicated for collection of occupants satisfaction” and “Enhancing circulation”.

Originality/value

There is a gap identified, through the literature review on availability of systematic conduct of POE, especially in health-care facilities. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge and professional practice, as a guiding systematic scheme, for the conduct of POE, which can be followed and expanded upon by future research.
Leveraging macro-social marketing to achieve sustainable development goals: a city-wide intervention addressing obesity in Brazil
Authors: Bastos Adriana , Veludo-de-Oliveira Tânia , Yani-de-Soriano Mirella , Atalla Marcio , Gualano Bruno
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how macro-social marketing can contribute to the United Nations 2030 sustainable development’s goal of reducing non-communicable diseases and promoting and well-being by addressing the wicked problem of obesity.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive, population-based intervention developed as a call-to-action movement to address obesity city-wide in Brazil was conducted and analyzed according to a macro-social marketing perspective, combined with the total process planning model (TPP).

Findings

The intervention was successful in effecting systemic change by targeting multi-level audiences to trigger active participation and interaction of multiple sectors at the macro, meso and micro levels; fostering the related positive behaviors of physical activity and healthful eating; and using a complementary range of intervening tools including events, mass media and social digital media.

Originality/value

Using a holistic view that combines macro-social marketing with the TPP, this paper offers factual evidence on how to connect research and action meaningfully to address obesity by engaging, connecting and/or partnering with multiple stakeholders in an effort to promote a healthful lifestyle and well-being.
A feedforward neural network for drone accident prediction from physiological signals
Authors: Sakib Md Nazmus , Chaspari Theodora , Behzadan Amir H.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

As drones are rapidly transforming tasks such as mapping and surveying, safety inspection and progress monitoring, human operators continue to play a critical role in ensuring safe drone missions in compliance with safety regulations and standard operating procedures. Research shows that operator's stress and fatigue are leading causes of drone accidents. Building upon the authors’ past work, this study presents a systematic approach to predicting impending drone accidents using data that capture the drone operator's physiological state preceding the accident.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect physiological data from 25 participants in real-world and virtual reality flight experiments to design a feedforward neural network (FNN) with back propagation. Four time series signals, namely electrodermal activity (EDA), skin temperature (ST), electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate (HR), are selected, filtered for noise and used to extract 92 time- and frequency-domain features. The FNN is trained with data from a window of length t = 3…8 s to predict accidents in the next p = 3…8 s.

Findings

Analysis of model performance in all 36 combinations of analysis window (t) and prediction horizon (p) combinations reveals that the FNN trained with 8 s of physiological signal (i.e. t = 8) to predict drone accidents in the next 6 s (i.e. p = 6) achieved the highest F1-score of 0.81 and AP of 0.71 after feature selection and data balancing.

Originality/value

The safety and integrity of collaborative human–machine systems (e.g. remotely operated drones) rely on not only the attributes of the human operator or the machinery but also how one perceives the other and adopts to the evolving nature of the operational environment. This study is a first systematic attempt at objective prediction of potential drone accident events from operator's physiological data in (near-) real time. Findings will lay the foundation for creating automated intervention systems for drone operations, ultimately leading to safer jobsites.
The outlook for modern slavery in the apparel sector in a post-lockdown economy
Authors: Cole Rosanna , Shirgholami Zahra
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper argues that the closures will cause regressive rather than progressive modern slavery shifts as the necessity of survival prevails over addressing modern slavery risks within supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

In the spring of 2020, global clothing retailers were advised or ordered to close physical stores due to lockdown measures of the COVID-19 pandemic and many supply chains temporarily halted production. This paper explains how pre-pandemic modern slavery advancements will be detrimentally affected as a result of societal lockdowns and apparel retail closures around the world.

Findings

Two consequences of lockdowns are highlighted, which will have negative implications on modern slavery progress. These are the exploitation of vulnerable people, which includes higher exploitation of those already involved in modern slavery and increased risk of exploitation for those susceptible to being drawn (back) into modern slavery and; the need for repetition of previous work completed by external stakeholders or in some cases, a better alternative.

Practical implications

The pandemic itself causes friction between immediate response solutions and long-term modern slavery goals.

Social implications

In response to modern slavery drivers, governments may need to fill governance gaps, to control the power of corporations and to reconsider migration regulation.

Originality/value

The COVID-19 lockdowns and subsequent supply chain disruptions were unforeseen. This paper argues that there are significant negative effects on the developments in modern slavery eradication made in the past 10 years. As businesses struggled for basic survival, the apparel manufacturing sector has been detrimentally affected as upstream labourers are now at higher risk from the increased likelihood of modern slavery violations.
Protective effect of surfactin on copper sulfate‐induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and hepatic injury in zebrafish
Authors: Wang Ying , Tian Jiahui , Shi Feifei , Li Xuan , Hu Zhuran , Chu Jie
Published: June 2021

Surfactin, an antibacterial peptide, produced by various Bacillus subtilis strains, have broad‐spectrum antibacterial and immune‐enhancing functions. In this study, we investigated the anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective effect of surfactin on zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae following their exposure to copper sulfate (CuSO4). The mature AB wild‐type and a transgenic line of zebrafish larvae that expressed enhanced GFP (EGFP) named Tg (Lyz:EGFP) were exposed to 0, 20, 40, and 60 μg/mL surfactin after incubation with 3.2 μg/mL CuSO4 for 2 h from 72 h postfertilization (hpf). Different endpoints, such as migration of GFP‐labeled neutrophils, analysis of inflammatory cytokines and transaminases, markers of oxidation, expression of certain genes, and histological changes of liver, were studied to evaluate the function of surfactin. The protein expression levels of NF‐κBp65, TNF‐α, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and iNOS were determined in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells by western blotting. Our results show that surfactin reduced migration of neutrophils and relieved hepatic injury. In addition, surfactin reduced the index levels of inflammatory factors, oxidative stress response, and improved hepatic function. Surfactin also significantly inhibited the expression of IL‐1β, IL‐8, TNF‐α, nitric oxide, NF‐κBp65, COX‐2, and iNOS, and increased the expression of IL‐10. Thus, our results demonstrate that surfactin has anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities. Surfactin has potential as a novel inflammation and immune adjustment.
Risk, uncertainty and the tourism sector of North Africa
Authors: Istiak Khandokar
Published: June 2021

This paper investigates, for the first time, the uncertainty on the tourism of North Africa and uncertainty on the second‐degree effects of the North African tourism sector. The study uses data from 1995 to 2019 and a structural vector autoregression to perform the investigation. The research finds that uncertainties, measured by the uncertainty of Europe, the uncertainty of the Middle East and Central Asia, and the volatility of GDP growth of the Euro area, have significant negative effects on investment and job creation in, as well as the contribution to the GDP of, the North African tourism sector. The paper invents a new proxy of risk, measured by the volatility of crude oil production in North Africa, and finds that this new risk measure has a significant negative impact on the North African tourism sector. The results show that geopolitical risk and the uncertainty of Africa do not significantly affect the North African tourism sector. The paper suggests that policymakers in North Africa subsidize tourism‐related activities and explore new markets to attract tourists during periods of high risk and uncertainty.
Mitochondrial mistranslation modulated by metabolic stress causes cardiovascular disease and reduced lifespan
Authors: Richman Tara R. , Ermer Judith A. , Siira Stefan J. , Kuznetsova Irina , Brosnan Christopher A. , Rossetti Giulia , Baker Jessica , Perks Kara L. , Cserne Szappanos Henrietta , Viola Helena M. , Gray Nicola , Larance Mark , Hool Livia C. , Zuryn Steven , Rackham Oliver , Filipovska Aleksandra
Published: June 2021

Changes in the rate and fidelity of mitochondrial protein synthesis impact the metabolic and physiological roles of mitochondria. Here we explored how environmental stress in the form of a high‐fat diet modulates mitochondrial translation and affects lifespan in mutant mice with error‐prone (Mrps12ep/ep) or hyper‐accurate (Mrps12ha/ha) mitochondrial ribosomes. Intriguingly, although both mutations are metabolically beneficial in reducing body weight, decreasing circulating insulin and increasing glucose tolerance during a high‐fat diet, they manifest divergent (either deleterious or beneficial) outcomes in a tissue‐specific manner. In two distinct organs that are commonly affected by the metabolic disease, the heart and the liver, Mrps12ep/ep mice were protected against heart defects but sensitive towards lipid accumulation in the liver, activating genes involved in steroid and amino acid metabolism. In contrast, enhanced translational accuracy in Mrps12ha/ha mice protected the liver from a high‐fat diet through activation of liver proliferation programs, but enhanced the development of severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and led to reduced lifespan. These findings reflect the complex transcriptional and cell signalling responses that differ between post‐mitotic (heart) and highly proliferative (liver) tissues. We show trade‐offs between the rate and fidelity of mitochondrial protein synthesis dictate tissue‐specific outcomes due to commonly encountered stressful environmental conditions or aging.
Cleaning efficacy and uncontrolled removal of dentin of two methods of irrigant activation in curved canals connected by an isthmus
Authors: Rodrigues Clarissa Teles , EzEldeen Mostafa , Jacobs Reinhilde , Lambrechts Paul , Alcalde Murilo Priori , Hungaro Duarte Marco Antonio
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of UAI with ESI, sonic activation with Eddy® and syringe irrigation in removing debris, and dentin removal during canal irrigation. Twenty‐four mandibular molars containing isthmus type V and with a mean curvature of 32.5° were instrumented and divided into three groups for final irrigation: UAI with ESI, sonic activation with Eddy and syringe irrigation. The samples were scanned in a SkyScan 1172 micro‐CT device for pre‐, post‐instrumentation and post‐irrigation images and analysis of dentin removal. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon, Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests. UAI and sonic activation significantly improved debris removal (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed regarding dentin removal between the groups (P > 0.05), although higher values were found for UAI. Sonic activation with Eddy® showed to be an effective and safe device since it was able to remove debris without causing damage to the canal walls.
Facilitators and barriers to contact between asylum seekers and their Dutch neighbors
Authors: Barkema Wendelien , Koc Yasin
Published: June 2021

Currently, Europe is dealing with a large number of asylum seekers. A recent report show that attitudes toward asylum seekers are not that negative in the Netherlands, and yet Dutch citizens living close to asylum seeker centers barely have contact with them. Because contact is vital for a multicultural society, we investigated the facilitators and barriers for Dutch citizens to establish and maintain contact with asylum seekers where they live close together. We conducted semistructured interviews with Dutch people and analyzed them using thematic analysis. We found four themes: Physical possibilities for Contact, Goals for Contact, Social Identities, and Positivity and Openness, and proposed a grounded theory model based on how the themes are related. The findings are discussed in relation to debates on multiculturalism and intergroup tolerance, and can be used to improve the integration policies by local governments, because they present clear conditions and practical information as to how contact can be established and maintained.
Collective human intelligence outperforms artificial intelligence in a skin lesion classification task
Authors: Winkler Julia K. , Sies Katharina , Fink Christine , Toberer Ferdinand , Enk Alexander , Abassi Mohamed Souhayel , Fuchs Tobias , Blum Andreas , Stolz Wilhelm , Coras‐Stepanek Brigitte , Cipic Robert , Guther Stefanie , Haenssle Holger A.
Published: June 2021

Background and objectives

Convolutional neural networks (CNN) enable accurate diagnosis of medical images and perform on or above the level of individual physicians. Recently, collective human intelligence (CoHI) was shown to exceed the diagnostic accuracy of individuals. Thus, diagnostic performance of CoHI (120 dermatologists) versus individual dermatologists versus two state‐of‐the‐art CNN was investigated.

Patients and Methods

Cross‐sectional reader study with presentation of 30 clinical cases to 120 dermatologists. Six diagnoses were offered and votes collected via remote voting devices (quizzbox®, Quizzbox Solutions GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany). Dermatoscopic images were classified by a binary and multiclass CNN (FotoFinder Systems GmbH, Bad Birnbach, Germany). Three sets of diagnostic classifications were scored against ground truth: (1) CoHI, (2) individual dermatologists, and (3) CNN.

Results

CoHI attained a significantly higher accuracy [95 % confidence interval] (80.0 % [62.7 %–90.5 %]) than individual dermatologists (75.7 % [73.8 %–77.5 %]) and CNN (70.0 % [52.1 %–83.3 %]; all P < 0.001) in binary classifications. Moreover, CoHI achieved a higher sensitivity (82.4 % [59.0 %–93.8 %]) and specificity (76.9 % [49.7 %–91.8 %]) than individual dermatologists (sensitivity 77.8 % [75.3 %–80.2 %], specificity 73.0 % [70.6 %–75.4 %]) and CNN (sensitivity 70.6 % [46.9 %–86.7 %], specificity 69.2 % [42.4 %–87.3 %]). The diagnostic accuracy of CoHI was superior to that of individual dermatologists (P < 0.001) in multiclass evaluation, with the accuracy of the latter comparable to multiclass CNN.

Conclusions

Our analysis revealed that the majority vote of an interconnected group of dermatologists (CoHI) outperformed individuals and CNN in a demanding skin lesion classification task.
On an unknown lamprey holotype (Petromyzon macrostomus Burmeister 1868) and the genus Exomegas Gill 1883 from South America
Authors: Firpo Lacoste Francisco , Fernández Luis , Scioscia Cristina
Published: June 2021

The taxonomy of the South American genus Exomegas Gill 1883 has been unstable owing to the unknown status of the type specimen of its type species, Petromyzon macrostomus Burmeister 1868. Here the authors announce the finding of the holotype in the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” ichthyology collection. Whereas Exomegas type species is recognized based on its holotype, Exomegas gallegensis (Smitt 1901) new status is proposed. These preliminary results resolve a century‐long taxonomic uncertainty and foster a nomenclatural arrangement for a Southern Hemisphere lamprey genus.
Early‐life seasonal, weather and social effects on telomere length in a wild mammal
Authors: van Lieshout Sil H. J. , Badás Elisa P. , Bright Ross Julius G. , Bretman Amanda , Newman Chris , Buesching Christina D. , Burke Terry , Macdonald David W. , Dugdale Hannah L.
Published: June 2021

Early‐life environmental conditions can provide a source of individual variation in life‐history strategies and senescence patterns. Conditions experienced in early life can be quantified by measuring telomere length, which can act as a biomarker of survival probability in some species. Here, we investigate whether seasonal changes, weather conditions and group size are associated with early‐life and/or early‐adulthood telomere length in a wild population of European badgers (Meles meles). We found substantial intra‐annual changes in telomere length during the first 3 years of life, where within‐individual effects showed shorter telomere lengths in the winter following the first spring and a trend for longer telomere lengths in the second spring compared to the first winter. In terms of weather conditions, cubs born in warmer, wetter springs with low rainfall variability had longer early‐life (3–12 months old) telomeres. Additionally, cubs born in groups with more cubs had marginally longer early‐life telomeres, providing no evidence of resource constraint from cub competition. We also found that the positive association between early‐life telomere length and cub survival probability remained when social and weather variables were included. Finally, after sexual maturity, in early adulthood (i.e., 12–36 months) we found no significant association between same‐sex adult group size and telomere length (i.e., no effect of intrasexual competition). Overall, we show that controlling for seasonal effects, which are linked to food availability, is important in telomere length analyses, and that variation in telomere length in badgers reflects early‐life conditions and also predicts first year cub survival.
Current status and future prospects of grapevine anthracnose caused by Elsinoe ampelina: An important disease in humid grape‐growing regions
Authors: Li Zhi , dos Santos Ricardo Feliciano , Gao Linlin , Chang Pingping , Wang Xiping
Published: June 2021

Anthracnose, caused by Elsinoe ampelina, is one of the most destructive diseases of grapevines worldwide, especially in humid areas. E. ampelina mainly infects young tissues starting from shoots to berries and affects vine vigour and berry yield. The occurrence and the role of the sexual stage in the disease cycle and the grapevine–E. ampelina interaction remain poorly understood. However, the recent genome sequence data of E. ampelina provides the basis for further studies to understand its evolution, pathogenicity mechanisms, and effector repertoire. New studies on E. ampelina have been conducted in recent years. In this pathogen profile, we present a comprehensive literature review of E. ampelina to summarize the findings on its aetiology, infection mechanisms, genome, pathogenicity, and host resistance.

Taxonomy

Elsinoe ampelina Shear; Kingdom Fungi; Phylum Ascomycota; Subphylum Pezizomycotina; Class Dothideomycetes; Subclass Dothideomycetidae; Order Myriangiales Starbäck; Family Elsinoaceae Höhnel; Genus Elsinoe Racib.

Host range

E. ampelina only infects Vitis species and hybrids.

Distribution

The grapevine anthracnose is distributed worldwide but is most prevalent in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, USA, and Uruguay.

Disease symptoms

E. ampelina causes slightly abundant depressed spots on young leaves, petioles, stems, tendrils, rachises, and berries. Under severe infection conditions, early defoliation, berry dropping, and delayed berry development and ripening may occur.

Genome

The genomes of two E. ampelina isolates, YL‐1 and CECT 20119, are publicly released with 8,057 and 10,207 predicted genes, respectively.
Growth, agronomic characteristics and nutritional attributes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genotypes resistant to ALS inhibitor herbicides
Authors: Weerasooriya Dilooshi K. , Bandara Ananda Y. , Dowell Floyd , Tesso Tesfaye T.
Published: June 2021

Resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor herbicides discovered in wild relatives of sorghum was introgressed into cultivated types, but many of the derived lines display interveinal chlorosis at seedling stages. The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of chlorotic phenotype on growth and crop performance with and without herbicide application. Thirty‐six chlorotic and normal ALS‐resistant lines and susceptible check were evaluated in two experimental sets using randomized complete block design in split‐plot arrangement over a period of three years in four replications. Data were collected on leaf chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, plant height, biomass and agronomic traits (days to anthesis, plant height and grain yield and yield components). Grain protein, starch, fat and ash were estimated using near‐infrared spectroscopy. The data showed interveinal chlorosis has significantly delayed flowering, but both chlorosis and herbicide treatment did not have negative effects on final yield and nutritional profile. The study suggests ALS‐resistant sorghums with minimal yellowing effect can be developed, and the trait can be commercially deployed without drawback on yield and utilization attributes.
Of Witches and White Folks*
Authors: Wodak Daniel
Published: June 2021

A central debate in philosophy of race is between eliminativists and conservationists about what we ought do with ‘race’ talk. ‘Eliminativism’ is often defined such that it’s committed to holding that (a) ‘race’ is vacuous and races don’t exist, so (b) we should eliminate the term ‘race’ from our vocabulary. As a stipulative definition, that’s fine. But as an account of one of the main theoretical options in the debate, it’s a serious mistake. I offer three arguments for why eliminativism should not be tethered to vacuity or error theory, and three arguments for why the view shouldn’t be understood in terms of eliminating the term ‘race’ from our vocabulary. Instead, I propose we understand the debate as concerning whether certain uses of ordinary race terms are typically wrong. This proposal is quite simple, and naturally suggested by the common gloss that eliminativism about ‘race’ is akin to a commonsensical view about 'witch' talk. But nonetheless, I argue [Corrections made on 30 July 2021, after first online publication: The word “should” was replaced by “argue” in the last sentence of the abstract] that it offers a significant recharacterization of this core debate in philosophy of race.
Multidimensional Mechanics of Three-Dimensional Printed and Micro-Architectured Scaffolds
Authors: Niksiar Pooya , Meng Zhaoxu , Porter Michael M.
Published: June 2021

Mechanical properties of porous materials depend on their micro-architectural characteristics. Freeze casting is an effective method to fabricate micro-architectured porous scaffolds. Three key characteristics generated during freeze casting are wall thickness, number of domains at the cross section, and transverse bridges connecting adjacent walls. To specifically study the effect of these structural characteristics on the mechanics and anisotropic compressive properties of scaffolds, we utilize additive manufacturing, i.e., 3D printing, to fabricate strictly designed cubic scaffolds with varying one characteristic at a time. We then compare strength, toughness, resilience, stiffness, and strain to failure in three orthogonal directions of the scaffolds, including longitudinal and transverse directions. To compare these multidimensional mechanics in a single diagram, we use a previously developed radar chart method to evaluate different scaffolds and unravel the effect of the structural characteristics. We find that the multidimensional mechanics can be effectively tuned by the micro-architectural characteristics. Notably, the buckling resistance of the scaffolds depends on all three structural characteristics. Our results show that an increased number of domains leads to enhanced toughness in all three directions. Increasing wall thickness leads to enhanced mechanical properties but comes at the price of losing small-sized pores, which is not favored for certain applications. In addition, adding transverse bridges increases not only the transverse strength of the scaffolds but also the longitudinal strength as they also enhance the buckling resistance. Our study provides important insights into the structure–property relationships of 3D-printed micro-architectured porous scaffolds.
Hyper SuDoKu-Based Solar Photovoltaic Array Reconfiguration for Maximum Power Enhancement Under Partial Shading Conditions
Authors: Anjum Shahroz , Mukherjee V. , Mehta Gitanjali
Published: June 2021

This article focuses on the rearrangement of the structure of the photovoltaic (PV) array under different shading conditions. It aims to analyze the mismatch power losses (MPLs) due to irregular illumination over PV array (PVA). The impact of partial irradiance not only affects the electrical power but also causes multiple peaks in the P-V and I-V curves. The formulation of the best PVA configuration (PVAC) to achieve maximum output even under partial shading conditions is the deciding factor for the topologies considered. To aid the maximum power extraction, a new SuDoKu PVAC is designed like hyper SuDoKu (HS). This new structure is compared with the already existing PVACs such as bridge-link, honey-comb, series-parallel, total cross-tied, and SuDoKu in the effect of considerable cases of shadowing. matlab/simulink is used for the designing, and computer-based modeling of all these PVACs is considered in this study. The evaluation of these arrangements has been done by keeping several performance factors as the deciding pivot points. These factors include MPL, efficiency, global maximum power point (GMPP), and fill factor (FF). The results obtained through this document suggest that the HS arrangement proposed here gives the best outcome for each shading condition. The proposed HS structural arrangement of PVA deals with significantly superior GMPP, FF, and efficiency while maintaining minimum MPL in comparison to other arrangements.
Optimal Positioning of Wayside Energy Storage Systems in Local Transportation Networks
Authors: Otto Philip , Gratzfeld Peter
Published: June 2021

Most local transport networks use a direct current supply, whose energy efficiency can be significantly increased with stationary energy storage systems. Simulation techniques are mostly used in studies on the integration of energy storage systems. Their aim is to determine the ideal location and the effectiveness of storage systems. In this paper, the basic relationships for the integration of storage systems are analysed. For this purpose, the braking process of electric rail vehicles is described and generally valid equations are derived. With these equations it is possible to understand the relevant relationships between the system parameters and to derive suitable storage locations. These can help operators to reduce the simulation effort.
Rail Neutral Temperature Estimation Using Field Data, Numerical Models, and Machine Learning
Authors: Wu Yuning , Zhu Xuan , Huang Chi-Luen , Lee Sangmin , Dersch Marcus , Popovics John S.
Published: June 2021

Effective Rail Neutral Temperature (RNT) management is needed for continuous welded rail (CWR). RNT is the temperature at which the longitudinal stress of a rail is zero. Due to the lack of expansion joints, CWR develops internal tensile or compressive stresses when the rail temperature is below or above, respectively, the RNT. Mismanagement of RNT can lead to rail fracture or buckling when thermal stresses exceed the limits of rail steel. In this work, we propose an effective RNT estimation method structured around four hypotheses. The work leverages field-collected vibration test data, high-fidelity numerical models, and machine learning techniques. First, a contactless non-destructive and non-disruptive sensing technology was developed to collect real-world rail vibrational data. Second, the team established an instrumented field test site at a revenue-service line in the state of Illinois and performed multi-day data collection to cover a wide range of temperature and thermal stress levels. Third, numerical models were developed to understand and predict rail vibration behavior under the influence of temperature and longitudinal load. Excellent agreement between model and experimental results were obtained using an optimization approach. Finally, a supervised machine learning algorithm was developed to estimate RNT using the field-collected rail vibration data. Sensitivity studies and error analyses were included in this work. The system performance with field data indicates that the proposed framework can support reasonable RNT estimation accuracy when measurement or model noise is low.
Analysis of Third Rail Condition and Performance With a Data Acquisition Suite
Authors: Howe Trevor , Forman Keith , Frost Ryan
Published: June 2021

Third rail systems must be properly maintained to ensure trouble-free reliability. With limited maintenance resources and track maintenance windows, much of third rail maintenance is reactive. Most would agree that fixing problems when they arise is no way to run a railroad. A properly configured and implemented third rail analysis system enables maintainers to adopt a targeted Preventive Maintenance (PM) approach to the third rail. By pinpointing potential problems, maintainers can focus their valuable resources on the most critical conditions and locations before service is affected. The relatively low price point for sensor and processing technology has fostered the development of cost-effective tools for the analysis of third rail systems. Multi-channel data acquisition devices allow for simultaneous capture of a dozen or more variables with total sampling rates in the GHz range. Superimposing this data on train position creates a detailed and precise system condition map. In addition to mapping third rail condition for PM activity, this technology can also be used to verify and correct system condition at commissioning, thereby establishing a baseline of system condition for future analysis. Data such as collector shoe impact, voltage variation, and current level is captured and can be compared with periodic analyses to identify trends in third rail condition.

This paper examines the configuration and use of a third rail analysis system for both legacy and greenfield applications. The author steps through system architecture, data analysis, and several case studies of how the data was used to identify and locate problems that compromised system reliability and efficiency. Modern power rail analysis technology offers significant benefits to installers and maintainers.
Senolytics reduce coronavirus-related mortality in old mice
Authors: Camell Christina D. , Yousefzadeh Matthew J. , Zhu Yi , Prata Larissa G. P. Langhi , Huggins Matthew A. , Pierson Mark , Zhang Lei , O’Kelly Ryan D. , Pirtskhalava Tamar , Xun Pengcheng , Ejima Keisuke , Xue Ailing , Tripathi Utkarsh , Espindola-Netto Jair Machado , Giorgadze Nino , Atkinson Elizabeth J. , Inman Christina L. , Johnson Kurt O. , Cholensky Stephanie H. , Carlson Timothy W. , LeBrasseur Nathan K. , Khosla Sundeep , O’Sullivan M. Gerard , Allison David B. , Jameson Stephen C. , Meves Alexander , Li Ming , Prakash Y. S. , Chiarella Sergio E. , Hamilton Sara E. , Tchkonia Tamara , Niedernhofer Laura J. , Kirkland James L. , Robbins Paul D.
Published: June 2021

Senescent cells exacerbate COVID-19

Cellular senescence is a state elicited in response to stress signals and is associated with a damaging secretory phenotype. The number of senescent cells increases with advanced age and this in turn drives age-related diseases. Camell
et al.
show that senescent cells have an amplified inflammatory response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (see the Perspective by Cox and Lord). This response is communicated to nonsenescent cells, suppressing viral defense mechanisms and increasing the expression of viral entry proteins. In old mice infected with a SARS-CoV-2–related virus, treatment with senolytics to reduce the senolytic cell burden reduced mortality and increased antiviral antibodies.

Science
, abe4832, this issue p.
eabe4832
; see also abi4474, p.
281
Protection against keratoconjunctivitis shigellosa induced by immunization with outer membrane proteins of Shigella spp
Authors: Adamus G , Mulczyk M , Witkowska D , Romanowska E
Published: June 2021

Active immunization of guinea pigs and rabbits with outer membrane proteins (OMP) isolated from Shigella flexneri 3a and Shigella sonnei phase I protected the animals against keratoconjunctivitis shigellosa induced with the homologous or heterologous strain. Protection was also achieved in rabbits after passive immunization with anti-OMP immune serum. Active immunization with lipopolysaccharide of S. flexneri 3a did not protect rabbits against keratoconjunctivitis shigellosa.
Mitogenic activity of staphylococcal exfoliative toxin
Authors: Morlock B A , Spero L , Johnson A D
Published: June 2021

Exfoliative toxin from Staphylococcus aureus was mitogenic for murine spleen cells. It was primarily active on T lymphocytes but also significantly stimulated B cells from the spleens of nude mice. The mitogenicity was not affected by simple sugar or alpha-methylpyranosides. N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine inhibited its effect. Exfoliatin was as powerful a mitogen as the enterotoxins of S. aureus. Some significant differences between the mitogenic activity of the two toxins were demonstrated.
Effect of route of immunization on development of antibody-forming cells in hilar lymph nodes
Authors: Stein-Streilein J , Hart D A
Published: June 2021

Studies were designed to compare the effect of the route of inoculation of sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) on the development of antibody-forming cells (AFC) in the hilar lymph nodes of BDF1 mice. The major observation from these studies was that the immunogenicity of low concentrations of antigen was dependent on the route of inoculation. Intratracheal, intravenous, or footpad inoculation of low numbers of SRBC (10(7)) did not stimulate development of AFC in hilar lymph nodes. However, intraperitoneal inoculation of the same concentration of antigen induced an immunoglobulin M AFC response in the hilar lymph nodes. Moreover, both intraperitoneal and intratracheal inoculation of 10(7) SRBC primed the mice for an anamnestic AFC response to a subsequent intratracheal inoculation of 10(7) SRBC. These findings support the hypothesis that presentation of antigen by the local or systemic routes may induce either or both a primary a secondary immune response in the draining lymph nodes of the lower respiratory tract.
Comparative studies of antigen 21 in Mycobacterium and Nocardia species: possible taxonomic relationships with Mycobacterium leprae
Authors: Widebäck K , Kronvall G , Bjorvatn B , Closs O , Harboe M
Published: June 2021

Studies of Mycobacterium leprae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Nocardia caviae in comparison with each other and with other Mycobacterium and Nocardia species were performed on the basis of antigen 21 intramolecular heterogeneity. Three different antisera were used: rabbit anti-Mycobacterium smegmatis antiserum, rabbit anti-Nocardia asteroides antiserum, and a lepromatous serum pool. With reference to each of the three antiserum sources used the strains were ranked in an order of relatedness or sharing of determinants. The three antisera showed distinctly different antigen 21 antibody specificities reflecting the species origin of the immunogen. The present investigations confirmed that antigen 21 of N. caviae shares determinants with antigens from Mycobacterium strains which were not present in corresponding antigens of all other Nocardia strains tested. M. tuberculosis, as judged by antigen 21 analysis, occupies a position separate from both the slow-growing and the fast-growing mycobacterial clusters in accordance with accepted taxonomic relationships. An interesting possibility of establishing a position for M. leprae in relation to other mycobacterial species was apparent. The order of relatedness among the strains studied went from M. leprae to M. tuberculosis to N. caviae to Mycobacterium avium to Mycobacterium fortuitum, the last two being representatives of the slow-growing and fast-growing mycobacteria. It can therefore be concluded that evidence from antigen 21 analysis indicates that M. leprae is more closely related to M. tuberculosis than to the other strains investigated.
Role of the central nervous system in acute-phase responses to leukocytic pyrogen
Authors: Turchik J B , Bornstein D L
Published: June 2021

Intracerebroventricular injection of rabbit leukocytic pyrogen (LP) into conscious, healthy cannulated rabbits produced markedly enhanced febrile and acute-phase responses as compared with equivalent-dose, single bolus intravenous injection. The increased effectiveness in inducing granulocytosis and hypoferremia on intracerebroventricular injection was matched by changing the method of administration of intravenous LP from a single initial bolus to multiple fractional doses over a 2-h period. This suggested that augmentation for these parameters may have reflected only a "reservoir" function of the cerebral ventricles which prevented rapid clearance of LP from the blood. The ability of LP to induce hepatic synthesis of haptoglobin and C-reactive protein was so markedly enhanced by intracerebroventricular injection, however, that a role of the central nervous system in mediating or in modifying in an important way a non-neural mechanism for this mediation must be postulated.
Human antibody to influenza C virus: its age-related distribution and distinction from receptor analogs
Authors: O'Callaghan R J , Gohd R S , Labat D D
Published: June 2021

Sera from persons of four age groups (1 to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, 20 to 30 years, and 65 to 85 years) were analyzed for hemagglutination inhibition (HI) activity for influenza C virus. Significant HI activity was found in 66% of the 237 sera tested, and titers ranged from 8 to 512. In the yoiung adult group, 96% had antibody and the highest mean titer (74.7) of any age group. Positive sera were far less common in young children (36 to 47%), and relatively low titers (18.3) were common among adults over 65. The high percentage of sera with antibody to influenza C virus suggests that infections with this virus occur at a rate greater than previously recognized. The high percentage of young adults with elevated levels of HI antibody suggested either that an immune response to influenza C infections is common or that the observed HI activity might be attributable, in part at least, to nonspecific inhibitors in the sera. We showed both directly and indirectly that most if not all the inhibitory activity in the human sera we examined was due to specific antibody, mostly immunoglobulin G. This conclusion is based on the finding that the single serum protein fraction with HI activity was found to have a molecular weight equivalent to that of 7S antibody (150,000) and that the HI activity was removed by absorption to staphyloccal protein A. Moreover, immunoglobulin from only HI-positive sera bound specifically to cells infected with influenza C virus, as shown by inhibition of hemadsorption and immunofluorescence. These findings were supported by similar results obtained with chicken antisera to C virus.
In Vitro Proliferation of T Lymphocytes from
Listeria
-Infected Rodents: Assay Conditions for Rat Peritoneal Exudate Cells and Characterization of an Inhibitor
Authors: Jungi Thomas W.
Published: June 2021

Conditions favorable to [
3
H]thymidine incorporation into antigen-stimulated T lymphocytes from
Listeria
-infected rats have been established. In cultures of peritoneal exudate (T) lymphocytes purified twice with nylon-wool vigorous antigen-specific proliferation was observed within 2 days. Cultures of lymphocytes from nodes draining a subcutaneous
Listeria
-infection site differed in that back-ground proliferation was higher than for peritoneal exudate lymphocytes, and [
3
H]thymidine incorporation was maximal at day 3. A critical factor for the rate of proliferation was the lymphocyte-to-macrophage ratio; optimal cultures of peritoneal exudate lymphocytes contained 2 to 5% macrophages. Macrophages exceeding a proportion of 10% strongly, if not completely, inhibited [
3
H]thymidine incorporation into antigen-stimulated lymphocytes. Inhibition was associated with mononuclear cells, adherent to plastic or nylon-wool, of the stimulated or unstimulated peritoneal cavity. It was neither attributable to release of cold thymidine from macrophages nor to rapid degradation of particulate antigen by macrophages. The degree of inhibition reflected the metabolic activity of macrophages; on a cell-for-cell basis, heat-killed and glutaraldehyde-fixed macrophages were less inhibitory, and stimulated macrophages were more inhibitory than macrophages from the unstimulated peritoneal cavity.
Role of Lipopolysaccharide in Regulating Colony-Stimulating Factor-Dependent Macrophage Proliferation In Vitro
Authors: Moore Robert N. , Steeg Patricia S. , Männel Daniela N. , Mergenhagen Stephan E.
Published: June 2021

Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) enhance both production of colony-stimulating factors (CSF) and proliferation of mononuclear phagocytes in vivo. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the effects of LPS on CSF-dependent monopoiesis are due solely to enhanced production of CSF or also to direct effects of LPS on the responding progenitor cell. Addition of LPS to CSF-stimulated macrophage populations had different effects, depending upon the concentration of CSF in the cultures. In the presence of optimal to supraoptimal concentrations of CSF, LPS at doses ≥0.01 μg/ml inhibited macrophage colony formation. This inhibitory activity was not due to cytotoxicity of the LPS and was not mediated through prostaglandin synthesis. In the presence of suboptimal concentrations of CSF, minute concentrations of LPS (10
−7
μg/ml) significantly enhanced macrophage colony formation. Both effects of LPS (inhibition and enhancement) appeared to be properties of lipid A since neither effect was noted with cells from LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice, whereas both effects could be neutralized by the addition of the antibiotic polymyxin B, which binds to the lipid A portion of LPS. These results suggest that the effects of LPS on monopoiesis in vivo may not be due solely to its capacity to stimulate production of CSF. Rather, LPS may be involved in stimulating monopoiesis both indirectly through stimulation of CSF production and by its effects on the CSF-responsive progenitor cell.
Simple procedure for the removal of nonspecific inhibitors of rubella virus hemagglutination
Authors: Allen R , Hedlund K
Published: June 2021

The adsorption of serum lipoproteins onto an insoluble matrix of colloidal silicic acid results in the removal of nonspecific inhibitors of rubella virus hemagglutinin. The procedure can be performed in 15 min at room temperature. Comparative studies using both the dextran sulfate-CaCl2 and heparin-MnCl2 methods for removal of inhibitors demonstrated that the colloidal silicic acid procedure yielded identical hemagglutination inhibition titers. In addition, it is technically feasible to read titers below 1:8.
Simple Method for Detection of Penicillinase-Producing
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Hodge Wavell , Ciak Jennie , Tramont Edmund C.
Published: June 2021

A simple, reliable, and economical method for detection of penicillinase-producing
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
using a penicillin disk and a penicillin-sensitive organism is described.