bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic analysis and vibration control for overhead hoist transport
Authors: Xu Tao
Published: February 2023

The OHT system is a transport device used for intra- or inter-plant transport in a fab or other factory, the load-bearing part of the goods stored under the trolley generates longitudinal vibration and lateral oscillation due to inertia force When the OHT in the air starts or stops. Firstly, the trolley dynamic model under the action of lateral thrust and longitudinal tensile force need to be established. secondly, the coupling analysis of horizontal oscillation and longitudinal oscillation on the model is carried out. Thirdly, aiming at the lateral swing and longitudinal vibration of the carriage, a double closed-loop vibration control strategy with tension control as inner loop and speed control as outer loop and carry out the simulation analysis of longitudinal vibration control is proposed. In the experiment of the ground trolley, the control strategy is applied. The simulation and experimental results show that the control method can quickly restrain the longitudinal vibration of the trolley bearing plate, reduce the pulling force of the trolley on the lifting steel belt, and avoid the large displacement of the bearing plate in the air.
Application exploration of building deep learning model by adjusting algorithm combination relationship
Authors: Liu Xiangju , Liu Yuan , Fan Yanfeng
Published: February 2023

According to the Convention, the basic data type and XML representation algorithm are adopted, and after the organization is completed, it is compiled into Python code.According to the vectors in mathematics, whether the given algorithms share the same type of variables, the forward propagation and back propagation iterative algorithms in deep learning are used to train the model, and a new algorithm is combined according to the value of vectors, which is similar to the forward calculation in deep learning.Using the sample data to run the algorithm, the vector code is adjusted according to the error value in order to achieve convergence, which is similar to the reverse learning process in deep learning.In this way, it is expected to train a suitable model only by adjusting the parameter combination relationship of the algorithm sequence, and the neuron nodes and weight parameters are greatly reduced, which is expected to bring better learning effect.
Smart Enterprises in the Context of Digital Transformation: Basic Characteristics and Development logic
Authors: Wang Xiaohui
Published: February 2023

In recent years, China has attached great importance to the digitalization and intelligent construction of the industry and has made great achievements. A series of plans and programs have been introduced to further promote industrial development and economic growth. This paper analyzes the connotation of an intelligent enterprise based on the industrial digital transformation, which is developed based on the digital transformation of traditional enterprises. It is an enterprise or intelligent operation platform that continuously iterates, develops, innovates, and obtains sustainable competitive advantages by constructing an enterprise innovation network. There are three main characteristics of smart enterprises, which are digitally driven, intelligent operation, and continuous innovation. Furthermore, the development logic of the intelligent enterprise is presented.
Design and Implementation of Project Schedule Management Data Collection and Analysis System
Authors: Hu Xinsheng , Xu Haibo
Published: February 2023

With the development of the information age, the application scope of big data technology is becoming more and more extensive. The rapid development of big data technology provides strong support for the collection and storage of massive data. Mining potential value through data analysis and providing scientific support for decision makers. This paper combines data collection and analysis with project schedule management. First, it introduces the data collection and analysis technology in general, then explains the disadvantages of traditional project schedule management, analyzes the advantages of modern project schedule management, and finally proposes project schedule management data collection and analysis. The design idea of the system is applied to the project management practice of a material acceptance point in a government office, in order to provide a useful reference for the application of data collection and analysis technology in project schedule management.
Model Shielding Efficiency: A Quantitative Index of Evaluating the Influence when Major Data Changes
Authors: Min Yu , Chi Zhang , Min Xu
Published: February 2023

This paper introduces examples, implementation methods and the perspectives of the Star Model and the Dimensional Model applied in the banking. Considering there is no widely-used quantitative indicators to evaluate the influence on the scope of downstream applications when major data changes in engineering practice, this paper proposes a quantitative index ‘Model Shielding Efficiency’, and then compares the actual shielding effect of the Star Model and the Dimensional Model by listing the MSE actually generated during the reconstruction of the Credit Management System and the Accounting System, which are the 2 principal systems in banking. The MSE can be used as a reference in subsequent practical applications.
Highway Bridge Construction Resource Equilibrium Based on Genetic Algorithm Optimization Research
Authors: Li Shengxi
Published: February 2023

At present, highway and bridge projects in China are in full swing. In the process of multi project construction of highway and bridge, it is of great significance to study the project scheduling. On the basis of fully analyzing the specific characteristics of multi projects in highway and bridge construction, this paper studies the problem of “fixed duration resource balance (RB)” based on genetic algorithm (GA). Combined with the specific characteristics of multi projects in highway and bridge construction, it establishes an optimization model, and proposes the process of GA to solve the problem of multi RB in construction projects. When considering the multi project resource balance optimization (RBO) problem of highway and bridge construction, the GA is used to solve the problem. The results show that the model is effective for the multi project RB problem of highway and bridge construction. At the same time, it proves that it has great advantages to consider the RB of multiple projects of highway and bridge construction from the new perspective of resource scheduling cost.
Highway Crack Material Detection Algorithm Based on Digital Image Processing Technology
Authors: Zhang Xiao
Published: February 2023

After entering the 21st century, China’s economic development is changing with each passing day, and the total economic volume has ranked second in the world. After the quantitative problem is solved, the qualitative problem becomes more and more important. In order to make the expressway be used healthily and for a long time, simple and efficient expressway maintenance methods become extremely important. In this paper, based on the study of the predecessors’ related research on road crack identification, based on digital image processing technology, the material detection algorithm for expressway cracks is studied. The advantages and disadvantages of the existing algorithms are analyzed, and the main types of cracks in the expressway are analyzed. The causes and characteristics of each type of cracks are understood, and the problems of current road crack detection and identification algorithms are analyzed. Through the experimental test analysis of the crack material detection algorithm, various types of crack detection images are selected from the horizontal and vertical crack detection results to form a test sample image library. The validity of the classification algorithm is tested, and the test results verify the validity of the algorithm in this paper.
Development of DC Parameter Calibration Module for Digital Integrated Circuit Test System
Authors: Ding Chao
Published: February 2023

Aiming at the on-site measurement requirements of the integrated circuit test system, this paper designs the DC parameter calibration module of the digital integrated circuit test system based on STM32 single-chip microcomputer as the core control, studies the methods of precision improvement based on multiple groups of devices, noise control, and error compensation, reduce the volume of the device, simplifies the measurement loop in the calibration process, and improves the DC parameter calibration accuracy of the digital channel of the integrated circuit test system, improve the portability and ease of use of the calibration device, and lay the foundation for the calibration device of the new generation integrated circuit test system.
Study on Measurement of Adsorption Capacity of Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine Gas based on Stainless Steel
Authors: Qu Zhongkai , Cui Hu , Du Yao , Sun Shibin , Lao Wei
Published: February 2023

Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH), as a high-energy liquid propellant, is widely used in aerospace, rocket, aircraft, and other fields. However, it also has certain toxicity, fire, and explosion risks, which will cause harm to the human liver, kidney, central nervous system, blood system, etc., especially the nervous system. UDMH is easy to be adsorbed on the surface of the human body or other substances, but there is a lack of research reports on the measurement of its adsorption capacity. In this paper, based on the principle of measuring gas adsorption capacity by the volumetric method, a set of UDMH gas adsorption capacity testing devices was built. In the experiment, 304 and 316L stainless steel materials were used as the adsorbent. Under the same experimental temperature and pressure conditions, the test bottle containing the adsorbent was filled with UDMH gas of different concentrations and fully adsorbed until saturation to explore the influence of 304 stainless steel surface roughness and 304 and 316L stainless steel materials on the adsorption capacity of UDMH gas under the same experimental conditions. The experimental results show that the adsorption capacity of 304 and 316L stainless steel materials to UDMH gas increases with the increase of UDMH gas concentration in the concentration range (0~100 ppm) studied in this paper. After polishing the surface of 304 stainless steel material, compared with the unpolished 304 stainless steel material under the same conditions, the adsorption capacity after polishing is significantly smaller, indicating that the larger the surface roughness of the adsorbent, the more adsorption capacity. Under the same conditions, the adsorption capacity of UDMH gas on 304 and 316L stainless steel materials is approximately equal. The experiment also proves that the adsorption of UDMH gas on stainless steel materials conforms to monolayer adsorption within the concentration range studied in this paper.
A weighted k-nearest neighbor process monitoring method based on statistical volume pattern analysis
Authors: Guo Pei
Published: February 2023

Process monitoring technology has developed rapidly in response to the increasing demand for safer and more reliable systems in modern process operations. Online process monitoring plays an important role not only in ensuring process safety through the timely detection of process faults but also in improving process productivity and product quality. One of the outstanding features of modern manufacturing facilities, which are large in scale and highly complex, is that the processes contain numerous variables operating under closed-loop control. Fully exploiting and utilizing the valuable information in these variables will benefit early and accurate fault detection and diagnosis of processes, minimizing downtime, increasing plant operational safety, and reducing manufacturing costs. The development of process monitoring technology is of great importance to ensure the operational safety, reliability, and economy of complex industrial processes. With the continuous development of industrial processes, the collection and use of process data are gradually increasing, and data-driven multivariate statistical process monitoring methods have developed significantly. A weighted k-nearest neighbor process monitoring method based on SPA is proposed for the problem of multimodal properties of process statistics. When the covariance difference between different modes is large, the multimodal characteristics of the original variable space are retained in the statistic feature space. By introducing weights and assigning weights to the distances between statistic samples, the proposed method can regulate the distances between statistic samples in modes with larger covariance and those with smaller covariance to the same scale, overcoming the limitations of the SPA-based process monitoring method in multimodal fault detection.
Synthesis of flower-like S-doped SnO2 hierarchical structure for gas sensing application at room temperature
Authors: Zhang Yunfan , Li Meihua , Gao Xiaodong , Gu Yunlong , Mou Chao , Ge Shikun
Published: February 2023

Ammonia is one of the most common gases in life, which is produced in industrial emissions and agricultural activities. Therefore, effective detection of ammonia at low concentrations is vital for human health. Tin disulfide (SnS2) by virtue of its physical affinity and high surface area has become a promising material for gas sensing applications. The flower-like S-doped SnO2 3D hierarchical structure was succeeded in preparation via a two-step method. A variety of methods such as XRD, SEM, and TEM were utilized to characterize the prepared materials for the investigation of their surface morphological characteristics and elemental content. The morphological characterization analysis indicated that the prepared material was a self-assembled hierarchical flower-like SnS2 modified by SnO2 nanoparticles. In addition, the results from the elemental composition analysis showed the existence of Sn, O, and S elements in the material. Through experiments, we further tested the sensitivity, selectivity, and long-term stability of the S-doped SnO2 gas-sensitive material against NH3 at room temperature, and analyzed its sensing mechanism. As a result, the S-doped SnO2 was tested with a response value of 3.6 for 50 ppm ammonia’s outstanding performance in terms of selectivity and long-term stability. This work highlights the advantages of flower-like S-doped SnO2 3D hierarchical structures for NH3 sensors.
A Real-time Solar Array Monitoring System Architecture Design Based on FBG
Authors: Wang Yan
Published: February 2023

The solar array is a key part of spacecraft, which is the main power supply. With the trend of spacecraft bus development, the size of the solar array panel attached to the spacecraft becomes larger and larger to provide more load power. Large scale, low stiffness, and flexibility affect the attitude control of the spacecraft directly. Monitoring and analyzing the solar array dynamics behavior will be the key part of the overall design of the spacecraft’s control system. The purpose of monitoring is to verify the dynamic modeling and health diagnosis for a typical spacecraft flexible solar array. In this paper, Fiber Bragg Grating transducers (FBGs) and PXI-E Bus technology are used to perform online monitoring of 3D shapes through the strain profile. Using NI DAQ hardware and the FPGA Module to implement a DAQ system that can real-time and accurately perform online analysis and secondary processing of parameters from a system using NI LabVIEW software and RTOS to provide a complete, systematic solution to acquire data from FBGs. In this paper, the design of system architecture is described.
An Algorithm for Dynamic Identification of Low-Voltage Topology
Authors: Zhou Cheng , Dai Shenjian , Pan Zhicheng , Wu Hai , Chen Chen
Published: February 2023

The topology identification of the station area includes two types of household-transformation relationship and branch relationship identification. In this paper, the station area identification signal is sent in phases through the intelligent distribution transformer terminal deployed in the station area, and the branch identification slave installed in each branch line and the terminal identification slave installed in the meter box receive this identification signal to realize the household-transformation relationship and phase identification in the station area. At the same time, the terminal identification slave sends a branch current identification signal, and the branch station identification slave receives the branch identification signal so that the branch relationship can be recognized correctly. Through the identification of household-transformation relationships, phase sequence identification, and branch relationship identification, the correct dynamic topology diagram of the station area can be established.
Energy Meter Patch Resistance and Welding Spot Anomaly Detection Method Based on Machine Vision
Authors: Jiang Chao , Chen Shengze , Zhang Zhijing , Li Rui
Published: February 2023

Based on the problems, such as the difficulty of detecting and obtaining evidence of patch resistance replacement and welding spot anomaly in the current field of meter anomaly detection, a patch resistance and welding spot anomaly detection algorithm is proposed based on machine vision. The resistance anomaly detection algorithm combines the K-D tree and Ransac to complete the high-efficiency energy meter registration. It detects the suspected resistance abnormal area through the difference shadow method and then judges the resistance abnormal situation according to the resistance value recognized by the classification network. The welding spot anomaly detection algorithm enhances the feature of the image through saliency detection, then obtains the target information of the welding spot by segmentation, and finally determines the welding spot anomaly condition in combination with the connection domain analysis. Experimental results show that the precision of patch resistance anomaly of this method reaches 95.28%, and the detection time is about 1.52s; the precision of welding spot anomaly reaches 96.74%, and the detection time is about 0.74s. The method can meet the requirements of spot detection accuracy and speed and has good application value.
Dynamic criticality for infrastructure prioritization in complex environments
Authors: Hoff Ryan , Helmrich Alysha , Dirks Abbie , Kim Yeowon , Li Rui , Chester Mikhail
Published: February 2023

As infrastructure confront rapidly changing environments, there is an immediate need to provide the flexibility to pivot resources and how infrastructures are prioritized. Yet infrastructures are often categorized based on static criticality framings. We describe dynamic criticality as the flexibility to reprioritize infrastructure resources during disturbances. We find that the most important prerequisite for dynamic criticality is organizational adaptive capacity characterized by flexible goals, structures, sensemaking, and strategies. Dynamic capabilities are increasingly important in the Anthropocene, where accelerating conditions, uncertainty, and growing complexity are challenging infrastructures. We review sectors that deployed dynamic management approaches amidst changing disturbances: leadership and organizational change, defense, medicine, manufacturing, and disaster response. We use an inductive thematic analysis to identify key themes and competencies and analyze capabilities that describe dynamic criticality. These competencies drive adaptive capacity and open up the flexibility to pivot what is deemed critical, depending on the particulars of the hazard. We map these competencies to infrastructure systems and describe how infrastructure organizations may build adaptive capacity toward flexible priorities.
A common recursive formula for Ramanujan’s ₁𝜓₁ and Bailey’s very-well-poised ₆𝜓₆ summation formulas
Authors: Wang Jin , Ma Xinrong
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we establish a general recursive formula via the usual telescoping method for certain bilateral truncated sum which may serve as a common source for Ramanujan’s

1

ψ
1

{}_1\psi _1

, Bailey’s very-well-poised

6

ψ
6

{}_6\psi _6

, and Rogers’

6

ϕ
5

{}_6\phi _5

summation formulas. The corresponding derivations for these summation formulas are presented in details.
Conformal flatness of compact three-dimensional Cotton-parallel manifolds
Authors: Terek Ivo
Published: February 2023

A three-dimensional pseudo-Riemannian manifold is called essentially conformally symmetric (ECS) if its Cotton tensor is parallel but nowhere-vanishing. In this note we prove that three-dimensional ECS manifolds must be noncompact or, equivalently, that every compact three-dimensional Cotton-parallel pseudo-Riemannian manifold must be conformally flat.
A non-commutative Reidemeister-Turaev torsion of homology cylinders
Authors: Nozaki Yuta , Sato Masatoshi , Suzuki Masaaki
Published: February 2023

We compute the Reidemeister-Turaev torsion of homology cylinders which takes values in the

K
1

K_1

-group of the

I
I

-adic completion of the group ring

Q

π
1

Σ

g
,
1

\mathbb {Q}\pi _1\Sigma _{g,1}

, and prove that its reduction to

Q

π
1

Σ

g
,
1

^

/

I
^

d
+
1

\widehat {\mathbb {Q}\pi _1\Sigma _{g,1}}/\hat {I}^{d+1}

is a finite-type invariant of degree

d
d

. We also show that the

1
1

-loop part of the LMO homomorphism and the Enomoto-Satoh trace can be recovered from the leading term of our torsion.
Molecular Landscape and Association With Crohn Disease of Poorly Cohesive Carcinomas of the Nonampullary Small Bowel
Authors: Tedaldi Gianluca , Guerini Camilla , Angeli Davide , Furlan Daniela , Libera Laura , Lenti Marco Vincenzo , Grillo Federica , Fassan Matteo , Solcia Enrico , Sessa Fausto , Paulli Marco , Di Sabatino Antonio , Ulivi Paola , Vanoli Alessandro
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Poorly cohesive carcinomas (PCCs) are neoplasms defined by a predominantly dyshesive growth pattern with single cell or cord-like stromal infiltration. The ­distinctive clinicopathologic and prognostic features of small bowel PCCs (SB-PCCs) in comparison with conventional-type small intestinal adenocarcinomas have only recently been characterized. However, as SB-PCCs’ genetic profile is still unknown, we aimed to analyze the molecular landscape of SB-PCCs.

Methods

A next-generation sequencing analysis through Trusight Oncology 500 on a series of 15 nonampullary SB-PCCs was performed.

Results

The most frequently found gene alterations were TP53 (53%) and RHOA (13%) mutations and KRAS amplification (13%), whereas KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutations were not identified. Most SB-PCCs (80%) were associated with Crohn disease, including both RHOA-mutated SB-PCCs, which featured a non-SRC-type histology, and showed a peculiar appendiceal-type, low-grade goblet cell adenocarcinoma (GCA)–like component. Rarely, SB-PCCs showed high microsatellite instability, mutations in IDH1 and ERBB2 genes, or FGFR2 amplification (one case each), which are established or promising therapeutic targets in such aggressive cancers.

Conclusions

SB-PCCs may harbor RHOA mutations, which are reminiscent of the diffuse subtype of gastric cancers or appendiceal GCAs, while KRAS and PIK3CA mutations, commonly involved in colorectal and small bowel adenocarcinomas, are not typical of such cancers.
Benchmarking of microbiome detection tools on RNA-seq synthetic databases according to diverse conditions
Authors: Jurado-Rueda Francisco , Alonso-Guirado Lola , Perea-Chamblee Tomin E , Elliott Oliver T , Filip Ioan , Rabadán Raúl , Malats Núria
Published: February 2023

Motivation

Here, we performed a benchmarking analysis of five tools for microbe sequence detection using transcriptomics data (Kraken2, MetaPhlAn2, PathSeq, DRAC and Pandora). We built a synthetic database mimicking real-world structure with tuned conditions accounting for microbe species prevalence, base calling quality and sequence length. Sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) parameters, as well as computational requirements, were used for tool ranking.

Results

GATK PathSeq showed the highest sensitivity on average and across all scenarios considered. However, the main drawback of this tool was its slowness. Kraken2 was the fastest tool and displayed the second-best sensitivity, though with large variance depending on the species to be classified. There was no significant difference for the other three algorithms sensitivity. The sensitivity of MetaPhlAn2 and Pandora was affected by sequence number and DRAC by sequence quality and length. Results from this study support the use of Kraken2 for routine microbiome profiling based on its competitive sensitivity and runtime performance. Nonetheless, we strongly endorse to complement it by combining with MetaPhlAn2 for thorough taxonomic analyses.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/fjuradorueda/MIME/ and https://github.com/lola4/DRAC/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
Compensatory mechanisms in response to induced hypothyroidism in the late gestation pig fetus
Authors: Ison Erin K , Kent-Dennis Coral E , Fazioli James , Mulligan Margaret K , Pham Audrey , Pasternak J Alex
Published: February 2023

To understand the effect of fetal thyroid gland disruption on development in swine, we evaluated thyroid hormone levels, growth and developmental characteristics, and gene expression associated with thyroid hormone metabolism in late gestation fetuses exposed to methimazole (MMI). Pregnant gilts were given either oral MMI or equivalent sham from gestation day 85–106 (n = 4/group), followed by intensive phenotyping of all fetuses (n = 120). Samples of liver (LVR), kidney (KID), fetal placenta (PLC), and the corresponding maternal endometrium (END) were collected from a subset of fetuses (n = 32). Fetuses exposed to MMI in utero were confirmed hypothyroid, with a significant increase in thyroid gland size, goitrous thyroid histology, and dramatically suppressed thyroid hormone in serum. In dams, no differences in temporal measurements of average daily gain, thyroid hormone, or rectal temperatures relative to controls suggests that MMI had little effect on maternal physiology. However, fetuses from MMI-treated gilts exhibited significant increases in body mass, girth, and vital organ weights, but no differences in crown-rump length or bone measurements suggesting non-allometric growth. The PLC and END showed a compensatory decrease in expression of inactivating deiodinase (DIO3). Similar compensatory gene expression was observed in fetal KID and LVR with a downregulation of all deiodinases (DIO1, DIO2, DIO3). Minor alterations in the expression of thyroid hormone transporters (SLC16A2 and SLC16A10) were observed in PLC, KID, and LVR. Collectively, MMI crosses the PLC of the late gestation pig, resulting in congenital hypothyroidism, alterations in fetal growth, and compensatory responses within the maternal fetal interface.
HRH the Duke of Kent Visits BCS – and Meets a Robot and Tech Pioneers
Authors:   BCS
Published: February 2023

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, looked back on four decades of growth in technology, as it hosted a visit from its royal patron, HRH The Duke of Kent.
Healthcare’s Biggest Cyber Attacks
Authors: Plummer Frank
Published: February 2023

Frank Plummer MBCS, cyber security consultant, explores the CIA triad – confidentiality, integrity and availability – and its impact on three recent cyber attacks in healthcare.
The Power of User-Generated Content
Authors: Jagger Paul
Published: February 2023

Given today’s pace of change, Paul Jagger FBCS argues that organisations should forgo traditional methods of learning and development and embrace agile user-generated content.
The Cloud and Protecting Your Legacy IT Investment
Authors: Denning Nick
Published: February 2023

Transformation plans can be compromised by multiple redesigns, scope creep, forgotten requirements and missed deadlines. Nick Denning, CEO of Diegesis, explores how to move legacy systems to the cloud sustainably.
Trust and It’s Battle of Perception
Authors: Law Ali
Published: February 2023

Business leaders need to know more about IT, writes Ali Law, Managing Partner at Hanya Partners. But, they shouldn’t overlook the need for human relationships, trust and the value of storytelling.
The Real-World Global Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes for the Care of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Horrigan Jamie M , Louis Edouard , Spinelli Antonino , Travis Simon , Moum Bjorn , Salwen-Deremer Jessica , Halfvarson Jonas , Panaccione Remo , Dubinsky Marla C , Munkholm Pia , Siegel Corey A
Published: February 2023

Background

Many patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have been developed for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) without recommendations for clinical use. PROs differ from physician-reported disease activity indices; they assess patients’ perceptions of their symptoms, functional status, mental health, and quality of life, among other areas. We sought to investigate the current global use and barriers to using PROs in clinical practice for IBD.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was performed. An electronic questionnaire was sent to an international group of providers who care for patients with IBD.

Results

There were 194 respondents, including adult/pediatric gastroenterologists, advanced practice providers, and colorectal surgeons from 5 continents. The majority (80%) use PROs in clinical practice, 65% frequently found value in routine use, and 50% frequently found PROs influenced management. Thirty-one different PROs for IBD were reportedly used. Barriers included not being familiar with PROs, not knowing how to incorporate PRO results into clinical practice, lack of electronic medical record integration, and time constraints. Most (91%) agreed it would be beneficial to have an accepted set of consistently used PROs. The majority (60%) thought that there should be some cultural differences in PROs used globally but that PROs for IBD should be consistent around the world.

Conclusions

PROs are used frequently in clinical practice with wide variation in which are used and how they influence management. Education about PROs and how to use and interpret an accepted set of PROs would decrease barriers for use and allow for global harmonization.
City Leagues, Mercenary Companies, and Regional Recruitment in Late Medieval Tuscany
Authors: Martoccio Michael Paul
Published: February 2023

This article discusses the anti-mercenary city-leagues, or taglie, of Renaissance Tuscany. Anti-mercenary leagues were coalitions of cities tied together for protection against foreign companies of French, English, German, and Hungarian mercenaries. While these leagues flourished in the middle of the fourteenth century (1347–96) among the cities of Tuscany, taglie often failed militarily or collapsed after only a few months. Earlier scholarship has blamed these failures on military competition among Italian cities and an incipient culture of deception. By examining diplomatic correspondence, legal statutes and texts, and army musters, this article shows instead how the taglie were in fact corporate associations (societas) that provided not only military protection, but financial co-ordination, social control, and a common ideology of urban autonomy.
USDA Forest Service Timber Products Output Survey Item Nonresponse Analysis
Authors: Markowski-Lindsay Marla , Brandeis Consuelo , Butler Brett J
Published: February 2023

The Timber Products Output (TPO) survey is used to determine industrial uses of roundwood, reporting on volumes of roundwood received and residues generated by the primary forest industry by tree species and counties of harvest. This knowledge aids stakeholders in making informed decisions about available forest resources and/or harvest intensity. The widespread use of TPO estimates makes it important to understand the scale and scope of missing data in the survey. This first attempt analyzed respondent-level and question-level nonresponse (RLNR and QLNR, respectively) for Northern and Southern TPO regions, comparing response to mill profile questions (those providing general business information) to those related to mill activity (that related to wood processing information). The RLNR differed between regions, by question grouping, survey mode, and mill volume. The QLNR results for selected mill activity questions indicate that the Southern region generally has lower nonresponse than the Northern region. Parametric analysis of RLNR indicated survey mode was significant for both question groups in the Northern region whereas mill type was significant for mill activity questions in the Southern region. The QLNR parametric analysis indicated self-administered surveys in the Northern region were associated with higher nonresponse, and surveys completed by sawmills in the Southern region were associated with lower nonresponse.

Study Implications: Analysis of survey item nonresponse in the national Timber Products Output survey provides analytic background needed to assess the accuracy and completeness of the survey data. Population estimates from the data are used to monitor roundwood production and make informed decisions about forest resources. Responses varied across specific questions, and regional differences appeared to be related to survey mode. Current survey design could be improved to allow for analysis of all survey questions and assessment of the quality of responses. For nonresponse adjustment methods to be comparable across regions, factors causing observed regional difference should first be addressed.
Characterization of a novelBacillus methylotrophicusphage BM-P1
Authors: Lv Ruirui , Xu Ming , Guo She , Yao Jingwei , Arbab Sakandar Hafiz , Guo Jing , Zhang Can , Chen Xia
Published: February 2023

Bacillus species have been widely used as probiotics in a number of food products. However, these are vulnerable to bacteriophage infections, which poses fermentation failure and eventually result in economic losses. Given this, we designed this study in which the bacteriophage of lysogenic Bacillus methylotrophicus, phage BM-P1, was induced successfully, and its biological characteristics and genome information were researched. The obtained results showed that phage BM-P1 belonged to Myoviridae family. The maximum number of infections for this phage was 10, with a burst size of 104.48±2.70 counts expressed per milliliter per infective center. Additionally, this phage was temperature- and pH-sensitive and divalent ions (Ca2+, Mg2+) and chloramphenicol did not have a significant influence on its adsorption capacity. Genomic analysis revealed that the genome size of phage BM-P1 was 153 087 bp with 41.94% GC content, including 258 coding sequences. Furthermore, 52 bacteriophages of Bacillus were classified into two clades by using phylogenetic analysis. Among them, phage BM-P1 with phage VB_BsuM-Goe3 and vB_BveM-Goe7 had the highest average nucleotide identity values, 95.23% and 95.28%, respectively. However, synteny analysis revealed transposition, deletion, and insertion in the genome of BM-P1. Considering this, it could be extrapolated that this phage is a new lysogenic phage. In conclusion, this study furthers the knowledge on the properties of B. methylotrophicus phages and provides seminal insights for designing effective antiphage strategies for fermentation industry.
Extensive crop–wild hybridization during Brassica evolution and selection during the domestication and diversification of Brassica crops
Authors: Saban Jasmine M , Romero Anne J , Ezard Thomas H G , Chapman Mark A
Published: February 2023

Adaptive genetic diversity in crop wild relatives (CWRs) can be exploited to develop improved crops with higher yield and resilience if phylogenetic relationships between crops and their CWRs are resolved. This further allows accurate quantification of genome-wide introgression and determination of regions of the genome under selection. Using broad sampling of CWRs and whole genome sequencing, we further demonstrate the relationships among two economically valuable and morphologically diverse Brassica crop species, their CWRs, and their putative wild progenitors. Complex genetic relationships and extensive genomic introgression between CWRs and Brassica crops were revealed. Some wild Brassica oleracea populations have admixed feral origins; some domesticated taxa in both crop species are of hybrid origin, while wild Brassica rapa is genetically indistinct from turnips. The extensive genomic introgression that we reveal could result in false identification of selection signatures during domestication using traditional comparative approaches used previously; therefore, we adopted a single-population approach to study selection during domestication. We used this to explore examples of parallel phenotypic selection in the two crop groups and highlight promising candidate genes for future investigation. Our analysis defines the complex genetic relationships between Brassica crops and their diverse CWRs, revealing extensive cross-species gene flow with implications for both crop domestication and evolutionary diversification more generally.
The Incidence of Pouch Neoplasia Following Ileal Pouch–Anal Anastomosis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Urquhart Siri A , Comstock Bryce P , Jin Mauricio F , Day Courtney N , Eaton John E , Harmsen William S , Raffals Laura E , Loftus Edward V , Coelho-Prabhu Nayantara
Published: February 2023

Background

Ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the standard restorative procedure following proctocolectomy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who require colectomy. However, removal of the diseased colon does not eliminate the risk of pouch neoplasia. We aimed to assess the incidence of pouch neoplasia in IBD patients following IPAA.

Methods

All patients at a large tertiary center with International Classification of Diseases–Ninth Revision/International Classification of Diseases–Tenth Revision codes for IBD who underwent IPAA and had subsequent pouchoscopy were identified using a clinical notes search from January 1981 to February 2020. Relevant demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and histologic data were abstracted.

Results

In total, 1319 patients were included (43.9% women). Most had ulcerative colitis (95.2%). Out of 1319 patients, 10 (0.8%) developed neoplasia following IPAA. Neoplasia of the pouch was seen in 4 cases with neoplasia of the cuff or rectum seen in 5 cases. One patient had neoplasia of the prepouch, pouch, and cuff. Types of neoplasia included low-grade dysplasia (n = 7), high-grade dysplasia (n = 1), colorectal cancer (n = 1), and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (n = 1). Presence of extensive colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, backwash ileitis, and rectal dysplasia at the time of IPAA were significantly associated with increased risk of pouch neoplasia.

Conclusions

The incidence of pouch neoplasia in IBD patients who have undergone IPAA is relatively low. Extensive colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and backwash ileitis prior to IPAA and rectal dysplasia at the time of IPAA raise the risk of pouch neoplasia significantly. A limited surveillance program might be appropriate for patients with IPAA even with a history of colorectal neoplasia.
Middle lobe suffering due to malposition and 180° tilt of the 2 remaining lobes after right upper lobectomy
Authors: Janet-Vendroux Aurelie , Al Zreibi Charbel , Reverdito Guillaume , Arame Alex , Badia Alain , Masmoudi Hicham , Messaoudi Houssem , Le Pimpec-Barthes Francoise
Published: February 2023

Middle lobe (ML) suffering after right upper lobectomy (RUL) is rare but represents a major complication usually due to lobar torsion. We report 3 atypical consecutive cases of ML suffering due to malposition of the 2 remaining right lobes with a 180° tilt. All 3 female patients had surgery for non–small-cell carcinoma including RUL associated with radical hilar and mediastinal lymph node removal. Postoperative chest X-ray abnormalities appeared at days 1–3 respectively. The diagnosis of malposition of the 2 lobes was done on contrast-enhanced chest CT scan at days 7, 7 and 6, respectively. A reoperation for suspected ML torsion was required in all patients. Three repositionings of the 2 lobes and 1 middle lobectomy were performed. The postoperative courses were then uneventful, and the 3 patients were alive at a mean follow-up of 12 months. Before thoracic approach closure after RUL, systematic check of good positioning of the 2 reinflated remaining lobes is indispensable. It may prevent ML suffering secondary to 180° lobar tilt leading to whole pulmonary malposition.
Ethanol Sclerotherapy for Postoperative Seroma of the Breast and Axilla
Authors: Smith Camron B , Baker Jay A , Yoon Sora C , Lowell Dorothy A , Grimm Lars
Published: February 2023

Objective

Evaluate the effectiveness of alcohol sclerotherapy in postoperative breast and axillary seromas.

Methods

This was an IRB-approved retrospective review of consecutive patients from 2017 to 2021. The procedure involves aspiration of seroma fluid, injection of ethanol for 15 to 30 minutes, and then aspiration of the injected ethanol. Following review of the medical record, patient and procedure data were recorded. Success was defined as no recurrence of seroma. Statistical analysis was performed using a chi-square or t-test, as appropriate.

Results

Twenty seromas were treated in 19 patients (mean age, 63 years; range, 49–79) following mastectomy (9/20, 45%), lumpectomy (25%, 5/20), axillary nodal dissection (5/20, 25%), or chest wall surgery (1/20, 5%). The mean seroma volume was 146 ± 165 mL. There was a mean of 1.4 prior aspiration attempts (range, 0–3). Mean injected ethanol volume was 39 mL (range, 8–60 mL) for a mean of 26 ± 5 minutes. Seromas recurred in 85% (17/20) of cases, and repeat aspiration was performed in 35% (6/17). The mean recurrence time was 34 ± 29 days. The recurrent seromas were 31% smaller (mean, 80 ± 48 mL). Only a smaller pre-ablation seroma was associated with successful ablation (P < 0.01), as the mean pre-ablation volume was 36 ± 24 mL for successful ablations and 119 ± 56 mL for unsuccessful ablations. There were no post-procedural complications.

Conclusion

Single-treatment ethanol sclerotherapy is typically unsuccessful in ablating breast and axillary seromas. Only a smaller pre-ablation seroma size was associated with successful ablation.
Hands-on seminar for image-guided adaptive brachytherapy and intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer
Authors: Murakami Naoya , Masui Koji , Yoshida Ken , Noda Shin-ei , Watanabe Miho , Takenaka Tadashi , Ii Noriko , Atsumi Kazushige , Umezawa Rei , Inaba Koji , Iijima Kotaro , Kubo Akiko , Igaki Hiroshi , Shikama Naoto , Ikushima Hitoshi
Published: February 2023

Objective

Compared with the implementation speed of image-guided adaptive brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer, that of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy is slow, possible because it requires more invasive procedure of inserting needles directly into tumours. To accelerate the implementation speed of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy, a first hands-on seminar for image-guided adaptive brachytherapy and intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer was held on 26 November 2022, supported by Japanese Society for Radiology and Oncology. This article deals with this hands-on seminar and difference of degree of confidence of participants in starting intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy before and after the seminar.

Methods

The seminar consisted of lectures regarding intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy in the morning and hands-on practice of needle insertion and contouring, as well as dose calculation practice using the radiation treatment system in the evening. Prior to and following the seminar, participants completed a questionnaire asking about their level of confidence in performing intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy, expressed between 0 and 10 (the higher the number, the stronger the confidence).

Results

A total of 15 physicians, six medical physicists and eight radiation technologists from 11 institutions attended the meeting. The median level of confidence before and after the seminar was 3 (range, 0–6) and 5.5 (range, 3–7), respectively, and a statistically significant improvement was observed (P<0.001).

Conclusion

It was suggested that the hands-on seminar on intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy for locally advanced uterine cervical cancer improved the level of confidence of the attendees and propelled their motivation, through which it is expected that the implementation of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy will be accelerated.
A quantitative Heppes theorem and multivariate Bernoulli distributions
Authors: Fraiman Ricardo , Moreno Leonardo , Ransford Thomas
Published: February 2023

Using some extensions of a theorem of Heppes on finitely supported discrete probability measures, we address the problems of classification and testing based on projections. In particular, when the support of the distributions is known in advance (as for instance for multivariate Bernoulli distributions), a single suitably chosen projection determines the distribution. Several applications of these results are considered.
ORIGIN OF RECOGNITION COMPLEX 3 controls the development of maternal excess endosperm in the Paspalum simplex agamic complex (Poaceae)
Authors: Bellucci Michele , Caceres Maria Eugenia , Paolocci Francesco , Vega Juan Manuel , Ortiz Juan Pablo Amelio , Ceccarelli Marilena , De Marchis Francesca , Pupilli Fulvio
Published: February 2023

Pseudogamous apomixis in Paspalum simplex generates seeds with embryos genetically identical to the mother plant and endosperms deviating from the canonical 2(maternal):1(paternal) parental genome contribution into a maternal excess 4m:1p genome ratio. In P. simplex, the gene homologous to that coding for subunit 3 of the ORIGIN OF RECOGNITION COMPLEX (PsORC3) exists in three isogenic forms: PsORC3a is apomixis specific and constitutively expressed in developing endosperm whereas PsORCb and PsORCc are up-regulated in sexual endosperms and silenced in apomictic ones. This raises the question of how the different arrangement and expression profiles of these three ORC3 isogenes are linked to seed development in interploidy crosses generating maternal excess endosperms. We demonstrate that down-regulation of PsORC3b in sexual tetraploid plants is sufficient to restore seed fertility in interploidy 4n×2n crosses and, in turn, its expression level at the transition from proliferating to endoreduplication endosperm developmental stages dictates the fate of these seeds. Furthermore, we show that only when being maternally inherited can PsORC3c up-regulate PsORC3b. Our findings lay the basis for an innovative route—based on ORC3 manipulation—to introgress the apomictic trait into sexual crops and overcome the fertilization barriers in interploidy crosses.
Analysis of Specificity and Distribution Characteristics of Red Blood Cell Irregular Antibodies
Authors: Ni Hui , Sun Xiaoye , Cong Hui
Published: February 2023

Objective

The presence of red blood cell (RBC) irregular antibodies can severely jeopardize mother and child and bring trouble to the treatment of anemia. The aim of this study was to analyze the specificity of RBC irregular antibody in inpatients.

Methods

An analysis was performed on samples from patients with RBC irregular antibodies. Antibody screening positive samples were analyzed.

Results

Among the 778 cases of irregular antibody positive samples, 214 were from males and 564 from females. History of blood transfusion accounted for 13.1% of the total. Of the women, 96.8% had a pregnancy. A total of 131 antibodies were identified. The antibodies included 68 Rh systematic antibodies, 6 MNS systematic antibodies, 6 Lewis systematic antibodies, 2 Kidd systematic antibodies, 10 autoantibodies, and 39 antibodies of uncertain specificity.

Conclusion

Patients with blood transfusion or pregnancy history are prone to produce RBC irregular antibodies.