bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modal decompositions and point scatterer approximations near the Minnaert resonance frequencies
Authors: Feppon Florian , Ammari Habib
Published: March 2022

This paper provides several contributions to the mathematical analysis of subwavelength resonances in a high‐contrast medium containing acoustic obstacles. Our approach is based on an exact decomposition formula which reduces the solution of the sound scattering problem to that of an dimensional linear system, and characterizes resonant frequencies as the solutions to an ‐dimensional nonlinear eigenvalue problem. Under a simplicity assumptions on the eigenvalues of the capacitance matrix, we prove the analyticity of the scattering resonances with respect to the square root of the contrast parameter, and we provide a deterministic algorithm allowing to compute all terms of the corresponding Puiseux series. We then establish a nonlinear modal decomposition formula for the scattered field as well as point scatterer approximations for the far‐field pattern of the sound wave scattered by bodies. As a prerequisite to our analysis, a first part of the work establishes various novel results about the capacitance matrix and its symmetry properties, since qualitative properties of the resonances, such as the leading order of the scattering frequencies or of the corresponding far‐field pattern are closely related to its spectral decomposition.
To vaccinate or not: The relationship between conscientiousness and individual attitudes toward vaccination in real‐life contexts
Authors: Li Heng
Published: March 2022

Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine being well‐recognized as a critical tool to end the COVID‐19 pandemic, many individuals remain vaccine hesitant for various reasons. In the literature, one well‐established finding is that skeptical attitudes towards vaccination are higher amongst individuals low in conscientiousness. However, no research is available to corroborate whether the relationship between conscientiousness and intention to vaccinate has force in real life. The present research investigated whether, in addition to self‐reported conscientiousness, objectively observable index of conscientiousness behaviors is related to individual perception of vaccination. Based on self‐reported data, Study 1 fully replicated prior findings that higher levels of conscientiousness are associated with more positive attitudes towards vaccination in a Chinese student sample. Using the time of arrival for an appointment as a proxy measure for conscientiousness behaviors, Study 2 revealed that non‐student adults who arrived early to appointments showed stronger COVID‐vaccine uptake intentions than those who arrived late to appointments. Moving beyond vaccination intention to actual behavior, Study 3 found that the arrival punctuality rates of vaccinated participants were higher than those of unvaccinated participants. Overall, our research highlights the important role of conscientiousness‐related traits in individuals' COVID‐19 vaccination attitudes and behavior.
A novel swab storage gel is superior to dry swab DNA collection, and enables long‐range high resolution next generation sequencing HLA typing from buccal cell samples
Authors: Shimizu Marie , Takahashi Daisuke , Suzuki Shingo , Shigenari Atsuko , Ito Sayaka , Miyata Shigeki , Satake Masahiro , Matsuhashi Mika , Kulski Jerzy K. , Murata Makoto , Azuma Fumihiro , Shiina Takashi
Published: March 2022

HLA sequence‐based DNA typing (SBT) by long‐range PCR amplification (LR PCR) and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) is a high‐throughput DNA sequencing method (LR‐NGS‐SBT) for the efficient and sensitive detection of novel and null HLA alleles to the field‐4 level of allelic resolution without phase ambiguity. However, the accuracy and reliability of the HLA typing results using buccal cells (BCs) and saliva as genetic source materials for the LR‐NGS‐SBT method are dependent largely on the quality of the extracted genomic DNA (gDNA) because a large degree of gDNA fragmentation can result in insufficient PCR amplification with the incorrect assignment of HLA alleles because of allele dropouts. In this study, we developed a new cost‐efficient swab storage gel (SSG) for wet swab collection of BCs (BC‐SSG) and evaluated its usefulness by performing different DNA analytical parameters including LR‐NGS‐SBT to compare the quality and quantity of gDNA extracted from BCs (in SSG or air dried), blood and saliva of 30 subjects. The BC‐SSG samples after 5 days of storage revealed qualitative and quantitative DNA values equivalent to that of blood and/or saliva and better than swabs that were only air‐dried (BC‐nSSG). Moreover, all the gDNA extracted from blood, saliva and BC‐SSG samples were HLA‐typed successfully to an equivalent total of 408 alleles for each sample type. Therefore, the application of BC‐SSG collection media for LR‐NGS‐SBT has benefits over BC dried samples (dry swabs) such as reducing retesting and the number of untestable BC samples because of insufficient DNA amplification.
Service learning and the medical student affective domain
Authors: Bartz Deborah , Pelletier Andrea , Alexander Erik K. , Osman Nora Y. , Johnson Natasha R.
Published: March 2022

Background

The Association of American Medical College (AAMC) requires all students to demonstrate four core attributes: knowledge, skills, altruism and dutifulness. A formal service‐learning curriculum may serve to explicitly foster altruism and dutifulness in the affective domain of Bloom's taxonomy as well as proactively improve student well‐being.

Approach

All Harvard Medical School students enrolled in the Principal Clinical Experience (PCE) programme in the 2018–2019 academic year at Brigham and Women's Hospital were excused from clerkship responsibilities and given the opportunity to participate in a half‐day team‐based community‐service intervention at a not‐for‐profit organisation in Boston, MA. Following the service‐learning initiative, we examined student compassion, civic responsibility, well‐being and team cooperativeness using validated survey questions, supplemented by free‐text feedback.

Evaluation

Forty‐five of the 55 PCE students (82%) attended the outing. Overall, 68% of students found the outing to be valuable and 23% somewhat valuable. On a scale of 0–20, students reported very high self‐perception of compassion (mean = 19.9), civic responsibility (mean = 19.7) and team development and composition (mean = 19.1), after the event. Students reported lower perceptions of personal well‐being (mean = 17.5), but emotional wellness was the most frequently mentioned theme in open response.

Implications

Incorporation of a team‐based service‐learning activity contributes to the students' community understanding, empathy and class team building. Utilisation of a published framework in the development of this initiative likely contributed to its success. Given our findings, we plan further expansion of this service learning longitudinally through the 4‐year curriculum to potentially strengthen the affective domain for students further.
The RNA binding protein OsLa influences grain and anther development in rice
Authors: Guo Hongming , Cui Yuchao , Huang Linjuan , Ge Li , Xu Xiaorong , Xue Danyang , Tang Ming , Zheng Jingsheng , Yi Yin , Chen Liang
Published: March 2022

La proteins are found widely in eukaryotes and play a variety of vital roles. AtLa1 has been identified as an La protein that is necessary for embryogenesis in Arabidopsis; however, the existence and biological functions of La proteins in rice (Oryza sativa L.) remain unclear. In this study, we identified and characterized two La proteins in rice that are homologous to AtLa1 and named them OsLa1 and OsLa2. Both the OsLa1 and OsLa2 genes encode RNA‐binding proteins with an La domain and two RNA‐binding domains. Mutant OsLa1 reduced grain length and pollen fertility, whereas OsLa1 overexpression caused the opposite phenotypes. Further experiments indicated that OsLa1 modulates grain size by influencing cell expansion. Interestingly, mutant OsLa2 resulted in thin grains with decreased weight and a low seed‐setting rate. We also found that OsLa1 interacted with OsLa2 and that both OsLa1 and OsLa2 interacted with OseIF6.1, a eukaryotic translation initiation factor involved in ribosome biogenesis. In addition, OsLa1 was able to bind to OseIF6.1 mRNA to modulate its expression. Complete OseIF6.1 knockout caused lethality and OseIF6.1/oseif6.1 heterozygous plants displayed low fertility and low seed setting. Together, our results enrich our knowledge of the role of La proteins in rice growth and development, as well as the relationship between La and eIF6 in rice.
Process Monitoring and Estimation of Material Properties of Additively Manufactured Components Using Model-Based Inversion of Process Compensated Resonance Testing Data
Authors: Heffernan Julieanne , Mayes Alexander , Höhn Niklas , Bach Martin , Widmayer Ira , Biedermann Eric , Jauriqui Leanne
Published: March 2022

Certification of additively manufactured (AM) parts and qualification of AM processes, suppliers, and machines for aerospace applications involve significant mechanical testing, cost, and time. The AM community requires capabilities for fast, affordable, and effective certification and qualification. These capabilities include rapid component and model validation, characterization of process and geometry impact on material properties, build and process monitoring, and effective nondestructive evaluation (NDE). Process compensated resonance testing (PCRT) uses the resonance frequencies of a component to rapidly detect defective parts, monitor build and processes and post-processing, characterize material properties, and can be used as a basis for model validation. This study examines the use of PCRT model-based inversion to nondestructively determine the material properties of as-built titanium AM components. Over 100 samples were printed with intentional variations in build parameters, with the intention to produce generic “acceptable” and “unacceptable” components. PCRT modeling tools were then used to train the inversion code algorithms. The model-based inversion estimated the elastic properties of the as-built parts as well as a residual fit error, identifying several components with outlying properties. Parts were then mechanically tested, and the outliers were confirmed. As PCRT model-inversion is a powerful NDE method, several examples are described showing how inversion results can augment traditional AM inspection techniques.
Convergent selection of a WD40 protein that enhances grain yield in maize and rice
Authors: Chen Wenkang , Chen Lu , Zhang Xuan , Yang Ning , Guo Jianghua , Wang Min , Ji Shenghui , Zhao Xiangyu , Yin Pengfei , Cai Lichun , Xu Jing , Zhang Lili , Han Yingjia , Xiao Yingni , Xu Gen , Wang Yuebin , Wang Shuhui , Wu Sheng , Yang Fang , Jackson David , Cheng Jinkui , Chen Saihua , Sun Chuanqing , Qin Feng , Tian Feng , Fernie Alisdair R. , Li Jiansheng , Yan Jianbing , Yang Xiaohong
Published: March 2022

A better understanding of the extent of convergent selection among crops could greatly improve breeding programs. We found that the quantitative trait locus
KRN2
in maize and its rice ortholog,
OsKRN2
, experienced convergent selection. These orthologs encode WD40 proteins and interact with a gene of unknown function, DUF1644, to negatively regulate grain number in both crops. Knockout of
KRN2
in maize or
OsKRN2
in rice increased grain yield by ~10% and ~8%, respectively, with no apparent trade-offs in other agronomic traits. Furthermore, genome-wide scans identified 490 pairs of orthologous genes that underwent convergent selection during maize and rice evolution, and these were enriched for two shared molecular pathways.
KRN2
, together with other convergently selected genes, provides an excellent target for future crop improvement.
Comment on “Reversible disorder-order transitions in atomic crystal nucleation”
Authors: Yu Cheng-Long , Cheng Hang , Qi Yong , Song Jie , Yang Chen-Guang , Wen Yu , Wang Xiu-Feng
Published: March 2022

Jeon
et al
. (Reports, 29 January 2021, p. 498) reported reversible fluctuations between disordered and crystalline states during nucleation. We argue that the adoption of “magic numbers” for separation of the size range into three parts is misleading when using the sigmoid functions and that their figure 3B was wrongly illustrated. The crystal shape effect was neglected during theoretical analysis.
Tunable and giant valley-selective Hall effect in gapped bilayer graphene
Authors: Yin Jianbo , Tan Cheng , Barcons-Ruiz David , Torre Iacopo , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Song Justin C. W. , Hone James , Koppens Frank H. L.
Published: March 2022

Berry curvature is analogous to magnetic field but in momentum space and is commonly present in materials with nontrivial quantum geometry. It endows Bloch electrons with transverse anomalous velocities to produce Hall-like currents even in the absence of a magnetic field. We report the direct observation of in situ tunable valley-selective Hall effect (VSHE), where inversion symmetry, and thus the geometric phase of electrons, is controllable by an out-of-plane electric field. We use high-quality bilayer graphene with an intrinsic and tunable bandgap, illuminated by circularly polarized midinfrared light, and confirm that the observed Hall voltage arises from an optically induced valley population. Compared with molybdenum disulfide (MoS
2
), we find orders of magnitude larger VSHE, attributed to the inverse scaling of the Berry curvature with bandgap. By monitoring the valley-selective Hall conductivity, we study the Berry curvature’s evolution with bandgap. This in situ manipulation of VSHE paves the way for topological and quantum geometric optoelectronic devices, such as more robust switches and detectors.
Sieving gases with twisty polymers
Authors: Budd Peter M.
Published: March 2022

Ladder polymers in three dimensions show promise as gas-separation membranes
An action potential initiation mechanism in distal axons for the control of dopamine release
Authors: Liu Changliang , Cai Xintong , Ritzau-Jost Andreas , Kramer Paul F. , Li Yulong , Khaliq Zayd M. , Hallermann Stefan , Kaeser Pascal S.
Published: March 2022

Information flow in neurons proceeds by integrating inputs in dendrites, generating action potentials near the soma, and releasing neurotransmitters from nerve terminals in the axon. We found that in the striatum, acetylcholine-releasing neurons induce action potential firing in distal dopamine axons. Spontaneous activity of cholinergic neurons produced dopamine release that extended beyond acetylcholine-signaling domains, and traveling action potentials were readily recorded from dopamine axons in response to cholinergic activation. In freely moving mice, dopamine and acetylcholine covaried with movement direction. Local inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors impaired dopamine dynamics and affected movement. Our findings uncover an endogenous mechanism for action potential initiation independent of somatodendritic integration and establish that this mechanism segregates the control of dopamine signaling between axons and somata.
Volcano-tectonic control of Cumbre Vieja
Authors: González Pablo J.
Published: March 2022

Unexpected features from the 2021 eruption might help forecast giant flank collapses
Side-on coordination of diphosphorus to a mononuclear iron center
Authors: Wang Shuai , Sears Jeffrey D. , Moore Curtis E. , Rheingold Arnold L. , Neidig Michael L. , Figueroa Joshua S.
Published: March 2022

The diagonal relationship in the periodic table between phosphorus and carbon has set an expectation that the triple-bonded diatomic diphosphorus molecule (P
2
) should more closely mimic the attributes of acetylene (HC≡CH) rather than its group 15 congener dinitrogen (N
2
). Although acetylene has well-documented coordination chemistry with mononuclear transition metals, coordination complexes that feature P
2
bound to a single metal center have remained elusive. We report the isolation and x-ray crystallographic characterization of a mononuclear iron complex featuring P
2
coordination in a side-on, η
2
-binding mode. An analogous η
2
-bound bis-timethylsilylacetylene iron complex is reported for comparison. Nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, and Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis—in conjunction with density functional theory calculations—demonstrate that η
2
-P
2
and η
2
-acetylene ligands exert a similar electronic demand on mononuclear iron centers but exhibit different reactivity profiles.
High thermoelectric performance realized through manipulating layered phonon-electron decoupling
Authors: Su Lizhong , Wang Dongyang , Wang Sining , Qin Bingchao , Wang Yuping , Qin Yongxin , Jin Yang , Chang Cheng , Zhao Li-Dong
Published: March 2022

Thermoelectric materials allow for direct conversion between heat and electricity, offering the potential for power generation. The average dimensionless figure of merit
ZT
ave
determines device efficiency. N-type tin selenide crystals exhibit outstanding three-dimensional charge and two-dimensional phonon transport along the out-of-plane direction, contributing to a high maximum figure of merit
Z
max
of ~3.6 × 10
−3
per kelvin but a moderate
ZT
ave
of ~1.1. We found an attractive high
Z
max
of ~4.1 × 10
−3
per kelvin at 748 kelvin and a
ZT
ave
of ~1.7 at 300 to 773 kelvin in chlorine-doped and lead-alloyed tin selenide crystals by phonon-electron decoupling. The chlorine-induced low deformation potential improved the carrier mobility. The lead-induced mass and strain fluctuations reduced the lattice thermal conductivity. Phonon-electron decoupling plays a critical role to achieve high-performance thermoelectrics.
The question of animal emotions
Authors: de Waal Frans B. M. , Andrews Kristin
Published: March 2022

Do animals, including invertebrates, have felt emotions and does this morally matter?
Photons think inside the box
Authors: Fletcher Richard J. , Zwierlein Martin
Published: March 2022

Light confined to a sheet offers a glimpse into low-dimensional quantum gases
Unlocking the mysteries of the written word
The Greatest Invention: A History of the World in Nine Mysterious Scripts
Silvia Ferrara Translated by Todd Portnowitz
Picador, 2022. 304 pp.
Authors: Robinson Andrew
Published: March 2022

A philologist presents a lively tour of the world’s foundational and undeciphered scripts
In the line of fire
Authors: O’Grady Cathleen
Published: March 2022

Scientists have been harassed for years. But a Science survey shows the pandemic has made things far worse for some
Riding the twitter wave
Authors: Brainard Jeffrey
Published: March 2022

Enthusiasm for the social media platform changed science communication during the pandemic—but will it last?
Undersea mountains help stir up oceans
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: March 2022

Seafloor topography plays outsize role in currents that sequester carbon and heat
Southern roots for the Maya—and the maize that fed them
Authors: Gibbons Ann
Published: March 2022

Migrants from the south may have helped spread early farming in Central America, ancient DNA suggests
Where does embryo editing stand now?
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: March 2022

He Jiankui’s expected release finds a field still wrestling with scientific and ethical challenges
Ukrainian bat study spun into tale of bioweapons
Authors: Curry Andrew
Published: March 2022

Russian disinformation campaign targets routine research on bat parasites
A c-di-GMP Signaling Cascade Controls Motility, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence in Burkholderia thailandensis
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Xie Xiaorong , Shang Daohan , Xie Laigong , Hua Yueyue , Song Li , Yang Yantao , Wang Yao , Shen Xihui , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2022

The transition from planktonic cells to biofilm cells is a successful strategy adopted by bacteria to survive in diverse environments, while the second messenger c-di-GMP plays an important role in this process. Cellular c-di-GMP levels are mainly controlled by modulating the activity of c-di-GMP-metabolizing proteins via the sensory domains adjacent to their enzymatic domains.
Food as Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Maldonado-Contreras Ana
Published: March 2022

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), namely, Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are lifelong and incurable chronic inflammatory diseases affecting 6.8 million people worldwide. By 2030, the prevalence of IBD is estimated to reach 1% of the population in Western countries, and thus there is an urgent need to develop effective therapies to reduce the burden of this disease.
Noncanonical Sensing Mechanisms for Bacillus subtilis Chemoreceptors
Authors: Matilla Miguel A. , Krell Tino
Published: March 2022

Bodhankar et al. reported a noncanonical sensing mechanism that involves signal interaction with the McpA chemoreceptor signaling domain resulting in a chemorepellence response of
Bacillus subtilis
. The identified repellent binding site is analogous to that for attractant binding in McpB, another
B. subtilis
chemoreceptor.
The Role and Targets of the RNA-Binding Protein ProQ in the Gram-Negative Bacterial Pathogen Pasteurella multocida
Authors: Gulliver Emily L. , Sy Brandon M. , Wong Julia L. , Deveson Lucas Deanna S. , Powell David R. , Harper Marina , Tree Jai J. , Boyce John D.
Published: March 2022

Regulation in
P. multocida
involving the RNA-binding protein Hfq is required for hyaluronic acid capsule production and virulence. This study further expands our understanding of riboregulation by examining the role of a second RNA-binding protein, ProQ, in transcript regulation and abundance in
P. multocida
.
The HIV Env Glycoprotein Conformational States on Cells and Viruses
Authors: Zhao Connie , Li Hongru , Swartz Talia H. , Chen Benjamin K.
Published: March 2022

The HIV Env glycoprotein is the surface glycoprotein responsible for viral entry into CD4+immune cells. During infection, Env also serves as a primary target for antibody responses, which are robust but unable to control virus replication.
Emergence of High-Level Cefiderocol Resistance in Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from Bloodstream Infections in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies in China
Authors: Lan Peng , Lu Ye , Chen Zhongju , Wu Xueqing , Hua Xiaoting , Jiang Yan , Zhou Jiancang , Yu Yunsong
Published: March 2022

Cefiderocol-resistant CRKP strains are emerging in bloodstream infections in Chinese patients with hematologic malignancies, although cefiderocol has not been approved for clinical use in China. Our study proved that the resistance of CRKP against cefiderocol is mediated by multiple factors, including the deficiency of CirA, metallo- or serine-β-lactamases, while a high-level cefiderocol resistance could be rendered by the combined effect of NDM expression and CirA deficiency.
Association between Timing of Colonization and Risk of Developing Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing K. pneumoniae Infection in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Cano Ángela , Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez Belén , Machuca Isabel , Torre-Giménez Julián , Gracia-Ahufinger Irene , Natera Alejandra M. , Pérez-Nadales Elena , Castón Juan Jose , Rodríguez-Baño Jesús , Martínez-Martínez Luis , Torre-Cisneros Julián
Published: March 2022

In this study, it was confirmed that patients who became colonized during hospitalization had a higher risk of developing KPC-Kp infection than hospitalized patients who were already colonized at the start of follow-up. Besides, the risk of infection in the group of patients who became colonized during follow-up was greater in the first weeks immediately after colonization was confirmed.
Involvement of Urm1, a Ubiquitin-Like Protein, in the Regulation of Oxidative Stress Response of Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Tan Qianqian , Wang Jinwen , Chen Junpeng , Liu Xiaomei , Chen Xiao , Xiao Qianqian , Li Jinxuan , Li Hongmei , Zhao Xiaomin , Zhang Xiao
Published: March 2022

T. gondii
has an intricate life cycle which involves multiple morphologically and physiologically distinct stages, and posttranslational modifications (PTMs) may be key regulators of protein expression at relevant life cycle stages. In recent years, ubiquitin-like proteins with modification functions have been discovered and studied, including Sumo, Rub1, ATG8, and ATG12.
Greenland tidewater glacier advanced rapidly during era of Norse settlement
Authors: Pearce Danni M. , Lea James M. , Mair Douglas W.F. , Rea Brice R. , Schofield J. Edward , Kamenos Nicholas A. , Schoenrock Kathryn M. , Stachnik Lukasz , Lewis Bonnie , Barr Iestyn , Mottram Ruth
Published: March 2022

Our ability to improve prognostic modeling of the Greenland Ice Sheet relies on understanding the long-term relationships between climate and mass flux (via iceberg calving) from marine-terminating tidewater glaciers (TWGs). Observations of recent TWG behavior are widely available, but long-term records of TWG advance are currently lacking. We present glacial geomorphological, sedimentological, archaeological, and modeling data to reconstruct the ~20 km advance of Kangiata Nunaata Sermia (KNS; the largest tidewater glacier in southwest Greenland) during the first half of the past millennium. The data show that KNS advanced ~15 km during the 12th and 13th centuries CE at a rate of ~115 m a−1, contemporaneous with regional climate cooling toward the Little Ice Age and comparable to rates of TWG retreat witnessed over the past ~200 years. Presence of Norse farmsteads proximal to KNS demonstrates their resilience to climate change, manifest as a rapidly advancing TWG in a cooling climate. The results place limits on the magnitude of ice-margin advance and demonstrate TWG sensitivity to climate cooling as well as warming. These data combined with our grounding-line stability analysis provide a long-term record that validates approaches to numerical modeling aiming to link calving to climate.
Magmatism at oceanic core complexes on the ultraslow Southwest Indian Ridge: Insights from near-seafloor magnetics
Authors: Zhou Fei , Dyment Jérôme , Tao Chunhui , Wu Tao
Published: March 2022

Oceanic core complexes (OCCs) and detachment faults play a key role in crustal accretion at slow and ultraslow spreading centers. We investigated the effect of different magma supply at three OCCs of the Southwest Indian Ridge using high-resolution deep-sea bathymetric and magnetic data. The average equivalent thickness of extrusive basalt deduced from the magnetic anomalies, a proxy for magma supply, decreases from west to east, from the Yuhuang (49.25°E) to Longqi (49.65°E) to Junhui (51.75°E) OCCs. Conversely, serpentinite outcrops become more abundant, the domal OCC morphology flattens as the footwall rotation (measured by the magnetization vector inclination) increases, and hydrothermal evidence becomes sparse. Combined with results from the amagmatic easternmost Southwest Indian Ridge, our study shows that the magma supply controls the character and evolution of the OCCs and detachment faults on the Southwest Indian Ridge.
Unsaturated wetting deformation characteristics of a granite rockfill under rainfall conditions
Authors: Wu Yongkang , Yin Yin , Zhang Bingyin , Sun Xun , Yu Yuzhen
Published: March 2022

Rainfall-induced unsaturated wetting deformation has been one of the main sources of postconstruction deformations of rockfill structures. An experimental study is presented of the unsaturated wetting deformation characteristics of a weakly weathered granite rockfill under different triaxial stress conditions and rainfall intensities investigated by a modified triaxial apparatus equipped with the newly developed rainfall simulator. Results show that the wetting deformation of rockfill materials occurs at a relatively small water content; when the rockfill reaches a critical wetting point (i.e., the effective water content), additional water does not produce more deformations. It is shown that the tested rockfill material has an effective water content of <6.89%, with a corresponding effective degree of saturation of <17.26%. Moreover, the unsaturated wetting deformation can be classified into two components: the instantaneous wetting deformation that occurs during rockfill wetting and exhibits properties of parallelism and the wet-state creep deformation that occurs time-dependently after the rockfill is wetted and shows features similar to those of general creep deformation, suggesting that unsaturated wetting can be considered as a generalized load. Finally, by introducing the two-stage wetting deformation model, the experimental curves of axial strain and volumetric strain against time were well predicted.
Numerical investigation of fluid flow and heat characteristics of a roughened solar air heater with novel V-shaped ribs
Authors: Allauddin Usman , Khan Waqar A. , Ali Saim E. , Haider Syed M.M. , Ahmed Abdul S. , Rehman Abdur , Verdin Patrick G.
Published: March 2022

Solar air heaters convert clean solar energy into useable heat and thus have a wide range of applications. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can aid in the design and development of solar air heaters with optimized thermal efficiency. A detailed numerical study was conducted to investigate the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of a roughened solar air heater with novel V-shaped ribs having staggered elements. Three-dimensional steady-state numerical simulations were performed using the k− ε Re-Normalisation Group (RNG) turbulence model, and results were found to be in excellent agreement with experimental data. The effect of rib spacing was studied through varying the rib pitch to rib height ratio P: e = 6–14, for Reynolds numbers (Re) in the range of 4000–14 000. A significant enhancement in the rib-roughened solar air heater's thermal performance was observed. It was also established that an increment in P: e from 6 to 10 increases the Nusselt number (Nu) for all Re values investigated. About 72.6% Nu enhancement was predicted for P: e = 10 at Re = 12 000. It was further observed that an increment in P: e from 10 to 14 decreases the Nu for all values of Re considered.
Resonant superalgebras for supergravity
Authors: Durka Remigiusz , Graczyk Krzysztof M.
Published: March 2022

Considering supergravity theory is a natural step in the development of gravity models. This paper follows the “algebraic“ path and constructs possible extensions of the Poincaré and Anti-de-Sitter algebras, which inherit their basic commutation structure. Previously achieved results of this type are fragmentary and show only a limited fraction of possible algebraic realizations. Our paper presents the newly obtained symmetry algebras, evaluated within an efficient pattern-based computational method of generating the so-called ‘resonating’ algebraic structures. These supersymmetric extensions of algebras, going beyond the Poincaré and Anti-de Sitter ones, contain additional bosonic generators $$Z_{ab}$$

Z

ab

(Lorentz-like), and $$U_a$$

U
a

(translational-like) added to the standard Lorentz generator $$J_{ab}$$

J

ab

and translation generator $$P_{a}$$

P
a

. Our analysis includes all cases up to two fermionic supercharges, $$Q_{\alpha }$$

Q
α

and $$Y_{\alpha }$$

Y
α

. The delivered plethora of superalgebras includes few past results and offers a vastness of new examples. The list of the cases is complete and contains all superalgebras up to two of Lorentz-like, translation-like, and supercharge-like generators $$(JP+Q)+(ZU+Y)=JPZU+QY$$

(
J
P
+
Q
)
+
(
Z
U
+
Y
)
=
J
P
Z
U
+
Q
Y

. In the latter class, among 667 founded superalgebras, the 264 are suitable for direct supergravity construction. For each of them, one can construct a unique supergravity model defined by the Lagrangian. As an example, we consider one of the algebra configurations and provide its Lagrangian realization.
Correlation of Agile Principles and Practices to Software Project Performance: An AHP–Delphi Analysis
Authors: Palopak Yulianus , Huang Sun-Jen
Published: March 2022

Currently, Extreme Programming, Scrum, and Kanban are the three most commonly used methods in agile software development (ASD) projects. Each method has different practices and shares a set of agile principles, where quality, time, and cost are the three project performance indicators. Companies may focus on and prioritize certain indicators based on industry or project differences. Therefore, choosing appropriate practices that fit the specific performance indicator is an important decision for organizations. This study utilizes a hierarchical consensus model to examine the correlation between four agile practice groups, six agile principle categories, and three project performance indicators. The modified Delphi method was applied to collect the pairwise comparison data, and the analytic hierarchy process was utilized to analyze the data. A Delphi panel of experts from both academia and industry was established to reach a consensus on the correlation priority using pairwise comparison matrices. The principle of cooperation between customer and developer is considered the most important principle related to project time and cost performance, while the technical excellence principle is the most important principle related to project quality performance. These results can assist organizations and practitioners in adopting the ASD practices that will best enhance their competitive advantage.
Novel Results for Markov Jump 2D Interfered Digital Filters with State-Delay and Saturation Nonlinearities
Authors: Kumar Mani Kant
Published: March 2022

Existing results on [Formula: see text] stability analysis problems for 2D digital filters are limited to external interference and saturation arithmetic. Unfortunately, developed results so far are not sufficient to tackle Markovian jumping parameters (MJPs) and state-delay. Such stability problem for 2D digital filters under MJPs, saturation arithmetic, state-delay and external interference has not been considered in the existing literature. In this paper, novel [Formula: see text] performance analysis criterion is first proposed for 2D interfered digital filters in which state-delay, saturation nonlinearities and MJPs are considered. The mathematical model of the underlying 2D system is described by the Roesser model. Furthermore, improved [Formula: see text] performance analysis criterion over the existing result is also obtained for 2D interfered digital filters with saturation nonlinearities only. At the end, two examples are employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the devised stability results.
Reactive search-MST optimized clustering-based feature selection
Authors: Kaleemullah A. , Suresh A.
Published: March 2022

Data clustering is a technique for analyzing the data that is incurred in various fields such as data processing, pattern recognition, knowledge discovery and machine learning. Feature clustering is an important paradigm for different types of feature selection techniques that aims to reduce redundant and irrelevant features from a given set of features in order to maintain load balance on the classification algorithm. The work proposed a PSO–GSO–MST, a hybrid approach that combines Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Glowworm Swarm Optimization (GSO). The work performs efficient feature selection with improved classification accuracy. Clustering analysis plays an important role in knowledge discovery and data mining. It adopts the unsupervised learning method, and the results of clustering are similar within the class and are different between the classes. Aiming at some shortcomings of traditional clustering algorithms, some techniques for clustering using natural heuristic algorithms have emerged. The proposed work performs cluster using optimized Minimum Spanning Tree (MST). The work aims to perform optimization of MST with the help of two renowned techniques such as PSO and GSO. The proposed PSO–GSO–MST is compared with state-of-the-art algorithms such as Clustering-based Feature Selection (CFS) and PSO–MST. The results show that the classification accuracy for the proposed PSO–GSO–MST performs better by 16.9% than CFS and by 4.7% than PSO–MST optimized CFS, respectively. The outcome of the work proves that the proposed algorithm achieves improved performance than the currently available algorithms and can be used for clustering applications.
GraphHINGE: Learning Interaction Models of Structured Neighborhood on Heterogeneous Information Network
Authors: Jin Jiarui , Du Kounianhua , Zhang Weinan , Qin Jiarui , Fang Yuchen , Yu Yong , Zhang Zheng , Smola Alexander J.
Published: March 2022

Heterogeneous information network (HIN) has been widely used to characterize entities of various types and their complex relations. Recent attempts either rely on explicit path reachability to leverage path-based semantic relatedness or graph neighborhood to learn heterogeneous network representations before predictions. These weakly coupled manners overlook the rich interactions among neighbor nodes, which introduces an early summarization issue. In this article, we propose GraphHINGE (

H

eterogeneous

IN

teract and aggre

G

at

E

), which captures and aggregates the interactive patterns between each pair of nodes through their structured neighborhoods. Specifically, we first introduce Neighborhood-based Interaction (NI) module to model the interactive patterns under the same metapaths, and then extend it to Cross Neighborhood-based Interaction (CNI) module to deal with different metapaths. Next, in order to address the complexity issue on large-scale networks, we formulate the interaction modules via a convolutional framework and learn the parameters efficiently with fast Fourier transform. Furthermore, we design a novel neighborhood-based selection (NS) mechanism, a sampling strategy, to filter high-order neighborhood information based on their low-order performance. The extensive experiments on six different types of heterogeneous graphs demonstrate the performance gains by comparing with state-of-the-arts in both click-through rate prediction and top-N recommendation tasks.
BQ: A Lock-Free Queue with Batching
Authors: Milman-Sela Gal , Kogan Alex , Lev Yossi , Luchangco Victor , Petrank Erez
Published: March 2022

Concurrent data structures provide fundamental building blocks for concurrent programming. Standard concurrent data structures may be extended by allowing a sequence of operations to be submitted as a batch for later execution. A sequence of such operations can then be executed more efficiently than the standard execution of one operation at a time. In this article, we develop a novel algorithmic extension to the prevalent FIFO queue data structure that exploits such batching scenarios. An implementation in C++ on a multicore demonstrates significant performance improvement of more than an order of magnitude (depending on the batch lengths and the number of threads) compared to previous queue implementations.
Mass Spectrometry Measurements of Neuropeptides: From Identification to Quantitation
Authors: De La Toba Eduardo A. , Bell Sara E. , Romanova Elena V. , Sweedler Jonathan V.
Published: March 2022

Neuropeptides (NPs), a unique class of neuronal signaling molecules, participate in a variety of physiological processes and diseases. Quantitative measurements of NPs provide valuable information regarding how these molecules are differentially regulated in a multitude of neurological, metabolic, and mental disorders. Mass spectrometry (MS) has evolved to become a powerful technique for measuring trace levels of NPs in complex biological tissues and individual cells using both targeted and exploratory approaches. There are inherent challenges to measuring NPs, including their wide endogenous concentration range, transport and postmortem degradation, complex sample matrices, and statistical processing of MS data required for accurate NP quantitation. This review highlights techniques developed to address these challenges and presents an overview of quantitative MS-based measurement approaches for NPs, including the incorporation of separation methods for high-throughput analysis, MS imaging for spatial measurements, and methods for NP quantitation in single neurons.
A comparison of attitudes toward remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic between students attending a Chinese and an Australian campus
Authors: Chen Hui , van Reyk David , Reyna Jorge , Oliver Brian G.
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a strong driver for moving more teaching and learning activities online. Border restrictions have had a severe impact on international students either hoping to enroll in courses offered in Australia or continue with such courses if they are already enrolled. The online learning experience is likely different between students onshore and offshore. This study took a unique opportunity to investigate any such differences in students’ attitudes toward remote learning, necessitated by the pandemic, by comparing two cohorts of students, Australia versus China based. An anonymous survey using the Likert Scale and open-ended questions was available for student feedback on subject delivery. The students based in Australia expressed a preference for remote learning due to the convenience of attendance and availability of the video recordings. However, students in China had a strong preference for face-to-face sessions, with the lack of prior experience in an English-speaking learning environment and hesitance to speak with the lecturers and engage in the learning activities possible reasons for this. In quizzes, students in Australia performed better than those in China regardless of local or international student status. This difference may be due to the Australian-based students’ prior experience of English-speaking environments and open-book quizzes. In conclusion, remote learning in a familiar language and learning environment is accepted by students, whereas if the teaching is delivered in a second language using unfamiliar teaching methods, remote learning will require additional scaffolding to enhance their learning experience.
Physical activity following sport-related concussion in adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: Miutz Lauren N. , Burma Joel S. , Lapointe Andrew P. , Newel Kailey T. , Emery Carolyn A. , Smirl Jonathan D.
Published: March 2022

The systematic review evaluated the evidence related to how physical activity affects recovery following a sport-related concussion (SRC) in adolescents. Databases indexed were PUBMED, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus. Inclusion criteria included 1) original research article, 2) ≥66% have an SRC diagnosed by a clinician, 3) human research, and 4) evaluated the effect of an SRC on physical activity in adolescents only (<18 yr). Participants were seen within 1–2 wk after SRC for acute studies and 4 wk after SRC for studies focused on prolonged recoveries, which are standard timelines across the literature. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria [i.e., 8 regarding physical activity (PA-daily aerobic activity including light and moderate intensities), 8 evaluating active rehabilitation/exercise programs (20 min of daily aerobic exercise below symptom threshold), 6 examining a single bout of exertion]. The methodological quality of the literature was assessed using the Downs and Black risk of bias (ROB) checklist. The ROB scores ranged from 7 to 24, with only two randomized controlled trials included. Studies demonstrated that single bouts of exertion testing were safe and feasible. Daily PA or active rehabilitation/exercise programs led to a reduction in symptoms present and a decrease in number of days to medical clearance. Following a brief period of rest (24–48 h), individuals may gradually and safely return to PA below their physical symptom exacerbation thresholds. Further research is warranted to delineate how to optimize the timing, intensity, duration, and modality of PA impacts symptom resolution and physiological recovery following different subtypes of SRC.
Analytical Method for Capped Pile–Soil Interaction considering the Load Action of Soil under the Pile Cap
Authors: Luo Shilin , Liu Mingquan , Jiang Jianqing , Aierken Ailifeila , Chang Jin , Zhang Xuewen , Zhang Rui
Published: March 2022

To study the pile–soil interaction mechanism of capped pile, an analytical method considering the load action of soil under the pile cap is proposed. The shearing displacement method is used to derive the lateral friction of pile body under the pile top load, and the Boussinesq solutions is used to derive the lateral friction of pile body considering the load of soil under the cap. The theoretical expressions of axial force and load-settlement curves are also achieved by means of establishing and solving the equilibrium differential equation of the pile body. Comparison of calculation results with the ordinary pile indicates that soil load under the pile cap reduces the lateral friction value; the influenced depth is about four times of the load action radius. The axial force and the load-settlement curve data are verified by a case history data. The results show that the computed data agree well with the measured data. The proposed method can direct the design of capped pile composite foundations.
Capecitabine Regulates HSP90AB1 Expression and Induces Apoptosis via Akt/SMARCC1/AP-1/ROS Axis in T Cells
Authors: Zhang Sai , Fan Shunli , Wang Zhenglu , Hou Wen , Liu Tao , Yoshida Sei , Yang Shuang , Zheng Hong , Shen Zhongyang
Published: March 2022

Transplant oncology is a newly emerging discipline integrating oncology, transplant medicine, and surgery and has brought malignancy treatment into a new era via transplantation. In this context, obtaining a drug with both immunosuppressive and antitumor effects can take into account the dual needs of preventing both transplant rejection and tumor recurrence in liver transplantation patients with malignancies. Capecitabine (CAP), a classic antitumor drug, has been shown to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis in tumor cells. Meanwhile, we have demonstrated that CAP can induce ROS production and apoptosis in T cells to exert immunosuppressive effects, but its underlying molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, metronomic doses of CAP were administered to normal mice by gavage, and the spleen was selected for quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis. The results showed that CAP significantly reduced the expression of HSP90AB1 and SMARCC1 in the spleen. It was subsequently confirmed that CAP also significantly reduced the expression of HSP90AB1 and SMARCC1 and increased ROS and apoptosis levels in T cells. The results of in vitro experiments showed that HSP90AB1 knockdown resulted in a significant decrease in p-Akt, SMARCC1, p-c-Fos, and p-c-Jun expression levels and a significant increase in ROS and apoptosis levels. HSP90AB1 overexpression significantly inhibited CAP-induced T cell apoptosis by increasing the p-Akt, SMARCC1, p-c-Fos, and p-c-Jun expression levels and reducing the ROS level. In conclusion, HSP90AB1 is a key target of CAP-induced T cell apoptosis via Akt/SMARCC1/AP-1/ROS axis, which provides a novel understanding of CAP-induced T cell apoptosis and lays the experimental foundation for further exploring CAP as an immunosuppressant with antitumor effects to optimize the medication regimen for transplantation patients.