bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling the nuclear matter EoS from neutron star properties: a supervised machine learning approach
Authors: Ferreira Márcio , Providência Constança
Published: July 2021

We explore supervised machine learning methods in extracting the non-linear maps between neutron stars (NS) observables and the equation of state (EoS) of nuclear matter. Using a Taylor expansion around saturation density, we have generated a set of model independent EoS describing stellar matter constrained by nuclear matter parameters that are thermodynamically consistent, causal, and consistent with astrophysical observations. From this set, the full non-linear dependencies of the NS tidal deformability and radius on the nuclear matter parameters were learned using two distinct machine learning methods. Due to the high accuracy of the learned non-linear maps, we were able to analyze the impact of each nuclear matter parameter on the NS observables, identify dependencies on the EoS properties beyond linear correlations and predict which stars allow us to draw strong constraints.
Tensor spectrum of turbulence-sourced gravitational waves as a constraint on graviton mass
Authors: He Yutong , Brandenburg Axel , Sinha Aditya
Published: July 2021

We consider a generic dispersive massive gravity theory and numerically
study its resulting modified energy and strain spectra of tensor gravitational waves (GWs)
sourced by (i) fully developed turbulence during the electroweak phase
transition (EWPT) and (ii) forced hydromagnetic turbulence during
the QCD phase transition (QCDPT).
The GW spectra are then computed in both spatial and temporal Fourier domains.
We find, from the spatial spectra, that the slope modifications are
weakly dependent on the eddy size at QCDPT, and, from the temporal
spectra, that the modifications are pronounced in the 1–10 range
— the sensitivity range of the North American Nanohertz Observatory
for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) — for a graviton mass in the
range 2×10-23 c27×10-22.
Method for determining the state of an grounding device
Authors: Sidorov A , Abdullozoda R , Sadullozoda S , Saifiddinzoda O , Abdullozoda I
Published: July 2021

The article provides a method for determining the state of the grounding devices without having to open the vertical and horizontal electrodes thereof. The developed method requires the determination of the average annual significance of indirect factors, essentially influencing the corrosion state of the ground elements, such as ground humidity and the meaning wandering current.
Project implementation efficiency: developing natural gas resources of the Western Arctic shelf
Authors: Zhukov O V , Cherepovitsyn A E
Published: July 2021

The article discusses the issue of developing an optimal investment plan aimed at implementing large-scale projects for the production of natural gas in Western Arctic shelf areas. It presents the results of evaluating the economic efficiency of project implementation for two possible taxation scenarios: the one based on the current tax system and the one based on a production sharing agreement (PSA). The results obtained indicate that in implementing gas projects, it is advisable to use a step-by-step multivariate system for evaluating their commercial and fiscal efficiency taking into account the planned technical and organizational measures.
Mathematical modeling of filtering suspensions of non – newtonian behavior in alluvial filters
Authors: Ibyatov R I , Zinnatullina A N , Kiseleva N G
Published: July 2021

Clarification of liquids and preparation of industrial water plays an important role in various industries, in particular, in the development of oil fields, in the fuel oil industry. In this article, the filtration of a fine suspension of non-Newtonian behavior in a batch alluvial filter is considered. The power-law fluid model is used to describe the rheological state of the medium. A mathematical model is constructed for a filter element of the tubular type. To calculate the thickness of the formed sediment layer, differential equations are constructed. The results of numerical calculations are presented. The influence of the degree of nonlinearity of the medium on the duration of the filter cycle is shown.
Radiation Resistance Of Filled Elastomer Compositions
Authors: Ibadullaev A , Nigmatova D , Teshabaeva E
Published: July 2021

The paper investigates the physical and chemical properties of the carbon-containing material of the secondary raw material for the production of acetylene and its effect on the radiation resistance of rubber products and cable rubbers. It was found that the carbon-containing material is modified carbon, the surface of which is microencapsulated with oligomeric oxygen-containing compounds, its thickness, calculated from the value of the specific geometric surface, amounted to 50-60Å. The effect of carbon-containing material on the relaxation coefficient and compressive stress is shown, and radiation resistance by the relative elongation of rubbers in an ionizing radiation environment 60Co. At the same time, it was found that, due to the finished oligomer on the surface of particles of carbon-containing material, threshold dose of radiation of rubbers based on styrene butadiene rubber according to the relaxation index, compressive stress and the coefficient of radiation resistance in terms of relative elongation increases three times compared to carbon blacks P803. Similarly, dependencies were obtained in rubbers based on other types of rubbers, including nitrile butadiene rubbers, possessing low radiation resistance due to the increased tendency to structuring. The findings indicate that the carbon-containing material is an effective filler for increasing the radiation resistance of industrial rubber goods and cables, operated in the environment of ionizing radiation.
Formation of environmental safety of the environment as a result of the activities of the oil refining enterprise
Authors: Oznobikhina L A
Published: July 2021

The socio-political aspect of considering the environmental problems of the operation of oil refineries is associated with solving environmental problems on a scale of all mankind in the presence of various social systems. Oil refining processes pose a danger to the habitat of the living world, as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere are polluted. To prevent and reduce the environmental load on the environment, it is necessary to introduce environmental management methods in oil refining, to conduct economic activities within the capacity of ecosystems on the basis of the massive introduction of energy and resource-saving technologies.
Fuel and energy complex of Yakutia: environmental aspects
Authors: Savvinov Grigory N , Velichenko Valery V
Published: July 2021

The article discusses the issues of ecology of enterprises of the fuel and energy complex of Yakutia (FEC). The research was carried out on the basis of the study of the stock materials of the Research Institute of Applied Ecology of the North of the NEFU, literature sources and a detailed analysis of departmental materials of the profile ministries of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The data on emissions into the atmosphere and discharges into watercourses carried out by the enterprises of the fuel and energy complex are presented. The development of mineral deposits in Yakutia is carried out mainly by the open method with the massive use of drilling and blasting operations, as a result of which dust and gas emissions into the atmosphere and the removal of finely dispersed clay material into water bodies occur. A serious source of emission of pollutants into the atmosphere among energy enterprises is housing and communal services, the emission from which comes practically without purification. The analysis of the materials made it possible to establish that the activities of enterprises in the fuel and energy complex as a whole comply with the requirements of the environmental legislation of the Russian Federation, and the impact of enterprises on the ecological state of the atmosphere of the republic is of a local nature. The quality of the environment in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is assessed as satisfactory.
The low and high temperature thermoelectric properties of Yb3Si5
Authors: Ahmed Fahim , Valenta Jaroslav , Tsujii Naohito , Hussain Ahmad , Jabeen Nawishta , Mori Takao
Published: July 2021

Silicides have been of great interest for thermoelectric applications due to their abundant elements as well as thermal and chemical stability. In this paper, we examined the thermoelectric properties of Yb3Si5 polycrystalline samples in a wide temperature range from 10 to 800 K. The temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient was successfully analyzed by assuming a narrow 4f quasi-particle band, indicating the intermediate valence state of Yb2+-Yb3+ is responsible for the high power factor. A very large maximum power factor of ∼ 4.70 mWm−1K−2 was observed at 72 K and room temperature value ∼ 1.56 mWm−1K−2 for Yb3Si5. These results shows that Yb-Si compounds have large potential to be used as low temperature TE applications in the future. We also studied the Co-doping effect in Yb3Si5, namely, Yb3Co
x
Si5−x
where x = 0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.20 and investigated their thermoelectric properties. While powder X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed all main peaks indexed to Yb3Si5 phase, SEM and EDX analyses revealed that Co is precipitated as metal particles, forming a composite material with Yb3Si5 phase. Thermoelectric properties of the Co-doped samples are also reported.
Experimental advances in charge and spin transport in chemical vapor deposited graphene
Authors: Mishra H , Panda J , Ramu M , Sarkar T , Dayen J-F , Belotcerkovtceva Daria , Kamalakar M Venkata
Published: July 2021

Despite structural and processing-induced imperfections, wafer-scale chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene today is commercially available and has emerged as a versatile form that can be readily transferred to desired substrates for various nanoelectronic and spintronic applications. In particular, over the past decade, significant advancements in CVD graphene synthesis methods and experiments realizing high-quality charge and spin transport have been achieved. These include growth of large-grain graphene, new processing methods, high-quality electrical transport with high-carrier mobility, micron-scale ballistic transport, observations of quantum and fractional quantum Hall effect, as well as the spintronic performance of extremely long spin communication over tens of micrometers at room temperature with robust spin diffusion lengths and spin lifetimes. In this short review, we discuss the progress in recent years in the synthesis of high-quality, large-scale CVD graphene and improvement of the electrical and spin transport performance, particularly towards achieving ballistic and long-distance spin transport that show exceptional promise for next-generation graphene electronic and spintronic applications.
Unifying system identification and biomechanical formulations for the estimation of muscle, tendon and joint stiffness during human movement
Authors: Cop Christopher P , Cavallo Gaia , van ’t Veld Ronald C , FJM Koopman Bart , Lataire John , Schouten Alfred C , Sartori Massimo
Published: July 2021

In vivo joint stiffness estimation during time-varying conditions remains an open challenge. Multiple communities, e.g. system identification and biomechanics, have tackled the problem from different perspectives and using different methods, each of which entailing advantages and limitations, often complementary. System identification formulations provide data-driven estimates of stiffness at the joint level, while biomechanics often relies on musculoskeletal models to estimate stiffness at multiple levels, i.e. joint, muscle, and tendon. Collaboration across these two scientific communities seems to be a logical step toward a reliable multi-level understanding of joint stiffness. However, differences at the theoretical, computational, and experimental levels have limited inter-community interaction. In this article we present a roadmap to achieve a unified framework for the estimation of time-varying stiffness in the composite human neuromusculoskeletal system during movement. We present our perspective on future developments to obtain data-driven system identification and musculoskeletal models that are compatible at the theoretical, computational, and experimental levels. Moreover, we propose a novel combined closed-loop paradigm, in which reference estimates of joint stiffness via system identification are decomposed into underlying muscle and tendon contribution via high-density-electromyography-driven musculoskeletal modeling. We highlight the need for aligning experimental requirements to be able to compare both joint stiffness formulations. Unifying both biomechanics’ and system identification’s formulations is a necessary step for truly generalizing stiffness estimation across individuals, movement conditions, training and impairment levels. From an application point of view, this is central for enabling patient-specific neurorehabilitation therapies, as well as biomimetic control of assistive robotic technologies. The roadmap we propose could serve as an inspiration for future collaborations across broadly different scientific communities to truly understand joint stiffness bio- and neuromechanics.
Operation and performance of the 4H-SiC junctionless FinFET
Authors: Naydenov K , Donato N , Udrea F
Published: July 2021

This work presents a comprehensive study on the behaviour and operation of a vertical 1.2 kV 4H-SiC junctionless power FinFET. The increased bulk conduction in the channel of this topology may bring reductions in the channel resistance compared to trench MOSFETs, whose performance is limited by the high interface state density. For this purpose, finite element (FE) simulations are used to examine the operation of this device. It is hence demonstrated that the junctionless FinFET can attain a high average channel drift mobility well above 100 cm2/(Vs), leaving the resistance to be determined by the drift and substrate regions. This allows the FinFET to turn on and reach its steady state current using a much (> 3x) smaller gate overdrive than standard designs. On the other hand, however, the overly high field in the gate oxide, the lack of an efficient mechanism for hole extraction, and the low threshold voltage can cause significant reliability issues. Furthermore, it is shown that the high input capacitance of the FinFET can limit its switching speed to slower levels than in standard trench MOSFETs, which raises the need for further development of the original design proposed for vertical GaN devices. In this context, it is demonstrated that the addition of a p-shield below the trenches can alleviate the off-state reliability issues and increase the speed, while still maintaining a competitive R

on
 ∼ 2mΩ cm2 even without the use of n-JFET enhancement doping.
Simplicial contagion in temporal higher-order networks
Authors: Chowdhary Sandeep , Kumar Aanjaneya , Cencetti Giulia , Iacopini Iacopo , Battiston Federico
Published: July 2021

Complex networks represent the natural backbone to study epidemic processes in populations of interacting individuals. Such a modeling framework, however, is naturally limited to pairwise interactions, making it less suitable to properly describe social contagion, where individuals acquire new norms or ideas after simultaneous exposure to multiple sources of infections. Simplicial contagion has been proposed as an alternative framework where simplices are used to encode group interactions of any order. The presence of these higher-order interactions leads to explosive epidemic transitions and bistability. In particular, critical mass effects can emerge even for infectivity values below the standard pairwise epidemic threshold, where the size of the initial seed of infectious nodes determines whether the system would eventually fall in the endemic or the healthy state. Here we extend simplicial contagion to time-varying networks, where pairwise and higher-order simplices can be created or destroyed over time. By following a microscopic Markov chain approach, we find that the same seed of infectious nodes might or might not lead to an endemic stationary state, depending on the temporal properties of the underlying network structure, and show that persistent temporal interactions anticipate the onset of the endemic state in finite-size systems. We characterize this behavior on higher-order networks with a prescribed temporal correlation between consecutive interactions and on heterogeneous simplicial complexes, showing that temporality again limits the effect of higher-order spreading, but in a less pronounced way than for homogeneous structures. Our work suggests the importance of incorporating temporality, a realistic feature of many real-world systems, into the investigation of dynamical processes beyond pairwise interactions.
Crossing Birth-Weight–Specific Mortality Curves: How a Puzzling Clinical Observation Led to an Important Advance in Epidemiologic Methods
Authors: Klebanoff Mark A
Published: July 2021

Throughout the second half of the 20th century, clinicians noted that although African-American neonates were more likely than White neonates to weigh less than 2,500 g at birth (low birth weight), among low–birth-weight infants African Americans were more likely than Whites to survive. However, when born at normal weight, African-American infants were substantially less likely to survive. The observation generated much physiological speculation, and several clever mathematical manipulations were devised to “uncross the mortality curves.” With the development and dissemination of directed acyclic graphs in the early 2000s, methodologists focusing on perinatal epidemiology showed graphically, in an early use of directed acyclic graphs, that birth weight was a “collider” and that controlling for birth weight, whether by regression, stratification, or restriction, introduced confounding of the race-mortality association by all unmeasured common causes of birth weight and mortality. These investigations showed that the crossing curves could be explained as an artifact of a conceptually flawed analysis. These results have applicability beyond perinatal epidemiology, including applicability to the “obesity paradox.”
pKPDB: a protein data bank extension database of pKa and pI theoretical values
Authors: Reis Pedro B P S , Clevert Djork-Arné , Machuqueiro Miguel
Published: July 2021

pKa values of ionizable residues and isoelectric points of proteins provide valuable local and global insights about their structure and function. These properties can be estimated with reasonably good accuracy using Poisson–Boltzmann and Monte Carlo calculations at a considerable computational cost (from some minutes to several hours). pKPDB is a database of over 12 M theoretical pKa values calculated over 120k protein structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank. By providing precomputed pKa and pI values, users can retrieve results instantaneously for their protein(s) of interest while also saving countless hours and resources that would be spent on repeated calculations. Furthermore, there is an ever-growing imbalance between experimental pKa and pI values and the number of resolved structures. This database will complement the experimental and computational data already available and can also provide crucial information regarding buried residues that are under-represented in experimental measurements.

Availability and implementation

Gzipped csv files containing p Ka and isoelectric point values can be downloaded from https://pypka.org/pKPDB. To query a single PDB code please use the PypKa free server at https://pypka.org. The pKPDB source code can be found at https://github.com/mms-fcul/pKPDB.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Single-dose mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Including Alpha and Gamma Variants: A Test-negative Design in Adults 70 Years and Older in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Skowronski Danuta M , Setayeshgar Solmaz , Zou Macy , Prystajecky Natalie , Tyson John R , Galanis Eleni , Naus Monika , Patrick David M , Sbihi Hind , El Adam Shiraz , Henry Bonnie , Hoang Linda M N , Sadarangani Manish , Jassem Agatha N , Krajden Mel
Published: July 2021

Background

Randomized-controlled trials of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) included relatively few elderly participants. We assess single-dose mRNA vaccine effectiveness (VE) in adults ≥ 70 years old in British Columbia, Canada, where second doses were deferred by up to 16 weeks and where a spring 2021 wave uniquely included codominant circulation of Alpha (B.1.1.7) and Gamma (P.1) variants of concern (VOC).

Methods

Analyses included community-dwelling adults ≥ 70 years old with specimen collection between 4 April (epidemiological week 14) and 1 May (week 17) 2021. Adjusted VE was estimated by test-negative design. Cases were reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test-positive for SARS-CoV-2, and controls were test-negative. Vaccine status was defined by receipt of a single-dose ≥ 21 days before specimen collection, but a range of intervals was assessed. Variant-specific VE was estimated against viruses genetically characterized as Alpha, Gamma or non-VOC lineages.

Results

VE analyses included 16 993 specimens: 1226 (7%) test-positive cases and 15 767 test-negative controls. Of 1131 (92%) genetically characterized viruses, 509 (45%), 314 (28%), and 276 (24%) were Alpha, Gamma, and non-VOC lineages, respectively. At 0–13 days postvaccination, VE was negligible at 14% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0–26) but increased from 43% (95% CI, 30–53) at 14–20 days to 75% (95% CI, 63–83) at 35–41 days postvaccination. VE at ≥ 21 days postvaccination was 65% (95% CI, 58–71) overall: 72% (95% CI, 58–81), 67% (95% CI, 57–75), and 61% (95% CI, 45–72) for non-VOC, Alpha, and Gamma variants, respectively.

Conclusions

A single dose of mRNA vaccine reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2 by about two-thirds in adults ≥ 70 years old, with protection only minimally reduced against Alpha and Gamma variants.
Mother to Infant Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus in the Face of Neonatal Immunization Is Not Necessarily Primary Vaccine Failure
Authors: Ijaz Samreen , Derrick Jade , Shute Justin , Ireland Georgina , Hayden Iain , Ngui Siew Lin , Mandal Sema , Tedder Richard S
Published: July 2021

Background

Surveillance programs undertaken in infants born to mothers with hepatitis B virus (HBV) provide an opportunity to analyze virological markers from the neonate and early infancy. These data inform on mechanisms of HBV transmission and how available interventions can be better used for control of HBV infections arising at the mother/child interface.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of HBV serological markers was undertaken in dried blood spots collected from infants born to mothers infected with HBV. In addition, molecular analysis was performed in newborn blood spot cards, collected after birth, from infants identified as infected with HBV despite receiving prophylaxis.

Results

Perinatal exposure could not account for all transmissions, with at least one-quarter (22%) of infants already infected in utero. All harbored a wild-type hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), with identical sequences noted in the neonatal and early infancy samples. In contrast, in infants infected perinatally (43%), selection of viruses harboring amino acid changes in the HBsAg were common (80% of sequences) and divergent from the linked maternal sample.

Conclusion

Currently considered to represent vaccine failure, it is likely that a proportion of HBV infections result from in utero acquisition. These infections are unlikely to be susceptible to postnatal prophylaxis, and current recommendations for maternal antiviral treatment may be too late to prevent transmission. Consideration should be given to the earlier use of antivirals during gestation to reduce the risk of intrauterine transmission together with completion of the immunization schedule also to reduce the perinatal risk of HBV transmission.
Research on control strategy of multi-source data fusion solar intelligent vehicle based on image recognition
Authors: Zhang Lulin
Published: July 2021

Nowadays, the global energy and environmental problems are becoming more and more serious, which promotes the development and utilization of renewable and clean energy in various countries. Intelligent car involves many subjects such as electronic technology, artificial intelligence, automatic control technology, sensor technology and computer technology and has become an important part of the application of artificial intelligence. Solar cell is a necessary part of the normal operation of the solar intelligent car, which can provide clean energy for the intelligent car. In this paper, the image recognition technology is used to design the intelligent vehicle control system. According to the intelligent vehicle path recognition, the scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm is improved to improve the accuracy of intelligent vehicle recognition. Data fusion is used to process the data detected by multi-sensor, and the running state of intelligent vehicle is studied. An evaluation method of intelligent vehicle navigation parameters based on association rules and belief network is proposed. The maximum power point tracking control is realized by using the interference observation method to ensure that the intelligent vehicle can track the maximum power point of the solar cell.
Vertical and Visual Integration at Container Corporation of America
Authors: Gordon-Fogelson Robert
Published: July 2021

In 1935, Walter Paepcke, president of the Chicago packaging company Container Corporation of America (CCA), established an art department under the direction of Egbert Jacobson, whom he tasked with the development of a comprehensive corporate design programme. This article examines how CCA’s publicity translated the company’s vertically integrated organizational structure into visual form. In addition to promoting the benefits of paperboard packaging, CCA’s advertisements and other graphic visualizations also sold ‘integration’ itself—defined as the combination of separate parts to create new wholes—as both an economic and a visual ideal. By creating a managerial apparatus that combined techniques of vertical and visual integration, Paepcke and Jacobson established an ideological, rather than simply pragmatic, relationship between business and design.
Effects of Address Coverage Enhancement on Estimates from Address-Based Sampling Studies
Authors: Jones Michael , Brick J Michael , Van De Kerckhove Wendy
Published: July 2021

For over a decade, address-based sampling (ABS) frames have often been used to draw samples for multistage area sample surveys in lieu of traditionally listed (or enumerated) address frames. However, it is well known that the use of ABS frames for face-to-face surveys suffer from undercoverage due to, for example, households that receive mail via a PO Box rather than being delivered to the household’s street address. Undercoverage of ABS frames has typically been more prominent in rural areas but can also occur in urban areas where recent construction of households has taken place. Procedures have been developed to supplement ABS frames to address this undercoverage. In this article, we investigate a procedure called Address Coverage Enhancement (ACE) that supplements the ABS frame with addresses not found on the frame, and the resulting effects the addresses added to the sample through ACE have on estimates. Weighted estimates from two studies, the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study and the 2017 US Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, are calculated with and without supplemental addresses. Estimates are then calculated to assess if poststratifying analysis weights to control for urbanicity at the person level brings estimates closer to estimates from the supplemented frame. Our findings show that the noncoverage bias was likely minimal across both studies for a range of estimates. The main reason is because the Computerized Delivery Sequence file coverage rate is high, and when the coverage rate is high, only very large differences between the covered and not covered will result in meaningful bias.
Social Justice: From God to Corporation
Authors: McCorquodale Robert
Published: July 2021

While ‘social justice’ is a recent concept, its origins lie in a 13th century theologian, who, through an Italian Jesuit, inspired a 19th century Pope. From there it has moved to the secular realm and jurisprudential reasoning, and tried to leap from national society to international society. It has become linked internationally to human rights obligations, where it has had a mixed influence. Within all these developments, the definitions of social justice have changed and been debated. There is a common idea in these definitions that in all societies there should be an aim to distribute resources to assist those less advantaged. In addition, a core element has remained: that the state has some obligations to ensure social justice. This article sets out the history of these definitions and then seeks to challenge the sole responsibility of the state in relation to social justice. It examines the activities of corporations in their effect on society and the consequences on social justice. It also considers what this means in terms of defining social justice at a transnational and international level.
Responses of the Plant Cell Wall to Sub-Zero Temperatures: A Brief Update
Authors: Takahashi Daisuke , Willick Ian R , Kasuga Jun , Livingston III David P
Published: July 2021

Our general understanding of plant responses to sub-zero temperatures focuses on mechanisms that mitigate stress to the plasma membrane. The plant cell wall receives comparatively less attention, and questions surrounding its role in mitigating freezing injury remain unresolved. Despite recent molecular discoveries that provide insight into acclimation responses, the goal of reducing freezing injury in herbaceous and woody crops remains elusive. This is likely due to the complexity associated with adaptations to low temperatures. Understanding how leaf cell walls of herbaceous annuals promote tissue tolerance to ice does not necessarily lead to understanding how meristematic tissues are protected from freezing by tissue-level barriers formed by cell walls in overwintering tree buds. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of biological ice nucleation and explain how plants control the spatiotemporal location of ice formation. We discuss how sugars and pectin side chains alleviate adhesive injury that develops at sub-zero temperatures between the matrix polysaccharides and ice. The importance of site-specific cell-wall elasticity to promote tissue expansion for ice accommodation and control of porosity to impede ice growth and promote supercooling will be presented. How specific cold-induced proteins modify plant cell walls to mitigate freezing injury will also be discussed. The opinions presented in this report emphasize the importance of a plant’s developmental physiology when characterizing mechanisms of freezing survival.
The Analgesic Effects of Virtual Reality for People with Chronic Pain: A Scoping Review
Authors: Austin Philip D
Published: July 2021

Objective

Although virtual reality is shown to have short-term analgesic effects in acute pain settings, its long-term efficacy in chronic pain conditions has not been established. This scoping review aims to provide a summary of virtual reality approaches explored in chronic primary and secondary pain conditions as defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain.

Methods

A systematic literature search in Ovid PubMed and Ovid Embase was conducted between January 5 and January 10, 2021, with the use of the Arksey and O’Malley six-step scoping review criteria. Articles were searched via search terms and keywords relating to International Classification of Diseases–defined primary and secondary chronic pain conditions, virtual reality, virtual illusion, distraction, and effects on levels of pain.

Results

Of the 2,118 articles located, 44 were included, which covered a range of primary and secondary chronic pain conditions and used a variety of different computer screen and headset protocols, including gaming, mindfulness, exercise, relaxation, and proprioceptive skills.

Conclusions

Studies show virtual reality to be an effective analgesic intervention for people with chronic pain. Given user satisfaction, a lack of side effects such as cybersickness, and relief of comorbid symptoms, virtual reality has potential as a worthwhile adjunct to chronic pain management programs, thus enabling patients to take control of their symptoms.
Voter Registration Rates and Traits by Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression
Authors: Strode Dakota , Flores Andrew R
Published: July 2021

Studies of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people suggest that they are more politically engaged and active compared to cisgender and heterosexual people. However, knowing the voter registration rates of eligible LGBT Americans has been elusive because the U.S. Census Bureau does not document sexual orientation or gender identity in the Current Population Survey and existing estimates are limited based on small sample sizes or on self-reports, which have social desirability biases. The 2016 and 2018 Cooperative Congressional Election Survey merges respondents to their official voter status as contained in state voter files, which overcomes biases in self-reported registration status. We provide demographics and estimates of voter registration rates by sexual orientation and gender expression. Many gaps in registration rates are attributable to demographic differences between groups, though lesbians and gay men were registered at greater rates than heterosexuals even after adjusting for demographics. Transgender Americans were the least likely to be registered to vote, though this may be due to the vote-validation process itself.
PATIENT DOSE ASSESSMENT AND OPTIMISATION OF PELVIC RADIOGRAPHY WITH COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEMS
Authors: Abbeyquaye D , Inkoom S , Hammond N B , Fletcher J J , Botwe B O
Published: July 2021

Digital radiography systems can reduce radiation dose, this capability was harnessed to explore dose and image quality (IQ) optimisation strategies. Entrance surface dose (ESD), effective dose (ED) and organ doses were determined by the indirect method for patients undergoing pelvic anteroposterior X-ray examinations with computed radiography systems. The IQ of patients’ radiographs was assessed in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). An anthropomorphic phantom was exposed with varying tube potential (kVp), tube current-time product (mAs), and focus-to-detector distance (FDD) to determine phantom-entrance dose for the optimisation studies. SNR of each phantom radiograph was determined. Patients’ mean ESD of 2.38 ± 0.60 mGy, ED of 0.25 ± 0.07 mSv and SNR of 8.5 ± 2.2 were obtained. After optimisation, entrance dose was reduced by 29.2% with 5 cm increment in FDD, and 5 kVp reduction in tube potential. kVp and/or mAs reduction with an increment in FDD reduced entrance dose without adversely compromising radiographic-IQ.
Phosphate Availability Modulates Root Exudate Composition and Rhizosphere Microbial Community in a Teosinte and a Modern Maize Cultivar
Authors: Brisson Vanessa L. , Richardy Jesper , Kosina Suzanne M. , Northen Trent R. , Vogel John P. , Gaudin Amélie C. M.
Published: July 2021

Domestication and breeding have affected interactions between plants and their microbiomes in ways that are only beginning to be understood but may have important implications for recruitment of rhizosphere microorganisms, particularly under stress conditions. We investigated the responses of a modern maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) cultivar and its wild relative, teosinte (Z. mays subsp. parviglumis), to different phosphate availabilities. We appraised responses of the plant-microbial holobiont to phosphate stresses by profiling root exudate metabolomes, and microbial communities in the root endosphere and rhizosphere. We also performed plate assays to quantify phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms from the rhizosphere. Although root exudate metabolite profiles were distinct between the teosinte and modern maize under high phosphate, both plants shifted exudate compositions in response to phosphate stress toward a common metabolite profile. Root and rhizosphere microbial communities also responded significantly to both plant type and the phosphate availability. A subset of bacterial and fungal taxa were differentially abundant under the different phosphate conditions, with each of the three conditions favoring different taxa. Both teosinte and maize rhizospheres harbored phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms under all growth conditions. These results suggest that the root exudation response to phosphate stress was conserved through the domestication of maize from teosinte, shifting exudation levels of specific metabolites. Although microbial communities also shifted, plate-based assays did not detect selective recruitment of phosphate solubilizers in response to phosphate availability.
Influenza Complicating Delivery Hospitalization and Its Association With Severe Maternal Morbidity in the United States, 2000–2018
Authors: Wen Timothy , Arditi Brittany , Riley Laura E. , Sobhani Nasim C. , Norton Mary , D'Alton Mary , Friedman Alexander M. , Venkatesh Kartik K.
Published: July 2021

OBJECTIVE:

To characterize trends of an influenza diagnosis at delivery hospitalization and its association with severe maternal morbidity.

METHODS:

We conducted a repeated cross-sectional analysis of delivery hospitalizations using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2000 to 2018. We assessed the association between an influenza diagnosis at delivery hospitalization and severe maternal morbidity excluding transfusion per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Secondary outcomes included maternal death and morbidity measures associated with influenza (mechanical intubation and ventilation, sepsis and shock, and acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS]) and obstetric complications (preterm birth and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy). We assessed trends of severe maternal morbidity by annual influenza season and the association between influenza and severe maternal morbidity using multivariable log-linear regression, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS:

Of 74.7 million delivery hospitalizations, 23 per 10,000 were complicated by an influenza diagnosis. The rate of severe maternal morbidity was higher with an influenza diagnosis compared with those without influenza (86–410 cases vs 53–70 cases/10,000 delivery hospitalizations). Women with an influenza diagnosis at delivery hospitalization were at an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity compared with those without influenza (2.3 vs 0.7%; adjusted risk ratio 2.24, 95% CI 2.17–2.31). This association held for maternal death, mechanical intubation, sepsis and shock, and ARDS—as well as obstetric complications, including preterm birth and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

CONCLUSION:

Pregnant women with influenza are at increased risk of severe maternal morbidity, as well as influenza-related maternal and obstetric complications. These results emphasize the importance of primary prevention and recognition of influenza infection during pregnancy to reduce downstream maternal morbidity and mortality.
Sulfobacillus harzensis sp. nov., an acidophilic bacterium inhabiting mine tailings from a polymetallic mine
Authors: Zhang Ruiyong , Hedrich Sabrina , Jin Decai , Breuker Anja , Schippers Axel
Published: July 2021

A mixotrophic and acidophilic bacterial strain BGR 140T was isolated from mine tailings in the Harz Mountains near Goslar, Germany. Cells of BGR 140T were Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming, motile and rod-shaped. BGR 140T grew aerobically at 25–55 °C (optimum 45 °C) and at pH 1.5–5.0 (optimum pH 3.0). The results of analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that BGR 140T was phylogenetically related to different members of the genus

Sulfobacillus

, and the sequence identities to

Sulfobacillus acidophilus

DSM 10332T,

Sulfobacillus thermotolerans

DSM 17362T, and

Sulfobacillus benefaciens

DSM 19468T were 94.8, 91.8 and 91.6 %, respectively. Its cell wall peptidoglycan is A1γ, composed of meso-diaminopimelic acid. The respiratory quinone is DMK-6. The major polar lipids were determined to be glycolipid, phospholipid and phosphatidylglycerol. The predominant fatty acid is 11-cycloheptanoyl-undecanoate. The genomic DNA G+C content is 58.2 mol%. On the basis of the results of phenotypic and genomic analyses, it is concluded that strain BGR 140T represents a novel species of the genus

Sulfobacillus

, for which the name Sulfobacillus harzensis sp. nov. is proposed because of its origin. Its type strain is BGR 140T (=DSM 109850T=JCM 39070T).
Sex-specific epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Covid-19 patients in the southeast region of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md. Aminul , Marzan Abdullah Al , Islam Md. Sydul , Sultana Samina , Parvej Md. Iftakhar , Hossain Mohammad Salim , Amin Mohammad Tohid , Hossain Farzana Ehetasum , Barek Md Abdul , Hossen Md. Shafiul , Islam Md. Shariful , Hossen Foysal , Bahadur Newaz Mohammed , Hossain Md. Shahadat , Choudhury Nazratun Nayeem , Alam Md. Didar-ul , Ahmed Firoz
Published: July 2021

Background

COVID-19 has become a global pandemic with a high growth rate of confirmed cases. In Bangladesh, both mortality and affected rates are increasing at an alarming rate.

Therefore, more comprehensive studies of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 are required to control this pandemic.

Purpose

The present study aimed to compare and analyze the sex-specific epidemiological, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and other information of confirmed COVID-19 patients from the southeast region in Bangladesh for the first time.

Methods

385 lab-confirmed cases were studied out of 2,471 tested samples between 5 June and 10 September 2020. RT-PCR was used for COVID-19 identification and SPSS (version 25) for statistical data analysis.

Results

We found that male patients were roughly affected compared to females patients (male 74.30% vs. female 25.7%) with an average age of 34.86 ± 15.442 years, and B (+ve) blood group has been identified as a high-risk factor for COVID-19 infection. Workplace, local market, and bank were signified as sex-specific risk zone (p < 0.001). Pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were identified among the patients. Less than half of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the southeast region were asymptomatic (37.73%) and more prevalent among females than males (male vs. female: 36.84% vs. 40.51%, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The findings may help health authorities and the government take necessary steps for identification and isolation, treatment, prevention, and control of this global pandemic.
Prevalence and risk factors of short birth interval in Bangladesh: Evidence from the linked data of population and health facility survey
Authors: Islam Mohammad Zahidul , Islam M Mofizul , Rahman Md. Mostafizur , Khan Md. Nuruzzaman
Published: July 2021

Background

The Sustainable Development Goals target significant reductions in maternal and under-five deaths by 2030. The prevalence of these deaths is significantly associated with short birth interval (SBI). Identification of factors associated with SBI is pivotal for intervening with appropriate programmes to reduce these adverse consequences. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with SBI in Bangladesh.

Methods

The Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017/18 and Bangladesh Health Facility Data 2017 were linked and analysed. SBI was defined as an interval between consecutive births of 33 months or less, as recommended by the World Health Organization. We used descriptive statistics to summarise respondents’ characteristics and multilevel Poisson regression to assess the predictors of SBI.

Results

Around 26% of live births occurred in short intervals, with a further higher prevalence among younger, uneducated, or rural women. The likelihoods of SBI were lower among women aged 20-34 years (PR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.11-0.17) and ≥ 35 years (PR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.02-0.05) as compared to the women aged 19 years or less. Women from households with the richest wealth quintile experienced lower odds of SBI (PR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.45-0.85) compared to those from the poorest wealth quintile. The prevalences of SBI were higher among women for whom the children born from the second most pregnancies died (PR, 5.23; 95% CI, 4.18-6.55), those who were living in Chattogram (PR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.12-2.07) or Sylhet (PR, 2.83, 95% CI, 2.08-3.86) divisions. Availability of modern contraceptives at the nearest healthcare facilities was 66% protective to the occurrence of SBI (PR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.22-0.78). Also, the prevalence of SBI increased around 85% (PR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.33-2.18) for every kilometer increase in the distance of nearby health facilities from women’s homes.

Conclusion

More than a quarter of live births in Bangladesh occurred in short intervals. This relatively high prevalence is a challenge for Bangladesh in reducing pregnancy-related adverse consequences, including maternal and child mortality. Policies and programmes are needed to increase awareness of SBI and associated adverse health outcomes and expand access to modern contraceptives.
Adverse childhood experiences and resilience among adult women: a population-based study
Authors: Daníelsdóttir Hilda Björk , Aspelund Thor , Þórðardóttir Edda Björk , Fall Katja , Fang Fang , Tómasson Gunnar , Rúnarsdóttir Harpa , Yang Qian , Choi Karmel W. , Kennedy Beatrice , Halldorsdottir Thorhildur , Lu Donghao , Song Huan , Jakobsdóttir Jóhanna , Hauksdóttir Arna , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur Anna
Published: July 2021

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have consistently been associated with elevated risk of multiple adverse health outcomes, yet their contribution to coping ability and psychiatric resilience in adulthood is unclear. Participants were 19,613 women in the Icelandic Stress- And-Gene-Analysis cohort with complete data on 13 ACEs measured with the ACE-International Questionnaire. Self-reported coping ability was measured with the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and psychiatric resilience was operationalized as absence of psychiatric morbidity. Compared to women with 0 ACEs, women with ≥ 5 ACEs had 33% lower prevalence of high coping ability (PR=0.67, 95% CI 0.60,0.74) and 56% lower prevalence of high psychiatric resilience (PR=0.44; 95% CI 0.41,0.48). Specific ACEs including emotional neglect, bullying, sexual abuse and mental illness of household member were consistently associated with reduced adult resilience. We observed only slightly attenuated associations after controlling for adult socioeconomic factors and social support in adulthood, indicating that adult resilience may be largely determined in childhood.