bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image Denoising Based on Dual-tree Complex Wavelet Transform and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Zhou Yilu , Fu Xiaojin
Published: August 2021

In view of the problem that the noise in the image will have a negative impact on the subsequent image processing, this paper proposes a noise reduction algorithm based on the dual-tree complex wavelet transform and convolutional neural network by using the characteristics of the DTCWT and CNN. Firstly, the two-dimensional image is decomposed into two parallel wavelet trees by double tree complex wavelet transform, which forms six high-frequency detail parts and two same low-frequency parts in different directions. Then, it is put into the designed deep convolution neural network for training, Finally, the six high-frequency components and one of the low-frequency components are recombined into the image after noise reduction by using the inverse transform of double tree complex wavelet. The simulation results show that PSNR and MS-SSIM of the image are better than other noise reduction algorithms, and the details of the original image can be restored well while noise reduction. It has practical application value in the case that the collected image has a large noise due to various reasons.
Improved Wolf Pack Algorithm for Solving a Class of Multi-Objective Route Optimization Problem
Authors: Jing Xin , Gao Hao , Zheng Li , Yue Tianxin
Published: August 2021

This paper considers a class of Multi-objective path planning and solving algorithms. The choice of step size is a very important factor that affects the iterative algorithm. This paper improves the classical Wolf Pack Algorithm (WPA) by designing an adaptive step size. This new improved wolf pack algorithm (IWPA) improves the classical wolf colony algorithm by designing an adaptive step size. It effectively solves the problem that the WPA may fall into a endless loop. The simulation results by MATLAB show that the IWPA has a good effectiveness than the WPA to solve multi-objective route optimization.
Implementation of Refuelling Order Service Algorithm and New Order Allocation Model of Ride-sharing Platform
Authors: Hu Congying , Liu Pingshan , Su Jiayue , Qiu Ruihong , Fang Junli
Published: August 2021

Aiming at the problem that online ride-hailing drivers often empty their cars to replenish fuel at gas stations when their cars run out of gas, a new order assignment algorithm is proposed. According to the vehicle fuel volume reported by the driver to the platform, the vehicle with low fuel volume will be automatically assigned to the destination close to the gas station orders, and the driver will be reminded to go to the nearby gas station to reduce the empty vehicle round-trip rate. First of all, orders are classified into ordinary orders and refuelling orders, so that when the vehicle is short of fuel, the driver can be assigned to the refuelling orders with destinations close to gas stations. Then, a new order allocation mathematical model is established. This paper solves the order assignment problem based on the heap-optimized Dijkstra’s algorithm and Astar algorithm. Experimental results show that the algorithm can intelligently allocate orders for drivers with insufficient fuel to their destinations closer to the gas station, shorten the distance the driver drives empty to the gas station to replenish fuel, and reduce the empty vehicle round-trip rate. When using Dijkstra's algorithm and Astar algorithm to solve the order allocation problem, there is no significant difference in their processing time.
Logistics Route Optimization Based on Improved Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Gao Zunhai , Lu Hongxia
Published: August 2021

An improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is presented by dynamically adjusting the inertia weight in the iterative process of PSO, and it is used to solve the problem of logistics route optimization. This algorithm can not only improve the convergence speed, but also avoid falling into local optimum. In the process of improving the standard algorithm, two methods are proposed to adjust the inertia weight value according to the number of iterations. One is piecewise linear decreasing, another is linear decreasing. The results show that linear decline is better than piecewise linear decline to achieve the purpose of optimization, which is more conducive to accelerate the convergence rate and enhance the ability of optimization. Through the simulation experiment of the specific vehicle routing optimization problem, the results show that after the improvement, the optimization performance is enhanced, the optimization speed is accelerated, and the complexity is not increased, which greatly improves the performance of the original algorithm.
A Design of COSPAS-SARSAT Beacon with BDS Return Link Service
Authors: He Zehua , Lu Hongyang
Published: August 2021

This article describes a proto-type beacon, which supports search and rescue (SAR) return link service (RLS) provided by BeiDou Satellite Navigation System (BDS). According to the design of signal-in-space format of BDS RLS, with related technologies from COSPAS-SARSAT, comparing with Galileo RLS system, this article describes a design of BDS RLS beacon proto-type, and how it receives and processes return link message (RLM). Then three interfaces are analysed, which are the GNSS signal interface from the BDS satellite to the GNSS receiver, the GNSS receiver sentence interface from the GNSS receiver to the beacon processing unit and the human-machine interaction interface for the beacon to the user. Finally, its test result and cost-performance trade-off are discussed.
A Piecewise Parabolic Method for Estimating Key Parameters in a Three-dimensional Internal Tidal Adjoint Model
Authors: Cao Xianglong , Gao Wang , Deng Mingxuan , Li Ning , Jiang Dong
Published: August 2021

A higher-order and conservative Piecewise Parabolic Method was proposed to estimate the open boundary conditions (OBCs) in a 3D internal tidal adjoint model. The interpolation quality was verified by twin experiments. The results showed that the PPM can obtain smoother OBCs than the results obtained by Cressman interpolation. In real experiments, compared with the CI results, the PPM results can reduce the magnitude of misfit vector (m) between the simulated results and the observations of the tidal stations by 5 percent. Meanwhile, the PPM results can simulate the M2 tidal constituent in the northern South China Sea (SCS) more accurate than the Cressman results.
The Vertex-Gutman Index of the Wheel Graphs
Authors: Guo Haili
Published: August 2021

The Gutman index is parameter related to the degree and the distance in a graph. In this paper, the values of the vertex-Gutman index and the Gutman index of the wheel graphs are calculated, and the extremum of the vertex-Gutman index are studied. We obtained that, in the wheel graph, the vertex-Gutman index reaches the maximum at the center and the minimum at the vertices on the wheel.
Numerical Simulation of Tantalum-Tungsten Alloy for Forming Characteristics of EFP with Liner of Different Tungsten Contents
Authors: Ding Li
Published: August 2021

By LS-DYNA hydrocode, the EFP (Explosively Formed Projectile) forming characteristics of tantalum tungsten alloy are simulated. The EFP forming characteristics of tantalum tungsten alloy with different W contents under typical charge structure are obtained. The curvature range of the liner required for forming solid rod shaped EFP with large aspect ratio is determined, and the influence of tantalum tungsten alloy material’s constitution parameters on EFP forming is analyzed. The forming patterns of tantalum tungsten EFP with different tungsten contents are similar, but the range of outer curvature required for forming a solid EFP is different. The research results can provide references for EFP design and lay foundation for the application of high density tantalum tungsten alloy in the intelligent and smart ammunition.
Research about Dynamic Evolution of Supply Chain Based on Agent
Authors: Shao Yanhua , Min Zhao , Xia Dawen
Published: August 2021

During the research with respect to the traditional supply chain, Enterprise autonomy is ignored. Within this thesis, from the perspective of CAS, the dynamic growth of supply chain was inspected by using CAS versus evolutionary game theory. Within supply chain, the corporate was viewed as agent. In the same way, the variety branches of the corporate were viewed as sub-agents. The agent-based model of supply chain was set up in this thesis. At the same time, supply chain dynamic evolution was simulated through swarm. The effective solution to coordinate the supply chain main body behaviour was explored too. Within this thesis, the evolutionary trait of supply chain is explored, and a reference for supply chain governance is provided.
On the space resolution of the μ-RWELL
Authors: Bencivenni G. , Capoccia C. , Cibinetto G. , de Oliveira R. , Farinelli R. , Felici G. , Gatta M. , Giovannetti M. , Lavezzi L. , Morello G. , Poli Lener M. , Tskhadadze E.
Published: August 2021

In micro-pattern gaseous detectors (MPGD) the evaluation of the space resolution with the charge centroid method provides large uncertainty when the incident particle is not perpendicular to the readout plane. An improvement of the position reconstruction is given by the microTPC (μTPC) algorithm: the three-dimensional reconstruction of the particle track inside the detector drift gap is performed using the arrival time of the induced signals on the readout. In this work we report the application of this method to the μ-RWELL detector that, combined with the charge centroid, allows to achieve an almost uniform resolution below 100 μm over a wide angular range.
Numerical analyses of a base connection for a thin-walled cold-formed profile column
Authors: Venghiac V M , Olteanu-Donțov I , Alexa-Stratulat M S , Țăranu G , Băetu S A , Toma I O
Published: August 2021

Thin-walled cold-formed steel structures tend to gain more attention in the civil engineering field. Ground-floor dwellings, as well as factory warehouses represent the most frequent use of these structural systems. However, due to the inherent flexibility of thin-walled cold-formed steel elements, the designer has to take into consideration the possibility of large deformations occurrence, especially in the case of structures with large openings. Such deformations may lead to significant stresses at the level of the connection joints between elements or between elements and the foundation block. The paper presents a comparative numerical analysis based on the finite element method to assess the efficiency of a connection joint between the columns of a portal frame and the foundation block. The linear and nonlinear analyses were carried out by means of Robot Structural Analysis and Ansys. The column is made of two thin-walled cold-formed C shape profiles positioned back-to-back. The efficiency was assessed both from a stress-state point of view in the column and in the connection parts, as well as from the point of view of the manufacturing process and implementation. Significant differences were observed regarding the stress distribution in the nonlinear analysis.
Methodological approaches to creating the electronic databases of building operation safety
Authors: Kolesnichenko S , Seliutin I , Grytsuk Y
Published: August 2021

One of the tasks of ensuring the safety of construction sites is to maintain or increase the design reliability of buildings and structures during their renovation and reconstruction. The reliability of the object is calculated at all stages of its life cycle and for kinds of work corresponding to these stages. An effective method of determining quality indicators is the registration method, which is based on observations of the actual condition of the building structure. The registration of the condition of the elements and the construction is carried out through complex characteristics allowing to estimate the rate of imperfections (defects and damages-DD) progression throughout time, and to define their criticality level. For building structures (facilities), the registered DD allows performing the analysis of types, consequences, and the criticality of possible failures (FMECA classification). The proposed strategy includes the process approach to resource management through developing a system of accounting and functional controlling, analysis, and regulation of safety. One of the alternate solutions of the problem may be the establishment of information systems based on registration methods, namely electronic databases (DB) of defects and damages of structures. Information databases in the conditions of an actual enterprise may become the first but still very important step on the way to generalizing and controlling the data about the actual state of building structures and facilities for further decision-making concerning their operation and maintenance. The database is to be implemented in the network form, with a clear hierarchical access framework and editing capabilities for the officials, the ability to generate reports and extracts. The obtained results in the framework of the reliability-assurance program should provide the ability to calculate the probability of failure-free operation, the residual resource with assigned level of risk.
Bio product used in the self-sealing process of microcracks in hydrotechnical concretes
Authors: Sbirlea C , Isopescu D N , Ungureanu D , Maxineasa S G
Published: August 2021

This paper is focused on quantifying the influence of the Bio materials that are used in the self-healing process of concrete. The Bio material that was studied has a high content of calcium carbonate, which, after precipitation, may lead to the sealing of the microcracked surface of concrete. This nucleation process is possible only in humid environments; thus, water has a paramount role in ensuring the mobility of the molecules. The difference between a complete and a partial seal is given by the amount of the Bio product that is available in the cracked area, the size of the calcium carbonate particles and the amount of water. For this study, the SEM Quanta Dual Beam device was used, through which scans were performed by electron microscopy, in order to observe the precipitation of the Bio product on the cracked surface. The chemical process throughout the sealing takes place has been presented through various illustrations and reports. By analysing previous experimental studies, it might be stated that the use of calcium carbonate in various forms is a sustainable and an environmentally friendly repair solution that, also, may improve the durability of cement-based materials. The use of ecological products in new cement-based materials is one of the main topics of worldwide interest for various research teams.
Ecological and economic impact of an innovative bioproduct used to consolidate the concrete elements of hydrotechnical constructions
Authors: Sbirlea C , Isopescu D N , Ungureanu D , Maxineasa S G
Published: August 2021

The present paper takes into observation the evaluation of the environmental and economic impact of a innovative bioproduct that can be used in order to reduce the volume of rehabilitation works needed during the life cycle of different structural reinforced concrete elements utilized for hydrotechnical constructions. In order to determine the performances of the analysed material, seven scenarios that imply the use of different rehabilitation solutions have been considered. In order to achieve the goal of the study, the Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment type of study was used. The amount of materials, the distances from the extraction point to the site of the materials and the implementation technology are detailed in all proposed scenarios. In recent years, researchers carried out various studies on the use of raw materials in different compositions, with different quantities, in order to improve the sustainability and mechanical characteristics of constructions, as well as to increase the users’ level of satisfaction. The research and development of new types of materials that can be used in the construction sector with a low ecological influence will have a tremendous positive impact over the present state of the natural environment. The authors conclude that by considering the resulted values, the analysed solution based on the use of calcium carbonate can be considered a suitable solution with respect to the environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability.
Investigation of parameters affecting the soil amplification by means of 1-D analysis
Authors: Gürtürk C C , Selçuk M E
Published: August 2021

The increase in the amplitude of earthquake waves as they pass through layers of soft soil close to the surface can have significant effects on ground amplification and structural damage. The aim of this study is; ground response analysis was performed using 1D (One Dimensional) Equivalent Linear Analysis method with DeepSoil software for specific soil profiles. The analyses were carried out with 3 different strong ground motions selected in accordance with the response spectrum. Strong ground motion records selected according to the regulation were scaled in accordance with the spectrum in the frequency domain. Analysis results were compared with the Turkish Earthquake Response Regulations 2018 (TEBR 2018). It is explained how the soil transfer functions, namely how the amplification functions vary depending on the parameters of the soil layer thickness and shear wave velocity. Depending on the characteristics of the soil profile, it has been observed that the incoming earthquake waves only amplify those in a certain frequency range. By performing ground response analysis, it should be known which frequency content of the ground amplification and therefore which types of structures will affect and the design should be made by considering these criteria.
Comparative study on the structural behaviour of a 30m height building with a RC frames structure located in a high intensity seismic area
Authors: Țăranu G
Published: August 2021

This paper presents an analysis of the Finite Element Model structural system of a building in the Vrancea, Romania seismic area. The studied structure is a part of a set of 3 buildings with a height of 30 m. The height of the levels is 4.5 m and 3.5 m. Due to the vertical irregularities, the distribution of the functions and the location of the building, it is necessary to identify an optimized structural solution for a more balanced behaviour to the seismic action. Thus, various structural models and results are presented regarding the process of establishing the positions and dimensions for structural elements.
Modeling of rectangular plates by the elastic scheme method
Authors: Stoynova I , Handruleva A , Dimitrova A
Published: August 2021

This study presents an approach, based on correction coefficients, by which bending moments in rectangular plates when obtained by the elastic scheme method, can be calculated more accurately. At first, the well-known generalized coefficients, used in the elastic scheme method, and also taken from different literature sources are juxtaposed. The correction coefficients are obtained by the FEM according to the thin elastic plate theory. On the next stage, by looking into the shear deformability of the plate cross-section, the values of these coefficients are provided in a more accurate manner. The research has been done for a quadratic plate, but the aforenamed approach can be used to investigate any general rectangular plate, as well.
Determining the dynamic characteristics of an existing timber belfry structure and impact on FEM modelling
Authors: Kochański T
Published: August 2021

The paper studies the assessment of the dynamic characteristics of an existing historic timber belfry structure using FEM modelling and dynamic identification tests performed on a structure. The analysed structure undergoes geometrically measurement, including elements inspection, and on this basis the corresponding initial FEM model was built. The initial model including actual dead loads was computed to achieve dynamical and static calculations results, including eigenmodes and modal masses. On the belfry structure, dynamic identification tests were performed using accelerometers arranged in places of expected maximum amplitudes for belfry parts. The same initial model was calibrated according to the data achieved from computing in-situ identification tests (FFT spectrum analysis) and recalculated for static and dynamic results. Computed results from the initial and calibrated models were compared, presented and discussed. Brief summary includes conclusions from analysis and contribution to researches on belfries dynamics.
A modified TCAD simulation model for a-InGaZnO based ISFETs on GaAs substrate for pH sensing applications
Authors: Wang Hui , Tang Naiyun
Published: August 2021

In this paper, an ISFET model is established and its accuracy is verified. The model can overcome the limitation of TCAD of not supporting electrolyte solution simulation. The source and drain of the model structure are doped with different types of impurities. The influence of GaAs as a substrate on the device sensitivity is also studied. Amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) material is used as a semiconductor layer to obtain a new type of ISFET with a higher detection sensitivity to the pH value. Furthermore, the addition of SiC material to the new ISFET further improves the device sensitivity. The influence of different oxide layers on the model when GaAs is used as a substrate is also studied. The results show that the new ISFET can not only break through the Nernst limit of the device sensitivity (59 mV pH−1), but also increase the sensitivity by nearly 12 times.
XI—Equality, Friendship, and Politics
Authors: Chan Joseph
Published: August 2021

A growing number of theorists have argued for equality as an ideal of social relations. For these theorists, the ideal of relational equality is embedded in many social relationships in modern society with which people are familiar. Friendship, they argue, is a paradigmatic case of relational equality, in the sense that it is essentially constituted by two norms of equality: equal power or authority and equal consideration of interests. Furthermore, equality in personal relationships can support equality in the political relationship of citizens. This essay challenges these claims made by relational egalitarians. It argues that friendship is not constituted by the two norms of equality, and is a poor model for political relationships.
Comparison of imputation and imputation-free methods for statistical analysis of mass spectrometry data with missing data
Authors: Taylor Sandra , Ponzini Matthew , Wilson Machelle , Kim Kyoungmi
Published: August 2021

Missing values are common in high-throughput mass spectrometry data. Two strategies are available to address missing values: (i) eliminate or impute the missing values and apply statistical methods that require complete data and (ii) use statistical methods that specifically account for missing values without imputation (imputation-free methods). This study reviews the effect of sample size and percentage of missing values on statistical inference for multiple methods under these two strategies. With increasing missingness, the ability of imputation and imputation-free methods to identify differentially and non-differentially regulated compounds in a two-group comparison study declined. Random forest and k-nearest neighbor imputation combined with a Wilcoxon test performed well in statistical testing for up to 50% missingness with little bias in estimating the effect size. Quantile regression imputation accompanied with a Wilcoxon test also had good statistical testing outcomes but substantially distorted the difference in means between groups. None of the imputation-free methods performed consistently better for statistical testing than imputation methods.
PreTP-EL: prediction of therapeutic peptides based on ensemble learning
Authors: Guo Yichen , Yan Ke , LV Hongwu , Liu Bin
Published: August 2021

Therapeutic peptides are important for understanding the correlation between peptides and their therapeutic diagnostic potential. The therapeutic peptides can be further divided into different types based on therapeutic function sharing different characteristics. Although some computational approaches have been proposed to predict different types of therapeutic peptides, they failed to accurately predict all types of therapeutic peptides. In this study, a predictor called PreTP-EL has been proposed via employing the ensemble learning approach to fuse the different features and machine learning techniques in order to capture the different characteristics of various therapeutic peptides. Experimental results showed that PreTP-EL outperformed other competing methods. Availability and implementation: A user-friendly web-server of PreTP-EL predictor is available at http://bliulab.net/PreTP-EL.
A Leadership Model for Social Work: Drawing on Health Care to Inform Social Work Leadership
Authors: Schaub Jason , Hewison Alistair , Haworth Simon , Miller Robin
Published: August 2021

Leadership is a frequently used term, but these uses include various definitions and applications; these uses are sometimes contradictory. This definitional vagueness can be a particular challenge for professions, including social work. In comparison to other similar professions, there is a lack of leadership knowledge generation in social work. In addition, the organisational context in England has been challenging in recent decades, likely hindering development and application of leadership models. Health care has a broader empirical and conceptual development of leadership as a topic of examination. In health care literature, compassionate leadership is gaining momentum as a useful way of developing good clinical leadership. There is a strong tradition in social work of engaging with compassion as an element of social work values. We present models of compassionate leadership and consider their usefulness for the current social work knowledge base. We suggest that compassionate leadership may prove useful for social work practice and academia.
Acute and chronic neurological disorders in COVID-19: potential mechanisms of disease
Authors: Balcom Erin F , Nath Avindra , Power Christopher
Published: August 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and is associated with both acute and chronic disorders affecting the nervous system. Acute neurological disorders affecting patients with COVID-19 range widely from anosmia, stroke, encephalopathy/encephalitis, and seizures to Guillain–Barré syndrome. Chronic neurological sequelae are less well defined although exercise intolerance, dysautonomia, pain, as well as neurocognitive and psychiatric dysfunctions are commonly reported. Molecular analyses of CSF and neuropathological studies highlight both vascular and immunologic perturbations. Low levels of viral RNA have been detected in the brains of few acutely ill individuals. Potential pathogenic mechanisms in the acute phase include coagulopathies with associated cerebral hypoxic-ischaemic injury, blood–brain barrier abnormalities with endotheliopathy and possibly viral neuroinvasion accompanied by neuro-immune responses. Established diagnostic tools are limited by a lack of clearly defined COVID-19 specific neurological syndromes. Future interventions will require delineation of specific neurological syndromes, diagnostic algorithm development and uncovering the underlying disease mechanisms that will guide effective therapies.
Synergistic roles of homeodomain proteins UNC-62 homothorax and MLS-2 HMX/NKX in the specification of olfactory neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Hsieh Yi-Wen , Xiong Rui , Chuang Chiou-Fen
Published: August 2021

General identity of the Caenorhabditis elegans AWC olfactory neuron pair is specified by the OTX/OTD transcription factor CEH-36 and the HMG-box transcription factor SOX-2, followed by asymmetrical differentiation of the pair into two distinct subtypes, default AWCOFF and induced AWCON, through a stochastic signaling event. The HMX/NKX transcription factor MLS-2 regulates the expression of ceh-36 to specify general AWC identity. However, general AWC identity is lost in only one of the two AWC cells in the majority of mls-2 null mutants displaying defective general AWC identity, suggesting that additional transcription factors have a partially overlapping role with MLS-2 in the specification of general AWC identity. Here, we identify a role of unc-62, encoding a homothorax/Meis/TALE homeodomain protein, in the specification of general AWC identity. As in mls-2 null mutants, unc-62 null mutants showed an incomplete penetrance in loss of general AWC identity. However, unc-62; mls-2 double mutants display a nearly complete penetrance of identity loss in both AWC cells. Thus, unc-62 and mls-2 have a partially overlapping function in the specification of general AWC identity. Furthermore, our genetic results suggest that mls-2 and unc-62 act cell autonomously in promoting the AWCON subtype. Together, our findings reveal the sequential roles of the unc-62 and mls-2 pair in AWC development, specification of general AWC identity in early embryogenesis, and asymmetric differentiation of AWC subtypes in late embryogenesis.
Uniformly asymptotic eigensolutions of the Earth's toroidal modes
Authors: Wu Bo , Zhao Li , Chen Xiaofei
Published: August 2021

A novel approach to computing the Earth's normal modes is presented. With the Langer approximation incorporated into the framework of the theory of the generalized reflection/transmission coefficients, our method, when applied to calculate the toroidal modes, produces results that agree extremely well with the exact results from Mineos and successfully overcomes the limitations of the WKBJ analysis. Given any 1-D earth model, regardless of the number of discontinuities, our method can perform the calculations reliably with satisfactory accuracy at high frequencies. The success achieved with the toroidal modes encourages us to tackle in a future study the asymptotic computation of the spheroidal modes, especially those high-frequency trapped modes for which the accuracy of Mineos is demonstrably inadequate.
Antioxidative Defense Genes and Brain Structure in Youth Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Zou Yi , Kennedy Kody G , Grigorian Anahit , Fiksenbaum Lisa , Freeman Natalie , Zai Clement C , Kennedy James L , MacIntosh Bradley J , Goldstein Benjamin I
Published: August 2021

Background

Oxidative stress is implicated in the neuropathology of bipolar disorder (BD). We investigated the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the antioxidative genes superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) with structural neuroimaging phenotypes in youth BD.

Methods

SOD2 rs4880 and GPX3 rs3792797 SNP genotypes, along with structural magnetic resonance imaging, were obtained from 147 youth (BD = 75; healthy controls = 72). Images were processed using FreeSurfer, yielding surface area, volume, and thickness values for regions of interest (prefrontal cortex [PFC], caudal anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus) and for vertex-wise whole-brain analysis. Analyses controlled for age, sex, race, and intracranial volume for volume, area, and thickness analyses.

Result

Regions of interest analyses revealed diagnosis-by-SOD2 rs4880 interaction effects for caudal anterior cingulate cortex volume and surface area as well as PFC volume; in each case, there was lower volume/area in the BD GG genotype group vs the healthy controls GG genotype group. There was a significant BD diagnosis × GPX3 rs3793797 interaction effect for PFC surface area, where area was lower in the BD A-allele carrier group vs the other genotype groups. Vertex-wise analyses revealed significant interaction effects in frontal, temporal, and parietal regions related to smaller brain structure in the BD SOD2 rs4880 GG group and BD GPX3 rs3793797 A-allele carrier group.

Conclusion

We found preliminary evidence that SOD2 rs4880 and GPX3 rs3792797 are differentially associated with brain structures in youth with BD in regions that are relevant to BD. Further studies incorporating additional neuroimaging phenotypes and blood levels of oxidative stress markers are warranted.
Five Years of GenoTyphi: Updates to the Global Salmonella Typhi Genotyping Framework
Authors: Dyson Zoe A , Holt Kathryn E
Published: August 2021

In 2016, a whole-genome sequence (WGS)-based genotyping framework (GenoTyphi) was developed and provided a phylogenetically informative nomenclature for lineages of Salmonella Typhi, the etiological agent of typhoid fever. Subsequent surveillance studies have revealed additional epidemiologically important subpopulations, which require the definition of new genotypes and extension of associated software to facilitate the detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mutations. Analysis of 4632 WGS provide an updated overview of the global S Typhi population structure and genotyping framework, revealing the widespread nature of haplotype 58 ([H58] 4.3.1) genotypes and the diverse range of genotypes carrying AMR mutations.
Tough Enough: How Domestic Pressure to Use Force Affects Leaders Differently
Authors: Timmerman Matthew N
Published: August 2021

Existing literature assesses how prior military training affects the likelihood that leaders use military force in office. One gap in this literature is whether a leader's domestic environment also shapes individual propensity for use of force. I focus on militarism as a domestic factor that triggers variation in the conflict tendencies of leaders and operationalize militarism with a novel metric that compares military to welfare spending. The results show that militarism has an equal effect on the conflict propensity of leaders with civilian and military backgrounds. However, comparing military leaders with combat experience to those without combat experience, the results show that militarism produces the strongest effect on the conflict propensity of military-no-combat leaders, particularly in dictatorships. I posit that this outcome results from the pressure that these leaders confront to demonstrate toughness. I refer to the pressure to perform toughness as the “demonstration dynamic” and use this concept to explain the dramatic shift in Libyan foreign policy from King Idris to Muammar Qaddafi.
Recurrent preterm birth risk assessment for two delivery subtypes: A multivariable analysis
Authors: Rattsev Ilia , Flaks-Manov Natalie , Jelin Angie C , Bai Jiawei , Taylor Casey Overby
Published: August 2021

Objective

The study sought to develop and apply a framework that uses a clinical phenotyping tool to assess risk for recurrent preterm birth.

Materials and Methods

We extended an existing clinical phenotyping tool and applied a 4-step framework for our retrospective cohort study. The study was based on data collected in the Genomic and Proteomic Network for Preterm Birth Research Longitudinal Cohort Study (GPN-PBR LS). A total of 52 sociodemographic, clinical and obstetric history-related risk factors were selected for the analysis. Spontaneous and indicated delivery subtypes were analyzed both individually and in combination. Chi-square analysis and Kaplan-Meier estimate were used for univariate analysis. A Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariable analysis.

Results

: A total of 428 women with a history of spontaneous preterm birth qualified for our analysis. The predictors of preterm delivery used in multivariable model were maternal age, maternal race, household income, marital status, previous caesarean section, number of previous deliveries, number of previous abortions, previous birth weight, cervical insufficiency, decidual hemorrhage, and placental dysfunction. The models stratified by delivery subtype performed better than the naïve model (concordance 0.76 for the spontaneous model, 0.87 for the indicated model, and 0.72 for the naïve model).

Discussion

The proposed 4-step framework is effective to analyze risk factors for recurrent preterm birth in a retrospective cohort and possesses practical features for future analyses with other data sources (eg, electronic health record data).

Conclusions

We developed an analytical framework that utilizes a clinical phenotyping tool and performed a survival analysis to analyze risk for recurrent preterm birth.
Uncovering species boundaries through qualitative and quantitative morphology in the genus Dasyprocta (Rodentia, Caviomorpha), with emphasis in D. punctata and D. variegata
Authors: Teta Pablo , Reyes-Amaya Nicolás
Published: August 2021

The genus Dasyprocta Illiger, 1811 includes at least 13 species of medium-sized caviomorph rodents, widely distributed from Mexico to northern Argentina. Despite being abundant, largely diurnal, and easily identifiable by their external traits, the taxonomy of this genus remains poorly understood. In this work, we reviewed the taxonomy of Dasyprocta along the Andes and adjoining lowland areas of the western Neotropics, including samples from Mexico to northern Argentina, with emphasis on two species largely confounded—sometimes considered as synonyms—during the last century: D. punctata Gray, 1842 and D. variegata Tschudi, 1845. In the construction of our taxonomic hypotheses, we use a purely morphological approach, emphasizing qualitative and quantitative cranial features and external traits (color patterns). The results of multivariate statistical analysis and differences in color patterns support the species-level validity of D. punctata and D. variegata. Within this latter nominal form, we also include those populations from northern Argentina and eastern Bolivia that recently were referred to D. azarae. Based on our results, D. punctata (including bellula, callida, candelensis, chiapensis, chocoensis, colombiana, dariensis, isthmica, nuchalis, richmondi, underwoodi, yucatanica, and zuliae) extends from southern Mexico to Colombia, Ecuador, northernmost Peru, and western Venezuela, while D. variegata (including azarae, boliviae, and yungarum) is distributed from south–central Peru and southwestern Brazil to Bolivia and northwestern Argentina.
Disability and the Goods of Life
Authors: Campbell Stephen M , Nyholm Sven , Walter Jennifer K
Published: August 2021

The so-called Disability Paradox arises from the apparent tension between the popular view that disability leads to low well-being and the relatively high life-satisfaction reports of disabled people. Our aim in this essay is to make some progress toward dissolving this alleged paradox by exploring the relationship between disability and various “goods of life”—that is, components of a life that typically make a person’s life go better for them. We focus on four widely recognized goods of life (happiness, rewarding relationships, knowledge, achievement) and four common types of disability (sensory, mobility, intellectual, and social) and systematically examine the extent to which the four disability types are in principle compatible with obtaining the four goods of life. Our findings suggest that there is a high degree of compatibility. This undermines the widespread view that disabilities, by their very nature, substantially limit a person’s ability to access the goods of life, and it provides some guidance on how to dissolve the Disability Paradox.
Clinical Implications of Inter- and Intratumor Heterogeneity of Immune Cell Markers in Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhao Wei , Zhu Bin , Hutchinson Amy , Pesatori Angela Cecilia , Consonni Dario , Caporaso Neil E , Zhang Tongwu , Wang Difei , Shi Jianxin , Landi Maria Teresa
Published: August 2021

Background

Immune cell transcriptome signatures have been widely used to study the lung tumor microenvironment (TME). However, it is unclear to what extent the immune cell composition in the lung TME varies across histological and molecular subtypes (intertumor heterogeneity [inter-TH]) and within tumors (intratumor heterogeneity [ITH]) and whether ITH has any prognostic relevance.

Methods

Using RNA sequencing in 269 tumor samples from 160 lung cancer patients, we quantified the inter-TH of immune gene expression and immune cell abundance and evaluated the association of median immune cell abundance with clinical and pathological features and overall survival. In 39 tumors with 132 multiregion samples, we also analyzed the ITH of immune cell abundance in relation to overall survival using a variance-weighted multivariate Cox model not biased by the number of samples per tumor.

Results

Substantial inter-TH of 14 immune cell types was observed even within the same histological and molecular subtypes, but early stage tumors had higher lymphocyte infiltration across all tumor types. In multiregion samples, an unbiased estimate of low ITH of overall immune cell composition (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.21 to 0.78; P = .007), dendritic cells (HR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.096 to 0.58; P = .002), and macrophages (HR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.84; P = .009) was strongly associated with poor survival. The ITH of 3 markers, including CD163 and CD68 (macrophages) and CCL13 (dendritic cells), was enough to characterize the ITH of the corresponding immune cell abundances and its association with overall survival.

Conclusion

This study suggests that lack of immune cell diversity may facilitate tumor evasion and progression. ITH inferred from CCL13, CD163, and CD68 could be used as a prognostic tool in clinical practice.
Etiology and Incidence of Moderate-to-Severe Diarrhea in Young Children in Niger
Authors: Platts-Mills James A , Houpt Eric R , Liu Jie , Zhang Jixian , Guindo Ousmane , Sayinzoga-Makombe Nathan , McMurry Timothy L , Elwood Sarah , Langendorf Céline , Grais Rebecca F , Isanaka Sheila
Published: August 2021

Background

High-resolution data on the etiology of childhood diarrhea in countries with the highest burden and mortality remain sparse and are needed to inform burden estimates and prioritize interventions.

Methods

We tested stool specimens collected between October 2014 and December 2017 from children under 2 years of age from the per-protocol population of a placebo-controlled clinical trial of a bovine rotavirus pentavalent vaccine (Rotasiil) in Niger. We tested 1729 episodes of moderate-to-severe diarrhea (Vesikari score ≥ 7) using quantitative PCR and estimated pathogen-specific burdens by age, season, severity, and trial intervention arm.

Results

The 4 pathogens with the highest attributable incidence of diarrhea were Shigella (7.2 attributable episodes per 100 child-years; 95% confidence interval: 5.2, 9.7), Cryptosporidium (6.5; 5.8, 7.2), rotavirus (6.4; 5.9, 6.7), and heat-stabile toxin-producing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ST-ETEC) (6.2; 3.1, 7.7). Cryptosporidium was the leading etiology of severe diarrhea (Vesikari score ≥ 11) and diarrhea requiring hospitalization. Shigella was the leading etiology of diarrhea in children 12-23 months of age but also had a substantial burden in the first year of life, with 60.5% of episodes of severe shigellosis occurring in infants. Shigella, Cryptosporidium, and ST-ETEC incidence peaked during the warmer and wetter period and coincided with peak all-cause diarrhea incidence.

Conclusions

In this high-burden setting, the leading diarrheal pathogens were Shigella, Cryptosporidium, rotavirus, and ST-ETEC, and each was disproportionately seen in infants. Vaccine development should target these pathogens, and the impact of vaccine schedule on diarrhea burden in the youngest children will need to be considered.
Role of heme oxygenase-1 in the antidepressant-like effect of ursolic acid in the tail suspension test
Authors: Ramos-Hryb Ana Belen , Pazini Francis L , Costa Ana Paula , Cunha Mauricio P , Kaster Manuella P , Rodrigues Ana Lúcia S
Published: August 2021

Objectives

This study investigated the involvement of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the antidepressant-like effects of ursolic acid (UA), a plant-derived compound with neuroprotective and antidepressant-like properties.

Methods

Mice received intracerebroventricular injections of zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) or cobalt protoporphyrin IX (CoPP) to inhibit or induce HO-1, respectively, together with effective (0.1 mg/kg, p.o.) or sub-effective (0.01 mg/kg, p.o.) doses of UA or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, p.o.). Immobility time was assessed using the tail suspension test (TST) and the ambulatory behaviour with the open field test. HO-1 immunocontent was evaluated in mice hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Key findings

ZnPP prevented the anti-immobility effects of UA and fluoxetine. Combined treatment with a sub-effective dose of CoPP and UA synergistically exerted antidepressant-like effects in the TST. Acute administration of UA or CoPP, but not fluoxetine, increased the HO-1 immunocontent in the hippocampus. None of the treatments altered the HO-1 immunocontent in the prefrontal cortex.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this work shows that increased hippocampal HO-1 content and activity mediate the antidepressant-like effect of UA in the TST.
Anatomies, vascular architectures, and mechanics underlying the leaf size-stem size spectrum in 42 Neotropical tree species
Authors: Levionnois Sébastien , Salmon Camille , Alméras Tancrède , Clair Bruno , Ziegler Camille , Coste Sabrina , Stahl Clément , González-Melo Andrés , Heinz Christine , Heuret Patrick
Published: August 2021

The leaf size-stem size spectrum is one of the main dimensions of plant ecological strategies. Yet the anatomical, mechanical, and hydraulic implications of small versus large shoots are still poorly understood. We investigated 42 tropical rainforest tree species in French Guiana, with a wide range of leaf areas at the shoot level. We quantified the scaling of hydraulic and mechanical constraints with shoot size, estimated as the water potential difference (ΔΨ) and the bending angle (ΔΦ), respectively. We investigated how anatomical tissue area, flexural stiffness and xylem vascular architecture affect such scaling by deviating (or not) from theoretical isometry with shoot size variation. Vessel diameter and conductive path length were found to be allometrically related to shoot size, thereby explaining the independence between ΔΨ and shoot size. Leaf mass per area, stem length, and the modulus of elasticity were allometrically related to shoot size, explaining the independence between ΔΦ and shoot size. Our study also shows that the maintenance of both water supply and mechanical stability across the shoot size range are not in conflict.