bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healthy herds in the phytoplankton: the benefit of selective parasitism
Authors: Laundon Davis , Mock Thomas , Wheeler Glen , Cunliffe Michael
Published: March 2021

The impact of selective predation of weaker individuals on the general health of prey populations is well-established in animal ecology. Analogous processes have not been considered at microbial scales despite the ubiquity of microbe-microbe interactions, such as parasitism. Here we present insights into the biotic interactions between a widespread marine thraustochytrid and a diatom from the ecologically important genus Chaetoceros. Physiological experiments show the thraustochytrid targets senescent diatom cells in a similar way to selective animal predation on weaker prey individuals. This physiology-selective targeting of ‘unhealthy’ cells appears to improve the overall health (i.e., increased photosynthetic quantum yield) of the diatom population without impacting density, providing support for ‘healthy herd’ dynamics in a protist–protist interaction, a phenomenon typically associated with animal predators and their prey. Thus, our study suggests caution against the assumption that protist–protist parasitism is always detrimental to the host population and highlights the complexity of microbial interactions.
Mitigating N2O emissions from agricultural soils with fungivorous mites
Authors: Shen Haoyang , Shiratori Yutaka , Ohta Sayuri , Masuda Yoko , Isobe Kazuo , Senoo Keishi
Published: March 2021

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important greenhouse gas and an ozone-depleting substance. Due to the long persistence of N2O in the atmosphere, the mitigation of anthropogenic N2O emissions, which are mainly derived from microbial N2O-producing processes, including nitrification and denitrification by bacteria, archaea, and fungi, in agricultural soils, is urgently necessary. Members of mesofauna affect microbial processes by consuming microbial biomass in soil. However, how microbial consumption affects N2O emissions is largely unknown. Here, we report the significant role of fungivorous mites, the major mesofaunal group in agricultural soils, in regulating N2O production by fungi, and the results can be applied to the mitigation of N2O emissions. We found that the application of coconut husks, which is the low-value part of coconut and is commonly employed as a soil conditioner in agriculture, to soil can supply a favorable habitat for fungivorous mites due to its porous structure and thereby increase the mite abundance in agricultural fields. Because mites rapidly consume fungal N2O producers in soil, the increase in mite abundance substantially decreases the N2O emissions from soil. Our findings might provide new insight into the mechanisms of soil N2O emissions and broaden the options for the mitigation of N2O emissions.
Evolution of late-stage metastatic melanoma is dominated by aneuploidy and whole genome doubling
Authors: Vergara Ismael A. , Mintoff Christopher P. , Sandhu Shahneen , McIntosh Lachlan , Young Richard J. , Wong Stephen Q. , Colebatch Andrew , Cameron Daniel L. , Kwon Julia Lai , Wolfe Rory , Peng Angela , Ellul Jason , Dou Xuelin , Fedele Clare , Boyle Samantha , Arnau Gisela Mir , Raleigh Jeanette , Hatzimihalis Athena , Szeto Pacman , Mooi Jennifer , Widmer Daniel S. , Cheng Phil F. , Amann Valerie , Dummer Reinhard , Hayward Nicholas , Wilmott James , Scolyer Richard A. , Cho Raymond J. , Bowtell David , Thorne Heather , Alsop Kathryn , Cordner Stephen , Woodford Noel , Leditschke Jodie , O’Brien Patricia , Dawson Sarah-Jane , McArthur Grant A. , Mann Graham J. , Levesque Mitchell P. , Papenfuss Anthony T. , Shackleton Mark
Published: March 2021

Although melanoma is initiated by acquisition of point mutations and limited focal copy number alterations in melanocytes-of-origin, the nature of genetic changes that characterise lethal metastatic disease is poorly understood. Here, we analyze the evolution of human melanoma progressing from early to late disease in 13 patients by sampling their tumours at multiple sites and times. Whole exome and genome sequencing data from 88 tumour samples reveals only limited gain of point mutations generally, with net mutational loss in some metastases. In contrast, melanoma evolution is dominated by whole genome doubling and large-scale aneuploidy, in which widespread loss of heterozygosity sculpts the burden of point mutations, neoantigens and structural variants even in treatment-naïve and primary cutaneous melanomas in some patients. These results imply that dysregulation of genomic integrity is a key driver of selective clonal advantage during melanoma progression.
Dispersive-wave induced noise limits in miniature soliton microwave sources
Authors: Yang Qi-Fan , Ji Qing-Xin , Wu Lue , Shen Boqiang , Wang Heming , Bao Chengying , Yuan Zhiquan , Vahala Kerry
Published: March 2021

Compact, low-noise microwave sources are required throughout a wide range of application areas including frequency metrology, wireless-communications and airborne radar systems. And the photonic generation of microwaves using soliton microcombs offers a path towards integrated, low noise microwave signal sources. In these devices, a so called quiet-point of operation has been shown to reduce microwave frequency noise. Such operation decouples pump frequency noise from the soliton’s motion by balancing the Raman self-frequency shift with dispersive-wave recoil. Here, we explore the limit of this noise suppression approach and reveal a fundamental noise mechanism associated with fluctuations of the dispersive wave frequency. At the same time, pump noise reduction by as much as 36 dB is demonstrated. This fundamental noise mechanism is expected to impact microwave noise (and pulse timing jitter) whenever solitons radiate into dispersive waves belonging to different spatial mode families.
Efficient Lévy walks in virtual human foraging
Authors: Garg Ketika , Kello Christopher T
Published: March 2021

Efficient foraging depends on decisions that account for the costs and benefits of various activities like movement, perception, and planning. We conducted a virtual foraging experiment set in the foothills of the Himalayas to examine how time and energy are expended to forage efficiently, and how foraging changes when constrained to a home range. Two hundred players foraged the human-scale landscape with simulated energy expenditure in search of naturally distributed resources. Results showed that efficient foragers produced periods of locomotion interleaved with perception and planning that approached theoretical expectations for Lévy walks, regardless of the home-range constraint. Despite this constancy, efficient home-range foraging trajectories were less diffusive by virtue of restricting locomotive search and spending more time instead scanning the environment to plan movement and detect far-away resources. Altogether, results demonstrate that humans can forage efficiently by arranging and adjusting Lévy-distributed search activities in response to environmental and task constraints.
Synovial fluid but not plasma interleukin-8 is associated with clinical severity and inflammatory markers in knee osteoarthritis women with joint effusion
Authors: García-Manrique María , Calvet Joan , Orellana Cristóbal , Berenguer-Llergo Antoni , Garcia-Cirera Silvia , Llop Maria , Albiñana-Giménez Néstor , Galisteo-Lencastre Carlos , Gratacós Jordi
Published: March 2021

Several cytokines and adipokines are related to clinical severity and progression in knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of IL-8 with clinical severity and with local and systemic adipokines and cytokines. This is a Cross-sectional study including 115 women with symptomatic primary knee osteoarthritis with ultrasound-confirmed joint effusion. Age, symptoms duration and body mass index were collected. Radiographic severity was evaluated according to Kellgren–Lawrence. Pain and disability were assessed by Lequesne and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score pain, symptoms and function scales. Three inflammatory markers and five adipokines were measured by ELISA in serum and synovial fluid. Partial correlation coefficient (PCC) and corresponding 95% confidence interval were used to evaluate association. Synovial fluid IL-8 was significantly associated with clinical severity scales. After controlling for potential confounders, associations measured by a Partial Correlation Coefficient (PCC) remained essentially unaltered for Lequesne (PCC = 0.237), KOOS pain (PCC = − 0.201) and KOOS symptoms (PCC = − 0.209), KOOS function (PCC = − 0.185), although the later did not reach statistical significance. Also in synovial fluid samples, associations were found between IL-8 and TNF (PCC = 0.334), IL6 (PCC = 0.461), osteopontin (PCC = 0.575), visfatin (PCC = 0.194) and resistin (PCC = 0.182), although significance was not achieved for the later after statistical control for confounders. None of these associations were detected in serum. In conclusion, IL-8 was associated with clinical severity, inflammatory markers and adipokines in synovial fluid, but not in blood. Although the reported associations are weak to moderate in magnitude, these findings reinforce the notion that local and not systemic inflammation is more relevant to clinical severity in knee OA women with joint effusion.
Chromosomal translocation t(11;14) and p53 deletion induced by the CRISPR/Cas9 system in normal B cell-derived iPS cells
Authors: Azami Yusuke , Tsuyama Naohiro , Abe Yu , Sugai-Takahashi Misaki , Kudo Ken-ichi , Ota Akinobu , Sivasundaram Karnan , Muramatsu Moe , Shigemura Tomonari , Sasatani Megumi , Hashimoto Yuko , Saji Shigehira , Kamiya Kenji , Hanamura Ichiro , Ikezoe Takayuki , Onodera Masafumi , Sakai Akira
Published: March 2021

Multiple myeloma (MM) cells are derived from mature B cells based on immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene analysis. The onset of MM is often caused by a reciprocal chromosomal translocation (cTr) between chr 14 withIgHand chr 11 withCCND1. We propose that mature B cells gain potential to transform by reprograming, and then chromosomal aberrations cause the development of abnormal B cells as a myeloma-initiating cell during B cell redifferentiation. To study myeloma-initiating cells, we have already established normal B cell-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (BiPSCs). Here we established two BiPSCs with reciprocal cTr t(11;14) using the CRISPR/Cas9 system; the cleavage site were located in theIgHEμ region of either the VDJ rearranged allele or non-rearranged allele ofIgHand the 5′-upsteam region of theCCND1(two types of BiPSC13 with t(11;14) and MIB2-6 with t(11;14)). Furthermore,p53was deleted using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in BiPSC13 with t(11;14). These BiPSCs differentiated into hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). However, unlike cord blood, those HPCs did not differentiated into B lymphocytes by co-culture with BM stromal cell. Therefore, further ingenuity is required to differentiate those BiPSCs-derived HPCs into B lymphocytes.
The human EDAR 370V/A polymorphism affects tooth root morphology potentially through the modification of a reaction–diffusion system
Authors: Kataoka Keiichi , Fujita Hironori , Isa Mutsumi , Gotoh Shimpei , Arasaki Akira , Ishida Hajime , Kimura Ryosuke
Published: March 2021

Morphological variations in human teeth have long been recognized and, in particular, the spatial and temporal distribution of two patterns of dental features in Asia, i.e., Sinodonty and Sundadonty, have contributed to our understanding of the human migration history. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying such dental variations have not yet been completely elucidated. Recent studies have clarified that a nonsynonymous variant in the ectodysplasin A receptor gene (EDAR370V/A; rs3827760) contributes to crown traits related to Sinodonty. In this study, we examined the association between theEDARpolymorphism and tooth root traits by using computed tomography images and identified that the effects of theEDARvariant on the number and shape of roots differed depending on the tooth type. In addition, to better understand tooth root morphogenesis, a computational analysis for patterns of tooth roots was performed, assuming a reaction–diffusion system. The computational study suggested that the complicated effects of theEDARpolymorphism could be explained when it is considered that EDAR modifies the syntheses of multiple related molecules working in the reaction–diffusion dynamics. In this study, we shed light on the molecular mechanisms of tooth root morphogenesis, which are less understood in comparison to those of tooth crown morphogenesis.
Origin and variability of statistical dependencies between peak, volume, and duration of rainfall-driven flood events
Authors: Rahimi L. , Deidda C. , De Michele C.
Published: March 2021

Floods are among the most common and impactful natural events. The hazard of a flood event depends on its peak (Q), volume (V) and duration (D), which are interconnected to each other. Here, we used a worldwide dataset of daily discharge, two statistics (Kendall’s tau and Spearman’s rho) and a conceptual hydrological rainfall-runoff model as model-dependent realism, to investigate the factors controlling and the origin of the dependence between each couple of flood characteristics, with the focus to rainfall-driven events. From the statistical analysis of worldwide dataset, we found that the catchment area is ineffective in controlling the dependence between Q and V, while the dependencies between Q and D, and V and D show an increasing behavior with the catchment area. From the modeling activity, on the U.S. subdataset, we obtained that the conceptual hydrological model is able to represent the observed dependencies between each couple of variables for rainfall-driven flood events, and for such events, the pairwise dependence of each couple is not causal, is of spurious kind, coming from the “Principle of Common Cause”.
Postoperative around-the-clock administration of intravenous acetaminophen for pain control following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Inoue Shogo , Miyoshi Hirotsugu , Hieda Keisuke , Hayashi Tetsutaro , Tsutsumi Yasuo M. , Teishima Jun
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of around-the-clock (ATC) administration of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Intravenous infusion of acetaminophen was started on the day of the operation at 1000 mg/dose every 6 h, and the infusion was continued on a fixed schedule until postoperative day 2 a.m. In a retrospective observational study, we compared 127 patients who were administered IV acetaminophen on a fixed schedule (ATC group) with 485 patients who were administered analgesic drugs only as needed (PRN group). We investigated postoperative pain intensity and additional analgesic consumption on postoperative day 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 between the two groups. Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the ATC group than in the PRN group at 1 and 2 days, and this period matched the duration of ATC administration of IV acetaminophen. Postoperative frequency of rescue analgesia was significantly lower in the ATC group than in the PRN group at postoperative 0, 1, and 2 days. ATC administration of IV acetaminophen has the potential to be a very versatile and valuable additional dose to achieve appropriate postoperative analgesia in patients with RARP.
Feasibility, safety and accuracy of a CT-guided robotic assistance for percutaneous needle placement in a swine liver model
Authors: Guiu Boris , De Baère Thierry , Noel Guillaume , Ronot Maxime
Published: March 2021

Evaluate the feasibility, safety and accuracy of a CT-guided robotic assistance for percutaneous needle placement in the liver. Sixty-six fiducials were surgically inserted into the liver of ten swine and used as targets for needle insertions. All CT-scan acquisitions and robotically-assisted needle insertions were coordinated with breath motion using respiratory monitoring. Skin entry and target points were defined on planning CT-scan. Then, robotically-assisted insertions of 17G needles were performed either by experienced interventional radiologists or by a novice. Post-needle insertion CT-scans were acquired to assess accuracy (3D deviation, ie. distance from needle tip to predefined target) and safety. All needle insertions (43/43; median trajectory length = 83 mm (interquartile range [IQR] 72–105 mm) could be performed in one (n = 36) or two (n = 7) attempts (100% feasibility). Blinded evaluation showed an accuracy of 3.5 ± 1.3 mm. Accuracy did not differ between novice and experienced operators (3.7 ± 1.3 versus 3.4 ± 1.2 mm, P = 0.44). Neither trajectory angulation nor trajectory length significantly impacted accuracy. No complications were encountered. Needle insertion using the robotic device was shown feasible, safe and accurate in a swine liver model. Accuracy was influenced neither by the trajectory length nor by trajectory angulations nor by operator’s experience. A prospective human clinical trial is recruiting.
A new 2D Cu-MOF constructed from carboxylate ligands containing C–H⋯π interactions as a recyclable responsive luminescent sensor for VOCs
Authors: Liu Chengxin , Cui Jin , Wang Yufang , Zhang Mingjie
Published: March 2021

A new type of 2D metal–organic framework (MOF), namely Cu-MOF, was constructed from Cu(NO3)2·3H2O and the novel ligand 1,4-bis(4-naphthoic acid)benzene.
Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and dinitrogen to value-added products: a review
Authors: Rabiee Hesamoddin , Ge Lei , Zhang Xueqin , Hu Shihu , Li Mengran , Yuan Zhiguo
Published: March 2021

Opportunities, challenges and design criteria associated with Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) for various electrochemical applications.
5-Hydroxy-pyrrolone based building blocks as maleimide alternatives for protein bioconjugation and single-site multi-functionalization
Authors: De Geyter Ewout , Antonatou Eirini , Kalaitzakis Dimitris , Smolen Sabina , Iyer Abhishek , Tack Laure , Ongenae Emiel , Vassilikogiannakis Georgios , Madder Annemieke
Published: March 2021

Recent expansion in potential uses of protein conjugates has fueled the development of a range of protein modification methods; however, the desirable single-site multi-functionalization of proteins has remained a particularly intransigent challenge.
Dynamics and rheology of a suspension of super-paramagnetic chains under the combined effect of a shear flow and a rotating magnetic field
Authors: Rossi Emanuele , Ruiz-Lopez Jose A. , Vázquez-Quesada A. , Ellero M.
Published: March 2021

A suspension of magnetic chains under the effect of an external rotating field and applied shear flow is simulated. The suspension viscosity can be controlled (increased or lowered) by tuning the magnetic frequency with the natural shear frequency.
Development of nanobody-based flow-through dot ELISA and lateral-flow immunoassay for rapid detection of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid
Authors: Zhang Can , Wu Xiaoxiao , Li Dongyang , Hu Jinnuo , Wan Debin , Zhang Zhen , Hammock Bruce D.
Published: March 2021

Flow-through dot ELISA and gold nanoparticle lateral-flow immunoassay based on nanobodies were developed for detecting 3-PBA. The sensitivity of nanobody-based flow-through dot ELISA is 10-fold higher than that of gold nanoparticle lateral-flow immunoassay.
KLa(0.95−x)GdxF4:Eu3+ hexagonal phase nanoparticles as luminescent probes for in vitro Huh-7 cancer cell imaging
Authors: Gupta Mohini , Nagarajan Rajamani , Ramamurthy Chitteti , Vivekanandan Perumal , Prakash G. Vijaya
Published: March 2021

Strong and site selective red-emitting photoluminescent/MRI multi-functional KLa(0.95−x)GdxF4:Eu3+ (x = 0–0.4) bio-compatible nanomaterials for targeted in-vitro liver cancer cell imaging.
Practical output consensus control of uncertain nonlinear multi‐agent systems without using the higher‐order states of neighbours
Authors: Wang Gang , Wang Chaoli , Ji Yunfeng , Li Qingdu
Published: March 2021

Currently, most existing consensus methods require each agent to access the higher‐order states of its neighbouring agents, thereby increasing communication and computation costs in a multi‐agent system. This work considers the practical consensus problem without such requirements for multi‐agent systems in a strict‐feedback form. Specifically, this study addresses the distributed control problem with asymmetric time‐varying output constraints under a general communication topology that contains a directed spanning tree. One salient feature of this work is to present a new dynamic reference output for dealing with both the directed topology and the satisfaction of the output constraints. Based on this reference output, a distributed consensus scheme is developed such that each agent utilizes only its states and the output information of its neighbours to update the control input. The proposed method is straightforward to implement because the complex analytic computation of the derivatives of the virtual controllers is not needed. Theoretical and simulation verifications of the proposed scheme, ensuring that output consensus can be achieved without violation of the constraints and that all closed‐loop signals remain bounded, are rigorously studied.
Charge migration of multilayer oil paper on the process of partial discharge under AC voltage
Authors: Gao Bo , Li Yixuan , Liu Kai , Li Xiaonan , Yang Yan , Wu Guangning
Published: March 2021

As one of the main reasons for the deterioration of Nomex paper and charge migration, partial discharge (PD) plays a critical role during PD degradation. In this study, the PD characteristics of multilayer oil paper are focused on. In order to explore the characteristics of charge migration, the experiments of the relative permittivity, conductivity, isothermal surface potential decay, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier infrared spectroscopy have been carried out. The results show that the discharge branches of the second layer are two and three times longer than those in the first layer. In addition, the trap level of the first layer for PD degradation samples increases with the degree of PD degradation. The charges captured by deep traps provide seed charges for PD on the surface of the first layer. The charge transportation will accelerate the formation of shallow traps. The charge distribution and shallow traps contribute to the expansion of discharge branches.
Composite attacks‐based copy‐move image forgery detection using AKAZE and FAST with automatic contrast thresholding
Authors: Dixit Anuja , Bag Soumen
Published: March 2021

Copy‐move image forgery is one of the most popular image tampering technique which can be performed for vicious purposes. In this forgery technique, selected region is copied and pasted at different locations on the same image to produce a manipulated image. Such forgery is denigratory as it can alter the image content by hiding or appending visual information. In this study, the authors propose a novel keypoint‐based technique to detect forged images sustaining composite attacks consisting of various combinations of geometrical and post‐processing operations. In the authors' method, AKAZE and FAST techniques are used to extract keypoints from the image. Non‐maximal value suppression with automatic contrast thresholding is performed during FAST keypoint extraction. SIFT and DAISY descriptors are computed corresponding to extracted keypoints. PCA is applied over SIFT and DAISY descriptors to discard lower components which are sensitive to distortions occurred in images. They apply a correlation‐based nearest neighbour search technique to detect similarity among keypoint descriptors. HDBSCAN algorithm is applied to obtain matched keypoint clusters. Further, RANSAC algorithm is utilised for removal of keypoint outliers. In comparison to state‐of‐the‐art techniques, their approach achieve high F‐measure (%) and low FPR (%) for image‐level as well as pixel‐level copy‐move forgery detection.
Robust object detection under harsh autonomous‐driving environments
Authors: Kim Youngjun , Hwang Hyekyoung , Shin Jitae
Published: March 2021

In the autonomous driving environment, object instances in an image can be affected by various factors such as camera, driving state, weather, and system component. However, the deep learning‐based vision systems are vulnerable to perturbation, which contains noise. Thus, robust object detection under harsh autonomous‐driving environments is a more difficult than the generic situation. In this paper, it is found that not only the accuracy, but also the speed of the non‐maximum suppression‐based detector can be degraded under harsh environments. Therefore, object detection is handled under a harsh situation with adversarial mechanisms such as adversarial training and adversarial defence. Adversarial defence modules are designed to improve robustness in feature extraction level and define perturbations under a harsh environment for training object detectors to improve the robustness of the model's decision boundary. The proposed adversarial defence and training mechanisms improve the object detector in both accuracy and speed. The proposed method shows a 43.7% mean average precision for the COCO2015 dataset in generic object detection and 39.0% mean average precision for the BDD100K dataset in a driving environment. Furthermore, it achieves a real‐time capability of 23 frames per second.
Gas terminal velocity from MIRO/Rosetta data using neural network approach
Authors: Rezac L. , Zorzi A. , Hartogh P. , Pinzón-Rodríguez O. , Marshall D. , Biver N. , Bockelée-Morvan D. , Crovisier J. , Ip W. H. , Gulkis S. ,   the MIRO team
Published: March 2021

Context. The Microwave Instrument on the Rosetta Orbiter (MIRO) on board the Rosetta spacecraft was designed to investigate the surface and gas activity of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The MIRO spectroscopic measurements carry information about the velocity of gas emanating from the nucleus surface. Knowledge of the terminal velocity of the H2O gas is valuable for interpretation of in situ measurements, calibrating 3D coma simulations, and studying the physics of gas acceleration.

Aims. Using a neural network technique, we aim to estimate the gas terminal velocity from the entire MIRO dataset of nadir geometry pointings. The velocity of the gas is encoded in the Doppler shift of the measured rotational transitions of o-H216O and o-H218O even when the spectral lines are optically thick with quasi or fully saturated line cores.

Methods. Neural networks are robust nonlinear algorithms that can be trained to recognize underlying input to output functional relationships. A training set of about 2200 non-LTE simulated spectra for the two transitions is computed for known input cometary atmospheres, varying column density, temperature, and expansion velocity profiles. Two four-layer networks are used to learn and then predict the gas terminal velocity from the MIRO nadir measured o-H216O and o-H218O spectra lines, respectively. We also quantify the accuracy, stability, and uncertainty of the estimated parameter.

Results. Once trained, the neural network is very effective in inverting the measured spectra. We process the entire dataset of MIRO measurements from August 2014 to July 2016, and investigate correlations and temporal evolution of terminal velocities derived from the two spectral lines. The highest terminal velocities obtained from H218O are higher than those from H216O with differences that evolve in time and reach about 150 m s−1 on average around perihelion. A discussion is provided on how to explain this peculiar behavior.
Effect of CRI and CSR on the softening-melting behavior of burden in the high temperature zone
Authors: Li Jianpeng , Lyu Qing , Liu Xiaojie
Published: March 2021

The influence of coke properties on the softening and melting behavior of burden was investigated through high temperature reaction tests. The results indicated that with an increase in the CRI of coke, the T′10% and T′40% both decreased while the ΔT′1 increased. The higher CRI got, the lower Ts was. In other words, under the identical primary slag condition, the resistance of cohesive zone for gas would increase with the increasing of CRI, as a result, the ΔPmax and S both rose. Because the S increased with increasing of coke which was less than 5 mm, it is necessary for the improvement of permeability to increase the CSR of coke. Notably, the CRI and CSR could reflect the quality of coke at high temperature, consequently, they still can be used as the quality indices of coke in the cohesive zone.
Behandlung im Voraus planen – Bedeutung für die Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin
Authors: Nauck Friedemann , Marckmann Georg , Schmitten Jürgen in der
Published: March 2021

Behandlung im Voraus planen (BVP) – im Englischen Advance Care Planning (ACP) – etabliert sich auch in Deutschland als ein neues Konzept zur Realisierung wirksamer Patientenverfügungen. Das Konzept beinhaltet Prozesse zur Ermittlung, Dokumentation und Umsetzung von Behandlungswünschen für den Fall, dass die Betroffenen nicht (mehr) selbst entscheiden können.
Predicting Burn Mortality Using a Simple Novel Prediction Model
Authors: Sharma Sneha , Tandon Raman
Published: March 2021

Background Prediction of outcome for burn patients allows appropriate allocation of resources and prognostication. There is a paucity of simple to use burn-specific mortality prediction models which consider both endogenous and exogenous factors. Our objective was to create such a model.

Methods A prospective observational study was performed on consecutive eligible consenting burns patients. Demographic data, total burn surface area (TBSA), results of complete blood count, kidney function test, and arterial blood gas analysis were collected. The quantitative variables were compared using the unpaired student t-test/nonparametric Mann Whitney U-test. Qualitative variables were compared using the ⊠2-test/Fischer exact test. Binary logistic regression analysis was done and a logit score was derived and simplified. The discrimination of these models was tested using the receiver operating characteristic curve; calibration was checked using the Hosmer—Lemeshow goodness of fit statistic, and the probability of death calculated. Validation was done using the bootstrapping technique in 5,000 samples. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results On univariate analysis TBSA (p <0.001) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score (p = 0.004) were found to be independent predictors of mortality. TBSA (odds ratio [OR] 1.094, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.037–1.155, p = 0.001) and APACHE II (OR 1.166, 95% CI 1.034–1.313, p = 0.012) retained significance on binary logistic regression analysis. The prediction model devised performed well (area under the receiver operating characteristic 0.778, 95% CI 0.681–0.875).

Conclusion The prediction of mortality can be done accurately at the bedside using TBSA and APACHE II score.
Homeopathy Assessment—Contribution of the Human Sciences
Authors: Renoux Hélène
Published: March 2021

The recent questions about homeopathy raised by some sceptics have focused an awareness on this therapy and led different protagonists among the scientific community to seek a much-needed re-assessment. The inputs coming from external but benevolent experts will broaden the knowledge and the consciousness of the whole medical community, and more widely of the public, about the meaning and the value of homeopathy.

Looking at this from the point of view of the human sciences gives a perspective on the universality of the philosophy that underlies homeopathic thinking, which is particularly visible in the methodological similarities between homeopathic provings and sociological or anthropological observations. It also explains how this view of health and care coincides with the expectations of the public, who no longer want a limited mechanical approach to the human body or more generally to the environment.

The input to homeopathy of the human sciences, with their methodological tools and approaches, and highlighting the possibilities offered by mixed-methods research, could enable these notions to be heard and shared in the wider scientific community.
Neonatal Microsurgical Repair of a Congenital Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with a Cadaveric Graft
Authors: Joharifard Shahrzad , Le-Nguyen Annie , Côté Geneviève , Borsuk Daniel , Ghali Rafik , Lallier Michel
Published: March 2021

Congenital abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are an extremely rare entity. We present the case of a female fetus diagnosed with an AAA on routine prenatal ultrasound. A postnatal computed tomography angiogram revealed an infrarenal AAA with a narrow proximal neck. Surgery was performed on day of life 14 using a cadaveric femoral artery graft. The proximal anastomosis was performed under the microscope given the severity of the aortic stenosis and the proximity of the renal arteries. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and she is developing normally 1 year after surgery. The graft remains permeable, albeit with evidence of proximal and distal stenosis and graft calcification on imaging.
Hypospadias and the Use of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire to Evaluate Neurodevelopmental Status of Boys with Hypospadias
Authors: Cakmak Murat , Gollu Gulnur , Ates Ufuk , Ergun Ergun , Khanmammadov Ferid , Sozduyar Sumeyye , Telli Onur , Kose Kenan , Dilsiz Habibe , Cakmak Aytul , Kapci Emine G. , Kucuker Sevgi , Oner Ozgur , Bingol-Kologlu Meltem , Yagmurlu Aydin , Uslu Rana I.
Published: March 2021

Introduction Placental insufficiency is one of the reasons for the reduction of hormone production. Thus, if one of the suspected causes of hypospadias is placental insufficiency, then the neurodevelopmental status of boys with hypospadias may be impaired. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neurodevelopmental status of boys with hypospadias and guide the parents of those who need support to related departments for early intervention.

Materials and Methods Boys were divided into two groups, those with hypospadias (group H) and healthy children undergoing traditional circumcision (group C). The parents of the boys completed the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and ASQ–Social Emotional (SE), both of which are screening instruments for the early identification of developmental and social–emotional problems, respectively.

Results Seventy-eight boys had hypospadias and 59 were admitted for traditional circumcision. The group H had statistically significant more impaired scores than group C in communication, gross motor, and personal–social skill sections. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hypospadias was the independent predictive factor for communication and personal–social skills.

Conclusion Hypospadias and neurologic impairment may share common etiologic factors. Accordingly, physicians should keep in mind that if a boy presents with hypospadias, the possibility of having neurologic impairment is higher than normal population and early intervention has crucial importance. Every boy with hypospadias should be evaluated for neurodevelopmental status.
Moderate Dose of Tranexamic Acid and Complications after Valvular Heart Surgery
Authors: Hulde Nikolai , Zittermann Armin , Deutsch Marcus-Andre , von Dossow Vera , Gummert Jan E. , Koster Andreas
Published: March 2021

Background In valvular open-heart surgery, data regarding the effect of a moderate dose of tranexamic acid (TXA) on clinical outcomes are limited.

Methods Out of a cohort of 13,293 patients, we performed a propensity-score-matched analysis in 6,106 patients and assessed the risk of convulsive seizures (CS, primary endpoint), stroke, renal replacement therapy, and mortality (secondary endpoints). In the entire study cohort of 13,293 patients, we also assessed the multivariable-adjusted association of CS with postoperative outcomes.

Results The risk of CS was significantly higher in the TXA group (2.4%; n = 72) than in the non-TXA group (1.0%; n = 32), with a relative risk ratio (RR) of 2.28 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50–3.47; p < 0.001). The risk of CS was also higher in patients receiving TXA doses ≥25 mg/kg body weight (3.7%; n = 40) than in patients receiving <25 mg/kg body weight (1.6%; n = 32; p < 0.001). Perioperative secondary clinical endpoints and 1-year mortality did not differ significantly between study groups (p-value > 0.05). Compared with non-CS patients (n = 13,000), patients with nonhemorrhagic, nonembolic CS (n = 253) revealed higher multivariable-adjusted in-hospital risks of stroke (RR: 3.82 [95% CI: 2.44–5.60; p < 0.001]) and mortality (RR: 2.07 [95% CI: 1.23–3.48; p = 0.006]), and a higher 1-year mortality risk (RR: 1.85 [95% CI: 1.42–2.41; p < 0.001]).

Conclusion A moderate TXA dose was associated with a significantly higher risk of seizure, but not with other clinical complications such as stroke, renal replacement therapy, and mortality. However, in the small group of patients experiencing a seizure, the risks of stroke and short- and mid-term mortality were substantially higher than in patients not experiencing a seizure, indicating that the use of a low-dose TXA protocol (<25 mg/kg body weight) should be considered.
Top-level physics requirements and simulated performance of the MRSt on the National Ignition Facility
Authors: Kunimune J. H. , Frenje J. A. , Berg G. P. A. , Trosseille C. A. , Nora R. C. , Waltz C. S. , Moore A. S. , Kilkenny J. D. , Mackinnon A. J.
Published: March 2021

The time-resolving Magnetic Recoil Spectrometer (MRSt) for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) has been identified by the US National Diagnostic Working Group as one of the transformational diagnostics that will reshape the way inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions are diagnosed. The MRSt will measure the time-resolved neutron spectrum of an implosion, from which the time-resolved ion temperature, areal density, and yield will be inferred. Top-level physics requirements for the MRSt were determined based on simulations of numerous ICF implosions with varying degrees of alpha heating, P2 asymmetry, and mix. Synthetic MRSt data were subsequently generated for different configurations using Monte–Carlo methods to determine its performance in relation to the requirements. The system was found to meet most requirements at current neutron yields at the NIF. This work was supported by the DOE and LLNL.
Application of motional Stark effect in situ background correction to a superconducting tokamak
Authors: Ko Jinseok , Scott Steve , Levinton Fred , Galante Matthew , Sabbagh Steve , Hahn Sang-hee , Jeon YoungMu
Published: March 2021

A polychrometer-type motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic technique, originally developed for the Alcator C-Mod tokamak, has been extended and applied to the Korea Superconducting Advanced Tokamak Research (KSTAR) device, the long-pulse superconducting tokamak, for the first time. It demonstrates a successful in situ subtraction of the polarized reflections off the vacuum vessel wall, sometimes up to half the total signal in some sightlines. To avoid the secondary neutral beam emission that may contaminate conventional beam-into-gas calibrations, a new approach, where the beam-into-gas measurements are made at various torus pressures with fixed vacuum fields, has been devised, which is possible with the stable superconducting coil systems of KSTAR. The validity of this new calibration scheme has been checked via plasma jog experiments. The experimental evidence of the polarized background light and the necessity of its correction in the MSE measurements made in KSTAR are presented as well.
Optimization and stabilization of a kilohertz laser-plasma accelerator
Authors: Rovige L. , Huijts J. , Andriyash I. A. , Vernier A. , Ouillé M. , Cheng Z. , Asai T. , Fukuda Y. , Tomkus V. , Girdauskas V. , Raciukaitis G. , Dudutis J. , Stankevic V. , Gecys P. , Lopez-Martens R. , Faure J.
Published: March 2021

Laser–plasma acceleration at kilohertz repetition rates has recently been shown to work in two different regimes with pulse lengths of either 30 fs or 3.5 fs. We now report on a systematic study in which a large range of pulse durations and plasma densities were investigated through continuous tuning of the laser spectral bandwidth. Indeed, two laser–plasma accelerator (LPA) processes can be distinguished, where beams of the highest quality, with a charge of 5.4 pC and a spectrum peaked at 2–2.5 MeV, are obtained with short pulses propagating at moderate plasma densities. Through particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, the two different acceleration processes are thoroughly explained. Finally, we proceed to show the results of a 5-h continuous and stable run of our LPA accelerator accumulating more than 18×106 consecutive shots, with a charge of 2.6 pC and a peaked 2.5 MeV spectrum. A parametric study of the influence of the laser driver energy through PIC simulations underlines that this unprecedented stability was obtained thanks to micro-scale density gradient injection. Together, these results represent an important step toward stable laser–plasma accelerated electron beams at kilohertz repetition rates.
Impacts of COVID-19 on agriculture and food security in developing countries: potential mitigation strategies
Authors: Erinle Kehinde O. , Ogwu Matthew C. , Evivie Smith E. , Zaheer Muhammad S. , Ogunyemi Solabomi O. , Adeniran Samson O.
Published: March 2021

Despite efforts to reduce global food insecurity, success has been limited in many developing countries due to numerous inherent problems. The challenges and vulnerabilities associated with food security in these countries have been exacerbated by the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As a rapid response strategy to minimize the coronavirus’ spread, countries have put in place different forms of movement restrictions, locally and globally, which have therefore affected agricultural production, food availability, and accessibility. Focusing on the four pillars of food security, this paper provides an overview of the pandemic’s impacts on food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability drawing examples from different developing countries. The report also suggests some response strategies that could be adopted or (where already in existence) strengthened to promote food security in developing countries, during and after a pandemic/crisis. The strategies of major concern to ensure continued availability and accessibility of food during and after a pandemic/crisis include (i) establishment of community-based food networks, (ii) food and agriculture data collection and maintenance, (iii) stabilizing food prices, (iv) infrastructural development for food security, (v) increasing investment in agricultural research and policies, (vi) adopting modern farming practices, and (vii) reduction and management of agricultural and food waste.
Weed science as a new discipline and its status in some South Asian universities and colleges: examples from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan
Authors: Shrestha Anil , Anwar Md. Parvez , Islam A.K.M. Mominul , Gurung Tulsi , Dhakal Suman , Tanveer Asif , Javaid Muhammad Mansoor , Nadeem Mubashar , Ikram Nabeel Ahmad
Published: March 2021

Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy and livelihood in South Asia. Of the many biotic stresses in agriculture, weeds pose a continuous threat and cause considerable yield losses in the major crops. In the past, ample human labour was available for weed management in South Asia. However, in recent years, there has been a steady decline in labour availability in this region due to migration to other better-paying sectors. Thus, farmers are rapidly adopting less labour-intensive, chemical weed control methods. Adoption of chemical control methods requires formal and nonformal education in herbicide mode of action, safety and weed biology. We emphasize that sound formal and nonformal education in weed science is thus a necessity for this region as adoption of herbicides increases. In this paper, we review existing problems with weeds, current weed management options, herbicide use trends and development of curricula in weed science in academic institutions in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan. We emphasize that herbicide resistance management programmes need to be developed before it becomes a major problem in the region.
Metrology and characterization of SU-8 microstructures using autofluorescence emission
Authors: Ramkumar Pradeep Kumar , Rountree Corey M , Saggere Laxman , Finan John D
Published: March 2021

Sophisticated three-dimensional microstructures fabricated using the negative tone SU-8 photoresist are used in many biomedical and microfluidic applications. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and profilometry are commonly used metrological techniques for the dimensional characterization of fabricated SU-8 microstructures but are not viable for non-destructive measurements and characterization of subsurface features like hidden microchannels. In this study, we report a unique methodology for the non-destructive dimensional characterization of SU-8 microstructures using the emitted autofluorescence radiation from fabricated SU-8 microstructures to generate depth profiles. The relationship between autofluorescence emission intensities and the thicknesses of the microstructures measured using SEM was determined and used to characterize the dimensions of unknown SU-8 microstructures based on their autofluorescence intensities. Lateral dimensions were also measured. This relationship was used to create highly accurate depth profiles for different types of microstructures including hidden subsurface features. These results were validated by comparison with SEM. The results suggest a feasible and accurate non-destructive, low cost, metrological technique to characterize SU-8 surface and subsurface microstructures using autofluorescence emission intensities.
Flow and heat transfer analysis of carbon nanotubes based nanofluid flow inside a cavity with modified Fourier heat flux
Authors: Reddy P Sudarsana , Sreedevi P
Published: March 2021

Impact of modified Fourier heat flux on flow and heat transfer characteristics of magnetic nanofluid inside a cavity packed with

Ethylene

Glycol
−
Multiwalled

carbon

nanotubes

type nanofluid by taking thermal radiation into the account is numerically examined in this analysis. The cavity is filled with nanofluid made up of multi—walled carbon nanotubes as nanoparticle and Ethylene glycol as base fluid. Finite difference method is employed to solve the dimensionless partial differential equations represents energy and fluid flow equations of the present problem. Streamlines and Isotherms with different values of pertinent variables, such as, Magnetic parameter

(
0.1
≤
M
≤
0.3
)
,

volume fraction parameter

(
0.01
≤
ϕ
≤
0.03
)
,

Prandtl number

(
6.2
≤
Pr
≤
8.2
)
,

thermal relaxation parameter

(
0.1
≤
γ
≤
0.3
)
,

Rayleigh number

(
100
≤
Ra
≤
1000
)

and radiation number

(
0.01
≤
R
≤
0.03
)

are plotted through graphs. Average Nusselt number values are also calculated for several values of parameters and are also represented through plots. It is perceived from this investigation that the rates of heat transfer enriched from 4.8% to 12.6% when multi-walled carbon nanotubes of volume fraction 0.03 are added to the base fluid. Thermal relaxation parameter insentifies the rates of heat transfer of

EG
−
MWCNTs

type nanofluid inside the cavity.