bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Filling critical gaps in the space-time record of High Lava Plains and co-Columbia River Basalt Group rhyolite volcanism
Authors: Swenton Vanessa M. , Streck Martin J. , Miggins Daniel P. , McIntosh William C.
Published: September 2022

Miocene rhyolitic volcanism of eastern Oregon, USA, can be divided into two main episodes. Mantle plume upwelling is thought to have generated Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) lavas and coeval >16.5−15 Ma silicic volcanism trending north−south from northeast Oregon to northern Nevada. Rhyolite volcanism of the 12−0 Ma High Lava Plains province has been ascribed to either buoyancy-driven westward plume spreading or to slab rollback and mantle convection spanning from southeast Oregon to Newberry Volcano to the west. The apparent ca. 15−12 Ma eruptive hiatus suggests that rhyolites of these provinces were a product of separate processes, yet this gap was based on incomplete data. The lack of data on ∼33 of the total ∼50 rhyolitic eruptive centers in the area where the two provinces overlap (117−119°W, 43−44°N) yields only tenuous relationships between these two provinces.

We acquired 40Ar/39Ar ages for 29 previously unanalyzed rhyolite centers that confirm the existence of a rhyolitic eruptive episode concurrent with CRBG flood basalt volcanism. Rhyolite eruptions gradually initiated at ca. 17.5 Ma, and our new ages indicate that peak intensity of the first eruptive episode occurred between 16.3 Ma and 14.4 Ma. We refine the ca. 15−12 Ma rhyolitic eruptive hiatus to 14.4−12.1 Ma, where strong recommencement of rhyolite eruptions began with Beatys Butte at 12.05 Ma. We find two prominent fluxes in rhyolitic eruptive activity after 12.1 Ma as opposed to one continuous, age-progressive trend, at 12.1−9.6 Ma and 7.7−5.1 Ma, which are separated by an ∼2 m.y. period of decreased rhyolite volcanism. Rhyolite eruptions were scarce after 5.1 Ma, at which point most eruptions were associated with Newberry Volcano. Periodicity of rhyolite volcanism along the High Lava Plains demands more punctuated basalt inputs than what continuous partial melting from west-spreading plume material should generate.

Our new data suggest that regional rhyolite eruptions are a series of episodic events related to the arrival and storage of mafic mantle magmas. Paucity in rhyolite eruptions from 14.4 Ma to 12.1 Ma is related to decreased flux of CRBG flood basalt magmas at ca. 15 Ma. Strong recommencement of rhyolite volcanism at 12.1 Ma is related to continued Northwest Basin and Range extension and a peak rotation rate of Siletzia affecting regional lithosphere weakened by CRBG volcanism. Waning rhyolitic eruptive activity from ca. 9.6 Ma to 7.7 Ma reflects a regional transition in the primary mode of accommodation of extension from Northwest Basin and Range normal faulting to extension and shearing of the Brothers Fault Zone. Rhyolite volcanism between 7.7 Ma and 5.1 Ma was driven by continued regional extension in an area less affected by CRBG magmatism. Post-5.1 Ma rhyolite eruptions occurred within crust not influenced by CRBG magmatism but impacted by both regional extension and the Cascadia subduction zone.
A 50 m.y. melting model for the rare metal−rich Koktokay pegmatite in the Chinese Altai: Implications from a newly identified Jurassic granite
Authors: Han Jinsheng , Zhao Zhenhua , Hollings Pete , Chen Huayong
Published: September 2022

The petrogenesis of the world famous Koktokay No. 3 pegmatite in the Chinese Altai Mountains is still enigmatic due to its superenrichment of rare metals and the apparent absence of a parental granite. We present results from a granite apophysis that was recently discovered in the No. 3 pegmatite open pit. Results show that it has low K/Rb (32.35−38.76), Zr/Hf (13.78−23.30), Nb/Ta (1.00−6.02), and extremely low K2O/Na2O (0.12−0.20) ratios, which, together with its mica composition and the occurrences of garnet, indicate that it is a highly evolved muscovite albite granite. Columbite and apatite from the granite apophysis yielded U-Pb ages of 182.3 ± 1.0 Ma and 184.9 ± 4.3 Ma, respectively, which are younger than the Triassic ages (ca. 210 Ma) of the main magmatic stage but fall into the age range of the No. 3 pegmatite series (220−175 Ma). Both the granite and the apatite grains within it share nearly identical rare earth element patterns with the magmatic stage of the No. 3 pegmatite. The whole-rock εHf(t) values (t = 183 Ma) range from −0.11 to +1.32, consistent with those of the No. 3 pegmatite and indicating a similar source. We propose that the Jurassic granite represents a late pulse of magma injected as apophyses from a deep-seated magma chamber (perhaps from the lower crust), which overlapped with the early pegmatite and promoted the rare metal mineralization. The No. 3 pegmatite and the Jurassic granite may represent a continuous magmatic system with a 50 m.y. melting process, generating this unusual giant pegmatite intrusion with abundant rare metals.
The Cretaceous-Paleogene contact in the Tornillo Group of Big Bend National Park, West Texas, USA
Authors: Lehman Thomas M. , Cobb Jacob , Sylvester Paul , Souders A. Kate
Published: September 2022

The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) contact interval is constrained by vertebrate fossil sites at seven sites in the Tornillo Group and lies within an 80–100-m stratigraphic section between the top of the Javelina Formation and the base of the “log jam sandstone” marker bed in the Black Peaks Formation. In western exposures of this interval, the highest occurrence of in situ dinosaur specimens and the lowest occurrence of Paleocene mammal specimens are separated by an unusual conglomerate bed. This thin conglomerate bed coincides with the contact between Cretaceous and Paleogene strata and contains reworked Cretaceous fossils. It is superficially similar to conglomerate beds elsewhere attributed to the effects of tsunamis generated by the Chicxulub impact; however, the maximum depositional age of ca. 63 Ma based on detrital zircons indicates that the conglomerate was deposited about three million years after the K-Pg boundary event. Paleocene mammalian fossils from immediately above the conglomerate bed represent a fauna that can be no older than the middle Torrejonian (To2 interval zone). The contact between Cretaceous and Paleocene strata is therefore disconformal and represents a hiatus of at least three million years. A condensed section occurs at the westernmost exposure of the K-Pg contact, where at least 80 m of strata are absent below the conglomerate bed; these strata are present in exposures farther east. This condensed section likely records an erosional event resulting from uplift and deformation of the nearby Terlingua monocline. Although the 80 m of strata below the conglomerate bed are poorly fossiliferous, several clearly in situ dinosaur specimens indicate that this entire interval is Late Cretaceous in age. There is no compelling evidence for preservation of the K-Pg boundary event horizon at any of the seven sites in the Tornillo Group, and so the hiatus represented at the Cretaceous/Paleocene contact here likely also includes some part of latest Cretaceous time. Mammalian specimens from sites in the “log jam sandstone,” ~40 m above the middle Torrejonian sites, represent an early Tiffanian fauna (Ti1 interval zone). Latest Torrejonian (To3) sites have not been recognized, and therefore a second disconformity likely coincides with the base of the “log jam sandstone” marker horizon in the Black Peaks Formation.
Magnetic Memory Effect in Planar Ferromagnet/Superconductor/Ferromagnet Microbridges Based on Highly Diluted PdFe Alloy
Authors: Karelina L. N. , Shuravin N. S. , Ionin A. S. , Bakurskiy S. V. , Egorov S. V. , Golovchanskiy I. A. , Chichkov V. I. , Bol’ginov V. V. , Ryazanov V. V.
Published: September 2022

The magnetoresistance of a planar microbridge based on a three layer Pd0.99Fe0.01–Nb–Pd0.99Fe0.01 FSF sandwich near its superconducting transition is studied. We previously showed that the magnetoresistance curve of such samples is hysteretic and contains dips (negative peaks of the resistance) in the coercive fields. In this work, it is found that the low-resistance state has a memory effect. Functioning of such a sample as a superconducting memory element is demonstrated. The effect of the ferromagnetic Pd0.99Fe0.01 layer on the superconducting transition temperature of the proposed memory element is studied by measuring the dep-endence of the critical temperature of bilayer Pd0.99Fe0.01–Nb FS structures on the thickness of the Pd0.99Fe0.01 layer.
Nonlocal Heat Transfer in a Laser Inertial Confinement Fusion for the Direct Irradiation Scheme
Authors: Glazyrin S. I. , Lykov V. A. , Karpov S. A. , Karlykhanov N. G. , Gryaznykh D. A. , Bychenkov V. Yu.
Published: September 2022

High gradients of electron temperature appear in plasma corona under direct laser irradiation of inertial confinement fusion targets. This results in nonlocality of heat transport. Such effect influence the efficiency of laser absorption, redistribute heat fluxes and could preheat plasma ahead the front shock wave, therefore alter the compression adiabat. Ignition requires a specially tuned compression dynamics, so such an effect should be taken into account. Target simulations with nonlocal models show the decrease of compression efficiency and hot-spot parameters degradation compared to local models: Spitzer–Härm model with and without flux-limiter.
Characteristic Analysis of the Dynamics of Shock Wave Propagation in a Medium with a Nonuniform Density Distribution
Authors: Poroshyna Ya. E. , Lopato A. I. , Utkin P. S.
Published: September 2022

This paper is devoted to the numerical study of shock wave (SW) propagation in a medium with a nonuniform density distribution. The mathematical model is based on the Euler equations, which are solved in the shock-attached frame. This approach makes it possible to carry out an accurate characteristic analysis of the problem. First, the problems of SW propagation in a medium with finite-length segments with linearly increasing and decreasing density are considered. The obtained results are compared with the known analytical solutions. Then the case of a continuous change in the density of the medium in front of the SW according to the sinusoidal law is considered. The resulting flow is described and explained using the results for the case of a linear density gradient.
Young adolescent with trisomy 13
Authors: Kramer Britt C E , Abdullahi Najma S , ten Have Loekie C , van den Elzen Annette P M
Published: September 2022

A young adolescent girl with trisomy 13 was admitted twice to the paediatric department: the first time because of haematocolpos due to uterus didelphys and unilateral transverse vaginal septum, and the second time because of heart failure due to ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. As a consequence of the historical early high mortality rate in trisomy 13, we are not aware of known complications in older patients. With better survival nowadays through childhood, we advise structural ultrasonographic cardiac and female genital screening in trisomy 13 patients reaching adolescent age.
Arthroscopic treatment for intra-articular fibroma of the tendon sheath in a teenager
Authors: Leal Justin , Rizk Paul , Nasri Elham , Roach Ryan Paul
Published: September 2022

An adolescent female patient presented with atraumatic left knee pain and limited flexion. MRI demonstrated evidence of a soft tissue lesion abutting the posterior cruciate ligament. Differential diagnosis included pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) and fibroma of the tendon sheath (FTS). Following arthroscopic biopsy, histopathological evaluation confirmed FTS. The tumour was then excised via an arthroscopic approach. This case report provides a unique example of FTS abutting the cruciate ligaments in an uncommonly young female patient. It highlights the importance of including benign processes, such as FTS, in the differential with more aggressive-type diagnoses like PVNS. Furthermore, this case exemplifies an appropriate surgical indication for FTS. Finally, it emphasises the importance of communication and collaboration among orthopaedic subspecialists in providing safe and effective arthroscopic treatment of this unique tumour presentation.
Utilisation of growth monitoring service by mothers of infants in Mettu town, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Tufa Yohanis , Mitiku Abeza , Shemsu Shuayib , Bidira Kebebe
Published: September 2022

Background

Growth monitoring (GM) is a preventive activity that serves as the core function in an integrated child health and nutrition programme. In most developing nations, including Ethiopia, however, the use of GM service is insufficient. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of GM services and associated characteristics among mothers of infants in Mettu town, Southwest Ethiopia.

Objective

To assess the utilisation of GM service by mothers of infants in Mettu town, Southwest Ethiopia, 2021.

Method

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 354 randomly selected mothers with children aged 0–23 months old from 25 June to 27 July 2021 in Mettu town. EpiData V.4.6.0 was used to enter data, which were then exported to SPSS V.25 for analysis. Simple binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with GM service utilisation.

Results

A total of 354 study participants were included in the study, yielding a response rate of 95.2%. The proportion of GM service utilisation was 25.2% (95% CI: 20.24% to 29.33%). In multivariable regression analysis, age of index child 0–11 months (AOR (adjusted OR)=1.58; 95% CI: 1.052 to 3.713), early postnatal care (PNC) (AOR=1.72; 95% CI: 1.657 to 6.467), middle tertile wealth status (AOR=0.108; 95% CI: 0.047 to 0.319) and lower tertile wealth status (AOR=0.073; 95% CI: 0.013 to 0.874), utilisation of family health cards (AOR=2.09; 95% CI: 1.384 to 5.343) and taking ≤30 min to reach the nearest health facility (AOR=2.23; 95% CI: 2.061 to 7.350) were significantly associated with GM service utilisation.

Conclusion and recommendation

In this study, only one-fourth of mothers with children aged 0–23 months old were using GM services. GM service utilisation was found to be significantly associated with child age, early PNC visit, wealth status, utilisation of family health cards and time taking ≤30 min to reach the nearest health facility. Hence, appropriate strategies that promote and encourage GM service utilisation should be designed.
Assessment of physical fitness during pregnancy: validity and reliability of fitness tests, and relationship with maternal and neonatal health – a systematic review
Authors: Romero-Gallardo Lidia , Roldan Reoyo Olga , Castro-Piñero Jose , May Linda E , Ocón-Hernández Olga , Mottola Michelle F , Aparicio Virginia A , Soriano-Maldonado Alberto
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To systematically review studies evaluating one or more components of physical fitness (PF) in pregnant women, to answer two research questions: (1) What tests have been employed to assess PF in pregnant women? and (2) What is the validity and reliability of these tests and their relationship with maternal and neonatal health?

Design

A systematic review.

Data sources

PubMed and Web of Science.

Eligibility criteria

Original English or Spanish full-text articles in a group of healthy pregnant women which at least one component of PF was assessed (field based or laboratory tests).

Results

A total of 149 articles containing a sum of 191 fitness tests were included. Among the 191 fitness tests, 99 (ie, 52%) assessed cardiorespiratory fitness through 75 different protocols, 28 (15%) assessed muscular fitness through 16 different protocols, 14 (7%) assessed flexibility through 13 different protocols, 45 (24%) assessed balance through 40 different protocols, 2 assessed speed with the same protocol and 3 were multidimensional tests using one protocol. A total of 19 articles with 23 tests (13%) assessed either validity (n=4), reliability (n=6) or the relationship of PF with maternal and neonatal health (n=16).

Conclusion

Physical fitness has been assessed through a wide variety of protocols, mostly lacking validity and reliability data, and no consensus exists on the most suitable fitness tests to be performed during pregnancy.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018117554.
Tumorous expression of NAC1 restrains antitumor immunity through the LDHA-mediated immune evasion
Authors: Ren Yijie , Kumar Anil , Das Jugal K , Peng Hao-Yun , Wang Liqing , Balllard Darby , Xiong Xiaofang , Ren Xingcong , Zhang Yi , Yang Jin-Ming , Song Jianxun
Published: September 2022

Background

T cell-mediated antitumor immunity has a vital role in cancer prevention and treatment; however, the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) constitutes a significant contributor to immune evasion that weakens antitumor immunity. Here, we explore the relationship between nucleus accumbens-associated protein-1 (NAC1), a nuclear factor of the BTB (broad-complex, Tramtrack, bric a brac)/POZ (Poxvirus, and Zinc finger) gene family, and the TME.

Methods

Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of mouse or human tumor antigen (Ag)-specific CD8+cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) was tested in an immunocompetent or immunodeficient mouse model of melanoma with or without expression of NAC1. The effects of NAC1 expression on immune evasion in tumor cells were assessed in vitro and in vivo. CRISPR/Cas9, glycolysis analysis, retroviral transduction, quantitative real-time PCR, flow cytometric analysis, immunoblotting, database analyses were used to screen the downstream target and underlying mechanism of NAC1 in tumor cells.

Results

Tumorous expression of NAC1 negatively impacts the CTL-mediated antitumor immunity via lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)-mediated suppressive TME. NAC1 positively regulated the expression of LDHA at the transcriptional level, which led to higher accumulation of lactic acid in the TME. This inhibited the cytokine production and induced exhaustion and apoptosis of CTLs, impairing their cell-killing ability. In the immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice, NAC1 depleted melanoma tumors grew significantly slower and had an elevated infiltration of tumor Ag-specific CTLs following ACT, compared with the control groups.

Conclusions

Tumor expression of NAC1 contributes substantially to immune evasion through its regulatory role in LDHA expression and lactic acid production. Thus, therapeutic targeting of NAC1 warrants further exploration as a potential strategy to reinforce cancer immunotherapy, such as the ACT of CTLs.
Watching the watchmen: changing tides in the oversight of medical assistance in dying
Authors: Riley Sean
Published: September 2022

The recent wave of medical assistance in dying legalisation raises questions about proper oversight of the practice as new systems for data collection, case assessment and public reporting emerge. Newer systems, such as in Spain, New Zealand and Colombia, are eschewing the retrospective approach used for case assessment in older systems, particularly those in the Netherlands, Belgium and the USA, in favour of an approach requiring more extensive review prior to the procedure. This shift aims to increase compliance with each jurisdiction’s specific safeguards and legal criteria as well as to protect vulnerable patients, but also risks stifling access to the practice and increasing administrative burden on clinicians and patients. Newer systems also tend to favour more extensive data collection than older systems, while failing to be as transparent with public reporting. Inconsistency in data collection and public reporting make it difficult for researchers, policymakers and the public to assess the practice and help achieve a balance between access and compliance. Research on oversight activities is sparse, and there is a need for clarity to determine how best to handle violations of the law and how to create best practices.
Efficacy of ultrasound-guided single-injection erector spinae plane block for thoracoscopic wedge resection: a prospective randomized control trial
Authors: Klaibert Beau , Lohser Jens , Tang Raymond , Jew Michael , McGuire Anna , Wilson Jason
Published: September 2022

Background

Despite advances in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, patients remain at risk of adverse pulmonary events with suboptimal postoperative analgesia. Novel methods of regional analgesia are warranted. Our objective was to prospectively evaluate the impact of ultrasound-guided single-injection erector spinae plane (ESP) block with ropivacaine compared with placebo control on standard of care postoperative recovery in subjects undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) wedge resection.

Methods

This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study was conducted at a tertiary thoracic surgical center. Consecutive subjects undergoing VATS wedge resection were randomized to receive a single-injection ESP block with 0.5% ropivacaine or 0.9% saline placebo, in addition to the current standard of care of multimodal analgesia including patient-controlled analgesia and surgical local anesthetic wound infiltration. The primary outcome was difference in 40-point Quality of Recovery (QoR-40) on day 1 postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) score, time spent in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and block-related and postoperative complications.

Results

Eighty subjects were enrolled, 40 in each group, with 76 completing follow-up (38 subjects in each group). There was no difference in the median QoR-40 score between groups, 169.5 for the ropivacaine group and 172.5 for the control group (difference 3, p=0.843). No significant differences existed between groups in all secondary outcomes, with the exception of the ropivacaine group having lower VAS pain scores measured at 1 hour postoperatively and a shorter duration of stay in the PACU of 117 min.

Conclusions

Following VATS wedge resection, the addition of an ESP block with ropivacaine to standard multimodal analgesia is unlikely to add meaningful clinical value.

Trial registration number

NCT03419117.
Associations of HDL-C/LDL-C with myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality, haemorrhagic stroke and ischaemic stroke: a longitudinal study based on 384 093 participants from the UK Biobank
Authors: Yuan Shiqi , Huang Xiaxuan , Ma Wen , Yang Rui , Xu Fengshuo , Han Didi , Huang Tao , Peng MIn , Xu Anding , Lyu Jun
Published: September 2022

Objective

To explore the correlations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause mortality, haemorrhagic stroke and ischaemic stroke, as well as the joint association of genetic susceptibility and HDL-C/LDL-C with the MI risk.

Methods and results

This study selected 384 093 participants from the UK Biobank (UKB) database. First, restricted cubic splines indicated non-linear associations of HDL-C/LDL-C with MI, ischaemic stroke and all-cause mortality. Second, a Cox proportional-hazards model indicated that compared with HDL-C/LDL-C=0.4–0.6, HDL-C/LDL-C<0.4 and >0.6 were correlated with all-cause mortality (HR=0.97 for HDL-C/LDL-C<0.4, 95% CI=0.939 to 0.999, p<0.05; HR=1.21 for HDL-C/LDL-C>0.6, 95% CI=1.16 to 1.26, p<0.001) after full multivariable adjustment. HDL-C/LDL-C<0.4 was correlated with a higher MI risk (HR=1.36, 95% CI=1.28 to 1.44, p<0.05) and ischaemic stroke (HR=1.12, 95% CI=1.02 to 1.22, p<0.05) after full multivariable adjustment. HDL-C/LDL-C>0.6 was associated with higher risk haemorrhagic stroke risk after full multivariable adjustment (HR=1.25, 95% CI=1.03 to 1.52, p<0.05). Third, after calculating the coronary heart disease Genetic Risk Score (CHD-GRS) of each participant, the Cox proportional-hazards model indicated that compared with low CHD-GRS and HDL-C/LDL-C=0.4–0.6, participants with a combination of high CHD-GRS and HDL-C/LDL-C<0.4 were associated with the highest MI risk (HR=2.45, 95% CI=2.15 to 2.8, p<0.001). Participants with HDL-C/LDL-C<0.4 were correlated with a higher MI risk regardless of whether they had a high, intermediate or low CHD-GRS.

Conclusion

In UKB participants, HDL-C/LDL-C ratio of 0.4–0.6 was correlated with lower MI risk, all-cause mortality, haemorrhagic stroke and ischaemic stroke. Participants with HDL-C/LDL-C<0.4 were correlated with a higher MI risk regardless of whether they had a high, intermediate or low CHD-GRS. The clinical significance and impact of HDL-C/LDL-C need to be further verified in future studies.
A decision support tool for forwarding operations with sequence-dependent loading
Authors: Hansson Linnea J. , Forsmark Victoria , Flisberg Patrik , Rönnqvist Mikael , Mörk Anders , Jönsson Petrus
Published: September 2022

High productivity in forest harvesting requires efficient forwarding. Planning is complicated by multiple choices of routes and their order, the number and types of assortments, the loading sequence, and pile organization at the landing. This paper develops and tests a decision support tool for forwarder routing with sequential co-loading of assortments. Input data are the harvester production file (including Global Navigation Satellite Systems tracking), placement of landing, and machine specifications. The trail network is generated from the harvester production data when devising routes to pick up all log piles, including specific assortments and volumes. Multiple assortments can be loaded along each route, and a certain loading sequence of assortments is preferred and (or) required. Sorting time during co-loading varies, depending on the assortment combinations and bunk loading pattern. Route planning is modeled using a set-partitioning problem, and the solution method is a metaheuristic based on repeated matching. In addition to routes and loading sequences, solutions include the organization of assortment piles at the landing, depending on the total volume of each assortment. The tool produces similar results to those attained by skilled forwarder operators on five clearcuts (3–11 ha) in northern Sweden, when the results are compared with data from actual forwarder production files.
Decreased Na+/K+ pump activity in the erythrocyte membrane due to malondialdehyde in rheumatoid arthritis: an in vivo and in silico study
Authors: Oğul Yasemin , Gür Fatma , Gür Bahri , Cengiz Mustafa , Sarı Refik Ali , Kızıltunç Ahmet
Published: September 2022

Apart from demonstrating the interaction behavior of malondialdehyde (MDA) with Na+/K+-ATPase using in silico, the current study aims to investigate the effect of rheumatoid arthritis-related oxidative stress on Na+/K+-ATPase activity that is present in the erythrocyte cell membrane, which is rich in proteins vulnerable to damage from MDA and other free radicals. The target population of this study consists of 28 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 20 healthy volunteers whose MDA levels and Na+/K+-ATPase activity were determined. It was shown that MDA levels of rheumatoid arthritis patients increased ( p < 0.001) and their Na+/K+-ATPase activity noticeably decreased when compared to those of healthy individuals. Also, according to this in silico modeling, MDA decreased Na+/K+-ATPase activity in line with the correlation analyses. Consequently, while elevated levels of MDA in the rheumatoid arthritis group were suggestive of oxidative stress, a decreased Na+/K+-ATPase-activity led us to speculate that the cellular membrane had sustained injury. Therefore, our results could be useful in explaining how MDA affects Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the interior of a specific molecular pathway.
DefectGAN: Generate Industrial Defects from Extremely Few Samples
Authors: Li Junzheng , Zheng Yu , You Zhiyuan , Le Xinyi
Published: September 2022

Learning-based defect inspection systems are becoming more and more influential in the industry. However, these approaches are usually restricted by the insufficiency of training data, especially the defect samples. It is natural to generate “artificial defect samples”. In this paper, a novel approach to generate high-quality industrial defect images from extremely few samples is proposed. We design a generative adversarial network (GAN) for this task. Mode collapse is a common problem of GANs when training data is insufficient, thus, fully convolutional network and Markovian discriminator are applied to eliminate this problem. In order to generate images of high resolution, we also propose a novel sampling strategy to balance memory consumption and training quality. Experiments illustrate that our model is capable of generating high-resolution industrial defect images from extremely few samples of various categories. With the generated “artificial samples”, the classification and detection models outperform superior accuracy compared to the same models with the original rare samples. Thus, this approach can increase the intelligence of defect inspection systems.
A Robust LCSE-ResNet for Marine Man-made Target Classification Based on Optical Remote Sensing Imagery
Authors: Han Zhenyu , Xing Jun , Wang Xinzhe , Xue Feiyang , Fan Jianchao
Published: September 2022

It is of great need to accurately locate vessels and oil platforms because huge numbers of these marine man-made targets can cause oil spills or illegal invasion problems. Many different types of marine targets in the complex marine environment make it very difficult to deal with the target detection and classification process accurately. This paper proposes a robust Laplacian of Gaussian operator connected domain controller squeeze excitation residual network (LCSE-ResNet) for marine man-made target classification based on optical remote sensing imagery. Vessel and oil platform candidate regions in remote sensing images are extracted by the Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG) operator and the connected domain controller, which are input into the classification neural networks in the following. It is a whole End-to-End structure from original remote sensing images to the precise target information. That clouds, ripples, and the other man-made target disturbances can be excluded effectively means the better robust character in the actual application. Some shape and size features of vessels and oil platforms are considered in the LCSE-ResNet structure, which improves the explanation of the final results. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed LCSE-ResNet can effectively detect marine man-made targets and effectively distinguish vessels and oil platforms.
Virtual Time III, Part 1: Unified Virtual Time Synchronization for Parallel Discrete Event Simulation
Authors: Jefferson David R. , Barnes Peter
Published: September 2022

Algorithms for synchronization of parallel discrete event simulation have historically been divided between
conservative
methods that require lookahead but not rollback, and
optimistic
methods that require rollback but not lookahead. In this paper we present a new approach in the form of a framework called

Unified Virtual Time
(UVT)

that unifies the two approaches, combining the advantages of both within a single synchronization theory. Whenever timely lookahead information is available, a
logical process (LP)
executes conservatively using an
irreversible
event handler. When lookahead information is not available the LP does not block, as it would in a classical conservative execution, but instead executes optimistically using a
reversible
event handler. The switch from conservative to optimistic synchronization and back is decided on an event-by-event basis by the simulator, transparently to the model code. UVT treats conservative synchronization algorithms as optional accelerators for an underlying optimistic synchronization algorithm, enabling the speed of conservative execution whenever it is applicable, but otherwise falling back on the generality of optimistic execution.

We describe UVT in a novel way, based on fundamental invariants, monotonicity requirements, and synchronization rules. UVT permits zero-delay messages and pays careful attention to tie-handling using superposition. We prove that under fairly general conditions a UVT simulation always makes progress in virtual time.

This is Part 1 of a trio of papers describing the UVT framework for PDES, mixing conservative and optimistic synchronization and integrating throttling control.
Virtual Time III, Part 2: Combining Conservative and Optimistic Synchronization
Authors: Jefferson David R. , Barnes Peter D.
Published: September 2022

This is
Part 2
of a trio of works intended to provide a unifying framework in which conservative and optimistic synchronization for parallel discrete event simulations can be freely and transparently combined in the same logical process on an event-by-event basis. In this article, we continue the outline of an approach called
Unified Virtual Time
(UVT) that was introduced in
Part 1
, showing in detail via two extended examples how conservative synchronization can be refactored and combined with optimistic synchronization in the UVT framework. We describe UVT versions of both a basic time windowing algorithm called
Unified Simple Time Windows
and a refactored version of the Chandy-Misra-Bryant Null Message algorithm called
Unified CMB
.
Time-Aware Anonymization of Knowledge Graphs
Authors: Hoang Anh-Tu , Carminati Barbara , Ferrari Elena
Published: September 2022

Knowledge graphs (KGs) play an essential role in data sharing because they can model both users’ attributes and their relationships. KGs can tailor many data analyses, such as classification where a sensitive attribute is selected and the analyst analyzes the associations between users and the sensitive attribute’s values (aka sensitive values). Data providers anonymize their KGs and share the anonymized versions to protect users’ privacy. Unfortunately, an adversary can exploit these attributes and relationships to infer sensitive information by monitoring either one or many snapshots of a KG. To cope with this issue, in this paper, we introduce (
k
,
l
)-Sequential Attribute Degree ((
k
,
l
)-sad), an extension of the

k
w

-tad principle[10], to ensure that sensitive values of re-identified users are diverse enough to prevent them from being inferred with a confidence higher than

\(\frac{1}{l} \)

even though adversaries monitor all published KGs. In addition, we develop the Time-Aware Knowledge Graph Anonymization Algorithm to anonymize KGs such that all published anonymized versions of a KG satisfy the (
k
,
l
)-sad principle, by, at the same time, preserving the utility of the anonymized data. We conduct experiments on four real-life datasets to show the effectiveness of our proposal and compare it with

k
w

-tad.
A Conversation with Shaimaa Lazem
Authors: Anjum Bushra
Published: September 2022

Ubiquity's
senior editor Dr. Bushra Anjum chats with Dr. Shaimaa Lazem, an associate research professor at SRTA-City Egypt. They discuss how computer science curricula should aim at increasing students' sensibilities and appreciation of the differences in the worldviews, skills, and abilities of technology users; as well as teach students how to harness and embrace these differences in technology design.
Electrochemical Nonenzymatic Glucose Detection Based on the Nanostructures of NiCo2O4 Nanosheets Wrapped CuO Nanowires
Authors: Zhao Zhenting , Huang Zibang , Long Dafeng , Li Kai , Guo Zhaohui , Zhu Fanglong , Gong Weiping , Hu Jie
Published: September 2022

A kind of NiCo2O4-based hierarchically-nanostructured composites has been synthesized for electrooxidation of glucose. The Cu(OH)2 nanowires were initially growth in situ on the surface of Cu foam (CF) and wrapped with Ni-Co precursor (Ni-Co Pre) to prepare nanocomposites (Ni-Co Pre@Cu(OH)2 NWs/CF). Then, the obtained composites were annealed in air to form the NiCo2O4 nanosheets wrapped CuO nanowires nanostructures which were supported on the Cu foam (NiCo2O4@CuO NWs/CF). Because of the synergism of Ni, Co and Cu, as well as the enhanced surface area by hierarchical nanostructure, the as-prepared NiCo2O4@CuO NWs/CF sensor exhibits outstanding electrooxidation activity for glucose detection, including high sensitivity (7.98 μA/μM cm−2), wide linear range (1.0 × 10−3−2.0 mM), low detection limit (0.68 μM) and fast response/recovery times (1.3/2.0 s). Meanwhile, the as-fabricated sensor also possesses good reproducibility, flexibility, selectivity and long-term stability, which is a promising platform for glucose electrooxidation and determination in serum sample.
Electrochemistry in Action
Authors: Alexander Christopher L.
Published: September 2022

The goal of this column is to acknowledge novel contributions that advance particular fields while engaging a new audience through detailed and easy to understand descriptions of advances in electrochemistry. Each installment will include a topic area such as electrochemistry in archaeology, steel manufacturing, water treatment, etc. and will describe a novel or unconventional application of electrochemistry. We believe that, in doing so, not only will “Electrochemistry in Action” inform readers but perhaps it will even inspire creativity and broaden interest in the field.
Next-Generation Aviation Li-Ion Battery Technologies—Enabling Electrified Aircraft
Authors: Barrera Thomas P. , Bond James R. , Bradley Marty , Gitzendanner Rob , Darcy Eric C. , Armstrong Michael , Wang Chao-Yang
Published: September 2022

Recent advances in electrode materials, manufacturing processes, and safety features are enabling Li-ion battery (LIB) designs to better support energy storage needs for the emerging all-electric aviation market. Increases in cell specific energy, improved fast charge and discharge rate capability, and extended cycle-life are required for the next-generation aviation platforms that consist of more-electric, hybrid, and all-electric aircraft designed to reduce generated flight noise and carbon emissions. The success of these emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) markets is highly dependent upon implementing a safe and reliable energy storage system compliant with aircraft system requirements. This work discusses state-of-the-art (SOA) and emerging LIB technology readiness to meet the derived marketplace performance and imposed regulatory requirements for all-electric aircraft. A special focus on advanced LIB safety design guidelines intended to meet the intent of the FAA DO-311A minimum operational performance standard for rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems installed on aircraft is emphasized.
Study and Application of Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor Based on AuNPs/N-GR@CS for Highly Selective Recognition of Trace Hyperoside
Authors: Sun Bolu , Wu Dan , Sun Yanlei , Shi Hongxia , Yang Lin , Gao Chengyang , Kan Lei , Ma Quhuan , Shi Xiaofeng
Published: September 2022

Establishing a high-selectivity and rapid detection technology for trace index components in complex samples is of great significance for real-time and on-site drug quality evaluation. In this study, a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor with highly selective recognition and detection of trace hyperoside was prepared using chitosan functionalized Nitrogen-doped graphene composite coated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/N-GR@CS) as electrode substrate modification material, and the deposition of AuNPs further improved the conductivity of the modified electrode. With the aid of molecular imprinting technology, polymer films with high selectivity and identification of hyperoside were successfully prepared on glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) by self-assembly using hyperoside as template molecule and acrylamide as functional monomer. Because the acrylamide can accept protons through the olefinic double bond and firmly polymerize with each other, while it binds with hyperoside through hydrogen bonds. Therefore, the hyperoside can be easily dissociated in the eluate, which offers a condition for formating a molecularly imprinted polymer film to highly select hyperoside. The highly conductive N-GR@CS modified at the bottom of the polymer film provides the possibility to electrocatalyze hyperoside, and facilitate electron transfer to amplify the response signal. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the sensor showed a detection limit was 6.42 × 10−8 mol l−1 (S/N = 3) with a good linear relationship in the range of 2.15 × 10−7 to 2.15 × 10−5 mol l−1. Moreover, it displayed good reproducibility and stability, and could realize the direct and highly selective detection of trace hyperoside in complex samples. In consequence, this study is expected to provide a convenient and reliable method for on-site real-time evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) quality with reference to the index components.
Loss of lung microvascular endothelial Piezo2 expression impairs NO synthesis, induces EndMT, and is associated with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Tian Siyu , Cai Zongye , Sen Payel , van Uden Denise , van de Kamp Esther , Thuillet Raphael , Tu Ly , Guignabert Christophe , Boomars Karin , Van der Heiden Kim , Brandt Maarten M. , Merkus Daphne
Published: September 2022

The mechanosensory ion channel Piezo2 is exclusively expressed in lung microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs). Patient MVECs as well as animal models of pulmonary (arterial) hypertension showed lower expression of Piezo2 in the lung. Mechanistically, Piezo2 is required for calcium influx and NO production in response to shear stress, whereas stimuli known to induce endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) reduce Piezo2 expression in MVECs, and Piezo2 knockdown induces a gene and protein expression pattern consistent with EndMT.
Cerebral arteriolar and neurovascular dysfunction after chemically induced menopause in mice
Authors: Blackwell Jade A. , Silva Josiane F. , Louis Emma M. , Savu Andrea , Largent-Milnes Tally M. , Brooks Heddwen L. , Pires Paulo W.
Published: September 2022

Cerebral parenchymal arterioles from menopause mice showed increased myogenic tone. We identified an impairment in smooth muscle cell BKCa channel activity, without a reduction in endothelium-dependent dilation or nitric oxide production. Microvascular dysfunction was associated with a reduction in neurovascular responses after somatosensory stimulation. Despite the neurovascular impairment, cognitive abilities were maintained in menopausal mice.
Auxiliary System for Contract Signing Based on Electronic Signature Technology
Authors: Jia Yu , Li Zhen
Published: September 2022

With the rapid development of the Internet, a large part of people’s work and life has been transferred to the computer. Now, the processes of file transfer and data storage in people’s work are all completed by computers. In the process of working with computers, how to ensure the legality, traceability, antitampering, and uniqueness of documents is an important part of the development of computers. In order to ensure the security in the process of electronic contract authentication, this study has carried out a detailed analysis and design of electronic signature technology. In this study, PKI technology and USB Key technology are combined, which effectively prevents the tampering of electronic signatures and electronic seals in electronic contracts. This study uses PKI technology to strengthen the application and distribution of electronic seals and achieve the purpose of copyright protection of digital media. The improved electronic signature technology in this study can improve the security of signing electronic contracts at work and make users’ electronic signatures indestructible and noncopyable.
Research and Development of User Clustering-Based Content Similarity Algorithms in Dance-Assisted Choreography Techniques
Authors: Wu Yanyan , Liu Min
Published: September 2022

With the gradual development of digital information and software computing capabilities, the use of computers in dance-assisted choreography is becoming more and more widespread. But although the level of computers is now in rapid development, the technical level of using computers in dance choreography is not yet very mature, technical support is not in place, dance-assisted choreography is not effective, and the existing technical level is not yet able to meet the new needs of dance choreography. In order to improve the dance-assisted choreography technology and provide a more complete educational user interface for dance-assisted choreography, the content similarity algorithm of user clustering has a wide range of operations and a strong ability to calculate the amount of data, combined with the computer to apply the content similarity algorithm of user clustering in dance-assisted choreography technology to build a dance-assisted choreography system based on user clustering. The article proposes three major methods based on collaborative filtering algorithm of user clustering, collaborative filtering algorithm based on similarity class and user preference, and fuzzy cluster analysis of users and analyses their principles. In the experimental part, the performance of IBCF algorithm and collaborative filtering algorithm in dance-assisted choreography system is compared and analysed to observe the change of MAE value under the change of user similarity with number under different k values of cluster classes. The experimental results found that the MAE values of the IBCF algorithm and the collaborative filtering algorithm in the system were at 0.84 and 0.76, respectively, with a difference of about 8% between the two MAE values. The smaller the MAE value, the higher the effectiveness in the dance-assisted choreography technique. Applying the clustering algorithm to the system to make local adjustments and analysis of dance movement paths, it can grasp the choreography rules more precisely and innovate the choreography techniques.
Genetic Polymorphisms in miR-137 and Its Target Genes, TCF4 and CACNA1C, Contribute to the Risk of Bipolar Disorder: A Preliminary Case-Control Study and Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Mokhtari Mohammad Ali , Sargazi Saman , Saravani Ramin , Heidari Nia Milad , Mirinejad Shekoufeh , Hadzsiev Kinga , Bene Judit , Shakiba Mansoor
Published: September 2022

Accumulating evidence has suggested that miR-137 and its target genes, CACNA1C, and TCF4, are amongst the most robustly implicated genes in psychiatric disorders. This preliminary study is aimed at investigating the effects of genetic variations in miR-137 (rs1625579A/C), TCF4 (rs1261084C/T), and CACNA1C (rs10774053A/G and rs10466907G/T) on BD susceptibility. We recruited 252 BD patients and 213 healthy subjects as the control group. Genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP and ARMS-PCR methods. Enhanced risk of BD was found under the codominant homozygous, dominant, and allelic models of TCF4 rs1261084C/T, codominant homozygous and allelic models of CACNA1C rs10466907G/T polymorphisms, as well as codominant homozygous, dominant, recessive, and allelic models of the CACNA1C rs10774053A/G. Moreover, both TT/AG/GT/AA and TT/GG/GT/AC genotype combinations strongly increased the risk of BD in the participants. The bioinformatics analyses revealed that rs1261084C/T and rs10466907G/T created and disrupted binding sites of some miRNAs in the 3′-untranslated region of TCF4 and CACNA1C genes. In contrast, the rs10774053A/G created a new binding site for a major splicing factor and might have an effective role in the function of the CACNA1C protein. We have found that all the studied SNPs are positively associated with BD susceptibility. Replicated studies on different ethnicities are required to confirm these findings.