bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytoseiidae mites associated with native and cultivated solanaceous in Central-West Brazil
Authors: Duarte Mércia Elias , Demite Peterson Rodrigo , Mendonça Renata Santos De , Michereff-filho Miguel , Alves Maria Luiza Santa Cruz De Mesquita , Peixoto José Ricardo , Navia Denise
Published: December 2021

Predatory mites represent important biological control agents and those belonging to the Phytoseiidae family are the most promising for the control of phytophagous mites and small insects. The control of key pests of tomato and other solanaceous crops, highlighting phytophagous mites, has been a challenge and the biological control constitutes a promising strategy. Prospecting predatory mites in wild host plants, natural environments as well as in agroecosystems is relevant because these non-crop and crop areas can serve as reservoirs for promising species for biological control programs. This study aimed to know the Phytoseiidae fauna associated with wild and cultivated solanaceous plants in a poorly prospected area in Brazil, the Central-West Region. A detailed taxonomic identification of phytoseiid mites was conducted, and the most important morphological traits are presented for each species. In addition, associated phytophagous mites mainly belonging to the Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae and Eriophyoidea were identified. Surveys were carried out in 23 species of solanaceous collected in the Distrito Federal (12 areas) and Goiás State (1 area), from February 2017 to January 2018. Nineteen species of predators belonging to ten genera were recorded: Amblyseius (2 species), Euseius (3), Galendromus (1), Iphiseiodes (1), Neoseiulus (3), Paraphytoseius (1), Phytoseius (3), Proprioseiopsis (2), Typhlodromalus (2, one probably new to science) and Typhlodromips (1). Solanum lycocarpum was the solanaceous that harbored the highest richness (11 species), as well as the one with the highest abundance of phytoseiids (250 specimens). Typhlodromalus aripo was the most common species, being the most abundant (423 specimens; 32%) and registered on the largest number of hosts (14). Many of phytoseiid species found present morphological traits that facilitate their occurrence in leaves with trichomes, as in the case of tomato and other cultivated solanaceous. These traits and the association between predators and phytophagous mites may indicate that these species are promising for biological control programms. Thus, extensive studies to assess the efficiency of the identified predatory mites to control key solanaceous pests are required.
Strain engineering in III-V photonic components through structuration of SiNx films
Authors: Ahammou Brahim , Abdelal Aysegul , Landesman Jean-Pierre , Levallois Christophe , Mascher Peter
Published: December 2021

We describe work to quantify the effects of structured dielectric thin films, such as SiNx, at the surface of III-V semiconductors, in terms of strain engineering with applications to photonic components such as waveguides and lasers. We show that the strain in the semiconductor can be engineered by controlling the stress in the dielectric thin film by tuning its deposition process. In the first part of this study, we describe how we can control the amount of this built-in mechanical stress, in the case of SiNx, over a large range, from highly tensile (300 MPa) to highly compressive (−800 MPa), using two different kinds of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition reactors: a standard capacitively coupled reactor with radiofrequency excitation and an electron cyclotron resonance reactor with microwave excitation. We focused on characterizing and understanding these thin films' optical and chemical bonding properties through spectroscopic ellipsometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We have also studied their mechanical properties experimentally using the wafer curvature measurement technique, microstructure fabrication, and nanoindentation measurements. In the second part, we show accurate measurements of the strain distribution induced within GaAs wafers when such thin films are structured in the shape of elongated stripes of variable width, using standard optical lithography and plasma etching. For this, we map the anisotropic deformation, measuring the degree of polarization of the spectrally integrated photoluminescence (PL) generated within GaAs by excitation with a red laser. PL from the bulk cubic semiconductors such as GaAs and InP is unpolarized, whereas anisotropic strain produces some degree of polarization. These maps were measured either from the semiconductor surface or from cleaved cross sections. They provide a detailed and complete image of the crystal deformation in the vicinity of the structured stressor film. Finally, we have performed some finite element simulations trying to reproduce the experimental maps. This investigation covering the different steps, including control of the built-in stress within the SiNx thin films, mapping of the anisotropic deformation field generated within the semiconductor beneath the structured films, and numerical simulation of these effects, allows us to propose a set of recipes that can be employed for strain engineering of III-V photonic components. Our simulation scheme is helpful for the design of the photonic components, e.g., to predict the local changes in the refractive index due to the photoelastic effect.
Noncircular Chainrings Do Not Influence Physiological Responses During Submaximal Cycling
Authors: Leong Chee-Hoi , Elmer Steven J. , Martin James C.
Published: December 2021

Pedal speed and mechanical power output account for 99% of metabolic cost during submaximal cycling. Noncircular chainrings can alter instantaneous crank angular velocity and thereby pedal speed. Reducing pedal speed during the portion of the cycle in which most power is produced could reduce metabolic cost and increase metabolic efficiency.Purpose:To determine the separate contributions of pedal speed and chainring shape/eccentricity to the metabolic cost of producing power and evaluate joint-specific kinematics and kinetics during submaximal cycling across 3 chainring eccentricities (CON = 1.0; LOW = 1.13; HIGH = 1.24).Methods:Eight cyclists performed submaximal cycling at power outputs eliciting 30%, 60%, and 90% of their individual lactate threshold at pedaling rates of 80 rpm under each chainring condition (CON80rpm; LOW80rpm; HIGH80rpm) and at pedaling rates for the CON chainring chosen to match pedal speeds of the noncircular chainrings (CON78rpmto LOW80rpm; CON75rpmto HIGH80rpm). Physiological measures, metabolic cost, and gross efficiency were determined by indirect calorimetry. Pedal and joint-specific powers were determined using pedal forces and limb kinematics.Results:Physiological and metabolic measures were not influenced by eccentricity and pedal speed (allPs > .05). Angular velocities produced during knee and hip extension were lower with the HIGH80rpmcondition compared with the CON80rpmcondition (allPs < .05), while angular velocity produced during ankle plantar flexion remained unchanged.Conclusions:Despite the noncircular chainrings imposing their eccentricity on joint angular kinematics, they did not reduce metabolic cost or increase gross efficiency. Our results suggest that noncircular chainrings neither improve nor compromise submaximal cycling performance in trained cyclists.
Characterization of Head Impact Exposure in Women’s Collegiate Soccer
Authors: Filben Tanner M. , Pritchard Nicholas S. , Miller Logan E. , Woods Sarah K. , Hayden Megan E. , Miles Christopher M. , Urban Jillian E. , Stitzel Joel D.
Published: December 2021

Soccer players are regularly exposed to head impacts by intentionally heading the ball. Evidence suggests repetitive subconcussive head impacts may affect the brain, and females may be more vulnerable to brain injury than males. This study aimed to characterize head impact exposure among National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s soccer players using a previously validated mouthpiece-based sensor. Sixteen players were instrumented during 72 practices and 24 games. Head impact rate and rate of risk-weighted cumulative exposure were compared across session type and player position. Head kinematics were compared across session type, impact type, player position, impact location, and ball delivery method. Players experienced a mean (95% confidence interval) head impact rate of 0.468 (0.289 to 0.647) head impacts per hour, and exposure rates varied by session type and player position. Headers accounted for 89% of head impacts and were associated with higher linear accelerations and rotational accelerations than nonheader impacts. Headers in which the ball was delivered by a long kick had greater peak kinematics (allP < .001) than headers in which the ball was delivered by any other method. Results provide increased understanding of head impact frequency and magnitude in women’s collegiate soccer and may help inform efforts to prevent brain injury.
“Policy Analysis in Sport Management” Revisited: A Critique and Discussion
Authors: Jedlicka Scott R. , Harris Spencer , Houlihan Barrie
Published: December 2021

Published in the Journal of Sport Management in 1995, Laurence Chalip’s “Policy Analysis in Sport Management” persuasively argued that effective sport managers should equip themselves with a particular set of critical policy analysis tools. Since that time, the study of sport policy has gained a strong foothold in the academic literature, but sport policy analysis is not often linked to managerial practice. This paper offers a critique and synthesis of a number of policy analysis frameworks (including Chalip’s), and offers a refreshed set of robust and pragmatic analytical precepts that sport managers might employ to understand and influence policymaking. Following Chalip’s original approach, this paper relies on an empirical case involving the development of national sport policy (the United States’ Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act) to illustrate and support its broader arguments.
Subtexts of Research on Diversity in Sport Organizations: Queering Intersectional Perspectives
Authors: Knoppers Annelies , McLachlan Fiona , Spaaij Ramón , Smits Froukje
Published: December 2021

A great deal of research focusing on organizational diversity has explored dynamics that exclude women and minorities from positions of leadership in sport organizations. The relatively little change in diversity in these positions suggests a need to employ ways of engaging in diversity research that do not center on identity categories and primarily focus on practices. Drawing on notions of subtexts and on queer theory, this critical narrative review aims to make visible and to question organizational practices and processes that may contribute to the diversity “problem” within sport organizations. A subtextual analysis of 32 articles published in leading sport management journals reveals how dynamics of organizational culture, such as an uncritical use of the concept of diversity, the invisibility of practices sustaining gender binaries and heteronormativity, and the intersection of heteronormativity and White normativity, contribute to sustaining the status quo in sport organizations. The authors build on these findings to challenge scholars to further explore and address these practices and processes in sport organizations and in their own research by employing queered intersectional approaches.
Transgender Inclusion in Sport
Authors: Cunningham George B. , Isard Risa , Melton E. Nicole
Published: December 2021

Questions about transgender individuals’ place in sport persist. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to focus on transgender inclusion in sport. Drawing from varied perspectives, the authors present five reasons for inclusion, basing their arguments on sport as a human right, fairness, gendered notions of athleticism, well-being, and economics. The authors then present a multilevel model for including transgender athletes, coaches, and administrators in sport, identifying factors at the macro-, meso-, and micro-levels of analysis.
Ultrasound modulation of macaque prefrontal cortex selectively alters credit assignment–related activity and behavior
Authors: Folloni Davide , Fouragnan Elsa , Wittmann Marco K. , Roumazeilles Lea , Tankelevitch Lev , Verhagen Lennart , Attali David , Aubry Jean-François , Sallet Jerome , Rushworth Matthew F. S.
Published: December 2021

Noninvasive ultrasound stimulation of primate area 47/12o disrupts credit assignment–related behavior and neural activity.
Landscape modification by Last Interglacial Neanderthals
Authors: Roebroeks Wil , MacDonald Katharine , Scherjon Fulco , Bakels Corrie , Kindler Lutz , Nikulina Anastasia , Pop Eduard , Gaudzinski-Windheuser Sabine
Published: December 2021

Studies of ancient lake sites in Germany suggest landscape manipulation by prehistoric hunter-gatherers, 125,000 years ago.
Coherent, super-resolved radar beamforming using self-supervised learning
Authors: Orr Itai , Cohen Moshik , Damari Harel , Halachmi Meir , Raifel Mark , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: December 2021

Self-supervised training of deep neural networks in unstructured environments enables enhanced angular resolution in radar systems.
Five years of
Science Robotics
Authors: Yang Guang-Zhong , Collins Steve H. , Dario Paolo , Fischer Peer , Goldberg Ken , Laschi Cecilia , McNutt Marcia K.
Published: December 2021

Looking back at the last 5 years of
Science Robotics
and looking forward to the next 5.
Multiple omics study identifies an interspecies conserved driver for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Jing , She Zhi-Gang , Wang Junyong , Sun Dating , Shen Li-Jun , Xiang Hui , Cheng Xu , Ji Yan-Xiao , Huang Yong-Ping , Li Peng-Long , Yang Xia , Cheng Yanjie , Ma Jun-Peng , Wang Hai-Ping , Hu Yufeng , Hu Fengjiao , Tian Song , Tian Han , Zhang Peng , Zhao Guang-Nian , Wang Lin , Hu Man-Li , Yang Qin , Zhu Li-Hua , Cai Jingjing , Yang Juan , Zhang Xin , Ma Xinliang , Xu Qingbo , Touyz Rhian M. , Liu Peter P. , Loomba Rohit , Wang Yibin , Li Hongliang
Published: December 2021

ALOX12 drives NASH by inhibiting ACC1 lysosomal degradation across multiple species.
Loss of Mobile Genomic Islands in Metal-Resistant, Hydrogen-Oxidizing Cupriavidus metallidurans
Authors: Große Cornelia , Kohl Thomas A. , Niemann Stefan , Herzberg Martin , Nies Dietrich H.
Published: December 2021

In their natural environment, bacteria continually acquire genes by horizontal gene transfer, and newly acquired determinants may become dominant over related ones already present in the host genome. When a bacterium is taken into laboratory culture, it is isolated from the horizontal gene transfer network.
Biogeochemical Niches of Fe-Cycling Communities Influencing Heavy Metal Transport along the Rio Tinto, Spain
Authors: Abramov Sergey M. , Straub Daniel , Tejada Julian , Grimm Lars , Schädler Franziska , Bulaev Aleksandr , Thorwarth Harald , Amils Ricardo , Kappler Andreas , Kleindienst Sara
Published: December 2021

The estuary of the Rio Tinto is a unique environment in which extremely acidic, heavy metal-rich, and especially iron-rich river water is mixed with seawater. Due to the mixing events, the estuarine water is characterized by a low pH, almost seawater salinity, and high concentrations of bioavailable iron.
Suppressor Mutants: History and Today’s Applications
Authors: Bautista David E. , Carr Joseph F. , Mitchell Angela M.
Published: December 2021

For decades, biologist have exploited the near boundless advantages that molecular and genetic tools and analysis provide for our ability to understand biological systems. One of these genetic tools, suppressor analysis, has proven invaluable in furthering our understanding of biological processes and pathways and in discovering unknown interactions between genes and gene products.
MicroRNA 122 Affects both the Initiation and the Maintenance of Hepatitis C Virus Infections
Authors: Panigrahi Mamata , Thibault Patricia A. , Wilson Joyce A.
Published: December 2021

The mechanism by which miR-122 promotes the HCV life cycle is not well understood, and a role in directly promoting genome amplification is still debated. In this study, we have shown that miR-122 increases the rate of viral RNA accumulation and promotes the establishment of an HCV infection in a greater number of cells than in the absence of miR-122.
NanI Sialidase Enhances the Action of Clostridium perfringens Enterotoxin in the Presence of Mucus
Authors: Navarro Mauricio A. , Li Jihong , Beingesser Juliann , McClane Bruce A. , Uzal Francisco A.
Published: December 2021

NanI is a sialidase produced by some
Clostridium perfringens
type F strains. Here, we found that NanI can significantly increase the action of
C. perfringens
enterotoxin (CPE), which is the main toxin responsible for severe human enteric disease caused by type F strains. This effect likely helps to explain why even some type F strains that produce small amounts of CPE are pathogenic.
A Suppressor Mutation in the β-Subunit Kis1 Restores Functionality of the SNF1 Complex in
Candida albicans snf4
Δ Mutants
Authors: Ramírez-Zavala Bernardo , Mottola Austin , Krüger Ines , Morschhäuser Joachim
Published: December 2021

The highly conserved protein kinase SNF1 plays a key role in the metabolic adaptation of the pathogenic yeast
Candida albicans
, but it is not clear how it regulates its downstream targets in this fungus. We show that the repressor proteins Mig1 and Mig2 are phosphorylated also in cells lacking the catalytic α-subunit Snf1 of the SNF1 complex, but the amounts of both proteins were reduced in wild-type cells when glucose was replaced by alternative carbon sources, pointing to an indirect mechanism of regulation.
Group B Streptococcus CAMP Factor Does Not Contribute to Interactions with the Vaginal Epithelium and Is Dispensable for Vaginal Colonization in Mice
Authors: Ballard Mallory B. , Mercado-Evans Vicki , Marunde Madelynn G. , Nwanosike Hephzibah , Zulk Jacob , Patras Kathryn A.
Published: December 2021

Group B
Streptococcus
(GBS) remains a pervasive pathogen for pregnant women and their newborns. Maternal screening and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to GBS-positive mothers have reduced, but not eliminated GBS neonatal disease, and have not impacted GBS-associated preterm birth or stillbirth.
Comparative Genomics Reveals Insights into Induction of Violacein Biosynthesis and Adaptive Evolution in
Janthinobacterium
Authors: Wu Xiaoqin , Kazakov Alexey E. , Gushgari-Doyle Sara , Yu Xingli , Trotter Valentine , Stuart Rhona Kayra , Chakraborty Romy
Published: December 2021

Phylogenetically closely related bacteria can thrive in diverse environmental habitats due to adaptive evolution. Genomic changes resulting from adaptive evolution lead to variations in cellular function, metabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis.
The Kinase MAP4K1 Inhibits Cytosolic RNA-Induced Antiviral Signaling by Promoting Proteasomal Degradation of TBK1/IKKε
Authors: He Tian-Sheng , Huang Jingping , Chen Tian , Zhang Zhi , Cai Kuntai , Yu Jingge , Xu Liang-Guo
Published: December 2021

TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1)/IκB kinase-ε (IKKε) mediates robust production of type I interferons (IFN-I) and proinflammatory cytokines to restrict the spread of invading viruses. However, excessive or prolonged production of IFN-I is harmful to the host by causing autoimmune disorders.
Genetic Characterization and Passage Instability of a Hybrid Plasmid Co-Harboring
bla
IMP-4
and
bla
NDM-1
Reveal the Contribution of Insertion Sequences During Plasmid Formation and Evolution
Authors: Li Xi , He Jintao , Jiang Yan , Peng Minfei , Yu Yunsong , Fu Ying
Published: December 2021

In this study, we characterized a novel plasmid from a carbapenem-resistant
K. michiganensis
(CRKM) isolate, which harbors two metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), IMP-4 and NDM-1, is capable of transconjugation and contains three replicons. Our results first expand the diversity of plasmids co-harboring carbapenemase genes in
Enterobacterales
, which exhibits epidemic importance in bacterial resistance.
The importance of oxbow lakes in the floodplain storage of pollutants
Authors: Thomas Summer-Solstice , Constantine José Antonio , Dethier David , Thoman John W. , Racela Jason , Blau Emmett , Landis Joshua D.
Published: December 2021

Oxbow lakes are important stores for fine-grained sediment, which potentially makes them critical sinks for sediment-associated pollutants. We leverage an exhaustive public archive of coring data, supplemented by our data collection, to provide a quantitative assessment of the role of oxbows as off-channel sinks. We investigated loading trends of sediment-sorbed polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) within oxbows of the Housatonic River, an actively meandering river in western Massachusetts, USA. Our results reveal the efficiency of oxbows as sinks, with average PCB concentrations (14.8 ppm) that are nearly twice that of the surrounding floodplain (7.56 ppm). Even though the 5.83 km2 floodplain is the largest sink of PCB-laden material, storing as much as 14.1 t of PCBs or 2.42 g m−2, oxbows store more than 20% of all PCBs (3.63 t of PCBs or 11.2 g m−2) while making up just over 5% of the floodplain surface area. Nearly 85% of the oxbow storage of PCBs occurs within the first 50 m of floodplain, making clear the significance of regular oxbow production to the off-channel storage of sediment-associated pollutants.
Supplemental Material: Mass extinction or extirpation: Permian biotic turnovers in the northwestern margin of Pangea
Authors: Lee Sangmin , al. et
Published: December 2021

Illustrations of Permian brachiopod species from the Kapp Statostin Formation in Spitsbergen and their detailed stratigraphic ranges.
Biphenyl Hydrogenation with Syngas for Hydrogen Purification and Transportation: Performance of Dispersed Catalytic Systems Based on Transition Metal Sulfides
Authors: Baigildin I. G. , Karakhanov E. A. , Maximov A. L. , Vutolkina A. V.
Published: December 2021

The feasibility of biphenyl hydrogenation with syngas for hydrogen
purification and binding with the aim of its transportation was demonstrated.
Specific features of the hydrogenation of biphenyl as a promising organic
hydrogen carrier using unsupported Ni–Mo sulfide catalysts were studied. In
particular, the influence of temperature, reaction time, presence of water in
the system, and Н2/СО gas mixture composition on the
substrate conversion and selectivity with respect to products was examined. The
highest conversion and the maximal hydrogen uptake are reached at 380°С in 6–8
h. The dispersed catalysts are active in biphenyl hydrogenation at the CO
concentration in the Н2/СО gas mixture of up to 50 vol %,
and H2O can act in this case as an in situ hydrogen
source owing to the occurrence of the water-gas shift reaction.
Mental health and implications for antiretroviral adherence in a multiethnic Asian cohort
Authors: Dhaliwal Jaspal Singh , Chan Lai Gwen , Goh Justine Chay Boon , Koh Karis Hui En , Wong Chen Seong
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Research suggests a high prevalence of depression and anxiety in people living with HIV, resulting in negative health outcomes and poorer help-seeking behaviours when undetected. Subsequent disease progression and non-adherence to treatment constitute a significant barrier to HIV treatment. This paper aims to identify the risk factors for the development of psychological distress and non-adherence to antiretroviral medication in people living with HIV.

Methods

An HIV outpatient clinical service screened for anxiety and depressive symptoms. As part of a retrospective analysis of the cohort, independent sample t-test and χ2test were conducted to examine differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in demographic variables such as mode of transmission and disclosure to family; clinical indicators such as psychiatric history and history of alcohol and substance use; and outcome variables such as current psychological distress and non-adherence. Binary logistic regression was conducted to determine predictors of psychological distress and non-adherence.

Results

After adjusting for age, no history of alcohol use and psychiatric history were found to be significant risk factors for psychological distress during the programme. Older patients were less likely to be symptomatic during the programme. After adjusting for age, having received intervention and psychiatric history, significant risk factors for non-adherence to antiretroviral medication were mode of transmission, history of smoking and being symptomatic during the programme.

Conclusion

Significant psychological distress occurring early in HIV care predicts future non-adherence to antiretroviral treatment, highlighting the importance of early detection and intervention for psychological distress in people living with HIV. Mental health interventions should be intercalated with treatment adherence interventions to improve HIV treatment outcomes.
Model of black hole and white hole in Minkowski spacetime
Authors: Yu-Zhu Chen , Yu-Jie Chen , Shi-Lin Li , Fu-Lin Zhang , Wu-Sheng Dai
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we construct toy models of the black hole and the white hole by setting proper boundaries in the Minkowski spacetime, according to the modern definition. We calculate the thermal effect of the black hole with the tunneling mechanism. We consider the role of boundary conditions at the singularity and on the horizon. In addition, we show that the white hole possesses a thermal absorption.
Demonstration of using HF-etchant mixed into CO2 to lift-off thin-film GaAs layers by supercritical fluid technology
Authors: Feng David Jui-Yang , Kuo Heng , Yang Cheng-Fu
Published: December 2021

The epitaxial lift-off (ELO) process based on selectively etching a thin sacrificial AlAs layer from GaAs substrate was performed using high-concentrated aqueous hydrofluoric (HF) etchant. However, because of using the wet etching method, the traditional ELO process has many drawbacks and limitations. Supercritical fluids (SCFs) naturally have the characteristics of low viscosity, high diffusivity, and zero surface tension. Therefore, the development of a gas-phase-like dry etching method based on mixing HF into CO2 and operating the mixture of HF/CO2 in SCFs condition as etchant is hereby proposed to overcome those bottlenecks existing in traditional wet ELO processes. However, there are no available experimental results for etching AlAs layers by HF in SCFs yet. Therefore, a HF-compatible corrosion-resistant high-pressure system was designed and built up to perform the idea. The capabilities of etching sample in supercritical CO2 (scCO[Formula: see text] had been systemically investigated under various pressures (2000–3000 psi) and temperatures (40–60[Formula: see text]C). Besides, the etching performances separately conducted by using aqueous-HF and anhydrous HF/Pyridine as the source etchant and mixing with scCO2 at a fixed temperature, pressure and etching time were also examined and compared under different equivalent HF concentrations. An evaluation of using acetone as the co-solvent mixed with HF/scCO2 mixture for enhancing the etch rate in different volume ratio of HF/co-solvent was further investigated and discussed. With this system, we demonstrate releasing a size of [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) and 3 [Formula: see text]m-thick free-standing GaAs sheet from a 150 nm AlAs sacrificial layer by the etching sample in HF/scCO2 mixture. The released GaAs sheet was also successfully transferred to a flexible PET substrate by using a PDMS stamp and an adhesive layer of NOA61.
Developments of crystal structures and photoluminescence properties of Sr0.85Eu0.15Al12O19 green phosphors using different synthesis parameters
Authors: Li Jie , Yang Qing-Hao , Li Hsin-Hua , Yang Cheng-Fu , Feng David Jui-Yang
Published: December 2021

First, a solid-state reaction method was used to synthesize a Sr[Formula: see text]Eu[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] phosphor at 1250[Formula: see text]C–1400[Formula: see text]C for 1 h, and its crystal structures and photoluminescence properties were investigated as a function of synthesis temperature. When the furnace reached the synthesis temperature, the 5% H[Formula: see text] N2 reduction atmosphere was infused and the reduction atmosphere was removed as the temperature was dropped to 800[Formula: see text]C. When 1200[Formula: see text]C was used as the synthesis temperature, the SrAl[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text], SrAl2O4, and SrAl4O7 phases co-existed; only one weak emission peak was observed in the photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra, and two weak emission peaks were observed in the photoluminescence emission (PL) spectra. When the Sr[Formula: see text]Eu[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] phosphors were synthesized at a temperature higher than 1200[Formula: see text]C, the diffraction intensities of SrAl[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text], SrAl2O4, and SrAl4O7 phases were almost unchanged, but the crystal sizes of Sr[Formula: see text]Eu[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] powders increased. For Sr[Formula: see text]Eu[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] phosphors, PLE spectra had one broad exciting band with two centered wavelengths of 317 and 365 nm, and PL spectra had one emission band with one centered wavelength of 513 nm. As the synthesis temperature rose, the emission intensities of PLE and PL spectra increased. Second, we show that the removed temperature of reduction atmosphere of Sr[Formula: see text]Eu[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] phosphors had an apparent effect on their emission properties of PLE and PL spectra.
Foreword: Special Issue on Trends in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics for an Ethical and Inclusive Digitalized Society
Authors: Alazab Mamoun , Al-Nemrat Ameer , Shojafar Mohammad , Al-Janabi Shahd
Published: December 2021

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics play a crucial role in building a digitalized society that is ethical and inclusive. AI is a simulation that is trained to learn and mimic human behaviour. These AI algorithms are capable of learning from their mistakes and doing tasks that are comparable to those performed by humans. AI will have a significant impact on our quality of life as it develops. The main aim of any tool and approach is to simplify human effort and aid us in making better decisions. Data Analytics helps in analyzing raw data in order to draw inferences from it. These techniques and processes have been automated in order to deal with raw data, which is intended for human consumption. The combination of both these techniques will help humans to evolve further in field of research and will enhance the decision making process…
Competitive Algorithms for Online Multidimensional Knapsack Problems
Authors: Yang Lin , Zeynali Ali , Hajiesmaili Mohammad H. , Sitaraman Ramesh K. , Towsley Don
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we study the online multidimensional knapsack problem (called OMdKP) in which there is a knapsack whose capacity is represented in m dimensions, each dimension could have a different capacity. Then, n items with different scalar profit values and m-dimensional weights arrive in an online manner and the goal is to admit or decline items upon their arrival such that the total profit obtained by admitted items is maximized and the capacity of knapsack across all dimensions is respected. This is a natural generalization of the classic single-dimension knapsack problem and finds several relevant applications such as in virtual machine allocation, job scheduling, and all-or-nothing flow maximization over a graph. We develop two algorithms for OMdKP that use linear and exponential reservation functions to make online admission decisions. Our competitive analysis shows that the linear and exponential algorithms achieve the competitive ratios of O(θα ) and O(łogł(θα)), respectively, where α is the ratio between the aggregate knapsack capacity and the minimum capacity over a single dimension and θ is the ratio between the maximum and minimum item unit values. We also characterize a lower bound for the competitive ratio of any online algorithm solving OMdKP and show that the competitive ratio of our algorithm with exponential reservation function matches the lower bound up to a constant factor.
Tuxedo: Maximizing Smart Contract Computation in PoW Blockchains
Authors: Das Sourav , Awathare Nitin , Ren Ling , Ribeiro Vinay J. , Bellur Umesh
Published: December 2021

Proof-of-Work (PoW) based blockchains typically allocate only a tiny fraction (e.g., less than 1% for Ethereum) of the average interarrival time (I) between blocks for validating smart contracts present in transactions. In such systems, block validation and PoW mining are typically performed sequentially, the former by CPUs and the latter by ASICs. A trivial increase in validation time (τ) introduces the popularly known Verifier's Dilemma, and as we demonstrate, causes more forking and hurts fairness. Large τ also reduces the tolerance for safety against a Byzantine adversary. Solutions that offload validation to a set of non-chain nodes (a.k.a. off-chain approaches) suffer from trust and performance issues that are non-trivial to resolve. In this paper, we present Tuxedo, the first on-chain protocol to theoretically scale τ/I ≈1 in PoW blockchains. The key innovation in Tuxedo is to perform CPU-based block processing in parallel to ASIC mining. We achieve this by allowing miners to delay validation of transactions in a block by up to ζ blocks, where ζ is a system parameter. We perform security analysis of Tuxedo considering all possible adversarial strategies in a synchronous network with maximum end-to-end delay Δ and demonstrate that Tuxedo achieves security equivalent to known results for longest chain PoW Nakamoto consensus. Our prototype implementation of Tuxedo atop Ethereum demonstrates that it can scale τ without suffering the harmful effects of naive scaling up of τ/I in existing blockchains
Effects of an acute exercise bout in hypoxia on extracellular vesicle release in healthy and prediabetic subjects
Authors: Warnier Geoffrey , De Groote Estelle , Britto Florian A. , Delcorte Ophélie , Nederveen Joshua P. , Nilsson Mats I. , Pierreux Christophe E. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Deldicque Louise
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate exosome-like vesicle (ELV) plasma concentrations and markers of multivesicular body (MVB) biogenesis in skeletal muscle in response to acute exercise. Seventeen healthy [body mass index (BMI): 23.5 ± 0.5 kg·m−2] and 15 prediabetic (BMI: 27.3 ± 1.2 kg·m−2) men were randomly assigned to two groups performing an acute cycling bout in normoxia or hypoxia ([Formula: see text] 14.0%). Venous blood samples were taken before (T0), during (T30), and after (T60) exercise, and biopsies from m. vastus lateralis were collected before and after exercise. Plasma ELVs were isolated by size exclusion chromatography, counted by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and characterized according to international standards, followed by expression analyses of canonical ELV markers in skeletal muscle. In the healthy normoxic group, the total number of particles in the plasma increased during exercise from T0 to T30 (+313%) followed by a decrease from T30 to T60 (−53%). In the same group, an increase in TSG101, CD81, and HSP60 protein expression was measured after exercise in plasma ELVs; however, in the prediabetic group, the total number of particles in the plasma was not affected by exercise. The mRNA content of TSG101, ALIX, and CD9 was upregulated in skeletal muscle after exercise in normoxia, whereas CD9 and CD81 were downregulated in hypoxia. ELV plasma abundance increased in response to acute aerobic exercise in healthy subjects in normoxia, but not in prediabetic subjects, nor in hypoxia. Skeletal muscle analyses suggested that this tissue did not likely play a major role of the exercise-induced increase in circulating ELVs.
Voluntary suppression of neck reflexes during passive head-on-trunk rotations: reflex gain control versus proprioceptive feedback
Authors: Anastasopoulos Dimitri , Anastasopoulos Lysandros , Mergner Thomas
Published: December 2021

Head stabilizing neck reflexes can be voluntarily suppressed or activated depending on the task at hand. By applying brief perturbations unexpectedly, both during passive head-on-trunk movements and at rest, we investigated the mechanism of voluntary suppression of resistance to stretch. A physiologically plausible, neuromechanical model of voluntary/reflexive interactions was constructed favoring feedback over reflex gain adjustments. Accordingly, muscle relaxation during imposed head movements is based on sensory feedback similarly to muscle contractions during purposeful movements.
Integration of proprioceptive and visual feedback during online control of reaching
Authors: Kasuga Shoko , Crevecoeur Frédéric , Cross Kevin P. , Balalaie Parsa , Scott Stephen H.
Published: December 2021

Visual feedback is more accurate, but proprioceptive feedback is faster. How should you integrate these sources of feedback to guide limb movement? As predicted by dynamic Bayesian models, the size of the muscle response to a mechanical disturbance was essentially the same whether visual feedback was present or not. Only under artificial conditions, such as when shifting the position of a cursor representing hand position, can one observe a muscle response from visual feedback.
Integrated Multiomics Analysis Identifies a Novel Biomarker Associated with Prognosis in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Shen Yiqing , Yang Wensong , Xiong Xin , Li Xinhui , Xiao Zhongsong , Yu Jialun , Liu Fangyu , Gui Siwen , Xie Xiongfei , Lv Fajin , Zhao Libo , Hu Liangbo , Manaenko Anatol , Xie Peng , Li Qi
Published: December 2021

Existing treatments for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are unable to satisfactorily prevent development of secondary brain injury after ICH and multiple pathological mechanisms are involved in the development of the injury. In this study, we aimed to identify novel genes and proteins and integrated their molecular alternations to reveal key network modules involved in ICH pathology. A total of 30 C57BL/6 male mice were used for this study. The collagenase model of ICH was employed, 3 days after ICH animals were tested neurological. After it, animals were euthanized and perihematomal brain tissues were collected for transcriptome and TMT labeling‐based quantitative proteome analyses. Protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and regularized Canonical Correlation Analysis (rCCA) were performed to integrated multiomics data. For validation of hub genes and proteins, qRT‐PCR and Western blot were carried out. The candidate biomarkers were further measured by ELISA in the plasma of ICH patients and the controls. A total of 2218 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 353 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the ICH model group and control group were identified. GSEA revealed that immune‐related gene sets were prominently upregulated and significantly enriched in pathways of inflammasome complex, negative regulation of interleukin‐12 production, and pyroptosis during the ICH process. The rCCA network presented two highly connective clusters which were involved in the sphingolipid catabolic process and inflammatory response. Among ten hub genes screened out by integrative analysis, significantly upregulated Itgb2, Serpina3n, and Ctss were validated in the ICH group by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. Plasma levels of human SERPINA3 (homologue of murine Serpina3n) were elevated in ICH patients compared with the healthy controls (SERPINA3: 13.3 ng/mL vs. 11.2 ng/mL, p = 0.015). Within the ICH group, higher plasma SERPINA3 levels with a predictive threshold of 14.31 ng/mL (sensitivity = 64.3%; specificity = 80.8%; AUC = 0.742, 95% CI: 0.567‐0.916) were highly associated with poor outcome (mRS scores 4‐6). Taken together, the results of our study exhibited molecular changes related to ICH‐induced brain injury by multidimensional analysis and effectively identified three biomarker candidates in a mouse ICH model, as well as pointed out that Serpina3n/SERPINA3 was a potential biomarker associated with poor functional outcome in ICH patients.
A Novel Homotopy Perturbation Algorithm Using Laplace Transform for Conformable Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Iqbal Sajad , Kaabar Mohammed K. A. , Martínez Francisco
Published: December 2021

In this article, the approximate analytical solutions of four different types of conformable partial differential equations are investigated. First, the conformable Laplace transform homotopy perturbation method is reformulated. Then, the approximate analytical solution of four types of conformable partial differential equations is presented via the proposed technique. To check the accuracy of the proposed technique, the numerical and exact solutions are compared with each other. From this comparison, we conclude that the proposed technique is very efficient and easy to apply to various types of conformable partial differential equations.
CircRNA RERE Promotes the Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis and Autophagy of Nucleus Pulposus Cells through the miR-299-5p/Galectin-3 Axis
Authors: Wang Rong , Zhou Xingchao , Luo Guorui , Zhang Jin , Yang Min , Song Chao
Published: December 2021

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is widely accepted as a cause of low back pain and related degenerative musculoskeletal disorders. Nucleus pulposus (NP) cell loss is closely related to IDD progression. Thus, investigating the specifically targeted therapeutic agents against NP cell loss depends on understanding the molecular mechanisms. In this study, human NP cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Cell viability was assessed by using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) kit. The expression of circRNA arginine-glutamic acid dipeptide repeats (hsa_circ_RERE) and miR-299-5p was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. Western blot analysis was used to assess the protein expression levels. The autophagy levels in NP cells were detected by using an electronic microscope, LC3B protein immunofluorescence, and western blot. The apoptosis levels of NP cells were detected by flow cytometry and western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay analyzed the miR-299-5p bound to circ_RERE and galectin-3. Our results revealed that H2O2 significantly inhibited the viability of NP cells, promoted apoptosis and autophagy, and upregulated galectin-3 expression. miR-299-5p was reduced in IDD and H2O2-induced NP cells. The overexpression of miR-299-5p promoted cell viability and attenuated apoptosis and autophagy under H2O2 treatment. Besides, circ_RERE was upregulated in IDD and H2O2-induced NP cells. However, knockdown of circ_RERE reversed the effects of miR-299-5p overexpression on cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy in NP cells. We propose that circ_RERE promotes the H2O2-induced apoptosis and autophagy of NP cells through the miR-299-5p/galectin-3 axis and may provide a new target for the clinical treatment of IDD.
Electroencephalogram Image under Complex Domain Analysis Algorithm to Analyze Neurological Status Epilepticus and Poor Prognostic Factors of Children
Authors: Gao Jiyong , Dai Na , Liu Zhigang , Chen Dehong , Zhen Junqing , Wang Jin
Published: December 2021

This study was to adopt the electroencephalogram (EEG) image to analyze the neurological status epilepticus (SE) and adverse prognostic factors of children using the complex domain analysis algorithm, aiming at providing a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of children with SE. 24-hour EEG was adopted to diagnose 197 children with SE. The patients were divided into an experimental group (100 cases) and a control group (97 cases) using a random number table method. The EEGs of children in the experimental group were analyzed using the compound domain analysis algorithm, and those in the control group were diagnosed by a professional doctor. The indicators of children in two groups were compared to analyze the effect of the compound domain analysis algorithm in diagnosing diseases through EEG. The prognostic scores of 197 children were scored one month after they were diagnosed, treated, and discharged, and the adverse prognostic factors were analyzed. As a result, EEG can accurately and effectively analyze the brain diseases in children. The sensitivity and specificity of the complex domain analysis algorithm for the detection of epilepsy EEG were much higher than those of the EEG automatic detection algorithm based on time-domain waveform similarity and the EEG automatic detection algorithm based on convolutional neural network (CNN), and the average running time was opposite, showing obvious difference (

P
<
0.05

).The average accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of children in the experimental group were 96.11%, 97.10%, and 95.19%, respectively; and those in the control group were 88.83%, 90.14%, and 87.82%, respectively, so there was an obvious difference in accuracy between two groups (

P
<
0.05

). There were 57 cases with good prognosis and 140 cases with poor prognosis; there were 70 males with good prognosis and 19 poor prognoses and 69 women with good prognosis and 19 poor prognoses. Among 121 patients with infections, 84 cases had good prognosis and 37 cases had poor prognosis; 39 cases of irregular medication had good prognosis in 31 cases and a poor prognosis in 8 cases; and 37 cases had no obvious cause, including 25 cases with good prognosis and 12 cases with poor prognosis. In short, the EEG diagnosis and treatment effect of the compound domain analysis algorithm were better than those of professional doctors; the gender of the patient had no effect on the poor prognosis, and the pathogenic factors had an impact on the poor prognosis of the patient.
Review of Cracked Tooth Syndrome: Etiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention
Authors: Li Fei , Diao Yaoyao , Wang Jiayin , Hou Xingyu , Qiao Shuzhan , Kong Jiawen , Sun Yunhan , Lee Eui-Seok , Jiang Heng Bo
Published: December 2021

Cracked tooth syndrome refers to a series of symptoms caused by cracked teeth. This article reviews the current literature on cracked tooth syndrome from four aspects, etiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention, to provide readers integrated information about this. The article begins with an introduction to the odontiatrogenic factors and then covers the noniatrogenic factors that induce cracked tooth syndrome. While the former discusses inappropriate root canal therapy and improper restorative procedures, the latter covers the topics such as the developmental and functional status of cracked tooth syndrome. This is then followed by the description of common clinical diagnosis methods, the prospects of new technologies, and summaries of current clinical management methods, including immediate management and direct and indirect restoration. In the final section, preventive methods and their importance are proposed, with the aim of educating the common population.