bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Power Hardware-in-the-Loop-Based Performance Analysis of Different Converter Controllers for Fast Active Power Regulation in Low-Inertia Power Systems
Authors: Torres Jose , Ahmad Zameer , Veera Kumar Nidarshan , Rakhshani Elyas , Adabi Ebrahim , Palensky Peter , van der Meijden Mart
Published: June 2021

Future electrical power systems will be dominated by power electronic converters, which are deployed for the integration of renewable power plants, responsive demand, and different types of storage systems. The stability of such systems will strongly depend on the control strategies attached to the converters. In this context, laboratory-scale setups are becoming the key tools for prototyping and evaluating the performance and robustness of different converter technologies and control strategies. The performance evaluation of control strategies for dynamic frequency support using fast active power regulation (FAPR) requires the urgent development of a suitable power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) setup. In this paper, the most prominent emerging types of FAPR are selected and studied: droop-based FAPR, droop derivative-based FAPR, and virtual synchronous power (VSP)-based FAPR. A novel setup for PHIL-based performance evaluation of these strategies is proposed. The setup combines the advanced modeling and simulation functions of a real-time digital simulation platform (RTDS), an external programmable unit to implement the studied FAPR control strategies as digital controllers, and actual hardware. The hardware setup consists of a grid emulator to recreate the dynamic response as seen from the interface bus of the grid side converter of a power electronic-interfaced device (e.g., type-IV wind turbines), and a mockup voltage source converter (VSC, i.e., a device under test (DUT)). The DUT is virtually interfaced to one high-voltage bus of the electromagnetic transient (EMT) representation of a variant of the IEEE 9 bus test system, which has been modified to consider an operating condition with 52% of the total supply provided by wind power generation. The selected and programmed FAPR strategies are applied to the DUT, with the ultimate goal of ascertaining its feasibility and effectiveness with respect to the pure software-based EMT representation performed in real time. Particularly, the time-varying response of the active power injection by each FAPR control strategy and the impact on the instantaneous frequency excursions occurring in the frequency containment periods are analyzed. The performed tests show the degree of improvements on both the rate-of-change-of-frequency (RoCoF) and the maximum frequency excursion (e.g., nadir).
Application of Enhanced CPC for Load Identification, Preventive Maintenance and Grid Interpretation
Authors: Calamaro Netzah , Ofir Avihai , Shmilovitz Doron
Published: June 2021

Currents’ Physical Components (CPC) theory with spectral component representation is proposed as a generic grid interpretation method for detecting variations and structures. It is shown theoretically and validated experimentally that scattered and reactive CPC currents are highly suited for anomaly detection. CPC are enhanced by recursively disassembling the currents into 6 scattered subcomponents and 22 subcomponents overall, where additional anomalies dominate the subcurrents. Further disassembly is useful for anomaly detection and for grid deciphering. It is shown that the newly introduced syntax is highly effective for identifying variations even when the detected signals are in the order of 10−3 compared to conventional methods. The admittance physical components’ transfer functions, Yi(ω), have been shown to improve the physical sensory function. The approach is exemplified in two scenarios demonstrating much higher sensitivity than classical electrical measurements. The proposed module may be located at a data center remote from the sensor. The CPC preprocessor, by means of a deep learning CNN, is compared to the current FFT and the current input raw data, which demonstrates 18% improved accuracy over FFT and 45% improved accuracy over raw current i(t). It is shown that the new preprocessor/detector enables highly accurate anomaly detection with the CNN classification core.
Analysis of Effect of the Magnetization Distribution of Multi-Pole PM on SPMSM Performance Using Equivalent Magnetic Circuit Considering Dead Zone
Authors: Kim Jae-Hyun , Cha Kyoung-Soo , Hwang Sung-Woo , Lee Soo-Gyung , Park Min-Ro , Yoon Young-Doo , Lim Myung-Seop
Published: June 2021

In multi-pole permanent magnets (PMs) such a ring-type PMs, as multi-poles are magnetized in one segment, the ends of each pole are weakly magnetized, which is known as the dead zone. Thus, when analyzing characteristics of the motor with multi-pole PMs, accurate results can be obtained by considering the magnetization distribution. For this reason, this paper proposed an equivalent magnetic circuit (EMC) for external-rotor surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motors (SPMSMs) considering the dead zone to analyze the effects of the dead zone on the characteristics of the motor. As the magnetization in the dead zone gradually decreases toward the end of the pole, the magnetization distribution is assumed to have a trapezoidal shape. To describe the magnetization distribution, each pole was divided into several elements, and the equivalent residual magnetic flux density was applied to the elements of the dead zone. Finally, the validity of the proposed EMC was verified by comparing the back electro-motive force and air-gap magnetic flux density obtained by the EMC, finite-element analysis, and test.
The United States’ Implementation of the Montréal Process Indicator of Forest Fragmentation
Authors: Riitters Kurt , Robertson Guy
Published: June 2021

The United States’ implementation of the Montréal Process indicator of forest fragmentation presents a case study in the development and application of science within a criteria and indicator framework to evaluate forest sustainability. Here, we review the historical evolution and status of the indicator and summarize the latest empirical results. While forest cover fragmentation is increasing, the rate of increase has slowed since 2006. Most of the fragmentation in the western United States is associated with changes in semi-natural land cover (e.g., shrub and grass) while most of the eastern fragmentation is associated with changes in agriculture and developed (including roads) land covers. Research conducted pursuant to indicator implementation exemplifies the role of a criteria and indicator framework in identifying policy-relevant questions and then focusing research on those questions, and subsequent indicator reporting exemplifies the value of a common language and developed set of metrics to help bridge the gaps between science and policy at national and international scales.
Industrial Heat Treatment of Wood: Study of Induced Effects on Ayous Wood (Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum)
Authors: Gennari Emiliano , Picchio Rodolfo , Lo Monaco Angela
Published: June 2021

High-temperature treatment of wood is a useful method for improving certain physical characteristics, ensuring durability without biocides, and improving the performance of wood when exposed to degradation agents. This work aims to determine the effects induced by a heat treatment performed industrially on ayous wood (Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum) from Cameroon, through the study of the main physical and mechanical characteristics. The heat treatment at 215 °C for three hours with a slight initial vacuum determined a reduction of the mechanical characteristics (compression strength 26%, static bending 46%, Brinell hardness 32%) and some physical properties (dry density 11%, basic density 9%), while it improved the behaviour towards variations of environment moisture. The anti-shrinkage efficiency was 58.41 ± 5.86%, confirming the increase of the dimensional stability. The darkening (ΔE 34.76), clearly detectable (L* 39.69 ± 1.13; a* 10.59 ± 081; b* 18.73 ± 1.51), was supported almost equally by both the lightness parameter (L*) and the a* chromatic parameter. The data collected during the laboratory tests were then subjected to statistical analysis to verify correlations between the characteristics examined. Statistical differences were highlighted between each physical and mechanical properties of ayous wood modified or not.
Addendum: Ishida et al. Formula for the Cross-Sectional Area of the Muscles of the Third Lumbar Vertebra Level from the Twelfth Thoracic Vertebra Level Slice on Computed Tomography. Geriatrics 2020, 5, 47
Authors: Ishida Yuria , Maeda Keisuke , Yamanaka Yosuke , Matsuyama Remi , Kato Ryoko , Yamaguchi Makoto , Nonogaki Tomoyuki , Shimizu Akio , Ueshima Junko , Murotani Kenta , Mori Naoharu
Published: June 2021

The authors would like to make an addendum to their published paper [...]
Long-Term Medical Resource Consumption between Surgical Clipping and Endovascular Coiling for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Propensity Score–Matched, Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Lo Yang-Lan , Bih Zen Lang , Yu Ying-Hui , Li Ming-Chang , Chen Ho-Min , Wu Szu-Yuan
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To estimate long-term medical resource consumption in patients with subarachnoid aneurysmal hemorrhage (SAH) receiving surgical clipping or endovascular coiling. Patients and methods: From Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, we enrolled patients with aneurysmal SAH who received clipping or coiling. After propensity score matching and adjustment for confounders, a generalized linear mixed model was used to determine significant differences in the accumulative hospital stay (days), intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and total medical cost for aneurysmal SAH, as well as possible subsequent surgical complications and recurrence. Results: The matching process yielded a final cohort of 8102 patients (4051 and 4051 in endovascular coil embolization and surgical clipping, respectively) who were eligible for further analysis. The mean accumulative hospital stay significantly differed between coiling (31.2 days) and clipping (46.8 days; p < 0.0001). After the generalized linear model adjustment of gamma distribution with a log link, compared with the surgical clipping procedure, the adjusted odds ratios (aOR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of the medical cost of accumulative hospital stay for the endovascular coil embolization procedure was 0.63 (0.60, 0.66; p < 0·0001). The mean accumulative ICU stay significantly differed between the coiling and clipping groups (9.4 vs. 14.9 days; p < 0.0001). The aORs (95% CI) of the medical cost of accumulative ICU stay in the endovascular coil embolization group was 0.61 (0.58, 0.64; p < 0.0001). The aOR (95% CI) of the total medical cost of index hospitalization in the endovascular coil embolization group was 0·85 (0.82, 0.87; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Medical resource consumption in the coiling group was lower than that in the clipping group.
Evaluation of Articular Eminence Inclination in Normo-Divergent Subjects with Different Skeletal Classes through CBCT
Authors: Moscagiuri Francesco , Caroccia Francesco , Lopes Chiara , Di Carlo Beatrice , Di Maria Erica , Festa Felice , D’Attilio Michele
Published: June 2021

(1) We aimed to compare articular eminence inclination (AEI) in normo-divergent subjects (SN^GoGn = 32° ± 5°), with different anteroposterior sagittal skeletal classes through a cone beam computed generated tomography (CBCT). (2) In this cross-sectional study, CBCT records were retrospectively analysed. From the original sample of 52 CBCT records, 33 records of normo-divergent adult subjects were selected (11 Class I, 13 Class II and 9 Class III). On mid-sagittal section of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) on both sides, AEI was calculated by graphic method. (3) The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to evaluate any difference between AEI on both left and right sides in the three groups. No statistically significant difference was observed on either the right side (p = 0.174) or the left side (p = 0.624). (4) Articular eminence inclination seems to be not related with skeletal class. Given the lack of significance in the observed differences between AEI and skeletal classes, we believe that future studies should focus on assessing possible relationships between AEI and different vertical skeletal patterns.
Sentiment Analysis on COVID-19-Related Social Distancing in Canada Using Twitter Data
Authors: Shofiya Carol , Abidi Samina
Published: June 2021

Background: COVID-19 preventive measures have been an obstacle to millions of people around the world, influencing not only their normal day-to-day activities but also affecting their mental health. Social distancing is one such preventive measure. People express their opinions freely through social media platforms like Twitter, which can be shared among other users. The articulated texts from Twitter can be analyzed to find the sentiments of the public concerning social distancing. Objective: To understand and analyze public sentiments towards social distancing as articulated in Twitter textual data. Methods: Twitter data specific to Canada and texts comprising social distancing keywords were extrapolated, followed by utilizing the SentiStrength tool to extricate sentiment polarity of tweet texts. Thereafter, the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm was employed for sentiment classification. Evaluation of performance was measured with a confusion matrix, precision, recall, and F1 measure. Results: This study resulted in the extraction of a total of 629 tweet texts, of which, 40% of tweets exhibited neutral sentiments, followed by 35% of tweets showed negative sentiments and only 25% of tweets expressed positive sentiments towards social distancing. The SVM algorithm was applied by dissecting the dataset into 80% training and 20% testing data. Performance evaluation resulted in an accuracy of 71%. Upon using tweet texts with only positive and negative sentiment polarity, the accuracy increased to 81%. It was observed that reducing test data by 10% increased the accuracy to 87%. Conclusion: Results showed that an increase in training data increased the performance of the algorithm.
Laying the Foundation for Pregnancy Physical Activity Profiling: A Framework for Providing Tailored Physical Activity Advice and Guidance to Pregnant Women
Authors: De Vivo Marlize , Mills Hayley
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the predictive utility of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in explaining pregnant women’s physical activity (PA) intentions and behaviour and to scrutinise the role of past behaviour within this context. Pregnant women (n = 89) completed the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ) and newly developed TPB questionnaire on two separate occasions during their pregnancy. Analyses were carried out in relation to three scenarios. Firstly, when considering the original TPB, intention emerged as the strongest determinant of pregnant women’s PA behaviour. Secondly, controlling for past behaviour attenuated the influence of intention and perceived behavioural control on behaviour, with neither of the original variables providing a unique influence. Finally, the addition of past behaviour added significantly to the prediction of intention with the model as a whole, explaining 85% of the variance in pregnant women’s PA intention, and with past behaviour uniquely contributing 44.8% of the variance. Pregnancy physical activity profiling based on intention and behaviour status is subsequently introduced as a novel and practical framework. This provides healthcare professionals with the opportunity and structure to provide tailored advice and guidance to pregnant women, thereby facilitating engagement with PA throughout motherhood.
Burden of COVID-19 on Italian Internal Medicine Wards: Delphi, SWOT, and Performance Analysis after Two Pandemic Waves in the Local Health Authority “Roma 6” Hospital Structures
Authors: Pietrantonio Filomena , Rosiello Francesco , Alessi Elena , Pascucci Matteo , Rainone Marianna , Cipriano Enrica , Di Berardino Alessandra , Vinci Antonio , Ruggeri Matteo , Ricci Serafino
Published: June 2021

Background: COVID-19 causes major changes in day-to-day hospital activity due to its epidemiological characteristics and the clinical challenges it poses, especially in internal medicine wards. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and manage all of the implicated factors in order to maintain a high standard of care, even in sub-par circumstances. Methods: This was a three-phase, mixed-design study. Initially, the Delphi method allowed us to analyze the causes of poor outcomes in a cohort of an aggregate of Italian COVID-19 wards via an Ishikawa diagram. Then, for each retrieved item, a score was assigned according to a pros/cons, opportunities/threats system. Scores were also assigned according to potential value/perceived risk. Finally, the performances of MCs (Medicine-COVID-19 wards) and MCFs (Medicine-COVID-19-free: Internal Medicine wards) units were represented via a Barber’s nomogram. Results: MCFs hospitalized 790 patients (−23.90% compared to 2019 Internal Medicine admissions). The main risk factors for mortality were patients admitted from local facilities (+7%) and the presence of comorbidities (>3: 100%, ≥5: 24.7%). A total of 197 (25%) patients were treated with non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The most deaths (57.14%) occurred in patients admitted from local facilities. Conclusions: Medicine-COVID-19 wards show higher complexity and demand compared to non-COVID-19 ones and they are comparable to sub-intensive therapy wards. It is necessary to promote the use of NIV in such settings.
Age-Graded Transitions and Turning Points in Polish Offenders’ Criminal Careers from the Standpoint of Life Course Theory
Authors: Pękala Krzysztof , Kacprzak Andrzej , Chomczyński Piotr , Ratajczak Jakub , Marczak Michał , Kozłowski Remigiusz , Timler Dariusz , Pękala-Wojciechowska Anna , Rasmus Paweł
Published: June 2021

Both juvenile and adult criminal careers show regularities in the origins of delinquency, the dynamics of the criminal pathway, and the turning points that lead to desistance/persistence in crime. Research shows that family, education, and friendship environments contribute significantly to the individual choices that create criminal biographies. Our aim was to apply core aspects of life course theory (LCT): trajectory, the aged-graded process, transitions, institutions, and ultimately how desistance/persistence factor into explaining the criminal careers of Polish offenders. The research is based on in-depth interviews (130) carried out with both offenders (90) and experts (40). The offenders were divided into two groups: 30 were juveniles, and 60 were adults of whom half were sentenced for the first time (30) and half were recidivists (30) located in correctional institutions or released. The experts group (40) includes psychologists, educators, social rehabilitators, and prison and juvenile detention personnel working with offenders. We used triangulation of researcher, data, and methodology. Our data revealed that similar biographical experiences characterized by an early socialization, family and friends-based circles laid the groundwork for their entry and continued participation in criminal activity. Juvenile and adult first-time sentenced offenders led criminal careers significantly different from those of recidivists, who faced problems with social adaptation caused by lack of family and institutional support.
Decomposition and Decoupling Analysis of CO2 Emissions Based on LMDI and Two-Dimensional Decoupling Model in Gansu Province, China
Authors: Xin Lele , Jia Junsong , Hu Wenhui , Zeng Huiqing , Chen Chundi , Wu Bo
Published: June 2021

Currently, little attention has been paid to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of Gansu, and the two-dimensional decoupling model has been rarely used to study the relationship between the economic development and CO2 emissions, especially in western China (e.g., Gansu). Thus, here, we first used the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) to decompose the driving factors of Gansu’s CO2 emissions between 2000–2017 and then analyzed the decoupling relationship by using the two-dimensional model. Results showed: (1) Gansu’s CO2 emissions increased from 7805.70 × 104 t in 2000 to 19,896.05 × 104 t in 2017. The secondary industry accounted for the largest proportion in Gansu’s CO2 emissions, followed by the tertiary industry and the primary industry. (2) The economic output showed the dominant driving effect on Gansu’s CO2 emissions growth with the cumulative contribution rate of 201.94%, followed by the effects of industrial structure, population size, and energy structure, and their cumulative contribution rates were 9.68%, 7.81%, and 3.05%, respectively. In contrast, the energy intensity effect presented the most obvious mitigating effect with the cumulative contribution rate of −122.49%. (3) The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) between CO2 emissions and economic growth was demonstrated the inverted U-shape in Gansu. The two-dimensional decoupling status was the low level-weak decoupling (WD-LE) during 2000–2017. Thus, dropping the proportion of the secondary industry, reducing the use of carbon-intensive fuel like coal, introducing advanced technologies, and increasing the investment of new energy might effectively restrain the growth of Gansu’s CO2 emissions.
The Impact of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome on Self-Reported Physical Activity
Authors: Delbressine Jeannet M. , Machado Felipe V. C. , Goërtz Yvonne M. J. , Van Herck Maarten , Meys Roy , Houben-Wilke Sarah , Burtin Chris , Franssen Frits M. E. , Spies Yvonne , Vijlbrief Herman , van ’t Hul Alex J. , Janssen Daisy J. A. , Spruit Martijn A. , Vaes Anouk W.
Published: June 2021

Background: A subgroup of patients recovering from COVID-19 experience persistent symptoms, decreased quality of life, increased dependency on others for personal care and impaired performance of activities of daily living. However, the long-term effects of COVID-19 on physical activity (PA) in this subgroup of patients with persistent symptoms remain unclear. Methods: Demographics, self-reported average time spent walking per week, as well as participation in activities pre-COVID-19 and after three and six months of follow-up were assessed in members of online long-COVID-19 peer support groups. Results: Two hundred thirty-nine patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were included (83% women, median (IQR) age: 50 (39–56) years). Patients reported a significantly decreased weekly walking time after three months of follow-up (three months: 60 (15–120) min. vs. pre-COVID-19: 120 (60–240) min./week; p < 0.05). Six months after the onset of symptoms walking time was still significantly lower compared to pre-COVID-19 but significantly increased compared to three months of follow-up (three months: 60 (15–120) min. vs. six months: 90 (30–150) min.; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Patients who experience persistent symptoms after COVID-19 may still demonstrate a significantly decreased walking time six months after the onset of symptoms. More research is needed to investigate long-term consequences and possible treatment options to guide patients during the recovery fromCOVID-19.
Immediate Effects of Dry Needling on the Autonomic Nervous System and Mechanical Hyperalgesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lázaro-Navas Irene , Lorenzo-Sánchez-Aguilera Cristina , Pecos-Martín Daniel , Jiménez-Rejano Jose Jesús , Navarro-Santana Marcos Jose , Fernández-Carnero Josué , Gallego-Izquierdo Tomás
Published: June 2021

Background: Dry needling (DN) is often used for the treatment of muscle pain among physiotherapists. However, little is known about the mechanisms of action by which its effects are generated. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to determine if the use of DN in healthy subjects activates the sympathetic nervous system, thus resulting in a decrease in pain caused by stress. Methods: Sixty-five healthy volunteer subjects were recruited from the University of Alcala, Madrid, Spain, with an age of 27.78 (SD = 8.41) years. The participants were randomly assigned to participate in a group with deep DN in the adductor pollicis muscle or a placebo needling group. The autonomic nervous system was evaluated, in addition to local and remote mechanical hyperalgesia. Results: In a comparison of the moment at which the needling intervention was carried out with the baseline, the heart rate of the dry needling group significantly increased by 20.60% (SE = 2.88), whereas that of the placebo group increased by 5.33% (SE = 2.32) (p = 0.001, d = 1.02). The pressure pain threshold showed significant differences between both groups, being significantly higher in the needling group (adductor muscle p = 0.001; d = 0.85; anterior tibialis muscle p = 0.022, d = 0.58). Conclusions: This work appears to indicate that dry needling produces an immediate activation in the sympathetic nervous system, improving local and distant mechanical hyperalgesia.
Risk Factors for the Recurrence of CVD Incidents in Post-Stroke Patients over a 5-Year Follow-Up Period Based on the ICF Classification
Authors: Lucki Mateusz , Chlebuś Ewa , Wareńczak Agnieszka , Lisiński Przemysław
Published: June 2021

Background and Objectives: Stroke is a strong risk factor for recurrent cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidents. The risk of post-stroke CVD incidents can be reduced by eliminating the most relevant risk factors. The aim of the study was to compare the incidence of recurrent CVD events and to determine the quantitative and qualitative differences in CVD risk factors over the 5-year follow-up period in patients with ischemic stroke (IS) and haemorrhagic stroke (ICH) with the use of ICF classification categories to present these differences. Materials and Methods: The study was retrospective. The study groups included 55 post-IS patients and 47 post-ICH patients. The results were translated into the categories from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) classification. Results: As compared to post-ICH patients, post-IS patients were significantly more frequently observed to have recurrent CVD incidents (p < 0.001), including fatal CVD incidents (p = 0.003). More risk factors in total were identified in both post-IS patients (p = 0.031) and post-ICH patients (p = 0.002) who had a recurrent CVD incident. Post-IS patients were more often found to have arterial blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg (p = 0.045). On the other hand, post-ICH patients were more frequently observed to have carotid artery stenosis in the range of 50–69% (p = 0.028) and an eGFR of <15 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The type of primary stroke determines the type and incidence of risk factors as well as the recurrence rate of CVD incidents over a 5-year follow-up period. Patients after IS have a higher risk of recurrence of CVD events, including fatal ones in the 5-year follow-up compared to patients after ICH. In addition, post-IS patients who have a recurrent CVD event over a 5-year follow-up have more risk factors for a CVD event than ICH. The ICF classification can be useful for assessing and analysing risk factors for recurrent CVD incidents, which can help to improve the effectiveness of secondary prevention.
Differential Laboratory Diagnosis of Acute Fever in Guinea: Preparedness for the Threat of Hemorrhagic Fevers
Authors: Dedkov Vladimir G. , Magassouba N’Faly , Stukolova Olga A. , Savina Victoria A. , Camara Jakob , Soropogui Barrè , Safonova Marina V. , Semizhon Pavel , Platonov Alexander E.
Published: June 2021

Acute febrile illnesses occur frequently in Guinea. Acute fever itself is not a unique, hallmark indication (pathognomonic sign) of any one illness or disease. In the infectious disease context, fever’s underlying cause can be a wide range of viral or bacterial pathogens, including the Ebola virus. In this study, molecular and serological methods were used to analyze samples from patients hospitalized with acute febrile illness in various regions of Guinea. This analysis was undertaken with the goal of accomplishing differential diagnosis (determination of causative pathogen) in such cases. As a result, a number of pathogens, both viral and bacterial, were identified in Guinea as causative agents behind acute febrile illness. In approximately 60% of the studied samples, however, a definitive determination could not be made.
Recent Applications of Deep Learning Methods on Evolution- and Contact-Based Protein Structure Prediction
Authors: Suh Donghyuk , Lee Jai Woo , Choi Sun , Lee Yoonji
Published: June 2021

The new advances in deep learning methods have influenced many aspects of scientific research, including the study of the protein system. The prediction of proteins’ 3D structural components is now heavily dependent on machine learning techniques that interpret how protein sequences and their homology govern the inter-residue contacts and structural organization. Especially, methods employing deep neural networks have had a significant impact on recent CASP13 and CASP14 competition. Here, we explore the recent applications of deep learning methods in the protein structure prediction area. We also look at the potential opportunities for deep learning methods to identify unknown protein structures and functions to be discovered and help guide drug–target interactions. Although significant problems still need to be addressed, we expect these techniques in the near future to play crucial roles in protein structural bioinformatics as well as in drug discovery.
mTOR Driven Gene Transcription Is Required for Cholesterol Production in Neurons of the Developing Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Schüle Martin , Butto Tamer , Dewi Sri , Schlichtholz Laura , Strand Susanne , Gerber Susanne , Endres Kristina , Schweiger Susann , Winter Jennifer
Published: June 2021

Dysregulated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity is associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders ranging from idiopathic autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to syndromes caused by single gene defects. This suggests that maintaining mTOR activity levels in a physiological range is essential for brain development and functioning. Upon activation, mTOR regulates a variety of cellular processes such as cell growth, autophagy, and metabolism. On a molecular level, however, the consequences of mTOR activation in the brain are not well understood. Low levels of cholesterol are associated with a wide variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. We here describe numerous genes of the sterol/cholesterol biosynthesis pathway to be transcriptionally regulated by mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in vitro in primary neurons and in vivo in the developing cerebral cortex of the mouse. We find that these genes are shared targets of the transcription factors SREBP, SP1, and NF-Y. Prenatal as well as postnatal mTORC1 inhibition downregulated expression of these genes which directly translated into reduced cholesterol levels, pointing towards a substantial metabolic function of the mTORC1 signaling cascade. Altogether, our results indicate that mTORC1 is an essential transcriptional regulator of the expression of sterol/cholesterol biosynthesis genes in the developing brain. Altered expression of these genes may be an important factor contributing to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with dysregulated mTOR signaling.
Pathophysiological Roles of Stress-Activated Protein Kinases in Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Kasuya Yoshitoshi , Kim Jun-Dal , Hatano Masahiko , Tatsumi Koichiro , Matsuda Shuichi
Published: June 2021

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most symptomatic progressive fibrotic lung diseases, in which patients have an extremely poor prognosis. Therefore, understanding the precise molecular mechanisms underlying pulmonary fibrosis is necessary for the development of new therapeutic options. Stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) are ubiquitously expressed in various types of cells and activated in response to cellular environmental stresses, including inflammatory and apoptotic stimuli. Type II alveolar epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages are known to participate in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. SAPKs can control fibrogenesis by regulating the cellular processes and molecular functions in various types of lung cells (including cells of the epithelium, interstitial connective tissue, blood vessels, and hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue), all aspects of which remain to be elucidated. We recently reported that the stepwise elevation of intrinsic p38 signaling in the lungs is correlated with a worsening severity of bleomycin-induced fibrosis, indicating an importance of this pathway in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, a transcriptome analysis of RNA-sequencing data from this unique model demonstrated that several lines of mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, which provides a basis for further studies. Here, we review the accumulating evidence for the spatial and temporal roles of SAPKs in pulmonary fibrosis.
Emerging Therapies for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Inherited Neuropathies
Authors: Stavrou Marina , Sargiannidou Irene , Georgiou Elena , Kagiava Alexia , Kleopa Kleopas A.
Published: June 2021

Inherited neuropathies known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease are genetically heterogeneous disorders affecting the peripheral nerves, causing significant and slowly progressive disability over the lifespan. The discovery of their diverse molecular genetic mechanisms over the past three decades has provided the basis for developing a wide range of therapeutics, leading to an exciting era of finding treatments for this, until now, incurable group of diseases. Many treatment approaches, including gene silencing and gene replacement therapies, as well as small molecule treatments are currently in preclinical testing while several have also reached clinical trial stage. Some of the treatment approaches are disease-specific targeted to the unique disease mechanism of each CMT form, while other therapeutics target common pathways shared by several or all CMT types. As promising treatments reach the stage of clinical translation, optimal outcome measures, novel biomarkers and appropriate trial designs are crucial in order to facilitate successful testing and validation of novel treatments for CMT patients.
How to Create a Software Ecosystem? A Partnership Meta-Model and Strategic Patterns
Authors: Belo Ítalo , Alves Carina
Published: June 2021

Large keystone organizations use partnership models to manage their software ecosystem partners. Although several partnership models have been developed by platform owners, smaller companies willing to create a new ecosystem may experience difficulties to define the appropriate features of partnership models when switching from an independent software product to an ecosystem. This study proposes a partnership meta-model and four strategic patterns to operationalize it. We adopted the Design Science Research (DSR) method. The partnership meta-model was built in the first cycle of DSR, using a Systematic Mapping Study, and validated through case studies of SAP, Eclipse, and Microsoft Azure ecosystems. In the second cycle of DSR, the strategic patterns were defined through a Multivocal Literature Review and validated by using interviews with professionals. The meta-model presents the key characteristics to define partnership models for emerging software ecosystems. The strategic patterns aim to operationalize the meta-model and, consequently, assist the keystone in defining the features that the partnership model will have and select suitable strategies. The meta-model and the strategic patterns help managers creating and evolving software ecosystems from a software product considering the impact of that transition on the partnership model.
Characteristics and Survival of Intensive Care Unit Patients with Coronavirus Disease in Osaka, Japan: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Zha Ling , Sobue Tomotaka , Takeuchi Taro , Tanaka Kenta , Katayama Yusuke , Komukai Sho , Hirayama Atsushi , Shimazu Takeshi , Kitamura Tetsuhisa ,   the COVID-19 Epidemiology Research Group of Osaka University
Published: June 2021

The epidemiological and clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) have not been adequately evaluated in Japan. We analyzed the registry data of 205 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU between February and November 2020, in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the association between epidemiological factors and mortality among ICU patients. Of the 205 ICU patients, 161 (78.5%) were men and 149 (72.7%) were older than 60 years. A total of 117 patients (57.1%) had comorbidities. The most common symptoms at diagnosis were mild (n = 131, 63.9%). A total of 187 patients (91.2%) received mechanical ventilation, and 32 patients (15.6%) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Patients were followed up for a median of 25 days after ICU admission. A total of 147 patients (71.7%) were alive at discharge, and 58 patients (28.3%) died. The hazard ratio for mortality among patients aged >80 years was 6.02 (95% confidence interval: 2.10−17.25) in the multivariable model, which was higher than that among those aged ≤59 years. These results are useful for recognizing the clinical course of this infection in ICU patients.
A Comprehensive Review of Tic Disorders in Children
Authors: Ueda Keisuke , Black Kevin J.
Published: June 2021

Tics are characterized by sudden, rapid, recurrent, nonrhythmic movement or vocalization, and are the most common movement disorders in children. Their onset is usually in childhood and tics often will diminish within one year. However, some of the tics can persist and cause various problems such as social embarrassment, physical discomfort, or emotional impairments, which could interfere with daily activities and school performance. Furthermore, tic disorders are frequently associated with comorbid neuropsychiatric symptoms, which can become more problematic than tic symptoms. Unfortunately, misunderstanding and misconceptions of tic disorders still exist among the general population. Understanding tic disorders and their comorbidities is important to deliver appropriate care to patients with tics. Several studies have been conducted to elucidate the clinical course, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of tics, but they are still not well understood. This article aims to provide an overview about tics and tic disorders, and recent findings on tic disorders including history, definition, diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, diagnostic approach, comorbidities, treatment and management, and differential diagnosis.
Numerical Simulation of the Forming Process of Veneer Laminates
Authors: Zerbst David , Liebold Christian , Gereke Thomas , Clauß Sebastian , Cherif Chokri
Published: June 2021

In automotive manufacturing, laminated veneer sheets are formed to have 3D geometries for the production of trim parts with wood surfaces. Nowadays, investigation of the formability requires extensive tests with prototype tools, due to the brittle, anisotropic and inhomogeneous material behaviors. The present paper provides numerical methods for the simulation of the forming process of veneers with non-woven backings. Therefore, a conventional forming process of an interior trim part surface is carried out experimentally and numerically, using veneer samples with different individual textures originating from the characteristic growth ring structure. Gray scale images of these samples are mapped to finite element models to account for the wood-specific structure. The forming simulation process comprises two steps, where a gravity simulation depicts the initial position of the blank sheets and the closing of the tool induces the material deformation. The virtual forming of the digital twins accurately reproduces the wrinkling behavior observed in experimental studies. Based on the proposed methods, the design process of manufacturing wood trim parts based on tedious prototype tooling can be replaced by a fully virtual forming process taking into account the individual growth-related properties of the veneer structure.
Machine Learning to Predict In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19 Patients Using Computed Tomography-Derived Pulmonary and Vascular Features
Authors: Schiaffino Simone , Codari Marina , Cozzi Andrea , Albano Domenico , Alì Marco , Arioli Roberto , Avola Emanuele , Bnà Claudio , Cariati Maurizio , Carriero Serena , Cressoni Massimo , Danna Pietro S. C. , Della Pepa Gianmarco , Di Leo Giovanni , Dolci Francesco , Falaschi Zeno , Flor Nicola , Foà Riccardo A. , Gitto Salvatore , Leati Giovanni , Magni Veronica , Malavazos Alexis E. , Mauri Giovanni , Messina Carmelo , Monfardini Lorenzo , Paschè Alessio , Pesapane Filippo , Sconfienza Luca M. , Secchi Francesco , Segalini Edoardo , Spinazzola Angelo , Tombini Valeria , Tresoldi Silvia , Vanzulli Angelo , Vicentin Ilaria , Zagaria Domenico , Fleischmann Dominik , Sardanelli Francesco
Published: June 2021

Pulmonary parenchymal and vascular damage are frequently reported in COVID-19 patients and can be assessed with unenhanced chest computed tomography (CT), widely used as a triaging exam. Integrating clinical data, chest CT features, and CT-derived vascular metrics, we aimed to build a predictive model of in-hospital mortality using univariate analysis (Mann–Whitney U test) and machine learning models (support vectors machines (SVM) and multilayer perceptrons (MLP)). Patients with RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and unenhanced chest CT performed on emergency department admission were included after retrieving their outcome (discharge or death), with an 85/15% training/test dataset split. Out of 897 patients, the 229 (26%) patients who died during hospitalization had higher median pulmonary artery diameter (29.0 mm) than patients who survived (27.0 mm, p < 0.001) and higher median ascending aortic diameter (36.6 mm versus 34.0 mm, p < 0.001). SVM and MLP best models considered the same ten input features, yielding a 0.747 (precision 0.522, recall 0.800) and 0.844 (precision 0.680, recall 0.567) area under the curve, respectively. In this model integrating clinical and radiological data, pulmonary artery diameter was the third most important predictor after age and parenchymal involvement extent, contributing to reliable in-hospital mortality prediction, highlighting the value of vascular metrics in improving patient stratification.
A Study of Raindrop Impacts on a Wind Turbine Material: Velocity and Impact Angle Effects on Erosion MAPS at Various Exposure Times
Authors: Groucott Samuel , Pugh Kieran , Zekos Iasonas , M Stack Margaret
Published: June 2021

Within renewable energy, challenging climates can impose great limitations on power generation. In wind energy, rain erosion on turbine blades can create major disruptions to air flow over the aerofoil, reducing the efficiency of the blade and immediately affecting the power output of the turbine. The defects in the materials that cause these inefficiencies are known and can be observed on turbines that have been in operation for extended periods. This work explores the transitions between different wear states for G10 Epoxy Glass under laboratory simulated wind turbine conditions in operation and measures the wear periodically to identify a progression of erosion. Mass loss data and micrographic analysis revealed samples at 45° and 60° displayed increasing erosion when examining erosion performance for angles between 15° and 90° over various exposure and velocities. Erosion maps were constructed, showing the variation of wastage and identifying the performance window of conditions where degradation is minimised.
Magneto-Optical Transport Properties of Type-II Nodal Line Semimetals
Authors: Sun Yanmei , Li Jing , Zhao Hui , Wu Meimei , Pan Hui
Published: June 2021

We investigate the magneto-optical transport properties and Landau levels of type-II nodal line semimetals. The tilted liner dispersion in type-II nodal line semimetals makes the conduction band and valence band asymmetric, and Landau levels are coupling in the presence of a magnetic field. We find the background of absorption peaks is curved. The oscillation peaks are tailless with the change of magnetic field. Through tuning tilt term, we find the absorption peaks of optical conductivity change from incomplete degenerate structure to splitting double peaks structure. We also find interband absorption peaks is no longer zero in the imaginary part of Hall conductivity. With the change of the tilt term, the contribution of the absorption peak has two forms, one is that the negative peak only appears at high frequencies, and the other is two adjacent peaks with opposite signs. In addition, the resistivity, circularly polarized light and magnetic oscillation of Hall conductivity are studied.
A Fresh View on Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) Pastes
Authors: Ez-zaki Hassan , Marangu Joseph Mwiti , Bellotto Maurizio , Dalconi Maria Chiara , Artioli Gilberto , Valentini Luca
Published: June 2021

In this work, the factors controlling the fresh state properties of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) are assessed and compared to Portland and binary cements, extending the scope of previous research by combining rheological measurements with setting time determination and the evaluation of plastic shrinkage by a novel method. Yield stress and elastic modulus are considered indicators for the structural build-up/breakdown process when stress is applied to the system. On the other hand, plastic shrinkage occurs from the mixing to the setting of fresh paste and plays an important role in governing microstructural changes due to settlement and evaporation. Evaluation of the rheological properties with time was appropriate to give an overview of the influence and behavior of different added materials. The elastic modulus of all binders (clinker, LC3, clinker–limestone, and clinker–calcined clay) was increased from mixing to 60 min of curing as follows: 5.27 × 103 to 9.50 × 105 Pa, 5.94 × 103 to 9.87 × 105 Pa, 6.89 × 103 to 5.62 × 105 Pa and 7.85 × 103 to 1.27 × 106 Pa, respectively. Moreover, during the first three hours of curing, LC3 exhibited a reduction of plastic shrinkage by more than a factor of 2 compared to clinker cement. The use of calcined clay with clinker increases the elastic modulus of the system due to the flocculation effect and increased water absorption, while a dilution effect is contributed due to deflocculation and a free-water increase in the system when a high fraction of limestone is present in the binary cement. The combination of limestone and calcined clay with clinker can induce additional chemical reactions, which control the early age properties, such as plastic shrinkage. The obtained results can contribute to optimizing the fresh state properties of ternary blends of OPC, calcined clay, and limestone through a knowledge-based approach.