bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arterial Blood Gas and Rotational Thromboelastometry Parameters in Healthy Rescuers Incidentally Exposed to Nitroglycerin, Nitrogen Compounds, and Combustion Products
Authors: Petrucci Emiliano , Cofini Vincenza , Pizzi Barbara , Necozione Stefano , Marinangeli Franco
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Acute exposure to nitrogen compounds combined with a massive inhalation of air pollutants can influence respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms and coagulation abnormalities in accidentally exposed healthy adults during cave detonation operations.

Methods

Italian alpine and cave rescuers widened a cave in the Abisso Luca Kralj in Trieste, Italy. Volunteers inside the cave were accidentally exposed to the fumes from an uncontrolled detonation of blasting gelatin microcharges. We performed a retrospective cohort study on the clinical data, arterial blood gas analysis, and rotational thromboelastometry parameters from the rescuers involved in the accident.

Results

Ninety-three healthy rescuers were involved in the uncontrolled detonation: 47 volunteers handled a mixture of nitrogen compounds (blaster group), and 46 volunteers did not (nonblaster group). After the accident, statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) in arterial blood gas values were observed between the groups, with a pattern of mild respiratory acidosis with hypercapnia in the nonblaster group and severe mixed acid-base disorder with hypoxia and hypercapnia in the blaster group. Mild hyperfibrinolysis was observed in 44 volunteers in the blaster group, as were associated bleeding symptoms in 34 volunteers; no significant coagulation modifications were recorded in the nonblaster group.

Conclusions

Respiratory acidosis with hypoxia, hypercapnia, a compensatory metabolic response, and mild hyperfibrinolysis were probably related to the combined effect of nitrogen compounds and the inhaled toxic products of detonation. Therefore, each element exerts a determinant effect on promoting the biological toxicity of the others.
Intelligent Recognition of Ore‐Forming Anomalies Based on Multisource Data Fusion: A Case Study of the Daqiao Mining Area, Gansu Province, China
Authors: Cai Huihui , Chen Siqiong , Xu Yongyang , Li Zixuan , Ran Xiangjin , Wen Xingping , Li Yongsheng , Men Yanqing
Published: October 2021

Novel prediction methods using artificial intelligence have been developed to improve the identification, discovery, and utilization of new types of mineral resources at new depths or using new technologies. However, most artificial intelligence methods require large training data sets that are often unavailable for mineralization prediction models, leading to inaccuracies. To address this issue, we developed a semi‐supervised machine‐learning method to identify metallogenic anomalies using the density‐based spatial clustering of applications with noise method and autoencoder. The outputs of this method show irregularity in distributions inferred from geological, geochemical, and hyperspectral remote sensing data that match known mineralization locations. We focus on the Daqiao mining area of Gansu Province in China to show that the model predictions are highly consistent with known deposits of the Yinmahe and Daqiao gold mines, and two new prospecting areas have been highlighted for further field confirmation. The accuracy of this semi‐supervised learning method was verified by an interdisciplinary intelligent analysis, showing that this method could have wide‐reaching applications for improving regional geological surveys.
App Tracks Harmful Mosquitos with Help from Crowdsourced Science
Authors: Thompson Elizabeth
Published: October 2021

While collecting data using an app, volunteers have the chance to support research and fight mosquito populations on the ground.
River Ice Can Shape Watershed Ecology
Authors: Derouin Sarah
Published: October 2021

As river ice cover decreases, the physical and biological changes to river ecosystems vary with the watershed characteristics and river size.
Tectonic Inheritance During Plate Boundary Evolution in Southern California Constrained From Seismic Anisotropy
Authors: Schulte‐Pelkum Vera , Becker Thorsten W. , Behr Whitney M. , Miller Meghan S.
Published: October 2021

The style of convective force transmission to plates and strain‐localization within and underneath plate boundaries remain debated. To address some of the related issues, we analyze a range of deformation indicators in southern California from the surface to the asthenosphere. Present‐day surface strain rates can be inferred from geodesy. At seismogenic crustal depths, stress can be inferred from focal mechanisms and splitting of shear waves from local earthquakes via crack‐dependent seismic velocities. At greater depths, constraints on rock fabrics are obtained from receiver function anisotropy, Pn and P tomography, surface wave tomography, and splitting of SKS and other teleseismic core phases. We construct a synthesis of deformation‐related observations focusing on quantitative comparisons of deformation style. We find consistency with roughly N‐S compression and E‐W extension near the surface and in the asthenospheric mantle. However, all lithospheric anisotropy indicators show deviations from this pattern. Pn fast axes and dipping foliations from receiver functions are fault‐parallel with no localization to fault traces and match post‐Farallon block rotations in the Western Transverse Ranges. Local shear wave splitting orientations deviate from the stress orientations inferred from focal mechanisms in significant portions of the area. We interpret these observations as an indication that lithospheric fabric, developed during Farallon subduction and subsequent extension, has not been completely reset by present‐day transform motion and may influence the current deformation behavior. This provides a new perspective on the timescales of deformation memory and lithosphere‐asthenosphere interactions.
Genome-wide CRISPR-cas9 knockout screening identifies GRB7 as a driver for MEK inhibitor resistance in KRAS mutant colon cancer
Authors: Yu Chune , Luo Dan , Yu Jing , Zhang Min , Zheng Xiaobo , Xu Guangchao , Wang Jiaxin , Wang Huiling , Xu Yufei , Jiang Ke , Xu Jie , Ma Xuelei , Jing Jing , Shi Hubing
Published: October 2021

Targeting the KRAS pathway is a promising but challenging approach for colorectal cancer therapy. Despite showing potent efficacy in BRAF-mutated melanoma, MEK inhibitors appeared to be tolerated by colorectal cancer cells due to their intrinsic compensatory signaling. Here, we performed genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening in the presence of MEK inhibitor to identify genes that are synthetically lethal with MEK inhibition in CRC models harboring KRAS mutations. Several genes were identified as potential functional drivers, which were significantly enriched in the GRB7-mediated RTK pathway. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function assays validated that GRB7 potently rendered CRC cells primary resistance to MEK inhibitors through the RTK pathway. Mass spectrum analysis of GRB7 immunoprecipitates revealed that PLK1 was the predominant interacting kinase of GRB7. Inhibition of PLK1 suppressed downstream signaling of RTK, including FAK, STAT3, AKT, and 4EBP1. The combination of PLK1 and MEK inhibitors synergistically inhibited CRC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, we identified GRB7-PLK1 as a pivotal axis mediating RTKs, resulting in MEK inhibitor tolerance. PLK1 is therefore a promising target for synergizing MEK inhibitors in the clinical treatment of CRC patients harboring KRAS mutations.
Association of pre-existing comorbidities with outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. A retrospective analysis from the EBMT
Authors: Penack Olaf , Peczynski Christophe , Mohty Mohamad , Yakoub-Agha Ibrahim , de la Camara Rafael , Glass Bertram , Duarte Rafael F. , Kröger Nicolaus , Schoemans Hélène , Koenecke Christian , Peric Zinaida , Basak Grzegorz W.
Published: October 2021

Risk assessment of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is hindered by the lack of current data on comorbidities and outcome. The EBMT identified 38,760 allo-HCT recipients with hematologic malignancies transplanted between 2010 and 2018 from matched sibling and unrelated donors with a full data set of pre-existing comorbidities. Multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional-hazards model including known risk factors for non-relapse mortality (NRM) were performed. We found that pre-existing renal comorbidity had the strongest association with NRM (hazard ratio [HR] 1.85 [95% CI 1.55–2.19]). In addition, the association of multiple pre-existing comorbidities with NRM was significant, including diabetes, infections, cardiac comorbidity, and pulmonary comorbidity. However, the HR of the association of these comorbidities with NRM was relatively low and did not exceed 1.24. Consequently, the risk of NRM was only moderately increased in patients with a high hematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCT-CI) ≥ 3 (HR 1.34 [1.26–1.42]). In the current EBMT population, pre-existing non-renal comorbidities determined NRM after allo-HCT to a much lesser extent as compared with the underlying HCT-CI data. Improvements in management and supportive care as well as higher awareness based on the use of HCT-CI may have contributed to this favorable development.
TCOF1 upregulation in triple-negative breast cancer promotes stemness and tumour growth and correlates with poor prognosis
Authors: Hu Jianyang , Lai Yuni , Huang Hao , Ramakrishnan Saravanan , Pan Yilin , Ma Victor W. S. , Cheuk Wah , So Grace Y. K. , He Qingling , Geoffrey Lau C. , Zhang Liang , Cho William C. S. , Chan Kui Ming , Wang Xin , Rebecca Chin Y.
Published: October 2021

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. By performing multiomic profiling, we recently uncovered super-enhancer heterogeneity between breast cancer subtypes. Our data also revealed TCOF1 as a putative TNBC-specific super-enhancer-regulated gene. TCOF1 plays a critical role in craniofacial development but its function in cancer remains unclear.

Methods

Overall survival and multivariant Cox regression analyses were conducted using the METABRIC data set. The effect of TCOF1 knockout on TNBC growth and stemness was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo assays. RNA-seq and rescue experiments were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Results

TCOF1 is frequently upregulated in TNBC and its elevated expression correlates with shorter overall survival. TCOF1 depletion significantly inhibits the growth and stemness of basal-like TNBC, but not of mesenchymal-like cells, highlighting the distinct molecular dependency in different TNBC subgroups. RNA-seq uncovers several stem cell molecules regulated by TCOF1. We further demonstrate that KIT is a downstream effector of TCOF1 in mediating TNBC stemness. TCOF1 expression in TNBC is regulated by the predicted super-enhancer.

Conclusions

TCOF1 depletion potently attenuates the growth and stemness of basal-like TNBC. Expression of TCOF1 may serve as a TNBC prognostic marker and a therapeutic target.
Gut-derived lipopolysaccharide remodels tumoral microenvironment and synergizes with PD-L1 checkpoint blockade via TLR4/MyD88/AKT/NF-κB pathway in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Yin Hanlin , Pu Ning , Chen Qiangda , Zhang Jicheng , Zhao Guochao , Xu Xuefeng , Wang Dansong , Kuang Tiantao , Jin Dayong , Lou Wenhui , Wu Wenchuan
Published: October 2021

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an important inflammatory mediator activates the innate/adaptive immune system. The existence of LPS in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been reported, however, its biological function in PDAC remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that circulating and tumoral LPS was significantly increased by intestinal leakage in the orthotopic murine PDAC model, and LPS administration promoted T cell infiltration but exhaustion paradoxically in the subcutaneous murine PDAC model. By bioinformatic analysis, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), LPS receptor, was further found to enrich in immune tolerance signaling in PDAC tissues. Then, a significant positive correlation was found between TLR4 and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in clinical PDAC tissues, as well as serum LPS and tumoral PD-L1. Meanwhile, LPS stimulation in vitro and in vivo obviously upregulated tumor PD-L1 expression, and effectively promoted cancer cells resistance to T cell cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, the activation of TLR4/MyD88/AKT/NF-κB cascade was found to participate in LPS mediated PD-L1 transcription via binding to its promoter regions, which was enhanced by crosstalk between NF-κB and AKT pathways. Finally, PD-L1 blockade could significantly reverse LPS-induced immune escape, and synergized with LPS treatment. Taken together, LPS can remodel tumor microenvironment, and synergize with PD-L1 blockade to suppress tumor growth, which may be a promising comprehensive strategy for PDAC.
A preliminary study of KAT2A on cGAS-related immunity in inflammation amplification of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Tang Youzhou , Li Xinyu , Wei Yafang , Sun Yongchao , Yang Yeyi , Zhang Xianming , Gao Zhihao , Liu Jishi , Zhuang Quan
Published: October 2021

Previous studies demonstrated that cGAS pathway is related to the inflammation amplification in a variety of autoimmune diseases. Lysine acetyltransferase family (KATs) can regulate the nuclear transcription or cytoplasmic activation of cGAS through different mechanisms. However, its role and related immunity patterns in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have not been explored. In this study, RNA-seq and scRNA-seq profiling were performed for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with SLE. R packages were used for bioinformatic analysis. Cell culture, RT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA were used to explore gene expression in vitro or clinical specimens. Plasmid transfection and mass spectrometry were used to detect protein modifications. Eight acetyltransferase and deacetylase family members with significantly differential expression in SLE were found. Among them, KAT2A was abnormally upregulated and positively correlated with disease activity index. Further, KAT2A-cGAS pathway was aberrantly expressed in specific immune cell subsets in SLE. In vitro studies showed KAT2A modulated cGAS through increasing expression and post-translational modification. Our research provides novel insights for accurately positioning specific immune-cell subgroups in which KAT2A-cGAS reaction mainly works and KAT2A regulation patterns.
MicroRNA-106a regulates autophagy-related cell death and EMT by targeting TP53INP1 in lung cancer with bone metastasis
Authors: Han Lei , Huang Zeyong , Liu Yan , Ye Lijuan , Li Dongqi , Yao Zhihong , Wang Cao , Zhang Ya , Yang Hang , Tan Zunxian , Tang Jiadai , Yang Zuozhang
Published: October 2021

Bone metastasis is one of the most serious complications in lung cancer patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in tumour development, progression and metastasis. A previous study showed that miR-106a is highly expressed in the tissues of lung adenocarcinoma with bone metastasis, but its mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we showed that miR-106a expression is dramatically increased in lung cancer patients with bone metastasis (BM) by immunohistochemical analysis. MiR-106a promoted A549 and SPC-A1 cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. The results of bioluminescence imaging (BLI), micro-CT and X-ray demonstrated that miR-106a promoted bone metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma in vivo. Mechanistic investigations revealed that miR-106a upregulation promoted metastasis by targeting tumour protein 53-induced nuclear protein 1 (TP53INP1)-mediated metastatic progression, including cell migration, autophagy-dependent death and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Notably, autophagy partially attenuated the effects of miR-106a on promoting bone metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma. These findings demonstrated that restoring the expression of TP53INP1 by silencing miR-106a may be a novel therapeutic strategy for bone metastatic in lung adenocarcinoma.
Activation of G protein coupled estrogen receptor prevents chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis by inhibiting the DNA damage in crypt cell in an extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1- and 2- dependent manner
Authors: Chen Guanyu , Zeng Honghui , Li Xinyun , Liu Jianbo , Li Zhao , Xu Runze , Ma Yuntao , Liu Chuanyong , Xue Bing
Published: October 2021

Chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis (CIM) is a common adverse reaction to antineoplastic treatment with few appropriate, specific interventions. We aimed to identify the role of the G protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in CIM and its mechanism. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with 5-fluorouracil to establish the CIM model. The selective GPER agonist G-1 significantly inhibited weight loss and histological damage in CIM mice and restored mucosal barrier dysfunction, including improving the expression of ZO-1, increasing the number of goblet cells, and decreasing mucosal permeability. Moreover, G-1 treatment did not alter the antitumor effect of 5-fluorouracil. In the CIM model, G-1 therapy reduced the expression of proapoptotic protein and cyclin D1 and cyclin B1, reversed the changes in the number of TUNEL+ cells, Ki67+ and bromodeoxyuridine+ cells in crypts. The selective GPER antagonist G15 eliminated all of the above effects caused by G-1 on CIM, and application of G15 alone increased the severity of CIM. GPER was predominantly expressed in ileal crypts, and G-1 inhibited the DNA damage induced by 5-fluorouracil in vivo and vitro, as confirmed by the decrease in the number of γH2AX+ cells in the crypts and the comet assay results. Referring to the data from GEO dataset we verified GPER activation restored ERK1/2 activity in CIM and 5-fluorouracil-treated IEC-6 cells. Once the effects of G-1 on ERK1/2 activity were abolished with the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD0325901, the effects of G-1 on DNA damage both in vivo and in vitro were eliminated. Correspondingly, all of the manifestations of G-1 protection against CIM were inhibited by PD0325901, such as body weight and histological changes, the mucosal barrier, the apoptosis and proliferation of crypt cells. In conclusion, GPER activation prevents CIM by inhibiting crypt cell DNA damage in an ERK1/2-dependent manner, suggesting GPER might be a target preventing CIM.
TNF-α-induced protein 8-like 2 negatively regulates the immune function of dendritic cells by suppressing autophagy via the TAK1/JNK pathway in septic mice
Authors: Liu Shuang-Qing , Ren Chao , Yao Ren-Qi , Wu Yao , Luan Ying-Yi , Dong Ning , Yao Yong-Ming
Published: October 2021

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced protein 8-like 2 (TIPE2) is a newly discovered negative immunoregulatory protein that is involved in various cellular immune responses to infections. However, the underlying mechanism by which TIPE2 affects the immune function of dendritic cells (DCs) is not yet understood. This study aimed to determine the correlations among DCs TIPE2 expression, autophagic activity and immune function in the context of sepsis. In addition, the signaling pathway by which TIPE2 regulates autophagy in DCs was investigated. We reported for the first time that TIPE2 overexpression (knock-in, KI) exerted an inhibitory effect on autophagy in DCs and markedly suppressed the immune function of DCs upon septic challenge both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, TIPE2 knockout (KO) in DCs significantly enhanced autophagy and improved the immune response of DCs in sepsis. Of note, we found that the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-activated kinase-1 (TAK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway was inhibited by TIPE2 in DCs, resulting in downregulated autophagic activity. Collectively, these results suggest that TIPE2 can suppress the autophagic activity of DCs by inhibiting the TAK1/JNK signaling pathway and further negatively regulate the immune function of DCs in the development of septic complications.
High variability in SSU rDNA gene copy number among planktonic foraminifera revealed by single-cell qPCR
Authors: Milivojević Tamara , Rahman Shirin Nurshan , Raposo Débora , Siccha Michael , Kucera Michal , Morard Raphaël
Published: October 2021

Metabarcoding has become the workhorse of community ecology. Sequencing a taxonomically informative DNA fragment from environmental samples gives fast access to community composition across taxonomic groups, but it relies on the assumption that the number of sequences for each taxon correlates with its abundance in the sampled community. However, gene copy number varies among and within taxa, and the extent of this variability must therefore be considered when interpreting community composition data derived from environmental sequencing. Here we measured with single-cell qPCR the SSU rDNA gene copy number of 139 specimens of five species of planktonic foraminifera. We found that the average gene copy number varied between of ~4000 to ~50,000 gene copies between species, and individuals of the same species can carry between ~300 to more than 350,000 gene copies. This variability cannot be explained by differences in cell size and considering all plausible sources of bias, we conclude that this variability likely reflects dynamic genomic processes acting during the life cycle. We used the observed variability to model its impact on metabarcoding and found that the application of a correcting factor at species level may correct the derived relative abundances, provided sufficiently large populations have been sampled.
Redox-induced reversible P–P coupling in a uranium complex
Authors: Fang Wei , Carpentier Ambre , Sun Xiong , Zhao Yue , Maron Laurent , Zhu Congqing
Published: October 2021

A reversible interconversion of the P–P bond was observed in redox-induced reactions between two uranium(iv) complexes.
Advanced hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts promising sustainable hydrogen and chlor-alkali co-production
Authors: Zhang Lu-Nan , Li Rui , Zang Hong-Ying , Tan Hua-Qiao , Kang Zhen-Hui , Wang Yong-Hui , Li Yang-Guang
Published: October 2021

The joint development of electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and the chlor-alkali industry are proposed clearly for the first time, and the recent progress of HER electrocatalysts and engineering issues in this field have been reviewed.
A three-dimensional bi-conductive Si-based anode for high-performance lithium ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Yangqiang , Xiang Feng , Fan Shijun , Sun Zixu
Published: October 2021

A high-coulombic-efficiency Si-based anode material is designed and synthesized.
Citric acid modified Ni3P as a catalyst for aqueous phase reforming and hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-PDO
Authors: Hu Tianyu , Yu Zhiquan , Liu Shan , Liu Bingyu , Sun Zhichao , Liu Ying-Ya , Wang Anjie , Wang Yao
Published: October 2021

The addition of citric acid reduced the Ni3P particle size, leading to high performance in glycerol hydrogenolysis without external H2.
Novel anthracene-based organic dyes as co-sensitizers of porphyrins for developing efficient dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Tang Yunyu , Yang Guangxin , Lou Xiaoyi , Li Chengjie , Huang Dongmei , Xie Yongshu
Published: October 2021

A high efficiency of 10.22% has been achieved through the cosensitization of anthracene-based organic dyes with a porphyrin dye.
Rotated domains in selective area epitaxy grown Zn3P2: formation mechanism and functionality
Authors: Spadaro Maria Chiara , Escobar Steinvall Simon , Dzade Nelson Y. , Martí-Sánchez Sara , Torres-Vila Pol , Stutz Elias Z. , Zamani Mahdi , Paul Rajrupa , Leran Jean-Baptiste , Fontcuberta i Morral Anna , Arbiol Jordi
Published: October 2021

Growth process for Zn3P2 nanowires grown on InP at different angles by SAE and formation of rotated domains at (100) and (101) facets.
Organocatalytic cycloaddition–elimination cascade for atroposelective construction of heterobiaryls
Authors: Xu Wen-Lei , Zhao Wei-Ming , Zhang Ru-Xia , Chen Jie , Zhou Ling
Published: October 2021

An organocatalytic asymmetric cycloaddition–elimination cascade reaction of aryl enecarbamates with azonaphthalenes has been developed to access axially chiral heterobiaryls in excellent yields and enantioselectivities.
Mass production of a single-atom cobalt photocatalyst for high-performance visible-light photocatalytic CO2 reduction
Authors: Zhang Pianpian , Zhan Xiaoning , Xu Lianbin , Fu Xianzhang , Zheng Tianyu , Yang Xiya , Xu Qingmei , Wang Danni , Qi Dongdong , Sun Tingting , Jiang Jianzhuang
Published: October 2021

A highly efficient and robust carbon-based Co–N4 single atom photocatalyst is synthesized with large-scale production, exhibiting superior performance for photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to CO under visible-light irradiation.
Multifunctional carbon foam with hollow microspheres and a concave–convex microstructure for adjustable electromagnetic wave absorption and wearable applications
Authors: He Yingying , Xie Peiying , Li Shuai , Wang Yanan , Liao Daogui , Liu Hongxia , Zhou Li , Chen Yunhua
Published: October 2021

The unique C-rGO/Fe3O4 carbon foam with hollow microsphere and concave–convex microstructure had excellent EMW absorption performance with smart function-tunable feature, also showing potential application for monitoring humans’ physiological signal.
Dominant frequency component tracking of noisy time‐varying signals using the linear predictive coding pole processing method
Authors: Xu Jin , Davis Mark , de Fréin Ruairí
Published: October 2021

The linear predictive coding pole processing (LPCPP) method proposed in our previous work overcomes the shortcomings of the LPC method, especially its sensitivity to noise and the filter order. The LPCPP method is a parameterised method that involves processing the LPC poles to produce a series of reduced‐order filter transfer functions to estimate the dominant frequency components of a signal. This paper analyses the ability of the LPCPP method to track the frequency changes of noisy, time‐varying signals in real‐time. Linear chirped frequency modulation signals are used in a series of experiments to simulate signals with different rates of frequency change. The results show that the LPCPP method can achieve real‐time tracking of the dominant frequency in the signal and outperforms the LPC method under different frequency change rates and different noise levels. Specifically, the valid estimate percentage of LPCPP is up to 41.3% higher than that of LPC which indicates that the LPCPP method significantly improves the validity of frequency estimates.
Block‐based procurement model between retailers and wind farms in medium‐long term market
Authors: Zhao Tianhui , Wang Jianxue , Ding Tao , Zhang Yao
Published: October 2021

With the fast development of wind power generation, many countries actively encourage wind power to trade in the medium‐long term market. However, the traditional forward contracts from medium‐long term markets are only suitable to conventional power generation enterprises, instead of wind farms. To facilitate the accommodation of wind power in the medium‐long term market, this paper focuses on two problems: The framework of the block‐based forward contract trading method and the procurement strategy of retailers with block‐based contracts. First, a novel block‐based forward contract is proposed, where the time attributes, that is, starting and ending time, and power during each period are stipulated. Aggregating all the block‐based forward contracts will naturally form the power supply curve, which can provide boundary information for wind farms when they take part in other markets. Secondly, a chance‐constrained procurement strategy model is proposed for retailers, where the uncertainty of wind power generation, constraints of block‐based contracts, and quota obligations of retailers are considered. Furthermore, a bilinear Benders decomposition algorithm with a variant of Jensen's inequalities is applied to solve the proposed model. Finally, experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and method, which is computationally efficient in solving the chance‐constrained procurement strategy problem.
Effects of smart meter privacy protection management on the lifetime performance of 18,650 lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Pham Cong‐Toan , Månsson Daniel
Published: October 2021

Concerns over privacy leaks through real‐time monitoring in smart meters (SMs) raise questions about how to effectively protect the user power consumption data. As one potential solution, energy storage systems have been suggested to physically manipulate SM readings to hide the true load pattern. Lithium‐ion batteries (LiBs) are commonly utilised in the residential area in various applications such as solar and home batteries. Its use in a privacy‐focussed operation has shown potential with reasonable system sizes in the range of commercially available products. However, batteries are subjected to ageing and the deterioration of performance over the course of time, which can limit the feasibility in such application. Hence, this work aims to investigate the ageing influence on LIBs' performance to deduce the life expectancy and how well privacy is protected over time. The study includes ageing tests with a specifically designed cycle life test procedure for the privacy protection scheme to extract relevant model parameters for the equivalent circuit battery model.
An optimal algorithm for better efficiency in WMSN for multimedia applications
Authors: Abed AL‐Asadi Hamid Ali
Published: October 2021

The recent trends in wireless network sensor technology are moving towards multimedia applications. Multimedia sensor nodes are difficult to communicate, but communication is necessary. Multimedia service offers both video monitoring and voice over wireless sensor networks. This causes severe problems with usage of data, power, bandwidth, energy usage and wireless sensor network deployment costs. The key restriction for the expansion of a network is the energy conservation. The nodes are distributed in the field to collect audio, video and density information so as to collect the information from sensors. The network of wireless sensors provides different layer nodes depending on their power level. In this work, Enhanced Greedy Forwarding with efficient Multi‐path and Dynamic Routing (EGFMDR) protocol was proposed and the results were compared with existing state‐of‐the‐art protocols like Ad‐hoc On‐demand Distance Vector and DYMO. Depending on how powerful they are, multi‐stage architectures were employed in various areas such as observation, military, media and traffic surveillance. They retain the effectiveness of wireless sensor network in multimedia applications. Service quality protocol parameters were analysed, and from the simulation results attained, the proposed EGFMDR protocol displays reduced end‐to‐end delay, lesser packet loss ratio and increased energy efficiency.
CALPHAD-guided alloy design of Cu–Pb–(X) immiscible alloy with rodlike secondary phases
Authors: Dong Bowen , Yi Haotian , Wu Zhenpeng , Li Naixu , Liu Shichao , Zou Qingchuan , Jie Jinchuan , Li Tingju
Published: October 2021

Novel Cu–24Pb–xAl alloys with dispersed and rodlike Pb-rich secondary phases (PSPs) were designed and prepared with the guidance of CALPHAD. Through primary binary-phase diagram analysis and thermodynamic calculation, Al was proven to be a suitable alloying element in Cu–Pb system to promote the formation of dispersed and rodlike PSPs during solidification by introducing a (L1 + L2 + α-Cu) phase region in Cu–Pb–xAl systems. The Cu–24Pb–xAl (wt-%, x =  0, 2, 4) alloys were then prepared in order to verify the reliability of the alloy design strategy. Cu–24Pb–2Al alloy with rodlike PSPs was successfully designed and prepared. A novel strategy to design Cu–Pb–(X) immiscible alloy with optimised microstructure is thus proposed in this work which can help establish a design criterion for other immiscible alloys.
Trends in exposures to physically demanding working conditions in France in 2003, 2010 and 2017
Authors: Havet Nathalie , Penot Alexis
Published: October 2021

Background

To explore trends in social and occupational inequalities in terms of exposures to physically demanding working conditions for French employees.

Methods

Our study assessed data from the French national cross-sectional survey of occupational hazards (SUMER) that was conducted in 2003, 2010 and 2017. Trends in the prevalence of several types of physically demanding working conditions (lifting of heavy loads, awkward postures, vibrations, harmful noise, extreme temperatures, and carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic agents) were explored. Temporal changes in associations of individual and job characteristics with these factors of hardship at work were examined using multilevel logistic regressions.

Results

We estimated that 53.5% of French workers from all industries in the private sector and in public hospitals were exposed to at least one of the adverse physical working conditions considered in 2017. While the prevalence of exposure to severe physical constraints increased between 2003 and 2017 (+4.2 pp), the exposure associated with a hazardous physical environment decreased sharply (−6.3 pp). These observed trends did not occur similarly for all workers. Several inequalities in exposure increased over the period, particularly to the detriment of blue-collar workers. The situation of shift workers deteriorated in terms of the exposure to vibrations and awkward postures.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that more stringent interventions are needed to reduce the prevalence of pronounced physical constraints that contribute to MSDs. Future prevention strategies, in addition to seeking to achieve a general reduction in exposure to all physically demanding working conditions, should aim to reduce disparities that adversely affect vulnerable populations.
Volume functions for Shorea robusta Gaertn. in Nepal
Authors: Baral Sony , Neumann Mathias , Basnyat Bijendra , Sharma Ram P , Silwal Ramesh , Shrestha Him Lal , Subedi Thakur , Vacik Harald
Published: October 2021

In Nepal, there is currently no volume function for economically valuable tree species like Shorea robusta Gaertn. prepared based on destructive sampling for stem and branches. Existing functions rely on solely diameter and height, despite research indicating the importance of crown dimensions for stem taper. The objective of this study was to collate harmonized data from destructive sampled S. robusta trees from far-west to east Nepal, spanning about 500 km and to prepare new stem and branch volume functions. For every tree (n = 219) diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height (H) was measured. Thereof 188 trees had measurements of crown length (CL). For a subsample (n = 100) volume of branches (>10 cm diameter) were measured too. We fitted functions for stem and branch volume using regression mixed models with DBH, slenderness and crown ratio as covariates/predictors. We hypothesized that crown ratio is needed for accurate stem and branch volume predictions. Our results indicate that DBH and slenderness were the most important variables for predicting stem volume (marginal coefficient of determination R2 0.948), whereas the inclusion of crown ratio did not increase the explained variance. Crown ratio significantly increased explained variance in branch volume functions, suggesting that crown dimensions are needed to obtain accurate branch volume predictions (marginal R2 0.766). Estimating volume with only DBH, e.g. if more detailed H and CL measurements are missing, resulted in more precise estimates for stem (marginal R2 0.908) and fair estimates for branch volume (marginal R2 0.554). Our mixed model approach revealed that there were only small differences in volume from the different sampling sites and a similar accuracy can be assumed when applying the presented functions in other part of the country. Additionally, we demonstrated that log-transformation and currently used volume functions lead to biased volume estimates, in particular for large-sized trees. This study helps to provide reliable growing stock estimates of S. robusta (and in combination with density the carbon content) and considers the effects of wider spacing and longer crowns on stem taper and allocation patterns.
The Death of a Child and Parents’ Psychological Distress in Mid to Later Life: Racial/Ethnic Differences in Exposure and Vulnerability
Authors: Umberson Debra , Donnelly Rachel
Published: October 2021

Objectives

This study considered whether experiencing the death of a child is associated with subsequent psychological distress in older populations, as well as variation in both exposure and vulnerability to the death of a child among Black, Hispanic, and White older parents.

Methods

We used multilevel models to link the death of a child with subsequent distress for 9,763 non-Hispanic White, 2,496 non-Hispanic Black, 1,014 foreign-born Hispanic, and 712 U.S.-born Hispanic parents from the Health and Retirement Study, 2006–2016.

Results

The death of a child is associated with increased psychological distress in mid to later life for Black, White, and Hispanic parents, with greater vulnerability for foreign-born Hispanic parents. Notably, Black and U.S.-born Hispanic parents are disadvantaged because of the additive effects of their greater exposure to bereavement and their higher distress levels regardless of bereavement status. These effects persist net of additional stressors associated with race/ethnicity.

Discussion

The death of a child is a traumatic life course event associated with lasting psychological distress for aging parents. Black and U.S.-born Hispanic parents are disadvantaged in that they are more likely than White parents to experience the death of a child, and foreign-born Hispanic parents may be disadvantaged by greater vulnerability to distress following child death.
Evaluation of a Novel Multiplex Platform for Simultaneous Detection of IgG Antibodies Against the 4 Main SARS-CoV-2 Antigens
Authors: Nandakumar Vijayalakshmi , Profaizer Tracie , Lozier Bucky K , Elgort Marc G , Rychert Jenna , Slev Patricia R , Delgado Julio C
Published: October 2021

Background

Numerous serology assays are available for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies but are limited in that only 1 or 2 target antigen(s) can be tested at a time. Here, we describe a novel multiplex assay that simultaneously detects and quantifies IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 antigens, spike (S), nucleocapsid (N), receptor-binding domain (RBD), and N-terminal domain (NTD) in a single well.

Methods

Sensitivity was determined using samples (n = 124) from confirmed SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive individuals. Prepandemic (n = 100) and non-COVID respiratory infection positive samples (n = 100) were used to evaluate specificity. Samples were analyzed using COVID-19 IgG multiplex serology assay from Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) and using commercial platforms from Abbott, EUROIMMUN, and Siemens.

Results

At >14 days post-PCR, MSD assay displayed >98.0% sensitivity [S 100% (95% CI 98.0%–100.0%); N 98.0% (95% CI 97.2%–98.9%); RBD 94.1% (95% CI 92.6%–95.6%); NTD 98.0% (95% CI, 97.2%–98.9%)] and 99% specificity (95% CI 99.3%–99.7%) for antibodies to all 4 antigens. Parallel assessment of antibodies to more than 1 antigen improved the sensitivity to 100% (95% CI 98.0%–100.0%) while maintaining 98% (95% CI 97.6%–98.4%) specificity regardless of the combinations used. When AU/mL concentrations of IgG antibodies from the MSD assay were compared against the corresponding IgG signals acquired from the single target commercial assays, the following correlations were observed: Abbott (vs MSD N, R2 = 0.73), Siemens (vs MSD RBD, R2 = 0.92), and EUROIMMUN (vs MSD S, R2 = 0.82).

Conclusion

MSD assay offers an accurate and a comprehensive assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with higher sensitivity and equivalent specificity compared to the commercial IgG serology assays.
Perpetrator-Centric Strategies for Addressing Modern Slavery
Authors: Clarke Matthew C
Published: October 2021

When viewed through the lens of social movement theory, recent initiatives aimed at eradicating modern slavery have given insufficient attention to the role of the social movement’s primary target, namely the perpetrators of modern slavery. The existence of this disparity between social movement theory and anti-slavery practice is supported by global survey results from 147 anti-slavery organizations. After arguing for the importance of anti-slavery strategies that attempt to change perpetrator behaviour, this article introduces the concept of perpetrator vulnerability. The article proposes a matrix of perpetrator-centric interventions as the basis for future research and anti-slavery practice, in order to fill the identified disparity.
Endoluminal vacuum closure of a duodenal perforation
Authors: Abbitt Danielle , Barnes Abigail L , Hammad Hazem T , Reveille R Matthew , Jones Edward L
Published: October 2021

Perforation is a known complication of endoscopic resection and has been managed with endoscopic defect closure, antibiotics and close observation. Closure of duodenal perforations are more challenging due to the presence of gastric and pancreaticobiliary secretions. The use of endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) to divert flow and aid closure is increasingly prevalent and may avoid high-risk surgery. We describe the use of endoluminal vacuum closure to salvage an iatrogenic duodenal perforation in a 57-year-old male who underwent an endoscopic mucosal resection of a 35-mm polypoid lesion on the posterior wall of the second portion of the duodenum. The endoluminal wound vac successfully controlled leakage and allowed defect closure. EVT is an emerging technique that can effectively manage complicated injuries throughout the GI tract and may allow enhanced recovery by avoiding surgical salvage and its associated morbidity and mortality.
From large-scale environment to CGM angular momentum to star-forming activities – I. Star-forming galaxies
Authors: Wang Sen , Xu Dandan , Lu Shengdong , Cai Zheng , Xiang Maosheng , Mao Shude , Springel Volker , Hernquist Lars
Published: October 2021

The connection between halo gas acquisition through the circumgalactic medium and galaxy star formation (SF) has long been studied. In this series of two papers, we put this interplay within the context of the galaxy environment on large scales (several hundreds of kpc), which, to a certain degree, maps out various paths for galaxy interactions. We use the IllustrisTNG-100 simulation to demonstrate that the large-scale environment modulates the circumgalactic gas angular momentum, resulting in either enhanced (Paper I) or suppressed (Paper II) SF inside a galaxy. In this paper (Paper I), we show that the large-scale environment around a star-forming galaxy is often responsible for triggering new episodes of SF. Such an episodic SF pattern is well synced with a pulsating motion of the circumgalactic gas, which, on the one hand, receives angular momentum modulations from the large-scale environment, yielding in-spiralling gas to fuel the star-forming reservoir, while, on the other hand, is affected by the feedback activities from the galaxy centre. As a result, a present-day star-forming galaxy may have gone through several cycles of star-forming and quiescent phases during its evolutionary history, with the circumgalactic gas carrying out a synchronized cadence of ‘breathing in and out’ motions out to ∼100 kpc.
Faint young Sun problem and variable physical constants
Authors: Gupta Rajendra P
Published: October 2021

The faint young Sun problem has been of great concern to astrophysicists and paleoclimatologists at least for the past five decades. Solar evolution models predict that the luminosity of the Sun 4.6 billion yr ago was less than 75 per cent of what it is today. This would mean that all water on Earth was frozen, and thus life could not have evolved as we know it. We attempt to show here that the variable physical constants (VPCs) approach, wherein constants are treated as scalar fields, could naturally resolve the problem. We use an analytical model that predicts the solar luminosity to be lower in the past to show that by properly including the VPCs in the model, the faint young Sun problem is mostly resolved: The young Sun flux intercepted by Earth was only 6 per cent lower 4.6 Gyr ago than it is today. We introduce the concept of cosmological and local energies in the context of VPC scalar fields, which is compliant with general relativity and cosmology: The cosmological energy is not available for conversion into thermal and radiative energies, whereas the local energy is.
From large-scale environment to CGM angular momentum to star forming activities – II. Quenched galaxies
Authors: Lu Shengdong , Xu Dandan , Wang Sen , Cai Zheng , He Chuan , Xu C Kevin , Xia Xiaoyang , Mao Shude , Springel Volker , Hernquist Lars
Published: October 2021

The gas needed to sustain star formation in galaxies is supplied by the circumgalactic medium (CGM), which in turn is affected by accretion from large scales. In a series of two papers, we examine the interplay between a galaxy’s ambient CGM and central star formation within the context of the large-scale environment. We use the IllustrisTNG-100 simulation to show that the influence exerted by the large-scale galaxy environment on the CGM gas angular momentum results in either enhanced (Paper I) or suppressed (Paper II, this paper) star formation inside a galaxy. We find that for present-day quenched galaxies, both the large-scale environments and the ambient CGM have always had higher angular momenta throughout their evolutionary history since at least z = 2, in comparison to those around present-day star-forming disk galaxies, resulting in less efficient gas inflow into the central star-forming gas reservoirs. A sufficiently high CGM angular momentum, as inherited from the larger-scale environment, is thus an important factor in keeping a galaxy quenched, once it is quenched. The process above naturally renders two key observational signatures: (1) a coherent rotation pattern existing across multiple distances from the large-scale galaxy environment, to the circumgalactic gas, to the central stellar disk; and (2) an anti-correlation between galaxy star-formation rates and orbital angular momenta of interacting galaxy pairs or groups.
Where have all the interstellar silicon carbides gone?
Authors: Chen Tao , Xiao C Y , Li Aigen , Zhou C T
Published: October 2021

The detection of the 11.3$\, {\rm \mu m}$ emission feature characteristic of the Si–C stretch in carbon-rich evolved stars reveals that silicon carbide (SiC) dust grains are condensed in the outflows of carbon stars. SiC dust could be a significant constituent of interstellar dust since it is generally believed that carbon stars inject a considerable amount of dust into the interstellar medium (ISM). The presence of SiC dust in the ISM is also supported by the identification of pre-solar SiC grains of stellar origin in primitive meteorites. However, the 11.3$\,\mu {\rm m}$ absorption feature of SiC has never been seen in the ISM, and oxidative destruction of SiC is often invoked. In this work, we quantitatively explore the destruction of interstellar SiC dust through oxidation based on molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations. We find that the reaction of an oxygen atom with SiC molecules and clusters is exothermic and could cause CO-loss. Nevertheless, even if this is extrapolable to bulk SiC dust, the destruction rate of SiC dust through oxidation could still be considerably smaller than the (currently believed) injection rate from carbon stars. Therefore, the lack of the 11.3$\,\mu{\rm m}$ absorption feature of SiC dust in the ISM remains a mystery. A possible solution may lie in the currently believed stellar injection rate of SiC (which may have been overestimated) and/or the size of SiC dust (which may actually be considerably smaller than submicron in size).