bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Machine Learning Based Surrogate Model for Prediction of Sectional Temperature of Radially Cooled Gas Turbine Blades
Authors: Shrivastava Rishabh , Tamar Nisha , Grover Amit , Das Debdulal
Published: December 2021

Accurate thermal prediction of gas turbine blades is essential to ensure successful operation throughout the design life. Large Gas turbines operate in different conditions based on customer requirements, due to which turbine blades are subjected to variations in thermal loading conditions. Simulating this behavior using conventional finite element modeling involves detailed and time-consuming analyses for calculation of blade temperature, which can be further utilized to assess cyclic and creep life. This paper deals with developing and utilizing machine learning based surrogate models to predict the sectional temperature (output) of a radially cooled blade. The surrogate models are developed to predict the output using turbine inlet temperature, hot gas mass flow, cooling air temperature and cooling air mass flow as input to the machine learning (ML) model. All thermal parameters for ML model have been obtained from CFD based 3D thermal calculations. A comparative study is presented between linear regression, decision tree, random forest, and gradient boost ML models, to select the model with the least mean absolute error. Additionally, hyperparameter optimization is performed using grid search to minimize the error. The results show that the linear regression-based model outputs the least mean absolute error of 6.5°C and the highest dependence of the output is on the turbine inlet temperature, followed by the cooling air temperature. The findings show a good agreement between the predicted output of the surrogate model and multi-dimensional physics based thermal calculations, while offering a considerate reduction in analysis time.
Investigation on Flat-Fan Spray Characterization in High-Speed Air Coflow for Gas Turbine Online Water Washing Application
Authors: Kumar Kiran , Chaudhari Vasudev , Sahu Srikrishna , Devi Ravindra G.
Published: December 2021

Fouling in compressor blades due to dirt deposition is a major issue in land-based gas turbines as it impedes the compressor performance and degrades the overall engine efficiency. The online water washing approach is an effective alternate for early-stage compressor blade cleaning and to optimize the time span between offline washing and peak availability. In such case, typically a series of flat-fan nozzles are used at the engine bell mouth to inject water sprays into the inflowing air. However, optimizing the injector operating conditions is not a straightforward task mainly due to the tradeoff between blade cleaning effectiveness and material erosion. In this context, the knowledge on spray characteristics prior to blade impingement play a vital role, and the experimental spray characterization is crucial not only to understand the basic process but also to validate numerical models and simulations. The present paper investigates spray characteristics in a single flat-fan nozzle operated in the presence of a coflowing air within a wind-tunnel. A parametric investigation is carried out using different air flow velocity in the tunnel and inlet water temperature, while the liquid flow rate was maintained constant. The spray cone angle and liquid breakup length are measured using back-lit photography. The high-speed shadowgraphy technique is used for capturing the droplet images downstream of the injector exit. The images are processed following depth-of-filed correction to measure droplet size distribution. Droplet velocity is measured by the particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) technique. As both droplet size and velocity are known, the cross-stream evolution of local droplet mass and momentum flux are obtained at different axial locations which form the basis for studying the effectiveness of the blade cleaning process due to droplet impingement on a coupon coated with foulant of known mass.
Harmonic Analysis of the High Speed Direct Coupled SCO2 Turbo-Generator
Authors: Patel Ashutosh , Biradar Vijay , Kumar Pramod
Published: December 2021

The rotordynamics and harmonic characteristics of the rotor assembly designed for 40-kW high-speed sCO2 direct-coupled turbo-generator pair have been evaluated numerically using finite element solver “ANSYS Mechanical”. First, the shaft geometry and dimensions have been optimized using lumped mass-inertia-based AxSTREAM RotorDynamics module followed by the bearing selection analysis using SKF SimPro expert to ensure enough separation margin from the nearby critical speeds. Equivalent 2D geometry has been used with an FEA-based ANSYS general axisymmetric model to reduce the computation time. The effect of the damping on the forces transmitting to the bearings and shaft deflection at the critical speeds are analyzed by performing harmonic analysis under various damped and undamped conditions (ζ = 0, 0.005, 0.01, and 0.02).
Coaches’ Reflections of Using a Charity-Driven Framework to Foster Youth Athletes’ Psychosocial Outcomes
Authors: Bean Corliss , Nienhuis Carl , Proulx Jason , Cash Tiara , Aknin Lara , Whillans Ashley V.
Published: December 2021

When structured appropriately, sport can promote psychosocial development in youth athletes. However, few frameworks exist that allow coaches to intentionally support youth’s psychosocial development through their sport programming. The Play Better framework represents one intentional approach that incorporates prosocial behavior where youth earn donations toward charitable causes for reaching process-based goals. Given the potential benefit that explicit strategies have for yielding positive developmental outcomes, there is a need for research to explore the role of intentionality in enhancing quality sport delivery. The purpose of this study was to understand coaches’ perceptions of using the framework within their coaching practices. Twenty-three soccer coaches (83% male) participated in a one-on-one semistructured interview analyzed inductively. Results indicated that coaches perceived the Play Better framework to (a) help enact their coaching philosophies; (b) enable youth choice, while supporting sport-skill development and enjoyment; (c) facilitate intentional approaches to life skills development and transfer; and (d) foster professional and personal development. This research provides initial evidence of the benefit of using an intentional framework, like Play Better, for athletes and coaches. Future research is needed to understand athlete and parent perspectives of utilizing the framework. Findings help inform future coach training resources and best practices.
Chromatin architecture at susceptible gene loci in cerebellar Purkinje cells characterizes DNA damage–induced neurodegeneration
Authors: Kwak Young Don , Shaw Timothy I. , Downing Susanna M. , Tewari Ambika , Jin Hongjian , Li Yang , Dumitrache Lavinia C. , Katyal Sachin , Khodakhah Kamran , Russell Helen R. , McKinnon Peter J.
Published: December 2021

Chromatin architecture of critical Purkinje cell genes predicts cerebellar degeneration after genome damage.
Heterogeneous returns to college over the life course
Authors: Cheng Siwei , Brand Jennie E. , Zhou Xiang , Xie Yu , Hout Michael
Published: December 2021

College yields the highest long-term economic returns for the most and least advantaged men.
Achieving consensus in multilateral international negotiations: The case study of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change
Authors: Bernardo Carmela , Wang Lingfei , Vasca Francesco , Hong Yiguang , Shi Guodong , Altafini Claudio
Published: December 2021

A dynamical model describes the negotiation process that led to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.
Little Ice Age abruptly triggered by intrusion of Atlantic waters into the Nordic Seas
Authors: Lapointe Francois , Bradley Raymond S.
Published: December 2021

The Little Ice Age (LIA) was one of the coldest periods of the postglacial period in the Northern Hemisphere. Although there is increasing evidence that this time interval was associated with weakening of the subpolar gyre (SPG), the sequence of events that led to its weakened state has yet to be explained. Here, we show that the LIA was preceded by an exceptional intrusion of warm Atlantic water into the Nordic Seas in the late 1300s. The intrusion was a consequence of persistent atmospheric blocking over the North Atlantic, linked to unusually high solar activity. The warmer water led to the breakup of sea ice and calving of tidewater glaciers; weakening of the blocking anomaly in the late 1300s allowed the large volume of ice that had accumulated to be exported into the North Atlantic. This led to a weakening of the SPG, setting the stage for the subsequent LIA.
Skin-like low-noise elastomeric organic photodiodes
Authors: Park Youngrak , Fuentes-Hernandez Canek , Kim Kyungjin , Chou Wen-Fang , Larrain Felipe A. , Graham Samuel , Pierron Olivier N. , Kippelen Bernard
Published: December 2021

Stretchable photodetectors for wearable electronics maintain a high level of performance when stretched by at least 60%.
Metalized polyamide heterostructure as a moisture-responsive actuator for multimodal adaptive personal heat management
Authors: Li Xiuqiang , Ma Boran , Dai Jingyuan , Sui Chenxi , Pande Divya , Smith David R. , Brinson L. Catherine , Hsu Po-Chun
Published: December 2021

A wearable device that responds to sweat vapor can switch between radiative heating and evaporative cooling.
Single-synapse analyses of Alzheimer’s disease implicate pathologic tau, DJ1, CD47, and ApoE
Authors: Phongpreecha Thanaphong , Gajera Chandresh R. , Liu Candace C. , Vijayaragavan Kausalia , Chang Alan L. , Becker Martin , Fallahzadeh Ramin , Fernandez Rosemary , Postupna Nadia , Sherfield Emily , Tebaykin Dmitry , Latimer Caitlin , Shively Carol A. , Register Thomas C. , Craft Suzanne , Montine Kathleen S. , Fox Edward J. , Poston Kathleen L. , Keene C. Dirk , Angelo Michael , Bendall Sean C. , Aghaeepour Nima , Montine Thomas J.
Published: December 2021

Multiplex single-synapse events from multiple regions of Alzheimer’s disease brain revealed new alterations unique to humans.
Eccentricity-paced monsoon variability on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau in the Late Oligocene high CO
2
world
Authors: Ao Hong , Liebrand Diederik , Dekkers Mark J. , Zhang Peng , Song Yougui , Liu Qingsong , Jonell Tara N. , Sun Qiang , Li Xinzhou , Li Xinxia , Qiang Xiaoke , An Zhisheng
Published: December 2021

Precipitation on the NE Tibetan Plateau was driven by combined high- and low-latitude processes during the warm Late Oligocene.
β2-spectrin (SPTBN1) as a therapeutic target for diet-induced liver disease and preventing cancer development
Authors: Rao Shuyun , Yang Xiaochun , Ohshiro Kazufumi , Zaidi Sobia , Wang Zhanhuai , Shetty Kirti , Xiang Xiyan , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz , Mohammad Taj , Latham Patricia S. , Nguyen Bao-Ngoc , Wong Linda , Yu Herbert , Al-Abed Yousef , Mishra Bibhuti , Vacca Michele , Guenigault Gareth , Allison Michael E. D. , Vidal-Puig Antonio , Benhammou Jihane N. , Alvarez Marcus , Pajukanta Päivi , Pisegna Joseph R. , Mishra Lopa
Published: December 2021

Targeting SBPTN1 with siRNA has the potential to treat NASH and prevent HCC.
Vaccines 2020: The era of the digital vaccine is here
Authors: Pizza Mariagrazia , Pecetta Simone , Rappuoli Rino
Published: December 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has generated a renaissance in vaccinology, with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines delivering a “digital code” of the viral antigen with no need to purify proteins or inactivate pathogens.
Pigment Characterization of the Giant-Colony-Forming HaptophytePhaeocystis globosain the Beibu Gulf Reveals Blooms of Different Origins
Authors: Wang Jin-Xiu , Kong Fan-Zhou , Geng Hui-Xia , Zhao Yue , Guan Wei-Bing , He Cheng , Kang Zhen-Jun , Guo Wei , Zhou Zheng-Xi , Zhang Qing-Chun , Yu Ren-Cheng
Published: December 2021

Phaeocystis globosahas formed intensive blooms in the South China Sea and even around the world, causing huge social economic losses and environmental damage. However, little is known about the formation mechanism and dynamics ofP. globosablooms. 19′-Hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin (hex-fuco) is often used as the pigment proxy to estimatePhaeocystisbiomass, while this is challenged by the giant-colony-formingP. globosain the Beibu Gulf, which contains only 19′-butanoyloxyfucoxanthin (but-fuco) but not hex-fuco.
Isolation and Characterization of Levoglucosan-Metabolizing Bacteria
Authors: Arya Ajay S. , Hang Minh T. H. , Eiteman Mark A.
Published: December 2021

Levoglucosan is the most prevalent soluble carbohydrate remaining after high-temperature pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, but it is not fermented by typical production microbes such as
Escherichia coli
and
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. A few fungi metabolize levoglucosan via the enzyme levoglucosan kinase, while several bacteria metabolize levoglucosan via levoglucosan dehydrogenase.
Moderate High-Pressure Superdormancy in
Bacillus
Spores: Properties of Superdormant Spores and Proteins Potentially Influencing Moderate High-Pressure Germination
Authors: Delbrück Alessia I. , Tritten Yvette , Nanni Paolo , Heydenreich Rosa , Mathys Alexander
Published: December 2021

Spore-forming bacteria are ubiquitous in nature and, as a consequence, inevitably enter the food chain or other processing environments. Their presence can lead to significant spoilage or safety-related issues.
Gut Mycobiota Dysbiosis in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Undergoing Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment
Authors: Cao Demin , Liu Weihua , Lyu Na , Li Boxing , Song Weibo , Yang Yanxiao , Zhu Jianliang , Zhang Zhiguo , Zhu Baoli
Published: December 2021

Numerous studies have shown that the gut bacterial microbiota is altered in active TB patients and that anti-TB drugs have profound and long-term impacts. However, as an integral part of the microbiota, fungi have rarely been studied.
Supplementation with Exogenous Catalase from
Penicillium notatum
in the Diet Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Oxidative Damage through Affecting Intestinal Antioxidant Capacity and Microbiota in Weaned Pigs
Authors: Chen Jiali , Li Fuchang , Yang Weiren , Jiang Shuzhen , Li Yang
Published: December 2021

Exogenous CAT derived from microorganisms has been widely used in food, medicine, and other industries. Recent study also found that exogenous CAT supplementation could improve growth performance and antioxidant capacity of weaned pigs.
Complete Genome Sequences and Genome-Wide Characterization of
Trichoderma
Biocontrol Agents Provide New Insights into their Evolution and Variation in Genome Organization, Sexual Development, and Fungal-Plant Interactions
Authors: Li Wan-Chen , Lin Ting-Chan , Chen Chia-Ling , Liu Hou-Cheng , Lin Hisn-Nan , Chao Ju-Lan , Hsieh Cheng-Hsilin , Ni Hui-Fang , Chen Ruey-Shyang , Wang Ting-Fang
Published: December 2021

Telomere-to-telomere and gapless reference genome assemblies are necessary to ensure that all genomic variants are studied and discovered, including centromeres, telomeres, AT-rich blocks, mating type loci, biosynthetic, and metabolic gene clusters. Here, we applied long-range sequencing technologies to determine the near-completed genome sequences of four widely used biocontrol agents or biofertilizers:
Trichoderma virens
Gv29-8 and FT-333,
Trichoderma asperellum
FT101, and
Trichoderma atroviride
P1.
Reducing the Periplasmic Glutathione Content Makes Escherichia coli Resistant to Trimethoprim and Other Antimicrobial Drugs
Authors: Song Yajing , Zhou Zhen , Gu Jing , Yang Junmei , Deng Jiaoyu
Published: December 2021

After being used extensively for decades, trimethoprim still remains one of the key accessible antimicrobials recommended by the World Health Organization. A better understanding of the mechanisms of resistance would be beneficial for the future utilization of this drug.
Repurposing Approved Drugs as Fluoroquinolone Potentiators to Overcome Efflux Pump Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Mahey Nisha , Tambat Rushikesh , Chandal Nishtha , Verma Dipesh Kumar , Thakur Krishan Gopal , Nandanwar Hemraj
Published: December 2021

Staphylococcus aureus
is a frequent pathogen bacterium and the predominant cause of worsened nosocomial infections. Efflux pumps contribute to drug efflux and are reportedly associated with biofilm formation, thereby promoting difficult-to-treat biofilm-associated
S. aureus
infections.
Antibacterial Properties of Melanoidins Produced from Various Combinations of Maillard Reaction against Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Kukuminato Satoshi , Koyama Kento , Koseki Shigenobu
Published: December 2021

Although the antimicrobial effect of melanoidins has been reported in some foods, there have been few comprehensive investigations on the antimicrobial activity of combinations of reaction substrates of the Maillard reaction. The present study comprehensively investigated the potential of various combinations of reducing sugars and amino acids. Because the melanoidins examined in this study were produced simply by heating in an autoclave at 121°C for 60 min, the of the targeted melanoidins can be easily produced.
Combined Transcriptome and Proteome Profiling for Role of pfEMP1 in Antimalarial Mechanism of Action of Dihydroartemisinin
Authors: Chen Lina , Zheng Zhongyuan , Liu Hui , Wang Xi , Qu Shuiqing , Yang Yuanmin , Deng Shuoqiu , Zhang Yu , Tuo Liu , Zhao Yongdan , Li Yujie
Published: December 2021

Malaria parasites induce morphological and biochemical changes in the membranes of parasite-infected red blood cells (iRBCs) for propagation, with artemisinin combination therapies as the first-line treatments. To understand whether artemisinin targets or interacts with iRBC membrane proteins, this study investigated the molecular changes caused by dihydroartemisinin (DHA), an artemisinin derivative, in
Plasmodium falciparum
3D7 using a combined transcriptomic and membrane proteomic profiling approach.
Antifungal Activity of a Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet 1,064-Nanometer Laser against Sporothrix globosa by Inducing Apoptosis and Pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase-1 Signaling Pathway:
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Study
Authors: Yan Tianyi , Li Fuqiu , Li Jinran , Chen Feng
Published: December 2021

Nd:YAG 1,064-nm laser irradiation is a useful alternative for the treatment of sporotrichosis, especially in patients with liver dysfunction, pregnant women, and children, for whom the administration of antifungal drugs is not suitable. It may improve the overall treatment effect by shortening the duration of antifungal treatment and reducing tissue inflammation.
Listeria monocytogenes Sublethal Injury and Viable-but-Nonculturable State Induced by Acidic Conditions and Disinfectants
Authors: Arvaniti Marianna , Tsakanikas Panagiotis , Papadopoulou Vasiliki , Giannakopoulou Artemis , Skandamis Panagiotis
Published: December 2021

Sublethally injured and VBNC cells may evade detection, resulting in underestimation of a food product’s microbial load. Under favorable conditions, cells may regain their growth capacity and acquire new resistant characteristics, posing a major threat for public health.
Bacteriophage Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of Fracture-Related Infection Caused by Staphylococcus aureus: a Preclinical Study
Authors: Onsea Jolien , Post Virginia , Buchholz Tim , Schwegler Hella , Zeiter Stephan , Wagemans Jeroen , Pirnay Jean-Paul , Merabishvili Maya , D’Este Matteo , Rotman Stijn G. , Trampuz Andrej , Verhofstad Michael H. J. , Obremskey William T. , Lavigne Rob , Richards R. Geoff , Moriarty T. Fintan , Metsemakers Willem-Jan
Published: December 2021

Because of the growing spread of antimicrobial resistance, the use of alternative prevention and treatment strategies is gaining interest. Although the therapeutic potential of bacteriophages has been demonstrated in a number of case reports and series over the past decade, many unanswered questions remain regarding the optimal application protocol.
Net Charges of the Ribosomal Proteins of the
S10
and
spc
Clusters of Halophiles Are Inversely Related to the Degree of Halotolerance
Authors: Tirumalai Madhan R. , Anane-Bediakoh Daniela , Rajesh Sidharth , Fox George E.
Published: December 2021

The net charges (at pH 7.4) of the ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) that comprise the
S10-spc
cluster show an inverse relationship with the halophilicity/halotolerance levels in both bacteria and archaea. In non-halophilic bacteria, the
S10-spc
cluster r-proteins are generally basic (positively charged), while the rest of the proteomes in these strains are generally acidic.
Genome-Wide Characterization of Zebrafish Endogenous Retroviruses Reveals Unexpected Diversity in Genetic Organizations and Functional Potentials
Authors: Bai Jun , Yang Zuo-zhen , Li Hao , Hong Yun , Fan Dong-dong , Lin Ai-fu , Xiang Li-xin , Shao Jian-zhong
Published: December 2021

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are relics of past infection that constitute up to 8% of the human genome. Understanding the genetic evolution of the ERV family and the interplay of ERVs and encoded RNAs and proteins with host function has become a new frontier in biology.
Supplemental Material: Late Miocene–Pliocene onset of fluvial incision of the Cauca River Canyon in the Northern Andes
Authors: Pérez-Consuegra N. , al. et
Published: December 2021

Supplemental Text S1; Supplemental Tables S1–S2; Data Set S1.
Effectiveness of mRNA-1273 against delta, mu, and other emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2: test negative case-control study
Authors: Bruxvoort Katia J , Sy Lina S , Qian Lei , Ackerson Bradley K , Luo Yi , Lee Gina S , Tian Yun , Florea Ana , Aragones Michael , Tubert Julia E , Takhar Harpreet S , Ku Jennifer H , Paila Yamuna D , Talarico Carla A , Tseng Hung Fu
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of the mRNA-1273 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants and assess its effectiveness against the delta variant by time since vaccination.

Design

Test negative case-control study.

Setting

Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC), an integrated healthcare system.

Participants

Adult KPSC members with a SARS-CoV-2 positive test sent for whole genome sequencing or a negative test from 1 March 2021 to 27 July 2021.

Interventions

Two dose or one dose vaccination with mRNA-1273 (Moderna covid-19 vaccine) ≥14 days before specimen collection versus no covid-19 vaccination.

Main outcome measures

Outcomes included infection with SARS-CoV-2 and hospital admission with covid-19. In pre-specified analyses for each variant type, test positive cases were matched 1:5 to test negative controls on age, sex, race/ethnicity, and specimen collection date. Conditional logistic regression was used to compare odds of vaccination among cases versus controls, with adjustment for confounders. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated as (1–odds ratio)×100%.

Results

The study included 8153 cases and their matched controls. Two dose vaccine effectiveness was 86.7% (95% confidence interval 84.3% to 88.7%) against infection with the delta variant, 98.4% (96.9% to 99.1%) against alpha, 90.4% (73.9% to 96.5%) against mu, 96-98% against other identified variants, and 79.9% (76.9% to 82.5%) against unidentified variants (that is, specimens that failed sequencing). Vaccine effectiveness against hospital admission with the delta variant was 97.5% (92.7% to 99.2%). Vaccine effectiveness against infection with the delta variant declined from 94.1% (90.5% to 96.3%) 14-60 days after vaccination to 80.0% (70.2% to 86.6%) 151-180 days after vaccination. Waning was less pronounced for non-delta variants. Vaccine effectiveness against delta infection was lower among people aged ≥65 years (75.2%, 59.6% to 84.8%) than those aged 18-64 years (87.9%, 85.5% to 89.9%). One dose vaccine effectiveness was 77.0% (60.7% to 86.5%) against infection with delta.

Conclusions

Two doses of mRNA-1273 were highly effective against all SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially against hospital admission with covid-19. However, vaccine effectiveness against infection with the delta variant moderately declined with increasing time since vaccination.
Improved outcomes following the implementation of a decompensated cirrhosis discharge bundle
Authors: Smethurst Katherine , Gallacher Jennifer , Jopson Laura , Majiyagbe Titilope , Johnson Amy , Copeman Philip , Mansour Dina , McPherson Stuart
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Mortality from liver disease is increasing and management of decompensated cirrhosis (DC) is inconsistent across the UK. Patients with DC have complex medical needs when discharged from hospital and early readmissions are common. Our aims were: (1) to develop a Decompensated Cirrhosis Discharge Bundle (DCDB) to optimise ongoing care and (2) evaluate the impact of the DCDB.

Methods

A baseline review of the management of patients with DC was conducted in Newcastle in 2017. The DCCB was developed and implemented in 2018. Impact of the DCDB was evaluated in two cycles, first a paper version (November 2018–October 2019) and then an electronic version (November 2020–March 2021). Key clinical data were collected from the time of discharge.

Results

Overall, 192 patients (62% male; median age 55; median model for end-stage liver disease 17; 72% alcohol related) were reviewed in three cycles. At baseline, management was suboptimal, particularly ascites/diuretic management and provision of follow-up for alcohol misuse and 12% of patients had a potentially avoidable readmission within 30 days. After DCDB introduction, care improved across most domains, particularly electrolyte monitoring (p=0.012) and provision of community alcohol follow-up (p=0.026). Potentially preventable readmissions fell to 5% (p=0.055).

Conclusions

Use of a care bundle for patients with DC can standardise care and improve patient management. If used more widely this could improve outcomes and reduce variability in care for patients with DC.
Neuropathic pain in the IMI-APPROACH knee osteoarthritis cohort: prevalence and phenotyping
Authors: van Helvoort Eefje Martine , Welsing Paco M J , Jansen Mylène P , Gielis Willem Paul , Loef Marieke , Kloppenburg Margreet , Blanco Francisco , Haugen Ida K , Berenbaum Francis , Bay-Jensen Anne-C , Ladel Christoph , Lalande Agnes , Larkin Jonathan , Loughlin John , Mobasheri Ali , Weinans Harrie , Lafeber Floris , Eijkelkamp Niels , Mastbergen Simon
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Osteoarthritis (OA) patients with a neuropathic pain (NP) component may represent a specific phenotype. This study compares joint damage, pain and functional disability between knee OA patients with a likely NP component, and those without a likely NP component.

Methods

Baseline data from the Innovative Medicines Initiative Applied Public-Private Research enabling OsteoArthritis Clinical Headway knee OA cohort study were used. Patients with a painDETECT score ≥19 (with likely NP component, n=24) were matched on a 1:2 ratio to patients with a painDETECT score ≤12 (without likely NP component), and similar knee and general pain (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score pain and Short Form 36 pain). Pain, physical function and radiographic joint damage of multiple joints were determined and compared between OA patients with and without a likely NP component.

Results

OA patients with painDETECT scores ≥19 had statistically significant less radiographic joint damage (p≤0.04 for Knee Images Digital Analysis parameters and Kellgren and Lawrence grade), but an impaired physical function (p<0.003 for all tests) compared with patients with a painDETECT score ≤12. In addition, more severe pain was found in joints other than the index knee (p≤0.001 for hips and hands), while joint damage throughout the body was not different.

Conclusions

OA patients with a likely NP component, as determined with the painDETECT questionnaire, may represent a specific OA phenotype, where local and overall joint damage is not the main cause of pain and disability. Patients with this NP component will likely not benefit from general pain medication and/or disease-modifying OA drug (DMOAD) therapy. Reserved inclusion of these patients in DMOAD trials is advised in the quest for successful OA treatments.

Trial registration number

The study is registered under clinicaltrials.gov nr: NCT03883568.
Facile synthesis of bromelain copper nanoparticles to improve the primordial therapeutic potential of copper against acute myocardial infarction in diabetic rats
Authors: Sahu Megha , Sharma Arun K. , Sharma Gunjan , Kumar Ashish , Nandave Mukesh , Babu Varsha
Published: December 2021

Our current investigation comprises the synthesis and pharmacological impact of bromelain copper nanoparticles (BrCuNP) against diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) – induced myocardial infarction. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme obtained from Ananas comosus L. Merr., which has blood platelet aggregation inhibiting and arterial thrombolytic potential. Moreover, copper is well-known to facilitate glucose metabolism and strengthen cardiac muscle and antioxidant activity; although, chronic or long-term exposure to high doses of copper may lead to copperiedus. To restrict these potential hazards, we synthesized herbal nano-formulation which convincingly indicated the improved primordial therapeutic potential of copper by reformulating the treatment carrier with bromelain, resulting in facile synthesis of BrCuNP. DM was induced by administration of double cycle repetitive dose of low dose streptozotocin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) in high-fat diet- fed animals. DM and associated myocardial I/R injury were estimated by increased serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase myocardial band, cardiac troponin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and reduced serum level of high-density lipoprotein and nitrite/nitrate concentration. However, treatment with BrCuNP ameliorates various serum biomarkers by approving cardioprotective potential against DM- and I/R-associated injury. Furthermore, upturn of histopathological changes were observed in cardiac tissue of BrCuNP-treated rats in comparison to disease models.
The GAMBIT Universal Model Machine: from Lagrangians to likelihoods
Authors: Bloor Sanjay , Gonzalo Tomás E. , Scott Pat , Chang Christopher , Raklev Are , Camargo-Molina José Eliel , Kvellestad Anders , Renk Janina J. , Athron Peter , Balázs Csaba
Published: December 2021

We introduce the Universal Model Machine (), a tool for automatically generating code for the global fitting software framework , based on Lagrangian-level inputs. accepts models written symbolically in and formats, and can use either tool along with and to generate model, collider, dark matter, decay and spectrum code, as well as interfaces to corresponding versions of , , and (C
"Image missing"). In this paper we describe the features, methods, usage, pathways, assumptions and current limitations of . We also give a fully worked example, consisting of the addition of a Majorana fermion simplified dark matter model with a scalar mediator to via , and carry out a corresponding fit.
Anomaly-free Abelian gauge symmetries with Dirac seesaws
Authors: Bernal Nicolás , Restrepo Diego
Published: December 2021

We perform a systematic analysis of Standard Model extensions with an additional anomaly-free gauge U(1) symmetry, to generate tree-level Dirac neutrino masses. An anomaly-free symmetry demands nontrivial conditions on the charges of the unavoidable new states. An intensive scan was performed, looking for solutions generating neutrino masses by the type-I and type-II tree-level Dirac seesaw mechanism, via operators with dimension 5 and 6, that correspond to active or dark symmetries. Special attention was paid to the cases featuring no extra massless chiral fermions or multicomponent dark matter with unconditional stability.
Stability control of a vehicle with tire blowout based on active steering and differential braking
Authors: Zang Liguo , Wu Yibin , Wang Xingyu , Wang Zhi , Li Yaowei
Published: December 2021

The vehicle with tire blowout will have dangerous working conditions such as yaw and tail flick, which will seriously endanger the safety of driving. A tire blowout model was established based on the UniTire model and the change of tire blowout mechanical characteristics. A Carsim/ Simulink joint simulation platform was built to study the dynamic response of the vehicle after the front wheel tire blowout under curve driving. A combined control strategy of outer-loop trajectory control and inner-loop differential braking control based on sliding mode fuzzy control algorithms and fuzzy PID control algorithms was proposed to ensure that the vehicle can still follow the original trajectory stably after tire blowout. The results show that the tire blowout of the front wheel on the same side as the turning direction has a great influence on the instability and yaw of the vehicle, and the designed control strategy can effectively control the running track of the vehicle with tire blowout and the vehicle stability.
Erasure-Resilient Sublinear-Time Graph Algorithms
Authors: Levi Amit , Pallavoor Ramesh Krishnan S. , Raskhodnikova Sofya , Varma Nithin
Published: December 2021

We investigate sublinear-time algorithms that take partially erased graphs represented by adjacency lists as input. Our algorithms make degree and neighbor queries to the input graph and work with a specified fraction of adversarial erasures in adjacency entries. We focus on two computational tasks: testing if a graph is connected or ε-far from connected and estimating the average degree. For testing connectedness, we discover a threshold phenomenon: when the fraction of erasures is less than ε, this property can be tested efficiently (in time independent of the size of the graph); when the fraction of erasures is at least ε, then a number of queries linear in the size of the graph representation is required. Our erasure-resilient algorithm (for the special case with no erasures) is an improvement over the previously known algorithm for connectedness in the standard property testing model and has optimal dependence on the proximity parameter ε. For estimating the average degree, our results provide an “interpolation” between the query complexity for this computational task in the model with no erasures in two different settings: with only degree queries, investigated by Feige (SIAM J. Comput. ‘06), and with degree queries and neighbor queries, investigated by Goldreich and Ron (Random Struct. Algorithms ‘08) and Eden et al. (ICALP ‘17). We conclude with a discussion of our model and open questions raised by our work.
Measurement-Based and Data-Informed Psychological Therapy
Authors: Lutz Wolfgang , Schwartz Brian , Delgadillo Jaime
Published: December 2021

Outcome measurement in the field of psychotherapy has developed considerably in the last decade. This review discusses key issues related to outcome measurement, modeling, and implementation of data-informed and measurement-based psychological therapy. First, an overview is provided, covering the rationale of outcome measurement by acknowledging some of the limitations of clinical judgment. Second, different models of outcome measurement are discussed, including pre–post, session-by-session, and higher-resolution intensive outcome assessments. Third, important concepts related to modeling patterns of change are addressed, including early response, dose–response, and nonlinear change. Furthermore, rational and empirical decision tools are discussed as the foundation for measurement-based therapy. Fourth, examples of clinical applications are presented, which show great promise to support the personalization of therapy and to prevent treatment failure. Finally, we build on continuous outcome measurement as the basis for a broader understanding of clinical concepts and data-driven clinical practice in the future.
Double and Charge-Transfer Excitations in Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory
Authors: Maitra Neepa T.
Published: December 2021

Time-dependent density functional theory has emerged as a method of choice for calculations of spectra and response properties in physics, chemistry, and biology, with its system-size scaling enabling computations on systems much larger than otherwise possible. While increasingly complex and interesting systems have been successfully tackled with relatively simple functional approximations, there has also been increasing awareness that these functionals tend to fail for certain classes of approximations. Here I review the fundamental challenges the approximate functionals have in describing double excitations and charge-transfer excitations, which are two of the most common impediments for the theory to be applied in a black-box way. At the same time, I describe the progress made in recent decades in developing functional approximations that give useful predictions for these excitations.
Reimagining Rural: Shifting Paradigms About Health and Well-Being in the Rural United States
Authors: Afifi R.A. , Parker E.A. , Dino G. , Hall D.M. , Ulin B.
Published: December 2021

Rural health disparities have attracted increased national attention, compelling an expanded focus on rural health research. In this article, we deconstruct the definitions and narratives of “rural” communities and suggest that a paradigm shift is needed that centers the complexity and strength of rural places. We discuss the relevance of health equity frameworks, implementation science, and community-engaged approaches to promote rural well-being. Focusing on rural in its own right will lead to intervention innovations and reinvention with implications beyond rural areas. We conclude with suggestions for research and practice to inspire renewed interest in partnering with rural communities to promote health equity.
Expansion of Nanosized MgSiO3/Chitosan Nanocomposite Structural and Spectroscopic for Loading Velosef by Nanomaterial Intervention
Authors: Abouelnaga Amal M. , Meaz Talaat M. , El Nahrawy Amany M.
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different doses of Velosef in magnesium silica/chitosan nanocomposite in terms of structural, morphology, optical properties, and bioactivity. Loading Velosef in fine-sized magnesium silica/chitosan is an efficient engineering approach for drug delivery. The sol-gel process was used to prepare magnesium silica fine-sized before being blended into chitosan matrix, which acts as a potential morphogenetic biomaterial. The Velosef/magnesium silica/chitosan nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, FTIR, UV-absorption, and antimicrobial studies. The XRD was characteristic the crystallinity degree of the MgO-SiO2/chitosan/Velosef nanocomposites with a three maximum peaks at 26.37°, 33.34o, 36.9°. FTIR results indicated the structural change occurred with the Velosef sol-gel polymerization process. UV-absorbance reveals that the MgO-SiO2/chitosan nanocomposite appeared a high performance for loading Velosef at two absorption bands at 253 and 347 nm. The MgO-SiO2/Chitosan/Velosef nanocomposites showed considerable antimicrobial activity in opposition to the tested representative microorganisms. The maximum antimicrobial activity was obtained with MgO-SiO2/Chitosan against both Escherichia coli and Candida albicans (37 mm), while the minimum antimicrobial activity (30 mm) was recorded against B. mycoides and E. coli with control.
Extracellular vesicle secretion is tissue-dependent ex vivo and skeletal muscle myofiber extracellular vesicles reach the circulation in vivo
Authors: Estrada Andrea L. , Valenti Zackary J. , Hehn Gabriella , Amorese Adam J. , Williams Nicholas S. , Balestrieri Nicholas P. , Deighan Clayton , Allen Christopher P. , Spangenburg Espen E. , Kruh-Garcia Nicole A. , Lark Daniel S.
Published: December 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are biomarkers and modifiers of human disease. EVs secreted by insulin-responsive tissues like skeletal muscle (SkM) and white adipose tissue (WAT) contribute to metabolic health and disease but the relative abundance of EVs from these tissues has not been directly examined. Human Protein Atlas data and directly measuring EV secretion in mouse SkM and WAT using an ex vivo tissue explant model confirmed that SkM tissue secretes more EVs than WAT. Differences in EV secretion between SkM and WAT were not due to SkM contraction but may be explained by differences in tissue metabolic capacity. We next examined how many EVs secreted from SkM tissue ex vivo and in vivo are myofiber-derived. To do this, a SkM myofiber-specific dual fluorescent reporter mouse was created. Spectral flow cytometry revealed that SkM myofibers are a major source of SkM tissue-derived EVs ex vivo and EV immunocapture indicates that ∼5% of circulating tetraspanin-positive EVs are derived from SkM myofibers in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that 1) SkM secretes more EVs than WAT, 2) many SkM tissue EVs are derived from SkM myofibers, and 3) SkM myofiber-derived EVs reach the circulation in vivo. These findings advance our understanding of EV secretion between metabolically active tissues and provide direct evidence that SkM myofibers secrete EVs that can reach the circulation in vivo.
ALY688 elicits adiponectin-mimetic signaling and improves insulin action in skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Sung Hye Kyoung , Mitchell Patricia L. , Gross Sean , Marette André , Sweeney Gary
Published: December 2021

Adiponectin is well established to mediate many beneficial metabolic effects, and this has stimulated great interest in development and validation of adiponectin receptor agonists as pharmaceutical tools. This study investigated the effects of ALY688, a peptide-based adiponectin receptor agonist, in rat L6 skeletal muscle cells. ALY688 significantly increased phosphorylation of several adiponectin downstream effectors, including AMPK, ACC, and p38MAPK, assessed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Temporal analysis using cells expressing an Akt biosensor demonstrated that ALY688 enhanced insulin sensitivity. This effect was associated with increased insulin-stimulated Akt and IRS-1 phosphorylation. The functional metabolic significance of these signaling effects was examined by measuring glucose uptake in myoblasts stably overexpressing the glucose transporter GLUT4. ALY688 treatment increased basal glucose uptake and enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. In the model of high-glucose/high-insulin (HGHI)-induced insulin-resistant cells, both temporal studies using the Akt biosensor as well as immunoblotting to assess Akt and IRS-1 phosphorylation indicated that ALY688 significantly reduced insulin resistance. Importantly, we observed that ALY688 administration to high-fat high-sucrose-fed mice also improves glucose handling, validating its efficacy in vivo. In summary, these data indicate that ALY688 activates adiponectin signaling pathways in skeletal muscle, leading to improved insulin sensitivity and beneficial metabolic effects.
Malicious Code Variant Identification Based on Multiscale Feature Fusion CNNs
Authors: Wang Shuo , Wang Jian , Song Yafei , Li Song
Published: December 2021

The increasing volume and types of malwares bring a great threat to network security. The malware binary detection with deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) has been proved to be an effective method. However, the existing malware classification methods based on CNNs are unsatisfactory to this day because of their poor extraction ability, insufficient accuracy of malware classification, and high cost of detection time. To solve these problems, a novel approach, namely, multiscale feature fusion convolutional neural networks (MFFCs), was proposed to achieve an effective classification of malware based on malware visualization utilizing deep learning, which can defend against malware variants and confusing malwares. The approach firstly converts malware code binaries into grayscale images, and then, these images will be normalized in size by utilizing the MFFC model to identify malware families. Comparative experiments were carried out to verify the performance of the proposed method. The results indicate that the MFFC stands out among the recent advanced methods with an accuracy of 98.72% and an average cost of 5.34 milliseconds on the Malimg dataset. Our method can effectively identify malware and detect variants of malware families, which has excellent feature extraction capability and higher accuracy with lower detection time.
Capparis spinosa Alleviates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis via Regulation of the Gut Microbiota and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Zhu Xiaoting , Yang Yi , Gao Weizhen , Jiang Bingjie , Shi Lei
Published: December 2021

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Here, the potential effects of Capparis spinosa water extract (CSWE) on colonic histopathology, inflammation, and gut microbiota composition in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced UC mice were evaluated. Our results showed that CSWE treatment improved the colonic histopathology of UC mice, increased the levels of tight junction protein gene ZO-1 and Occludin in intestinal epithelial cells, and inhibited the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). Furthermore, CSWE administration alleviated oxidative stress in the colon of UC mice. The effects of CSWE on the compositions and metabolomic profiles of the gut microbiota in UC mice were investigated. It was found that CSWE could enhance the diversity of gut microbes and the abundance of probiotics and metabonomics had the strongest association with Firmicutes. Our results indicated that CSWE might be an ideal candidate as a potential therapeutic natural product for the treatment of UC.
Dihydroartemisinin Promoted Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Homing and Suppressed Inflammation and Oxidative Stress against Prostate Injury in Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis Mice Model
Authors: Li Shen , Li Yongzhang , Su Xiaozhe , Han Aiyun , Cui Yang , Lv Shuyue , Zhang Jin , Li Chao
Published: December 2021

Although bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) are effective in treating chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP), the homing of BMMSCs seems to require ultrasound induction. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is an important derivative of artemisinin (ART) and has been previously reported to alleviate inflammation and autoimmune diseases. But the effect of DHA on chronic prostatitis (CP) is still unclear. This study aims to clarify the efficacy and mechanism of DHA in the treatment of CBP and its effect on the accumulation of BMMSCs. The experimental CBP was produced in C57BL/6 male mice via intraurethrally administered E. coli solution. Results showed that DHA treatment concentration-dependently promoted the accumulation of BMMSCs in prostate tissue of CBP mice. In addition, DHA and BMMSCs cotreatment significantly alleviated inflammation and improved prostate damage by decreasing the expression of proinflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and chemokines CXCL2, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 in prostate tissue of CBP mice. Moreover, DHA and BMMSCs cotreatment displayed antioxidation property by increasing the production of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), SOD, and decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) expression. Mechanically, DHA and BMMSCs cotreatment significantly inhibited the expression of TGFβ-RI, TGFβ-RII, phosphor (p)-Smad2/3, and Smad4 in a dose-dependent manner while stimulated Smad7 expression in the same manner. In conclusion, our findings provided evidence that DHA effectively eliminated inflammatory and oxidative stress against prostate injury, and this effect involved the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in CBP.