bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harmonization of in‐plane resolution in CT using multiple reconstructions from single acquisitions
Authors: Vegas‐Sánchez‐Ferrero Gonzalo , Ramos‐Llordén Gabriel , Estépar Raúl San José
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To providea methodology that removes the spatial variability of in‐plane resolution using different CT reconstructions. The methodology does not require any training, sinogram, or specific reconstruction method.

Methods

The methodology is formulated as a reconstruction problem. The desired sharp image is modeled as an unobservable variable to be estimated from an arbitrary number of observations with spatially variant resolution. The methodology comprises three steps: (1) density harmonization, which removes the density variability across reconstructions; (2) point spread function (PSF) estimation, which estimates a spatially variant PSF with arbitrary shape; (3) deconvolution, which is formulated as a regularized least squares problem. The assessment was performed with CT scans of phantoms acquired with three different Siemens scanners (Definition AS, Definition AS+, Drive). Four low‐dose acquisitions reconstructed with backprojection and iterative methods were used for the resolution harmonization. A sharp, high‐dose (HD) reconstruction was used as a validation reference. The different factors affecting the in‐plane resolution (radial, angular, and longitudinal) were studied with regression analysis of the edge decay (between 10% and 90% of the edge spread function (ESF) amplitude).

Results

Results showed that the in‐plane resolution improves remarkably and the spatial variability is substantially reduced without compromising the noise characteristics. The modulated transfer function (MTF) also confirmed a pronounced increase in resolution. The resolution improvement was also tested by measuring the wall thickness of tubes simulating airways. In all scanners, the resolution harmonization obtained better performance than the HD, sharp reconstruction used as a reference (up to 50 percentage points). The methodology was also evaluated in clinical scans achieving a noise reduction and a clear improvement in thin‐layered structures. The estimated ESF and MTF confirmed the resolution improvement.

Conclusion

We propose a versatile methodology to reduce the spatial variability of in‐plane resolution in CT scans by leveraging different reconstructions available in clinical studies. The methodology does not require any sinogram, training, or specific reconstruction, and it is not limited to a fixed number of input images. Therefore, it can be easily adopted in multicenter studies and clinical practice. The results obtained with our resolution harmonization methodology evidence its suitability to reduce the spatially variant in‐plane resolution in clinical CT scans without compromising the reconstruction's noise characteristics. We believe that the resolution increase achieved by our methodology may contribute in more accurate and reliable measurements of small structures such as vasculature, airways, and wall thickness.
Complete Pathological Response After Neoadjuvant Short-Course Immunotherapy with Ipilimumab and Nivolumab in Locally Advanced MSI-H/dMMR Rectal Cancer
Authors: Trojan Jörg , Stintzing Sebastian , Haase Oliver , Koch Christine , Ziegler Paul , Demes Melanie , Jelas Ivan
Published: August 2021

Background

Patients with colorectal carcinoma and high-grade microsatellite instability (MSI-H) or deficiency in mismatch repair (dMMR) exceptionally respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). ICIs are more active in treatment-naïve patients than in patients with refractory MSI-H/dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer and even more active in patients with locally advanced tumors.

Material and Methods

A 33-year-old male patient with Lynch syndrome was diagnosed with a locally advanced rectal cancer and refused standard neoadjuvant chemoradiation because of the potential harm of sexual dysfunction. MMR and microsatellite instability status were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and fragment length polymerase chain reaction followed by capillary electrophoresis.

Results

After MSI-H/dMMR was confirmed, the patient was treated with ICIs (1 mg/kg ipilimumab at day 1 and 3 mg/kg nivolumab at day 1 and 15). A complete clinical response was documented at day 21 after start of treatment. The patient underwent a total mesorectal excision at day 30. In the extirpated tissue, a complete pathological response was confirmed.

Conclusion

In MSI-H/dMMR locally advanced rectal cancer short-course ICI treatment is highly effective and may be discussed in patients with dMMR locally advanced rectal cancer.

Key Points
Trajectories of physical symptom burden and psychological distress during the last year of life in patients with a solid metastatic cancer
Authors: Shafiq Mahham , Malhotra Rahul , Teo Irene , Ozdemir Semra , Kanesvaran Ravindran , Malhotra Chetna ,   COMPASS Study Group
Published: August 2021

Objective

To delineate the trajectories of physical symptoms and psychological distress among patients with a solid metastatic cancer during the last year of life.

Methods

We used data of 345 decedents from a prospective cohort of 600 patients with a Stage IV solid cancer. Using group‐based trajectory modelling, we assessed (a) demographic (age, gender, education, cancer site) predictors of trajectory membership, (b) shift in trajectories associated with planned and unplanned hospitalizations, emergency room visits and chemotherapy, and (c) the association between trajectory membership and place of death.

Results

We identified three trajectories of physical symptoms—“persistent mild” (56%), “progressive moderate” (36%), and “progressive severe” (8%), and two for psychological distress—“persistent mild” (72%) and “progressive distress” (28%). Females (β = 1.40 [SE = 0.55], p‐value = 0.01) and highly educated patients (β = 1.46 [SE = 0.62], p‐value = 0.02) were more likely to experience progressive severe symptoms compared to persistent mild symptoms. Older patients were less likely (β = −1.01 [SE = 0.33], p‐value = 0.003), while those with gynecological cancers (β = 1.51 [SE = 0.65], p‐value = 0.02) were more likely to experience progressive distress compared to persistent mild distress. Planned and unplanned hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and chemotherapy were associated with a worsening in trajectories. Patients with higher distress were more likely to die in a hospice compared to a hospital.

Conclusions

Interventions to improve physical symptoms and distress can focus on patients at risk of being in worse trajectories and at critical time points in the last year of life—hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and chemotherapy.
An Object Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulation for Defect Evolution of Neutron‐Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels: Carbon Sensitive Study
Authors: Li Jianyang , Zhang Chonghong , Yang Yitao , Wang Tieshan , Ignacio Martin-Bragado
Published: August 2021

Herein, the defect evolution in the FeCMnNi model alloy is investigated by the gray‐alloy method in an object kinetic Monte Carlo (OKMC) model. Based on the parameters of the Fe–C system, the influence of Mn and Ni is implicitly considered, and the migration energy of mobile defects is modified. The number density of interstitial clusters and vacancy clusters in simulation has a good agreement with experimental results. The defect evolution features versus carbon and solutes concentration are also studied. The simulation results show that the number density of defect clusters increases with increasing carbon or solutes concentration. The average size of interstitial clusters decreases, while the average size of vacancy clusters is hardly affected by increasing impurity/solutes concentration. The defect features do not show a saturation tendency with increasing carbon/solutes concentrations. It also seems the influence of solutes concentration is more sensitive on defect features than carbon concentration in this FeCMnNi alloy.
Sample size re‐estimation in clinical trials
Authors: Wang Peijin , Chow Shein‐Chung
Published: August 2021

In clinical trials, sample size re‐estimation is often conducted at interim. The purpose is to determine whether the study will achieve study objectives if the observed treatment effect at interim preserves till end of the study. A traditional approach is to conduct a conditional power analysis for sample size only based on observed treatment effect. This approach, however, does not take into consideration the variabilities of (i) the observed (estimate) treatment effect and (ii) the observed (estimate) variability associated with the treatment effect. Thus, the resultant re‐estimated sample sizes may not be robust and hence may not be reliable. In this article, a couple of methods are proposed, namely, adjusted effect size (AES) approach and iterated expectation/variance (IEV) approach, which can account for the variability associated with the observed responses at interim. The proposed methods provide interval estimates of sample size required for the intended trial, which is useful for making critical go/no go decision. Statistical properties of the proposed methods are evaluated in terms of controlling of type I error rate and statistical power. The results show that traditional approach performs poorly in controlling type I error inflation, whereas IEV approach has the best performance in most cases. Additionally, all re‐estimation approaches can keep the statistical power over 80; especially, IEV approach's statistical power, using adjusted significance level, is over 95. However, IEV approach may lead to a greater increment in sample size when detecting a smaller effect size. In general, IEV approach is effective when effect size is large; otherwise, AES approach is more suitable for controlling type I error rate and keep power over 80 with a more reasonable re‐estimated sample size.
Perylene Diimide‐Based Pseudo‐Crown Ether I: Supramolecular Aggregates for Sensing of Pb2+ and Diethanolamine
Authors: Singh Prabhpreet , Kaur Navdeep , Kaur Rajdeep
Published: August 2021

A pseudo‐Crown ether (open chained podand) containing two rigid and bulky perylene diimide units as terminal end‐group (diPDI 2) has been synthesized. The diPDI 2 selectively binds with Pb2+ ions to form 2 : 1 sandwich type complex (Job's plot, NMR and SPECFIT) in solution. The complexation led to significant changes in fluorescence and absorbance; in NMR chemical shifts (Δδ=0.5–0.6 ppm) and in size of the aggregates (DLS, AFM). We further demonstrated formation of diPDI 2‐Pb2+ host‐guest supramolecular complex using Cyclic voltammetry (CV), powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry (TGA), Infrared, Raman spectroscopies. The Hill coefficient (nH) value of >3.7 indicates cooperativity in Pb2+ binding process at high concentrations. We also demonstrated utility of diPDI 2+Pb2+ complex in a ‘turn‐on’ sensing of biological relevant amines such as spermine and diethanolamine (DEA) using displacement approach. The dissociation of diPDI 2+Pb2+ complex with these amines via sequestration of Pb2+ results in restoration of optical and NMR chemical shift signals. The reversibility of diPDI 2+Pb2+ complex with DEA offers fabrication of IMPLICATION logic gate.
2‐Dimethylaminofluorene‐Labeled 2'‐Deoxyuridine as a Turn‐On Fluorescent Probe for i‐Motif DNA
Authors: Hong Seung Woo , Oh Gon Ji , Hwang Gil Tae
Published: August 2021

i‐Motif (iM) DNA, a cytosine‐rich sequence having a four‐stranded structure, is believed to play an important role in regulating gene expression. In this study, we replaced each of the four thymidine units of the human telomeric iM sequence individually with a 2‐dimethylaminofluorene–substituted 2'‐deoxyuridine derivative (UDAF), then evaluated the formation of the iM structures with respect to pH through melting temperature measurements and circular dichroism, fluorescence, and UV‐Vis spectra. Introduction of the UDAF residue did not adversely affect the formation or stability of the iM structure; one of these strands functioned as an efficient fluorescent probe for iM formation.
Critical systems practice 2: Produce—Constructing a multimethodological intervention strategy
Authors: Jackson Michael C.
Published: August 2021

This is the second of a series of papers on the stages of critical systems practice. Critical systems practice is a multimethodology that seeks to employ the ideas developed in critical systems thinking to intervene in and improve complex real‐world problem situations. It has four stages—Explore (the problem situation), Produce (an intervention strategy), Intervene (flexibly) and Check (on progress)—called to mind as EPIC. The aim is to set out where thinking has reached on the best way to carry out each of these stages and to invite comment on what more needs doing. This second stage, Produce, is concerned with the design of an appropriate multimethodological intervention strategy based on the outcomes of Explore. The first pass through the Produce stage concludes when it becomes possible to set objectives for the intervention and to structure and schedule its delivery.
Axion-Like Particles at the ILC Giga-Z
Authors: Steinberg Noah , Wells James D.
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Axion-Like Particles (ALPs) are a generic, calculable, and well motivated extension of the Standard Model with far reaching phenomenology. ALPs that couple only to hypercharge represent one subset of such models, coupling the ALP to both photons and the Z boson. We examine the current constraints on this class of models with an ALP mass in the 100 MeV to 100 GeV range, paying particular attention to the region between 100 MeV to 10 GeV, a portion of parameter space which is ill constrained by current experiments. We show that the more than 109Z bosons produced in the Giga-Z mode of the future ILC experiment, combined with the highly granular nature of its detectors, will allow for ALPs coupled to hypercharge to be discovered with couplings down to nearly 10−5 GeV−1 over a range of masses from 0.4 to 50 GeV.
Sterile neutrinos with non-standard interactions in β- and 0νββ-decay experiments
Authors: Dekens W. , de Vries J. , Tong T.
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Charged currents are probed in low-energy precision β-decay experiments and at high-energy colliders, both of which aim to measure or constrain signals of beyond-the-Standard-Model physics. In light of future β-decay and LHC measurements that will further explore these non-standard interactions, we investigate what neutrinoless double-β decay (0νββ) experiments can tell us if a nonzero signal were to be found. Using a recently developed effective-field-theory framework, we consider the effects that interactions with right-handed neutrinos have on 0νββ and discuss the range of neutrino masses that current and future 0νββ measurements can probe, assuming neutrinos are Majorana particles. For non-standard interactions at the level suggested by recently observed hints in β decays, we show that next-generation 0νββ experiments can determine the Dirac or Majorana nature of neutrinos, for sterile neutrino masses larger than $$ \mathcal{O}(10) $$
O

10

eV.
Optimal pairs trading with dynamic mean-variance objective
Authors: Zhu Dong-Mei , Gu Jia-Wen , Yu Feng-Hui , Siu Tak-Kuen , Ching Wai-Ki
Published: August 2021

Pairs trading is a typical example of a convergence trading strategy. Investors buy relatively under-priced assets simultaneously, and sell relatively over-priced assets to exploit temporary mispricing. This study examines optimal pairs trading strategies under symmetric and non-symmetric trading constraints. Under the assumption that the price spread of a pair of correlated securities follows a mean-reverting Ornstein-Uhlenbeck(OU) process, analytical trading strategies are obtained under a mean-variance(MV) framework. Model estimation and empirical studies on trading strategies have been conducted using data on pairs of stocks and futures traded on China’s securities market. These results indicate that pairs trading strategies have fairly good performance.
Identification of a specific surface epitope of OmpC for Escherichia coli O157:H7 with protein topology facilitated affinity mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Wenbin , Zhou Xinyue , Sang Yunong , Liang Xiaxia , Liu Jianxin , Pan Saikun , Wang Luxin
Published: August 2021

The goal of this work was to identify the target protein and epitope of a previously reported Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ECO157)–specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2G12. mAb 2G12 has shown high specificity for the recovery and detection of ECO157. To achieve this goal, the target protein was first separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and located by Western blot (WB). The protein spots were identified to be the outer membrane protein (Omp) C by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF–MS). After that, the target protein was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) and subjected to in situ enzymatic cleavage of the vulnerable peptides. Eight eluted peptides of OmpC identified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) were further mapped onto the homologous protein structure of E. coli OmpC (2IXX). The topology of OmpC showed that three peptides had extracellular loops. Epitope mapping with overlapping peptide library and sequence homology analysis revealed that the epitope consisted of a specific peptide, “LGVING,” and an adjacent conservative peptide, “TQTYNATRVGSLG.” Both peptides loop around the overall structure of the epitope. To test the availability of the epitope when ECO157 was grown under different osmolarity, pH, and nutrition levels, the binding efficacy of mAb 2G12 with ECO157 grown in these conditions was evaluated. Results further demonstrated the good stability of this epitope under potential stressful environmental conditions. In summary, this study revealed that mAb 2G12 targeted one specific and one conservative extracellular loop (peptide) of the OmpC present on ECO157, and the epitope was stable and accessible on ECO157 cells grown in different environment.

Key points

• OmpC is the target of a recently identified ECO157-specific mAb 2G12.

• Eight peptides were identified from the OmpC by using LC–MS/MS.

• The specificity of mAb 2G12 is mainly determined by the “LGVING” peptide.
Organizational Determinants of Whistleblowing. A Study of Italian Municipalities
Authors: Previtali Pietro , Cerchiello Paola
Published: August 2021

The aim of this paper is to provide a deeper understanding of how to develop whistleblowing systems in public administrations, by focussing on the organisational variables that lead to actual reporting being made. The research is based on an empirical analysis of 400 major Italian municipalities and the whistleblowing systems they have implemented as anti-corruption measures. The results show that actual reporting is positively correlated with the presence of specific whistleblowing procedures as well as training and education programs. Anonymous reporting plays a relevant role.
About the Altitude Profile of the Atmospheric Cut-Off of Cosmic Rays: New Revised Assessment
Authors: Mishev Alexander , Poluianov Stepan
Published: August 2021

Cosmic rays, high-energy subatomic particles of extraterrestrial origin, are systematically measured by space-borne and ground-based instruments. A specific interest is paid to high-energy ions accelerated during solar eruptions, so-called solar energetic particles. In order to build a comprehensive picture of their nature, it is important to fill the gap and inter-calibrate ground-based and space-borne instruments. Here, we focus on ground-based detectors, specifically neutron monitors, which form a global network and provide continuous recording of cosmic ray intensity and its variability, used also to register relativistic solar energetic particles. The count rate of each neutron monitor is determined by the geomagnetic and atmospheric cut-offs, both being functions of the location. Here, on the basis of Monte Carlo simulations with the PLANETOCOSMICS code and by the employment of a new verified neutron monitor yield function, we assessed the atmospheric cut-off as a function of the altitude, as well as for specific stations located in the polar region. The assessed in this study altitude profile of the atmospheric cut-off for primary cosmic rays builds the basis for the joint analysis of strong solar proton events with different instruments and allows one to clarify recent definitions and related discussions about the new sub-class of events, so-called sub-ground-level enhancements (sub-GLEs).
Theoretical Studies of the Self Cleavage Pistol Ribozyme Mechanism
Authors: Serrano-Aparicio Natalia , Świderek Katarzyna , Tuñón Iñaki , Moliner Vicent , Bertran Joan
Published: August 2021

Ribozymes are huge complex biological catalysts composed of a combination of RNA and proteins. Nevertheless, there is a reduced number of small ribozymes, the self-cleavage ribozymes, that are formed just by RNA and, apparently, they existed in cells of primitive biological systems. Unveiling the details of these “fossils” enzymes can contribute not only to the understanding of the origins of life but also to the development of new simplified artificial enzymes. A computational study of the reactivity of the pistol ribozyme carried out by means of classical MD simulations and QM/MM hybrid calculations is herein presented to clarify its catalytic mechanism. Analysis of the geometries along independent MD simulations with different protonation states of the active site basic species reveals that only the canonical system, with no additional protonation changes, renders reactive conformations. A change in the coordination sphere of the Mg2+ion has been observed during the simulations, which allows proposing a mechanism to explain the unique mode of action of the pistol ribozyme by comparison with other ribozymes. The present results are at the center of the debate originated from recent experimental and theoretical studies on pistol ribozyme.
The relationship between CD204 M2-polarized tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and microglial activation in glioblastoma microenvironment: a novel immune checkpoint receptor target
Authors: Kurdi Maher , Alghamdi Badrah , Butt Nadeem Shafique , Baeesa Saleh
Published: August 2021

Background

Tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are considered dominant cells in glioblastoma microenvironment.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of CD204+ M2-polarized TAMs in glioblastomas and their relationship with CD4+TILs, Iba+microglia, and IDH1 mutation. We also exploreed the prognostic value of these markers on the recurrence-free interval (RFI).

Methods

The expressions of CD204+TAMs, CD4+TILs, and Iba1+microglia were quantitively assessed in 45 glioblastomas using immunohistochemistry. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox hazards were used to examine the relationship between these factors.

Results

CD204+TAMs were highly expressed in 32 tumours (71%) and the remaining 13 tumours (29%) had reduced expression. CD4+TILs were highly expressed in 10 cases (22%) and 35 cases (77.8%) had low expression. There was an inverse correlation between CD204+TAMs and CD4+TILs, in which 85% of tumours had a high expression of CD204+TAMs and a low expression of CD4+TILs. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in IDH1 mutation status between the two groups (p = 0.779). There was a significant difference in Iba1+microglial activation between IDH1mutant and IDH1wildtype groups (p = 0.031). For cases with a high expression of CD204+TAMs and a low expression of CD4+TILs, there was a significant difference in RFI after treatment with chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy (p = 0.030).

Conclusion

Glioblastoma with a dense CD204+TAMs and few CD4+TILs is associated with IDH1wildtype. These findings suggest that TAMs masks tumour cell and suppress T-cell tumoricidal functions via immunomodulatory mechanisms. Blockade of the CD204-TAM receptor may prevent this mechanism and allow the evolution of TILs.
The macroeconomics of COVID-19 exit strategy: the case of Japan
Authors: Kubota So
Published: August 2021

In this paper, I use a simple SIR Macro model to examine Japan’s soft lockdown policies in 2021 under the COVID-19 crisis. As real-time research, this paper consists of two parts written during two different research periods. The first part, which was originally reported in February 2021, studies the Japan’s second soft lockdown policy (state of emergency declaration) from January to March 2021. After the model is calibrated using 2020 data, the results show that a long enough lockdown can avoid future lockdowns, improving both the infection and the economy. In addition, I propose the ICU targeting policy, which keeps the number of severe patients at a constant level, mimicking the monetary policy’s inflation targeting. The model’s prediction is evaluated from an ex-post perspective in the second part, written in July 2021. I find that the model broadly captures the realized consequences of the second soft lockdown and the subsequent paths. Furthermore, the simulation is projected to the end of the pandemic under a revised scenario, incorporating the proliferation of COVID-19 variants. Finally, I discuss the effectiveness of the inverse lockdown (economic stimulus) policy in the fall of 2021 under the dynamic infection externality.
Smoothing Skeleton Avatar Visualizations Using Signal Processing Technology
Authors: Gauss Joela F. , Brandin Christoph , Heberle Andreas , Löwe Welf
Published: August 2021

Movements of a person can be recorded with a mobile camera and visualized as sequences of stick figures for assessments in health and elderly care, physio-therapy, and sports. However, since the visualizations flicker due to noisy input data, the visualizations themselves and even whole assessment applications are not trusted in general. The present paper evaluates different filters for smoothing the movement visualizations but keeping their validity for a visual physio-therapeutic assessment. It evaluates variants of moving average, high-pass, and Kalman filters with different parameters. Moreover, it presents a framework for the quantitative evaluation of smoothness and validity. As these two criteria are contradicting, the framework also allows to weight them differently and to automatically find the correspondingly best-fitting filter and its parameters. Different filters can be recommended for different weightings of smoothness and validity. The evaluation framework is applicable in more general contexts and with more filters than the three filters assessed. However, as a practical result of this work, a suitable filter for stick figure visualizations in a mobile application for assessing movement quality could be selected and used in a mobile app. The application is now more trustworthy and used by medical and sports experts, and end customers alike.
Lifetime and reliability improvements in modular multilevel converters using controlled circulating current
Authors: Kadandani Nasiru B. , Dahidah Mohamed , Ethni Salaheddine , Muhammad Musbahu
Published: August 2021

Circulating current has been an inherent feature of modular multilevel converters (MMC), which results in second-order harmonics on the arms currents. If not properly controlled, the circulating current can affect the lifetime and reliability of a converter by increasing the current loading, loss distribution, and junction temperature of its semiconductor devices. This paper proposes controlled circulating current injection as a means of improving the lifetime and reliability of an MMC. The proposed method involves modifying the reference modulating signals of the converter arms to include the controlled differential voltage as an offset. The junction temperature of the semiconductor devices obtained from an electro-thermal simulation is processed to deduce the lifetime and reliability of the converter. The obtained results are benchmarked against a case where the control method is not incorporated. The incorporation of the proposed control method results in a 68.25% increase in the expected lifetime of the converter and a 3.06% increase on its reliability index. Experimental results of a scaled down laboratory prototype validate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
ENERGY CONCENTRATION PROPERTIES OF A p-GINZBURG–LANDAU MODEL
Authors: LEI YUTIAN
Published: August 2021

This paper is concerned with the p-Ginzburg–Landau (p-GL) type model with
$p\neq 2$
. First, we obtain global energy estimates and energy concentration properties by the singularity analysis. Next, we give a decay rate of
$1-|u_\varepsilon |$
in the domain away from the singularities when
$\varepsilon \to 0$
, where
$u_\varepsilon $
is a minimizer of p-GL functional with
$p \in (1,2)$
. Finally, we obtain a Liouville theorem for the finite energy solutions of the p-GL equation on
$\mathbb {R}^2$
.
Hypoxia combined with chilling maintains the quality of irradiated Drosophila flies: a simulated shipment experiment
Authors: Enriquez Thomas , Sassù Fabiana , Cáceres Carlos , Colinet Hervé
Published: August 2021

Drosophila suzukii is an invasive fruit pest in Europe and America. Females lay eggs into mature fruit that larvae consume causing important losses. Sterile insect technique (SIT) is under development to control this pest. The efficiency of this technique relies on insect quality. However, during the process from mass production to field release, several steps may compromise insect quality and therefore SIT success. Shipment of sterile insects after irradiation is a key step of SIT programmes. Generally, insects are shipped as pupae and conditions during transport need to be adapted to prevent emergence before field release, while guaranteeing insect quality. To do so, transport is usually performed under low temperature, hypoxia or a combination of both. However, the impact of multiple stressors such as irradiation followed by chilling combined with hypoxia is poorly described and has not been studied in D. suzukii. Therefore, the aim of this study was to simulate a shipment of D. suzukii pupae (irradiated or not) under different conditions (chilling combined or not with hypoxia) for various durations, and to assess consequences on emerged adults. Irradiation followed by hypoxia and/or chilling only weakly altered emergence. However, 48 h of hypoxia without chilling altered the flight ability of flies whether or not they were irradiated. Conversely, when hypoxia was combined with chilling, flight ability remained similar to that of untreated flies. The use of chilling in combination with hypoxia for 48 h could be implemented as a transportation method for SIT programme on D. suzukii.
Crystal structure and magnetic properties of ternary Al3CoNd2 compound
Authors: Liang Liuqing , Li Degui , Jia Chenzhong , Qin Ming
Published: August 2021

A ternary compound Al3CoNd2 was synthesized and its crystal structure parameters were determined by the Rietveld refinement method based on powder X-ray diffraction data. Results show that the compound crystallizes in the MgCu2-type structure (cubic Laves C15 phase, space group $Fd\bar{3}m$), with the lattice parameter of a = 7.8424(2) Ǻ, unit-cell volume of V = 482.33 Å3, and calculated density of Dcalc = 5.90 g.cm−3. The residual factors converge to Rp = 0.1024 and Rwp = 0.1287. The reference intensity ratio value obtained experimentally is 3.03. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate an agreement with the Curie–Weiss law in the temperature range of 385–450 K, and paramagnetic Curie temperature of θp = 379.9 K. Both rare-earth elements and cobalt ions contribute to the paramagnetic moment. The saturation magnetic moment and magnetic hysteresis loop were measured for the Al3CoNd2 compound at various temperatures. Results show that the saturation magnetic moment value decreases with an increase in temperature and the compound becomes a ferromagnet below the Curie temperature Tc.
Gaps in the coverage of vitamin K1 prophylaxis among newborns in India: insights from secondary analysis of data from the Health Management Information System
Authors: Bora Kaustubh
Published: August 2021

Objective:

Despite operational guidelines, anecdotal evidence suggests that newborn vitamin K1 prophylaxis is not practiced routinely in India. This study determined the coverage of vitamin K1 prophylaxis among newborns in the country.

Design:

Nationwide cross-sectional data on live births and newborns receiving vitamin K1 during the 2019–2020 reporting period were abstracted from the Health Management Information System (HMIS). The coverage estimates of newborn vitamin K1 prophylaxis were derived nationally and also for individual states and union territories (UT). Additionally, coverage heterogeneities were investigated using classifiers, viz. geography, socio-demographic index (SDI), special developmental categories and institutional birth rate (IBR).

Setting:

India.

Participants:

20 208 804 newborns documented with HMIS.

Results:

Vitamin K1 was administered to overall 62·36 % newborns (95 % CI: 62·34 to 62·38 %). The Central zone (49·0 %), low SDI states (54·39 %), Empowered Action Group states (53·32 %) and states with low IBR (44·69 %) had the lowest coverage amongst their respective groupings. Across the individual states and UT, the coverage ranged widely from 22·18 % (in Tripura) to 99·38 % (in Puducherry), exhibiting considerable variability (coefficient of variation: 33·74 %) and inequality (Gini coefficient: 0·17). While the coverage in eight states/UT (i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana and Andaman & Nicobar Islands) was below 50 %; only five states/UT (i.e. Chandigarh, Gujarat, Goa, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu) achieved above 90 % coverage.

Conclusion:

Vitamin K1 prophylaxis was not practiced in more than one-third newborns in India. It calls for identifying the barriers, addressing the gaps and implementing newborn vitamin K1 prophylaxis more effectively throughout the country.
Examining CO2 Model Observation Residuals Using ACT‐America Data
Authors: Gerken Tobias , Feng Sha , Keller Klaus , Lauvaux Thomas , DiGangi Joshua P. , Choi Yonghoon , Baier Bianca , Davis Kenneth J.
Published: August 2021

Atmospheric inversion typically relies on the specification of prior flux and atmospheric model transport errors, which have large uncertainties. Here, we used ACT‐America airborne observations to compare model observation mismatch in the eastern U.S. and during four climatological seasons for the mesoscale WRF(‐Chem) and global scale CarbonTracker/TM5 (CT) models. Models used identical surface carbon fluxes, and CT was used as boundary condition for WRF. Both models showed reasonable agreement with observations, and residuals follow near symmetric peaked (i.e., non‐Gaussian) distribution with near‐zero bias of both models (CT:  ppm; WRF:  ppm). We also found large magnitude residuals at the tails of the distribution that contribute considerably to overall bias. Atmospheric boundary‐layer biases (1–10 ppm) were much larger than free tropospheric biases (0.5–1 ppm) and were of same magnitude as model‐model differences, whereas free tropospheric biases were mostly governed by background conditions. Results revealed systematic differences in atmospheric transport, most pronounced in the warm and cold sectors of synoptic systems, highlighting the importance of transport for residuals. While CT could reproduce the principal dynamics associated with synoptic systems, WRF showed a clearer distinction for differences across fronts. Variograms were used to quantify spatial correlation of residuals and showed characteristic residual length scales of approximately 100–300 km. Our findings suggest that inclusion of synoptic weather‐dependent and non‐Gaussian error structure may benefit inversion systems.
Magmatic Underplating Thickening of the Crust of the Southern Tibetan Plateau Inferred From Receiver Function Analysis
Authors: Liu Zhen , Tian Xiaobo , Liang Xiaofeng , Liang Chuntao , Li Xin
Published: August 2021

How the crust thickens to double the normal continental crust is a key issue in the formation of the Tibetan Plateau. Using data recorded by a new 2‐D broadband seismic array, we extracted the crustal thicknesses and average VP/VS ratios in central Tibet from receiver functions. In our results, the crustal thicknesses increase southward, while the crustal average VP/VS ratios generally decrease southward. The lower VP/VS ratios in the crust seem to be produced by higher silica contents. We suggest that upper mantle magmas induced by the subduction of Indian lithospheric and Tethyan oceanic slabs underplating the overriding crust differentiate into felsic melts and mafic residues. Mafic residues delaminate into the mantle due to their high density, while felsic magmas are retained in the crust. As a result, crustal thickening in southern Tibet is accompanied by increasing silica contents.
Decomposing Effective Radiative Forcing Due to Aerosol Cloud Interactions by Global Cloud Regimes
Authors: Langton Tom , Stier Philip , Watson‐Parris Duncan , Mulcahy Jane P.
Published: August 2021

Quantifying effective radiative forcing due to aerosol‐cloud interactions (E) remains a largely uncertain process, and the magnitude remains unconstrained in general circulation models. Previous studies focus on the magnitude of arising from all cloud types, or examine it in the framework of dynamical regimes. Aerosol forcing due to aerosol‐cloud interactions in the HadGEM3‐GA7.1 global climate model is decomposed into several global observational cloud regimes. Regimes are assigned to model gridboxes and forcing due to aerosol‐cloud interactions is calculated on a regime‐by‐regime basis with a 20‐year averaging period. Patterns of regime occurrence are in good agreement with satellite observations. ERFACI is then further decomposed into three terms, representing radiative changes within a given regime, transitions between different cloud regimes, and nonlinear effects. The total global mean ERFACI is Wm−2. When decomposed, simulated ERFACI is greatest in the thick stratocumulus regime (−0.51 Wm−2).
ACE2-targeting monoclonal antibody as potent and broad-spectrum coronavirus blocker
Authors: Chen Yuning , Zhang Ya-Nan , Yan Renhong , Wang Guifeng , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Zhe-Rui , Li Yaning , Ou Jianxia , Chu Wendi , Liang Zhijuan , Wang Yongmei , Chen Yi-Li , Chen Ganjun , Wang Qi , Zhou Qiang , Zhang Bo , Wang Chunhe
Published: August 2021

The evolution of coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, makes broad-spectrum coronavirus preventional or therapeutical strategies highly sought after. Here we report a human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-targeting monoclonal antibody, 3E8, blocked the S1-subunits and pseudo-typed virus constructs from multiple coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 mutant variants (SARS-CoV-2-D614G, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1.617.1, and P.1), SARS-CoV and HCoV-NL63, without markedly affecting the physiological activities of ACE2 or causing severe toxicity in ACE2 “knock-in” mice. 3E8 also blocked live SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in a prophylactic mouse model of COVID-19. Cryo-EM and “alanine walk” studies revealed the key binding residues on ACE2 interacting with the CDR3 domain of 3E8 heavy chain. Although full evaluation of safety in non-human primates is necessary before clinical development of 3E8, we provided a potentially potent and “broad-spectrum” management strategy against all coronaviruses that utilize ACE2 as entry receptors and disclosed an anti-coronavirus epitope on human ACE2.
Combined intermittent fasting and ERK inhibition enhance the anti-tumor effects of chemotherapy via the GSK3β-SIRT7 axis
Authors: Tang Xiaolong , Li Guo , Shi Lei , Su Fengting , Qian Minxian , Liu Zuojun , Meng Yuan , Sun Shimin , Li Ji , Liu Baohua
Published: August 2021

Dietary interventions such as intermittent fasting (IF) have emerged as an attractive strategy for cancer therapies; therefore, understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms is pivotal. Here, we find SIRT7 decline markedly attenuates the anti-tumor effect of IF. Mechanistically, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylating SIRT7 at T263 triggers further phosphorylation at T255/S259 by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), which stabilizes SIRT7 by decoupling E3 ligase UBR5. SIRT7 hyperphosphorylation achieves anti-tumor activity by disrupting the SKP2-SCF E3 ligase, thus preventing SKP2-mediated K63-linked AKT polyubiquitination and subsequent activation. In contrast, GSK3β-SIRT7 axis is inhibited by EGF/ERK2 signaling, with ERK2 inactivating GSK3β, thus accelerating SIRT7 degradation. Unfavorably, glucose deprivation or chemotherapy hijacks the GSK3β-SIRT7 axis via ERK2, thus activating AKT and ensuring survival. Notably, Trametinib, an FDA-approved MEK inhibitor, enhances the efficacy of combination therapy with doxorubicin and IF. Overall, we have revealed the GSK3β-SIRT7 axis that must be fine-tuned in the face of the energetic and oncogenic stresses in malignancy.
Small molecule inhibition of ATM kinase increases CRISPR-Cas9 1-bp insertion frequency
Authors: Bermudez-Cabrera Heysol C. , Culbertson Sannie , Barkal Sammy , Holmes Benjamin , Shen Max W. , Zhang Sophia , Gifford David K. , Sherwood Richard I.
Published: August 2021

Mutational outcomes following CRISPR-Cas9-nuclease cutting in mammalian cells have recently been shown to be predictable and, in certain cases, skewed toward single genotypes. However, the ability to control these outcomes remains limited, especially for 1-bp insertions, a common and therapeutically relevant class of repair outcomes. Here, through a small molecule screen, we identify the ATM kinase inhibitor KU-60019 as a compound capable of reproducibly increasing the fraction of 1-bp insertions relative to other Cas9 repair outcomes. Small molecule or genetic ATM inhibition increases 1-bp insertion outcome fraction across three human and mouse cell lines, two Cas9 species, and dozens of target sites, although concomitantly reducing the fraction of edited alleles. Notably, KU-60019 increases the relative frequency of 1-bp insertions to over 80% of edited alleles at several native human genomic loci and improves the efficiency of correction for pathogenic 1-bp deletion variants. The ability to increase 1-bp insertion frequency adds another dimension to precise template-free Cas9-nuclease genome editing.
Portable, bedside, low-field magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Mazurek Mercy H. , Cahn Bradley A. , Yuen Matthew M. , Prabhat Anjali M. , Chavva Isha R. , Shah Jill T. , Crawford Anna L. , Welch E. Brian , Rothberg Jonathan , Sacolick Laura , Poole Michael , Wira Charles , Matouk Charles C. , Ward Adrienne , Timario Nona , Leasure Audrey , Beekman Rachel , Peng Teng J. , Witsch Jens , Antonios Joseph P. , Falcone Guido J. , Gobeske Kevin T. , Petersen Nils , Schindler Joseph , Sansing Lauren , Gilmore Emily J. , Hwang David Y. , Kim Jennifer A. , Malhotra Ajay , Sze Gordon , Rosen Matthew S. , Kimberly W. Taylor , Sheth Kevin N.
Published: August 2021

Radiological examination of the brain is a critical determinant of stroke care pathways. Accessible neuroimaging is essential to detect the presence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) operates at high magnetic field strength (1.5–3 T), which requires an access-controlled environment, rendering MRI often inaccessible. We demonstrate the use of a low-field MRI (0.064 T) for ICH evaluation. Patients were imaged using conventional neuroimaging (non-contrast computerized tomography (CT) or 1.5/3 T MRI) and portable MRI (pMRI) at Yale New Haven Hospital from July 2018 to November 2020. Two board-certified neuroradiologists evaluated a total of 144 pMRI examinations (56 ICH, 48 acute ischemic stroke, 40 healthy controls) and one ICH imaging core lab researcher reviewed the cases of disagreement. Raters correctly detected ICH in 45 of 56 cases (80.4% sensitivity, 95%CI: [0.68–0.90]). Blood-negative cases were correctly identified in 85 of 88 cases (96.6% specificity, 95%CI: [0.90–0.99]). Manually segmented hematoma volumes and ABC/2 estimated volumes on pMRI correlate with conventional imaging volumes (ICC = 0.955, p = 1.69e-30 and ICC = 0.875, p = 1.66e-8, respectively). Hematoma volumes measured on pMRI correlate with NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) and clinical outcome (mRS) at discharge for manual and ABC/2 volumes. Low-field pMRI may be useful in bringing advanced MRI technology to resource-limited settings.
Handmade solar dryer: an environmentally and economically viable alternative for small and medium producers
Authors: Souto Ribeiro Wellington , Sant’Ana Silva Adriano , Ferreira da Silva Álvaro Gustavo , Marinho do Nascimento Ana , Rocha Limão Marcelo Augusto , Bezerra da Costa Franciscleudo , de Souza Pahlevi Augusto , de Melo Queiroz Alexandre José , Soares da Silva Osvaldo , Oliveira Galdino Pluvia , Feitosa de Figueirêdo Rossana Maria , de Melo Silva Silvanda , Luiz Finger Fernando
Published: August 2021

The solar dryer can reduce production costs, energy consumption, waste (use fruits outside the quality standard for fresh consumption) and is an alternative for small and medium producers. The solar dryer can reduce costs and is an alternative for small and medium producers worldwide. The consumption of fresh and processed tomatoes is high in the world, but post-harvest losses is also and drying is an alternative to reduce these losses. The temperature maintenance and drying time corresponds 30% of the costs. The objective was evaluated the tomato physicochemical characteristics after drying in handmade solar dryer. ‘Carmen’ tomato fruits were bleached in water, 2.5% NaCl solution, 2.5% NaCl + 0.5% CaCl2 solution and unbleached. Tomato slices were placed in a handmade solar dryer from 7:00 to 17:00. The solar dryer prototype was wood made, comprising a collector and a drying chamber. The average cost of the camera was US$ 13.08 (1 Brazilian Real = 0.26 United States Dollar). Water loss, drying kinetics, mathematical models and physicochemical characteristics of fresh and dried tomatoes were evaluated. The average length of solar drying for the four treatments was 30 h and the Midilli and Kucuk mathematical model was the most adjusted. The acidity, reducing sugars and soluble solids were concentrated by drying, while ascorbic acid was reduced. The pH did not change. Tomatoes 'Carmen' can be dried in a handmade solar dryer for 30 h while maintaining product quality.
Early prognosis of respiratory virus shedding in humans
Authors: Aminian M. , Ghosh T. , Peterson A. , Rasmussen A. L. , Stiverson S. , Sharma K. , Kirby M.
Published: August 2021

This paper addresses the development of predictive models for distinguishing pre-symptomatic infections from uninfected individuals. Our machine learning experiments are conducted on publicly available challenge studies that collected whole-blood transcriptomics data from individuals infected with HRV, RSV, H1N1, and H3N2. We address the problem of identifying discriminatory biomarkers between controls and eventual shedders in the first 32 h post-infection. Our exploratory analysis shows that the most discriminatory biomarkers exhibit a strong dependence on time over the course of the human response to infection. We visualize the feature sets to provide evidence of the rapid evolution of the gene expression profiles. To quantify this observation, we partition the data in the first 32 h into four equal time windows of 8 h each and identify all discriminatory biomarkers using sparsity-promoting classifiers and Iterated Feature Removal. We then perform a comparative machine learning classification analysis using linear support vector machines, artificial neural networks and Centroid-Encoder. We present a range of experiments on different groupings of the diseases to demonstrate the robustness of the resulting models.