bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Too much for your own good: Excessive dopamine damages neurons and contributes to Parkinson's disease
Authors: Masato Anna , Bubacco Luigi , Greggio Elisa
Published: June 2021

Dopamine dyshomeostasis is a driving factor of nigrostriatal degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). Accumulation of cytosolic dopamine at striatal projections results in the buildup of autoxidation products, which generates protein adducts and exacerbate oxidative stress. Moreover, an excessive rate of dopamine degradation results in accumulation of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL), a toxic metabolite which rapidly reacts with other proteins. These events lead to protein misfolding and cross‐linking as well as mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction, the main pathological mechanisms underscoring dopaminergic neuron loss in PD. In this issue of Journal of Neurochemistry, Vecchio et al. generated and characterized a new in vivo model of chronic dopamine accumulation through the overexpression of a hyperactive form of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH‐HI), the rate‐limiting step enzyme in dopamine biosynthesis. At 3–5 months of age, TH‐HI mice displayed increased striatal dopamine content, exacerbated dopamine catabolism, and augmented responses to amphetamine. This correlated with enhanced oxidative stress and DOPAL buildup, highlighting a catechol‐induced neurotoxic vicious cycle that may anticipate a parkinsonian‐like phenotype in aged mice. This novel TH‐HI animal model represents an exciting new tool to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying dopamine disequilibrium, catecholamine autotoxicity, and neurodegeneration in PD.

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Vasopressin and central control of the cardiovascular system: A 40‐year retrospective
Authors: Pittman Quentin J.
Published: June 2021

In the 40 years since vasopressin (AVP) was reported to have a central action with respect to raising blood pressure, the finding has been repeatedly replicated using a variety of complimentary approaches. The role of AVP as a central neurotransmitter involved in control of the cardiovascular system is now textbook material. However, it is evident that brain AVP plays, at best, a minor role in regulation of normal blood pressure. However, it appears to be an important player in a several cardiovascular‐associated pathologies, ranging from hypertension to neural changes associated with heart failure. There are many interventions that have been shown to affect neural function, many of which are associated with alterations in behaviour. Possible alterations in neuronal AVP actions relevant to cardiovascular control in the setting of chronic inflammatory disease, early‐life stress and inflammation are suggested areas for future research.
Self‐affirmation theory in educational contexts
Authors: Easterbrook Matthew J. , Harris Peter R. , Sherman David K.
Published: June 2021

Self‐affirmation, operationalized as value‐affirmation interventions, can have long‐term beneficial effects on the academic performance and trajectories of members of negatively stereotyped groups, thus reducing achievement gaps. Yet, there is significant heterogeneity in the effectiveness of value affirmations, and we do not yet have a clear understanding of why. In this introduction to the special issue, we review the literature on self‐affirmation theory in educational contexts, providing overviews of the heterogeneity in the effectiveness of affirmation interventions, the methods of implementation, potential moderators, and underling processes. We identify several questions that are important for researchers to address, the answers to which would progress the field towards being able to more confidently implement value‐affirmations in contexts in which, and/or for groups for whom, they are most likely to produce benefits. We then introduce the articles included in this special issue, which showcase several of the latest theoretical and empirical advances to self‐affirmation theory in educational contexts.
Persistent chronic immune activation in HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients after antiretroviral therapy
Authors: He Yaozu , Cai Weiping , Chen Jingliang , Hu Fengyu , Li Feng , Lin Weiyin , Li Yonghong , Chen Xiejie , Tang Xiaoping , Li Linghua
Published: June 2021

We studied the characteristics of immune activation and investigated the underlying mechanisms in patients with human immunodeficiency virus‐1/hepatitis B virus (HIV/HBV) coinfection after receiving HBV‐active antiretroviral therapy. Forty patients with HIV/HBV coinfection, 38 patients with HIV monoinfection and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. CD4+ count, HIV load, HBV load, markers of immune activation and regulatory T‐cell (Treg cell) frequency were assessed and compared between HIV‐monoinfected and HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients at week 0 (baseline), 12, 24, 36 and 48 after the onset of HBV‐active antiretroviral therapy. Before antiretroviral therapy, frequencies of CD4+HLADR+CD38+, CD8+HLADR+CD38+, and Treg cells, and sCD163 and sCD14 levels were significantly higher in both HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients and HIV‐monoinfected patients, compared with healthy controls. Frequencies of CD4+HLADR+CD38+ and CD8+HLADR+CD38+ cells decreased following antiretroviral therapy in both groups. sCD163 levels did not change significantly in both groups and no significant difference was observed between the two groups at each time point during the 48‐week antiretroviral therapy. In week 24, levels of sCD14 and frequencies of Treg cells appeared significantly higher in HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients than in HIV‐monoinfected patients, in which sCD14 levels and Treg cell frequencies declined to those in healthy controls. The Treg cell frequency was consistent with that of sCD14 levels in HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients. Coinfection with HBV significantly increases sCD14 levels in HIV‐infected patients during HBV‐active antiretroviral therapy, which may potentially contribute to liver inflammation.
CroSR391, an ortholog of the λ Cro repressor, plays a major role in suppressing polVR391‐dependent mutagenesis
Authors: McDonald John P. , Quiros Dominic R. , Vaisman Alexandra , Mendez Antonio R. , Reyelt Jan , Schmidt Marlen , Gonzalez Martín , Woodgate Roger
Published: June 2021

When subcloned into low‐copy‐number expression vectors, rumAB, encoding polVR391 (RumA′2B), is best characterized as a potent mutator giving rise to high levels of spontaneous mutagenesis in vivo. This is in dramatic contrast to the poorly mutable phenotype when polVR391 is expressed from the native 88.5 kb R391, suggesting that R391 expresses cis‐acting factors that suppress the expression and/or the activity of polVR391. Indeed, we recently discovered that SetRR391, an ortholog of λ cI repressor, is a transcriptional repressor of rumAB. Here, we report that CroSR391, an ortholog of λ Cro, also serves as a potent transcriptional repressor of rumAB. Levels of RumA are dependent upon an interplay between SetRR391 and CroSR391, with the greatest reduction of RumA protein levels observed in the absence of SetRR391 and the presence of CroSR391. Under these conditions, CroSR391 completely abolishes the high levels of mutagenesis promoted by polVR391 expressed from low‐copy‐number plasmids. Furthermore, deletion of croSR391 on the native R391 results in a dramatic increase in mutagenesis, indicating that CroSR391 plays a major role in suppressing polVR391 mutagenesis in vivo. Inactivating mutations in CroSR391 therefore have the distinct possibility of increasing cellular mutagenesis that could lead to the evolution of antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria harboring R391.
Colchicum tulakii (Colchicaceae), a new species from central Macedonia, northeastern Greece
Authors: Tsiftsis Spyros , Giannakis Thomas , Panajiotidis Sampson , Eleftheriadou Eleni , Theodoropoulos Konstantinos
Published: June 2021

Colchicum tulakii Th. Giannakis, S. Tsiftsis & E. Eleftheriadou (Colchicaceae), a distinct new species from central Macedonia, northeast Greece, is described. A description, diagnostic characters and taxonomic comments on the new species are given. It is compared with its closely related taxa C. haynaldii, C. autumnale, C. turcicum and C. confusum. Ecological information is provided and the geographical distribution of the new species is mapped. Its conservation status was assessed according to the latest IUCN criteria.
Homogeneous blue lumps of the nipple‐areola complex in pubertal girls
Authors: Sechi Andrea , Vaccari Sabina , Parlangeli Antonella , Vara Giulio , Patrizi Annalisa
Published: June 2021

Retroareolar cysts are benign breast lesions caused by the obstruction and consequent dilatation of Montgomery tubercles. Herein, we report two cases of premenarchal girls who developed retroareolar cysts. Their course and differential diagnosis are discussed.
Beneficial Product Returns in Supply Chains
Authors: Li Meng , Liu Yunchuan
Published: June 2021

Many retailers and manufacturers accept product returns from consumers (via money‐back guarantees) and retailers (via full‐credit return policies) respectively. While the extant literature focuses on either manufacturer or retailer return policies, this study investigates both return policies and finds that a manufacturer's return policy can induce the retailer to adopt a return policy. Although accepting consumer returns hurts the manufacturer when the manufacturer sells through non‐competing retailers, we find that the manufacturer is not destined to be hurt by accepting returns when selling to competing retailers that are differentiated in their returns rates.
Correlations between clinical signs and corneal cytology in feline eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Lucyshyn Danica R. , Vernau William , Maggs David J. , Murphy Christopher J. , Leonard Brian C.
Published: June 2021

Objective

To assess correlations between clinical and cytological features of feline eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis at the time of cytological diagnosis.

Animals Studied

Fifteen client‐owned, domestic breed cats (18 eyes) examined between 2007 and 2019.

Procedures

An electronic search and medical record review of cats diagnosed with feline eosinophilic keratitis or keratoconjunctivitis (FEK) based on clinical examination findings and eosinophils detected on corneal cytology were conducted. Clinical severity was graded using a modified version of a previously validated semiquantitative preclinical ocular toxicology scoring (SPOTS) system. Clinical grades were assigned following review of clinical images and medical record descriptions, and cytological grades were assigned following review of archived corneal cytology slides. Correlations were analyzed for significance using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Results

Higher total corneal scores correlated with higher total conjunctival scores, but not with total fluorescein scores. Small lymphocyte scores correlated negatively with scores for collagen degeneration or mineralization. Globule leukocytes, a unique cell type not previously described in ocular cytology, were identified in 4 of 18 cytological samples. Higher globule leukocyte scores were correlated with higher scores for mast cells or plasma cells. Specimens with lower eosinophil scores had higher globule leukocyte scores.

Conclusions

Large variability was detected in the cytological characteristics and clinical features of FEK‐affected cats. This is the first report of globule leukocytes being identified in ocular cytology from any species. The role of globule leukocytes in the etiopathogenesis and progression of FEK remains unknown and warrants further investigation.
Disaster Risk	in Underground Utility Development: A Matter of Perception
Authors: Salleh Siti Hasliah , Mohamed Yusof Nor Ashikin , Mohamed Zamri , Mohamad Saleh Baqutayan Shadiya , Badrul Hisham Amirah ‘Aisya , Mohd Puzi Mohd Alif
Published: June 2021

The risk of development (or disaster) depends on the nature of the development itself and the potential disaster in the development area. However, the risk of disasters is a matter of perception. It depends on how an individual or group of individuals see or assess the characteristics of a phenomenon. Even it is subjective; it is vital to understand what risks people consider to be acceptable, especially the local players involved in the development works. Therefore, this paper presents how the local players perceive disaster risk in underground utility development. These local players were the authorities at the federal and state level, industry players, and academicians. Series of focus group discussions were conducted for data collection purposes, and the data was analyzed narratively. One aspect is the perception of disaster risk occurrence; either the disaster affects the development or otherwise. In turn, this evidence-based information could be one of the essential feeders to policymakers and disaster managers on what disaster risk reduction programmes have a better chance of being accepted by the local players. The success of this kind of programme is essential for sustainable underground utility functions for the future.
Genre Perbualan Aneh dalam Hikayat Nakhoda Muda: Analisis Semantik Inkuisitif
Authors: Hedel Nur Ezatull Fadtehah , Subet Mary Fatimah
Published: June 2021

Oral and written traditions already existed a long time ago which are highlighted through various high value work. These works are processed as a medium to convey a words of advice, reprimand, satire and philosophy as a guide for the readers. The purpose of this study is to study the inquisitive semantics in strange conversational genre folklore. The objectives of this study are to identify utterances that display behaviors that were opposite to the norms of life and analyse the influence of culture and intelligence in folklore. This study is a qualitative study and an exploratory design by using a corpus data which is the Buku Antologi Enam Hikayat by choosing Hikayat Nakhoda Muda. The data were collected based on primary and secondary data and all the data were analysed based on three stages which is script semantics, resonans semantics and inquisitive semantics. Relevance Theory was used in this study. This study also includes the philosophy and intelligence of the previous society and the knowledge from other fields in order to get the concrete answer for every lexical that are used in the folklore. The results found that each lexical used in folklore has its own meaning and need to analyse by using inquisitive semantics analysis.
Patterns of Teacher Trainee Grammar Talk in Second Language Classrooms
Authors: Abdullah Tina , Ismail Fauziah , Awang Zubaidah , Abd. Aziz@Ahmad Azian
Published: June 2021

Literature in Language Teacher Education (LTE) has highlighted that teaching of grammar should be included as a foundational framework for all language teaching. This indicates that teacher trainees need to be trained with a firm foundation for grammar teaching in language classrooms.  Thus, an investigation on how teacher trainees taught grammar and the pattern of their grammar instruction can provide insights to teacher trainees and teacher educators on grammar teaching methodology practised in language classrooms. By understanding how teacher trainees present grammar in their classrooms and what patterns emerged from their grammar instruction can lead to ongoing process of searching for better grammar teaching in language classrooms. This article shares the findings on an investigation conducted on how and what was practised by teacher trainees in their grammar instruction. Two prevalent patterns were discovered.  Transmission technique which is teacher fronted and interaction technique which is teacher-student-teacher fronted were commonly practised by the trainees. However, the teacher-fronted technique dominates the interaction technique. This signals that teacher educators need to promote more interactive techniques in the LTE programme so that trainees are trained to teach grammar by utilising more interactive techniques such as questioning (to use more convergent and divergent questions instead of literal questions) and giving corrective feedback (to elicit and recast instead of repeating) which promote two-way grammar teaching.
Susceptibility of Stingless Bee, Giant Bee and Asian Bee Honeys Incorporated Cellulose Hydrogels in Treating Wound Infection
Authors: Gopal Rathosivan , Lo Alex Zhen Kai , Masrol Masuriani , Lai Chian-Hui , Muhamad Zain Norhidayu , Saidin Syafiqah
Published: June 2021

Wound healing and wound management are among challenging clinical problems, despite the advancement in medical technology and research. Honey is one of the natural products, synthesized by honey bees that exhibits great antibacterial and medicinal properties. Incorporation of honey into modern dressing materials such as cellulose hydrogel is beneficial to anticipate cell proliferation while preventing infection in a wound region. This study reports the fabrication of honey cellulose hydrogels for reliable alternative treatment of wound infection. The cellulose hydrogels were incorporated with three types of mainland Southeast Asia honeys of stingless bee, giant bee and Asian bee, independently. Each hydrogel was subjected to ATR-FTIR analysis for the determination of chemical composition. The antibacterial properties of honey hydrogels were evaluated through zone inhibition and colony count tests against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The cytocompatibility of the honey hydrogels was then evaluated through MTT assay and cell scratch assay with human skin fibroblast cells. The composition of honey and cellulose hydrogel were verified with the appearances of fingerprint bandwidth and identical peaks of both compounds, respectively. The giant bee honey hydrogels produced the highest bacterial retardation through both antibacterial tests. The stingless bee honey hydrogels projected susceptibility towards E. coli while the Asian bee honey hydrogels projected susceptibility towards S. aureus. Among these three variations of honey hydrogels, the in-vitro cytocompatibility analyses testified the greatest cell viability and cell migration on the stingless bee honey hydrogels compared to the Asian bee honey hydrogels, giant bee honey hydrogels and control hydrogels. The findings support the potential of honey hydrogels as a reliable alternative treatment for wound infection.
Temperature-Dependent X-Ray Studies of Discotic Hexagonal Columnar Mesophases in Trinuclear Gold(I) Pyrazolate Complex
Authors: Abd Khadir Jalani Mohamad Azani , Lintang Hendrik O. , Lee Siew Ling , Matmin Juan , Ghazalli Nur Fatiha , Yuliati Leny , Abdul Ajid Amy Zuria , Idrus Mohd Izam
Published: June 2021

Gold(I) pyrazolate complex ([Au3Pz3]C10TEG) has been widely studied due to its interesting liquid crystalline properties by exhibiting the discotic hexagonal columnar arrangement. Generally, the liquid crystalline properties of the gold complex were confirmed based on their differential scanning calorimetry thermogram and polarized optical microscopy (POM) images. However, there is still no in-depth study on the phase transition in liquid crystals of [Au3Pz3]C10TEG especially on its structural change at variable temperature. In this study, the resulting liquid crystalline properties of [Au3Pz3]C10TEG upon being heated and cooled was extensively demonstrated via variable-temperature POM (VT-POM) and small angle X-ray scattering (VT-SAXS). Based on the VT-POM images, it was indicated that [Au3Pz3]C10TEG displayed a fan-shaped texture for typical arrangements of discotic hexagonal columnar of liquid crystals. Moreover, VT-SAXS results was in good agreement with the VT-POM images as it showed that [Au3Pz3]C10TEG might consist of two types of stacking system, which are ordered and disordered hexagonal discotic arrangements. Likewise, VT-SAXS analysis also demonstrated that hexagonal columnar mesophase of [Au3Pz3]C10TEG could be recovered even after the heating and cooling for two cycles.
Sir George Johnson FRCP (1818–96), high blood pressure and the continuing altercation about its origins
Authors: Dorrington Keith L. , Frise Matthew C.
Published: June 2021

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

The review takes a historical approach to examining where in the body it might be possible to identify the most common cause, or causes, of long‐term hypertension. It gathers evidence from histology, human and animal physiology, and computational modelling. The burden of decades of controversy is noted.

What advances does it highlight?

The review highlights the distinctive pathology of the afferent renal circulation and what its consequences are for the widespread view that essential hypertension is caused by elevated peripheral vascular resistance.

The widely promulgated notion that long‐term elevation in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) can be caused by raised peripheral vascular resistance remains a subject of vigorous debate. According to the 1967 mathematical model of Guyton and Coleman, such a causal relationship is impossible, kidney function being the determining factor. We explore this altercation starting with Sir George Johnson's 19th‐century renal vascular histological observations in patients with Bright's disease. We note the striking physiological measurements in hypertensives by Gómez and Bolomey in the 1950s, moving on to the mathematical modelling of the circulation from the 1960s up to the ∼100‐parameter computer models of the present day. Confusion has been generated by the fact that peripheral resistance is raised in hypertension in close proportion to MAP whilst cardiac output often stays normal, an apparent autoregulation, the mechanism of which is poorly understood. All models allowing for the circulation to be an open system show that isolated changes in peripheral resistance cannot lead to long‐term hypertension, but models fail so frequently to account for results from experiments such as salt loading that their credibility with regard to this key finding is compromised. Laboratory animal models of adrenergic renal actions resonate with a contemporary emphasis on the sympathetic nerve supply to the kidney as contributing to the characteristically markedly elevated renal afferent resistance that appears to be the most common cause of hypertension. Remarkably, there remains no account of the way in which the fixed structural changes in vessels observed by Johnson relate to this sympathetic overactivity, which can itself be modified by drugs in the medium term. In this account, we seek to locate the crime scene and identify a smoking gun.
A Rational Friction Factor Correlation for Laminar Fully Developed Pipe Flows of Shear-Thinning Non-Newtonian Fluids
Authors: Brewster Robert A.
Published: June 2021

A friction factor correlation for laminar, hydrodynamically fully developed pipe flows of shear-thinning non-Newtonian fluids is derived through analysis and asymptotic considerations. The specific non-Newtonian fluid model used is the extended modified power law model, which is functionally equivalent to the Cross model, and spans the entire shear rate range from the low to the high shear rate Newtonian regions, including the intermediate power law region. The friction factor correlation is a function of three dimensionless parameters and has an explicit form, making it well-suited to design calculations. The overall accuracy of the correlation is 6.6%, though it is much better than this in most cases. Graphical results for the correlation, and deviations with respect to high-accuracy numerical calculations are presented and discussed.
Two-Dimensional Flow Boiling Characteristics With Wettability Surface in Microgap Heat Sink and Heat Transfer Prediction Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Karim Anwarul , Kim Yoon Jo , Kim Jong-Hoon
Published: June 2021

As technology becomes increasingly miniaturized, thermal management becomes challenging to keep devices away from overheating due to extremely localized heat dissipation. Two-phase cooling or flow boiling in microspaces utilizes the highly efficient thermal energy transport of phase change from liquid to vapor. However, the excessive consumption of liquid-phase by highly localized heat source causes the two-phase flow maldistribution, leading to a significantly reduced heat transfer coefficient, high-pressure loss, and limited flow rate. In this study, flow boiling in a two-dimensional (2D) microgap heat sink with a hydrophilic coating is investigated with bubble morphology, heat transfer, and pressure drop for conventional (nonhydrophilic) and hydrophilic heat sinks. The experiments are carried out on a stainless steel (SS) plate, having a microgap depth of 170 μm using de-ionized (DI) water at room temperature. Two different hydrophilic surfaces (partial and full channel shape) are fabricated on the heated surface to compare the thermal performance with the conventional surface. Vapor films and slugs are flushed quickly on the hydrophilic surfaces, resulting in heat transfer enhancement on the hydrophilic heat sink compared to the conventional heat sink. The channel hydrophilic heat sink shows better cooling performance and pressure stability as it provides a smooth route for the incoming water to cool the hot spot. Moreover, the artificial neural network (ANN) prediction of heat transfer coefficient shows a good agreement with the experimental results as data fit within ±5% average error.
Numerical Calculation About Influence of Crystallizer Structure on the Stress Evolution Process of Horizontal Continuous Casting of Copper Tubes
Authors: Xiao Yao , Han Yi , Huang Ming , Gao Xin-Liang , Liu Jia-Yin
Published: June 2021

The horizontal continuous casting plays a key role in the production of inner grooved copper tubes. In order to improve the accuracy of the temperature field model of the copper tubes' horizontal continuous casting process, the model heat transfer coefficient was validated through temperature measurement experiment of graphite crystallizer. The finite element model of stress field evolution was established, based on considering the temperature and microstructure changes. It was found that tensile stress was generated in the outer layer of the casting billet and compressive stress was generated in the inner layer, when the casting billet entered the primary cooling zone. The paper investigated the mechanism of the liquid inlet number and shape on the microstructure and stress distribution after the casting billet was solidified. When the number of liquid inlets was 6, the ratio of the semimajor axis of ellipsoid to the short semiaxis was 3:2, and the backward tilt angle was 10 deg, the equivalent stress value of the casting billet was smaller, and the grains were dense and uniform. This paper promotes the research of horizontal continuous casting process and provides measurable reference for improving the quality of casting billet in the further.
Estimating Size and Number Density of Three-Dimensional Particles Using Truncated Cross-Sectional Data
Authors: Gao Yuanyuan , Huang Xiaohu , Wang Chao , Wu Jianguo
Published: June 2021

The need for estimating three-dimensional (3D) information based on two-dimensional (2D) images has been increasing in numerous fields. It is essential in quality assessment, quality control, and process optimization. However, all the existing methods have not considered the data truncation issue, which is commonly faced in metrology. This paper proposes a new statistical approach to infer size distribution and volume number density (VND) of 3D particles based on 2D cross-sectional images with data truncation considered. In order to estimate the size distribution, a linkage is established between 3D particles and 2D observations with the existence of data truncation. Subsequently, this paper derives the likelihood function of 2D observations and an efficient Monte Carlo expectation-maximization algorithm is developed to estimate the parameters of size distribution. In addition, an explicit relationship between the 3D and 2D particle number densities is established and leveraged to estimate the VND and volume fraction. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through both simulation study and real case studies in metal additive manufacturing and metal-matrix nanocomposites manufacturing.
Thermal Throttling by Model Predictive Control in Flash Memory
Authors: Xiong Shaomin , Hirano Toshiki
Published: June 2021

The storage density and capacity per die in flash memory keep increasing in the past decades. More flash memory dies are assembled in a storage device and system, which also leads to higher power consumption and more heat generation. Thermal throttling is critical to protect the device from data loss and damage due to overheating. It is triggered after the device temperature reaches a throttling point. During the throttling, the device performance, such as data rate or Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS), will be lowered to reduce the rate of heat generation. The restriction on the IOPS depends on how the thermal throttling algorithm is designed and implemented. In this paper, a model predictive control (MPC) based thermal throttling method is demonstrated. The simulation results show that this method can achieve efficient thermal throttling and minimize the performance variation, compared to a traditional PID or bang-bang controller.
A 3D Multi-Object Tracking Based on Bounding Box and Depth
Authors: Feng Chun-Hao , Chang Jen-Yuan (James)
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a real-time 3D multi-object tracking by using bounding box and depth information has been proposed. Multiple object tracking (MOT) is a key component in the robot industry and autonomous driving. In recent years, many kinds of research focus on how to use a learning-based method to extract feature images and use the features to track the objects. However, the common detected-objects in industrial applications are pretty much the same in appearance and color. In other words, objects having a similar feature have the tendency in making the learning-based modal malfunction. To resolve this problem, the work presented in this paper proposes a new approach using a 2D bounding box of pixel and 1D depth information as input. First, the bounding box from the detector and depth information from the depth sensor can be obtained. Secondly, a combination of the Kalman filter and the Hungarian algorithm is used for state estimation and data association. Lastly, the results are evaluated and compared with others by using KITTI benchmarks. Furthermore, it is found through experiments that in pragmatic tracking of objects, the proposed method and system runs at a rate of 1153.4 FPS, offering a very fast speed among all MOT methods with its MOT accuracy (MOTA) almost the same as others 3D MOT algorithms.
Active-Passive Vibration Control for Fans in the Data Server
Authors: Chen Han-Sheng , Chang Jen-Yuan (James)
Published: June 2021

The work presented in this paper aims at developing a vibration control system for fans in data server. The methods used in the work includes numerical, experimental, and analytical approaches with goal placed on developing a mechatronic system that can be used in the data server to reduce structural-born vibrations affecting data access performance in hard disk drives (HDD). It was observed that with the proposed method and system, vibrations of the server structure, the chassis, can be significantly reduced by 88%, which also enhanced the disk drive data access performance.
Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Bending Analysis of Propeller/Fan Blade
Authors: Hase Aniket Anil , Chang Jen-Yuan (James)
Published: June 2021

The bending of the blade is one of the dominating factors in the manufacturing considerations as it directly impacts the performance of propeller in terms of propulsion efficiency. The blade moulding equipment developed in-house has extensive control over the bending. After understanding the working mechanism of the instrument, a simplified model is created to perform the numerical analysis over the blade to inspect the nature of deformation. The theoretical and numerical analysis is performed assuming the contact between the rods of the equipment, and the blade is frictionless. The region of the bent propeller blade is scanned to know the deviation error. The AI tool to predict the required force per region for the blade the reformation was employed. Also, numerous factors contribute to the effect of net spring back occurs in the metal sheet. However, because of the limitations on the availability of the literature regarding formulation to add strain hardening and sheet preheating effects, one needs to approximate the solution. To approximately predict spring-back, factors such as bending force, material properties, sheet thickness, and boundary (support) conditions considered in the theoretical analysis and testing. The performance measurement was carried out for the same blade after the reformation and was found equally efficient (maximum error up to 7%). The error is caused due to the dent marks over the region and restored profile error.
Prediction of OLED Temperature Distribution Based on Neural Network
Authors: Lin S. F. , Chao Paul C.-P.
Published: June 2021

In recent years, the market share of OLED screens has increased year by year. Compared with traditional LCD screens, the advantages of OLED screens with bright colors and lower power consumption are attributed to the fact that LCD needs a backlight LED as the light source, and the pixels of the OLED screen emit light by themselves, so the power consumption of OLED is reduced and the thickness becomes thinner. In addition to the above reasons, OLED has a special advantage, that is, OLED can be bent, so the use of OLED screens is becoming more and more popular, and has even exceeded LCD screens usage rate. Although OLED has many advantages, it still has some disadvantages that need to be improved. OLED has a short lifetime. After a period of use, the luminance of the OLED will degrade, and the luminance degradation experienced by the different region of OLED screen is different, called differential aging, so it will cause burn-in. There have been some studies on OLED luminance degradation, including research on OLED luminance degradation under different temperature conditions, but they have not discussed the effects of temperature in different areas of a panel. Therefore, this paper will discuss the temperature prediction for different regions of an OLED panel. The temperature prediction of the OLED panel is based on the four temperature sensors installed at the rear of the OLED panel and the picture displayed on the panel at the time. The prediction method is neural network that uses pre-collected data for model training. After the training is completed, the temperature distribution of the OLED panel is predicted based on the four temperature sensors and displayed pictures. The prediction error method uses mean square error, and the error value obtained is less than 0.2°C.
Surface chemistry of the ladybird beetle adhesive foot fluid across various substrates
Authors: Fowler James Elliott , Franz Johannes , Golbek Thaddeus W. , Weidner Tobias , Gorb Elena , Gorb Stanislav , Baio Joe E.
Published: June 2021

Nature has coevolved highly adaptive and reliable bioadhesives across a multitude of animal species. Much attention has been paid in recent years to selectively mimic these adhesives for the improvement of a variety of technologies. However, very few of the chemical mechanisms that drive these natural adhesives are well understood. Many insects combine hairy feet with a secreted adhesive fluid, allowing for adhesion to considerably rough and slippery surfaces. Insect adhesive fluids have evolved highly specific compositions which are consistent across most surfaces and optimize both foot adhesion and release in natural environments. For example, beetles are thought to have adhesive fluids made up of a complex molecular mixture containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts. We hypothesize that this causes the adhesive interface to be dynamic, with molecules in the fluid selectively organizing and ordering at surfaces with complimentary hydrophobicity to maximize adhesion. In this study, we examine the adhesive fluid of a seven-spotted ladybird beetle with a surface-sensitive analytical technique, sum frequency generation spectroscopy, as the fluid interacts with three substrates of varied wettabilities. The resulting spectra present no evidence of unique molecular environments between hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces but exhibit significant differences in the ordering of hydrocarbons. This change in surface interactions across different substrates correlates well with traction forces measured from beetles interacting with substrates of increasing hydrophobicities. We conclude that insect adhesion is dependent upon a dynamic molecular-interfacial response to an environmental surface.
Training non-native vowel perception: In quiet or noise
Authors: Mi Lin , Tao Sha , Wang Wenjing , Dong Qi , Dong Bing , Li Mingshuang , Liu Chang
Published: June 2021

Noise makes speech perception much more challenging for non-native listeners than for native listeners. Training for non-native speech perception is usually implemented in quiet. It remains unclear if background noise may benefit or hamper non-native speech perception learning. In this study, 51 Chinese-native listeners were randomly assigned into three groups, including vowel training in quiet (TIQ), vowel training in noise (TIN), and watching videos in English as an active control. Vowel identification was assessed before (T1), right after (T2), and three months after training (T3) in quiet and various noise conditions. Results indicated that compared with the video watching group, the TIN group improved vowel identification in both quiet and noise significantly more at T2 and at T3. In contrast, the TIQ group improved significantly more in quiet and also in non-speech noise conditions at T2, but the improvement did not hold at T3. Moreover, compared to the TIQ group, the TIN group showed significantly less informational masking at both T2 and T3 and less energetic masking at T3. These results suggest that L2 speech training in background noise may improve non-native vowel perception more effectively than TIQ background only. The implications for non-native speech perception learning are discussed.
The Effects of Interrupting Prolonged Sitting With Frequent Bouts of Light-Intensity Standing Exercises on Blood Pressure in Stroke Survivors: A Dose Escalation Trial
Authors: Mackie Paul , Crowfoot Gary , Janssen Heidi , Holliday Elizabeth , Dunstan David , English Coralie
Published: June 2021

Background: Interrupting prolonged sitting acutely lowers blood pressure in nonstroke populations. However, the dose–response effect in stroke survivors is unknown. The authors investigated different doses of light-intensity standing exercises that interrupt prolonged sitting and reduce blood pressure immediately and over 24 hours in stroke survivors. Methods: Within-participant, laboratory-based, dose escalation trial. Conditions (8 h) were prolonged sitting and 2 experimental conditions of standing exercises with increasing frequency (3 cohorts, 2 × 5 min to 6 × 5 min). The primary outcome is the mean systolic blood pressure. Results: Twenty-nine stroke survivors (aged 66 [12] y) participated. Frequent bouts of standing exercises lowered the mean systolic blood pressure following the 4 × 5-minute (−2.1 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI], −3.6 to −0.6) and 6 × 5-minute conditions (−2.3 mm Hg; 95% CI, −4.2 to −0.5) compared with prolonged sitting. Diastolic blood pressure was lowered following the 6 × 5-minute condition (−1.4 mm Hg; 95% CI, −2.7 to −0.2). The 24-hour systolic blood pressure increased following the 2 × 5-minute condition (6.9 mm Hg; 95% CI, 3.1 to 10.6). Conclusions: Interrupting prolonged sitting with more frequent bouts of standing exercises lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure in stroke survivors. However, reductions may only be short term, and investigations on sustained effects are warranted.
SLX4IP promotes RAP1 SUMOylation by PIAS1 to coordinate telomere maintenance through NF-κB and Notch signaling
Authors: Robinson Nathaniel J. , Miyagi Masaru , Scarborough Jessica A. , Scott Jacob G. , Taylor Derek J. , Schiemann William P.
Published: June 2021

Targeting the binding partners of the telomere protein RAP1 could halt the growth of ALT-proficient tumors.
Accumulation of Succinyl Coenzyme A Perturbs the Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) Succinylome and Is Associated with Increased Susceptibility to Beta-Lactam Antibiotics
Authors: Campbell Christopher , Fingleton Claire , Zeden Merve S. , Bueno Emilio , Gallagher Laura A. , Shinde Dhananjay , Ahn Jongsam , Olson Heather M. , Fillmore Thomas L. , Adkins Joshua N. , Razvi Fareha , Bayles Kenneth W. , Fey Paul D. , Thomas Vinai C. , Cava Felipe , Clair Geremy C. , O’Gara James P.
Published: June 2021

mecA
-dependent methicillin resistance in MRSA is subject to regulation by numerous accessory factors involved in cell wall biosynthesis, nucleotide signaling, and central metabolism. Here, we report that mutations in the TCA cycle gene,
sucC
, increased susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics and was accompanied by significant accumulation of succinyl-CoA, which in turn perturbed lysine succinylation in the proteome.
Protein Prenylation and Hsp40 in Thermotolerance of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Parasites
Authors: Mathews Emily S. , Jezewski Andrew J. , Odom John Audrey R.
Published: June 2021

During its complex life cycle, the malaria parasite survives dramatic environmental stresses, including large temperature shifts. Protein prenylation is required during asexual replication of
Plasmodium falciparum
, and the canonical heat shock protein 40 protein (HSP40; PF3D7_1437900) is posttranslationally modified with a 15-carbon farnesyl isoprenyl group.
ATP Drives Efficient Terpene Biosynthesis in Marine Thraustochytrids
Authors: Zhang Aiqing , Mernitz Kaya , Wu Chao , Xiong Wei , He Yaodong , Wang Guangyi , Wang Xin
Published: June 2021

Terpenoids are a large class of lipid molecules with important biological functions and diverse industrial and medicinal applications. Metabolic engineering for terpene production has been hindered by the low-flux distribution to its biosynthesis pathway.
METAnnotatorX2: a Comprehensive Tool for Deep and Shallow Metagenomic Data Set Analyses
Authors: Milani Christian , Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Fontana Federico , Mancabelli Leonardo , Alessandri Giulia , Longhi Giulia , Anzalone Rosaria , Viappiani Alice , Turroni Francesca , van Sinderen Douwe , Ventura Marco
Published: June 2021

We developed a novel tool, i.e., METAnnotatorX2, that includes a number of new advanced features for analysis of deep and shallow metagenomic data sets and is accompanied by (regularly updated) customized databases for archaea, bacteria, fungi, protists, and viruses. Both software and databases were developed so as to maximize sensitivity and specificity while including support for shallow metagenomic data sets.
Thermodynamic Functions of Terbium Hafnate
Authors: Guskov A. V. , Gagarin P. G. , Guskov V. N. , Tyurin A. V. , Khoroshilov A. V. , Gavrichev K. S.
Published: June 2021

The molar heat capacity of terbium hafnate with a pyrochlore structure was measured by relaxation and adiabatic calorimetry. The smoothed values of the molar heat capacity were used to calculate the thermodynamic functions in the temperature range 6–330 K. The general form of the Schottky anomaly was determined.
Synthesis of PdNi Bimetallic Nanoparticles and Their Composites in Reverse Micelles
Authors: Sergeev M. O. , Revina A. A. , Suvorova O. V.
Published: June 2021

In this work, results of the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) based on transition metals Pd, Ni, and Fe reduced by quercetin in reverse-micellar solution (RMS) of Н2О/AOT/isooctane are presented. Using fluorescence spectroscopy, the formation of bimetallic structure of PdcoreNishell NP is shown and a synergetic enhancement of optical absorbance is revealed in the plasmon resonance spectra at the wavelength values intrinsic for monometallic NPs. Investigation of the adsorption of bimetallic NPs on the surface of γ-alumina proves the advantage of palladium-containing particles with Fecore/Pdshell obtained as a result of targeted reduction of palladium in RMS on the surface of large Fe NPs, which appears in the increase in the adsorption effectiveness of such a structure due to stronger binding with the carrier surface. This approach decreases the amount of expensive metal during production of palladium nanocomposites through a significant decrease in production costs.
Idiopathic megacolon and megarectum in an adult treated with laparoscopic modified Duhamel procedure
Authors: Villanueva Maureen Elvira Padernal , Lopez Marc Paul Jose , Onglao Mark Augustine S
Published: June 2021

Idiopathic megacolon (IMC) and idiopathic megarectum (IMR) describe an abnormality of the colon or rectum, characterised by a permanent dilatation of the bowel diameter in the absence of an identifiable cause. We present a 23-year-old woman with chronic constipation and excessive straining during defecation who presented at the emergency department in partial gut obstruction with a palpable fecaloma. Manual faecal disimpaction and a sigmoid loop colostomy was initially done. A full thickness rectal biopsy was positive for ganglion cells. Further workup led to the diagnosis of chronic IMC and IMR. The patient underwent laparoscopic modified Duhamel procedure, with an uneventful postoperative course.
Severe hypercalcaemia from ectopic intact parathyroid hormone secretion treated with continuous renal replacement therapy in a patient with two malignancies
Authors: Hocker Nathaniel , Story Maria , Lerud Alysa , Kuppachi Sarat
Published: June 2021

We present a 61-year-old Caucasian woman with endometroid carcinoma as well as a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma who developed severe hypercalcaemia in the setting of an elevated intact parathyroid hormone. The patient was hospitalised twice for her condition. During her first hospitalisation, she was diagnosed with an endometroid carcinoma and hypercalcaemia. With medical management, she had a normal calcium level on discharge. She presented 3 weeks later with hypercalcaemia and encephalopathy. This time her hypercalcaemia was refractory to medical management, and required continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) to normalise her serum calcium. Lung biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, suspicious for pancreatic primary. Due to her poor prognosis, rapid elevation of calcium with each attempt to discontinue CRRT, and the poor options for treatment of her cancers, she elected to pursue hospice care.
Case of Guillain-Barré syndrome following COVID-19 vaccine
Authors: Hasan Tanveer , Khan Mustafizur , Khan Farhin , Hamza Ghanim
Published: June 2021

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare immune-mediated disorder of the peripheral nerves. Although its cause is not fully understood, the syndrome often follows infection with a virus or bacteria, although in rare occasions, vaccination may precede GBS. We describe a case of a 62-year-old woman who presented with paraesthesia and progressive weakness of both lower limbs over 3 days. Clinical examination and investigation findings including lumbar puncture and nerve conduction studies were consistent with the diagnosis of GBS. She had no history of either diarrhoea or respiratory tract infections preceding her presentation. However, she had her first intramuscular dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine 11 days prior to her presentation. Although no direct link could be ascertained, the purpose of this report is to highlight the incidence and consider this issue while evaluating any case of GBS in the light of the current pandemic and vaccination programme.