bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cirurgia minimamente invasiva em chevron e osteotomia percutânea de Bosch no tratamento de hálux valgo. Resultados em médio prazo. Estudo radiológico comparativo*
Authors: Yañez Arauz Juan Manuel , Raimondi Nicolás , Eksarho Andrés , Lauritto Diego , Yañez Arauz Maria Eugenia , Yañez Arauz Juan Martin
Published: November 2021

Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo é comparar os resultados radiológicos da correção angular e sua manutenção no médio prazo entre duas técnicas minimamente invasivas para o tratamento de hálux valgo (cirurgia minimamente invasiva em chevron vs. técnica de Bosch).

Métodos Foi realizada uma análise prospectiva comparativa de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia para deformidade sintomática de hálux valgo. Comparamos duas técnicas minimamente invasivas em grupos homogêneos de população. Dois grupos de 62 e 63 pés, respectivamente, foram constituídos. Comparamos correções angulares de primeiro raio e consolidação, bem como o poder de correção tanto das osteotomias quanto de sua manutenção ao longo do tempo. As complicações pós-operatórias e o tempo cirúrgico em ambos os grupos de estudo também foram avaliados. O seguimento mínimo foi de 2 anos.

Resultados Houve diferenças entre ambos os grupos no ângulo intermetatarsal aos 24 meses após a cirurgia. Não houve diferenças entre ambos os grupos em relação ao ângulo metatarsofalângico e ao ângulo articular metatarso-distal. Não houve complicações intraoperatórias em nenhum dos grupos. O tempo cirúrgico entre ambos os grupos apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significativas.

Conclusões Sendo as duas técnicas estabilizadas por parafusos, tanto a osteotomia de Bosch quanto a cirurgia minimamente invasiva em chevron (híbrida quando associada à osteotomia percutânea de Akin) apresentam correção adequada de hálux valgo moderado. No entanto, os pacientes tratados com a osteotomia percutânea Bosch apresentaram maior poder de correção do ângulo intermetatarsal no médio prazo, bem como e menor tempo cirúrgico, em relação aos que foram tratados com osteotomia em chevron. Ambas as técnicas apresentaram evolução semelhante ao longo do tempo no que se refere à perda de correção e complicações pós-operatórias.
Outcomes of Tricuspid Valve Detachment for Isolated Ventricular Septal Defect Closure
Authors: Schittek John , Sachweh Jörg S. , Arndt Florian , Grafmann Maria , Hüners Ida , Kozlik-Feldmann Rainer , Biermann Daniel
Published: November 2021

Partial detachment of the septal and anterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve (TV) is a technique to visualize a perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) for surgical closure in cases where the VSD is obscured by TV tissue. However, TV incision bears the risk of causing relevant postoperative TV regurgitation and higher degree atrioventricular (AV) block. A total of 40 patients were identified retrospectively in our institution who underwent isolated VSD closure between January 2013 and August 2015. Visualization of the VSD was achieved in 20 patients without and in 20 patients with additional partial detachment of the TV. The mean age of patients with partial tricuspid valve detachment (TVD) was 0.7 ± 0.1 years compared with 1 ± 0.3 years (p = 0.22) of patients without TVD. There was no difference in cardiopulmonary bypass time between patients of both groups (123 ± 11 vs. 103 ± 5 minutes, p = 0.1). Cross-clamp time was longer if the TV was detached (69 ± 5 vs. 54 ± 4 minutes, p = 0.023). There was no perioperative mortality. Echocardiography at discharge and after 2.5 years (2 months–6 years) of follow-up showed neither a postoperative increase of tricuspid regurgitation nor any relevant residual shunt. Postoperative electrocardiograms were normal without any sign of higher degree AV block. TVD offers enhanced exposure and safe treatment of VSDs. It did not result in higher rates of TV regurgitation or relevant AV block compared with the control group.
Synthesis of Indole/Benzofuran-Containing Diarylmethanes through Palladium-Catalyzed Reaction of Indolylmethyl or Benzofuranylmethyl Acetates with Boronic Acids
Authors: Goggiamani Antonella , Iazzetti Antonia , Arcadi Antonio , Calcaterra Andrea , Chiarini Marco , Fabrizi Giancarlo , Fochetti Andrea , Marrone Federico , Marsicano Vincenzo , Serraiocco Andrea
Published: November 2021

The palladium-catalyzed synthesis of indole/benzofuran-containing diarylmethanes starting from indolylmethyl or benzofuranylmethyl acetates with boronic acids has been investigated. The success of the reaction is influenced by the choice of precatalyst: with indolylmethyl acetates the reaction works well with [Pd(η3-C3H5)Cl]2/XPhos while with benzofuranylmethyl acetates Pd2(dba)3/XPhos is more efficient. The good to high yields and the simplicity of the experimental procedure make this protocol a versatile synthetic tool for the preparation of 2- and 3-substituted indoles and 2-benzo[b]furans. The methodology can be advantageously extended to the preparation of a key precursor of Zafirlukast.
18.16.20 Other Tetraheterosubstituted Methanes (Update 2014)
Authors: Kantlehner W.
Published: November 2021

This article is an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution (Section 18.16) describing methods for the preparation of tetraheterosubstituted methanes. Tetraalkyl orthocarbonates have turned out to be useful starting compounds for the preparation of low-shrinking polymeric compounds. In addition, new compound types such as tetraazidomethane or tetrakis(oligonitroalkyl) orthocarbonates are reported, some of which have been prepared for the first time.
1.3.1 Enyne-Metathesis-Based Domino Reactions in Natural Product Synthesis
Authors: Lee D. , O'Connor M.
Published: November 2021

Enyne-metathesis-based domino processes are highlighted in the context of natural product synthesis; these include domino double ring-closing metathesis, enyne metathesis/metallotropic [1,3]-shifts, enyne metathesis/Diels–Alder reaction, and other variations of their domino combinations. Issues regarding selectivity and mechanism are also discussed.
Dynamic shearing resistance of a polymer-bonded energetic simulant: Composite of sucrose and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)
Authors: Malhotra Pinkesh , Jiao Tong , Clifton Rodney J. , Guduru Pradeep R.
Published: November 2021

The mechanical behavior of polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs) and polymer-bonded simulants has been widely studied under normal impact. However, their shearing response under large pressures and shear strain-rates has not been explored, to the best of our knowledge. Such measurements are crucial in informing constitutive models that aim to predict hot-spot formation and ignition behavior of PBXs subject to multi-axial loading. Pressure-shear plate impact experiments have been conducted on a composite of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) binder and sucrose (an energetic simulant) under normal stresses of 3–10 GPa nominally and shear strain-rates of the order of 105 s−1. The shear strength of the composite shows a dramatic drop after reaching a critical shear strain. Such a drop could be due to fracture or localization in either of the two phases, further compounded by other mechanisms such as friction between the resulting interfaces or collapse of voids. It is also observed that the shear strength of the composite is highly pressure-sensitive, increasing from 176 to 453MPa as the normal stress increases nominally from 3 to 9.5 GPa. Comparison of the shearing behavior of the composite with that of a granular aggregate of sucrose grains at low normal stresses (∼3 GPa) indicates that the binder plays the role of a lubricant between the sucrose grains at those normal stresses. However, at normal stresses of ∼9–10 GPa, the shear strength of HTPB becomes similar to sucrose, and beyond these normal stresses, a transition in the failure mode and its location is expected.
On-site in situ high-pressure ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy instrument
Authors: Wu Y. L. , Yin X. , Hasaien J. Z. L. , Tian Z. Y. , Ding Yang , Zhao Jimin
Published: November 2021

We conceive and construct an on-site in situ high-pressure time-resolved ultrafast optical spectroscopy instrument that facilitates ultrafast pump–probe dynamics measurements under high pressure conditions. We integrate an ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy system with a diamond anvil cell (DAC) system. Significantly, both the DAC and the sample are fixed within the light path without motion and rotation throughout the whole ultrafast spectroscopy experiment, including tuning and calibrating the pressure. This instrument thus avoids introducing artifacts due to sample motion or rotation, enabling precision high-pressure ultrafast pump–probe dynamics investigations. As a demonstrating example, we compare the effect of on-site in situ conditions with off-site in situ conditions on the ultrafast dynamics of Sr2IrO4 under 0–44.5 GPa high pressure. Our data and analysis show that conventional possible artifacts are greatly reduced by using the on-site in situ layout. Our work helps the high-pressure ultrafast science investigation develop into a promising new area, which enables the exploration of nonequilibrium excited quantum states in the high-pressure regime.
Machine learning approach to the recognition of nanobubbles in graphene
Authors: Song Taegeun , Myoung Nojoon , Lee Hunpyo , Park Hee Chul
Published: November 2021

Since the local and elastic strain induced by nanobubbles largely affects the transport properties of graphene, detecting and probing nanobubbles are important processes for research on electronic transport in graphene. In this study, we propose a means to recognize the presence of nanobubbles in graphene by analyzing electronic properties based on a machine learning approach. Our machine learning algorithm efficiently classifies the density of states spectra by the height and width of the nanobubbles, even in cases with a substantial magnitude of noise. The machine-learning-based analysis of electronic properties proposed in this study may introduce a changeover in the probing of nanobubbles from image-based detection to electrical-measurement-based recognition.
Speeding-up image-based simulation of two-phase flow in porous media with lattice-Boltzmann method using three-dimensional curvelet transforms
Authors: Aljasmi Abdullah , Sahimi Muhammad
Published: November 2021

Multiphase fluid flow in porous media is relevant to many fundamental scientific problems as well as numerous practical applications. With advances in instrumentations, it has become possible to obtain high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) images of complex porous media and use them directly in the simulation of multiphase flows. A prime method for carrying out such simulations is the color-fluid lattice Boltzmann method with multirelaxation time (CFLB-MRT) collision operator. The simulations are, however, time consuming and intensive. We propose a method to accelerate image-based computations with the CFLB-MRT method, in which the 3D image is preprocessed by curvelet transforming it and eliminating those details that do not contribute significantly to multiphase flow. The coarsening is done by thresholding the image. After inverting the coarser image back to the real space, it is utilized in the simulation of multiphase flow by the CFLB-MRT approach. As the test of the method, we carry out simulation of a two-phase flow problem in which the porous media are initially saturated by brine or water, which is then displaced by CO2 or oil, injected into the pore space. The simulations are carried out with two types of sandstone. We show that the method accelerates the computations significantly by a factor of up to 35.
Miniaturized metamaterial absorber with high transparency using narrow metallic strip
Authors: Chen Jianzhong , Zhao Yu-Tong , Feng Wenyuan , Zhang Yu
Published: November 2021

In this article, a miniaturized transparent metamaterial absorber (MA) that can achieve boardband microwave absorption is presented. An extremely narrow eight-notch ring metallic strip and a new hexagonal metallic strip are employed to design the MA. The MA exhibits over 10 dB absorption from 8 to 20 GHz. The size of the unit is only 2.5×2.5mm2, about 0.116λ×0.116λ at the center frequency. The MA is insensitive to the polarization angle. The absorption rate of TE and TM waves with 0°–30° oblique incidence is more than 90% in the operating frequency band. The optical transmittance of the absorber is greater than 70% in the whole visible frequency band. Both numerical simulations and experimental results demonstrate the good performance of the proposed MA, thereby enabling a wide range of applications such as antenna design, filter structure, electromagnetic fielding, and electromagnetic compatibility.
Improving the mixing of a turbulent jet diffusion flame of methane via linear quadratic regulator control
Authors: Silva M. I. , De Bortoli A. L.
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this article is to show the improvement of the mixture of a turbulent jet diffusion flame of methane by means of linear quadratic regulator control. The model is based on low Mach and high Damköhler numbers. Large eddy simulation is used to simulate a turbulent flow with the Smagorinsky submodel for turbulent viscosity. The control employs a pair of actuators that act transversally to the flow direction on the walls of the burner. They consist of rectangular openings added along the depth of the duct. Numerical tests were performed by changing the position of one of these actuators. The results show that the controllers alter the jet diffusion flame, generating vortices of different sizes and dispersion patterns, which quickly leads to highly complex flow patterns.
Suppressed optical field and electron leakage and enhanced hole injection in InGaN laser diodes with InGaN–GaN–InGaN barriers
Authors: Cheng Liwen , Zhang Jiayi , Wang Jundi , Zhang Jun , Yang Jinpeng , Wu Shudong , Qian Qinyu , Chen Haitao
Published: November 2021

In this study, an InGaN laser diode (LD) with InGaN–GaN–InGaN quantum barriers was proposed and studied systematically. The energy band diagrams, stimulated recombination rate, optical field distribution, current distribution near the active region, and power–current–voltage performance curves were investigated. The simulation results suggest that the LD with InGaN–GaN–InGaN quantum barriers has better performance than the LD with conventional GaN and InGaN quantum barriers because of the properly adjusted refraction index profile and energy band diagrams, which are advantageous to both the suppressed leakage of the optical field and electrons out of and the enhanced injection of holes into the active region.
Data-driven modal decomposition of transient cavitating flow
Authors: Liu Yunqing , Long Jincheng , Wu Qin , Huang Biao , Wang Guoyu
Published: November 2021

The objective of this paper is to identify the dominant coherent structures within cavitating flow around a Clark-Y hydrofoil using two data-driven modal decomposition methods, proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and dynamic mode decomposition (DMD). A snapshot data sequence is obtained using a large eddy simulation and the interaction between cavitation and the vortex during cloud cavity shedding evolution is investigated. Modal decomposition via POD and DMD indicates that the dominant coherent structures include the large-scale cavity–vortex, re-entrant jet, shear layer, and small-scale vortex in the wake. In addition, the flow field can be reconstructed from the most energetic POD or DMD modes. The errors in the flow reconstructions produced using the first four POD modes, first eight POD modes, and first eight DMD modes are 3.884%, 3.240%, and 3.889%, respectively. Furthermore, transient cavitating flow can be predicted via the DMD method with an error of 8.081%. The largest errors in the reconstructed and predicted results occur mostly in the shear layer, trailing edge, and near wake. POD and DMD provide accurate and practically beneficial techniques for understanding cavitating flow, although substantial challenges remain with regard to predicting this intense nonlinear system.
Evaluating a transparent coating on a face shield for repelling airborne respiratory droplets
Authors: Kumar Bibek , Chatterjee Sanghamitro , Agrawal Amit , Bhardwaj Rajneesh
Published: November 2021

A face shield is an important personal protective equipment to avoid the airborne transmission of COVID-19. We assess a transparent coating on a face shield that repels airborne respiratory droplets to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The surface of the available face shield is hydrophilic and exhibits high contact angle hysteresis. The impacting droplets stick on it, resulting in an enhanced risk of fomite transmission of the disease. Further, it may get wetted in the rain, and moisture may condense on it in the presence of large humidity, which may blur the user's vision. Therefore, the present study aims to improve the effectiveness of a face shield. Our measurements demonstrate that the face shield, coated by silica nanoparticles solution, becomes superhydrophobic and results in a nominal hysteresis to the underlying surface. We employ high-speed visualization to record the impact dynamics of microliter droplets with a varying impact velocity and angle of attack on coated and non-coated surfaces. While the droplet on non-coated surface sticks to it, in the coated surface the droplets bounce off and roll down the surface, for a wide range of Weber number. We develop an analytical model and present a regime map of the bouncing and non-bouncing events, parametrized with respect to the wettability, hysteresis of the surface, and the Weber number. The present measurements provide the fundamental insights of the bouncing droplet impact dynamics and show that the coated face shield is potentially more effective in suppressing the airborne and fomite transmission.
Patient satisfaction with a consumer codesigned lower limb cellulitis leaflet
Authors: Bishop Jaclyn L. , Jones Mark , Farquharson James , Summerhayes Kathrine , Tucker Roxanne , Smith Mary , Cowan Raquel , Friedman N. Deborah , Schulz Thomas R. , Kong David C. M. , Buising Kirsty L.
Published: November 2021

Objective This study evaluated whether a consumer codesigned leaflet about the common skin infection cellulitis would improve patient satisfaction. Methods A patient information leaflet was codesigned with consumers incorporating health literacy principles and attached to a new adult lower limb cellulitis management plan launched in three regional Victorian health services. Health service staff were educated to provide the leaflet during hospital care. Patients discharged with a diagnosis of cellulitis in an 8-month period were followed-up via telephone between 31 and 60 days after their discharge. Each patient was asked to provide feedback on the utility of the leaflet (if received) and their overall satisfaction with the information provided to them using a five-point scale (with scores of 4 or 5 considered to indicate satisfaction). Results In all, 81 of 127 (64%) patients (or carers) were contactable, consented to the study and answered the questions. Of these, 27% (n = 22) reported receiving, accepting and reading the leaflet. The proportion of patients who were satisfied with the information provided to them about cellulitis was 100% for those who received the leaflet, compared with 78% for those who did not receive the leaflet (95% confidence interval 4.8–34%; P = 0.02). Conclusion The provision of a consumer codesigned leaflet increased patient satisfaction with the information received about cellulitis. Real-world strategies to embed the delivery of such resources are required to ensure that more patients receive the benefit. What is known about the topic? There are known deficiencies in the information provided to patients about the common skin condition cellulitis. There is little published evaluation of strategies to address these knowledge deficiencies. What does this paper add? This study evaluated a simple strategy to address patient knowledge deficiencies on cellulitis. It highlights that pertinent information delivered in an accessible way can significantly increase patient satisfaction with the information provided to them. What are the implications for practitioners? These findings are a timely reminder for practitioners that even a simple intervention, such a providing a hard copy information leaflet, can improve patient satisfaction. A national repository of similar consumer codesigned materials would be valuable and could minimise existing duplication of effort in resource development across health sectors. Real-world strategies to embed the delivery of such resources is required to ensure that more patients receive the benefit.
Tillage and its temporal effects on soil organic matter and microbial characteristics in the semi-arid central South Africa
Authors: Loke P. F. , Heine H. G. , Rhode O. H. J. , Kotzé E. , Du Preez C. C.
Published: November 2021

Context Tillage has temporal effects on soil organic matter and microbial attributes. Aim Three tillage systems (NT, no-tillage; MT, mulch tillage; MP, mouldboard ploughing) were used to assess the impact on soil quality indicators such as gravimetric soil water content (GSWC), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), easily extractable-glomalin (G EE), dehydrogenase (DHA), β-glucosidase (β-glu), urease (URE), acid-(AcP) and alkaline-(AlP) phosphatase over time in a sandy-loam Plinthustalf cropped annually with winter wheat and occasionally oat in eastern Free State. Methods Samples were collected during oat (October 2010, November 2010), fallow (February 2011, April 2011, May 2011) and wheat (August 2011, September 2011, October 2011) phases at 0–5 and 5–10 cm depth. Results When averaged over sampling dates, GSWC, SOC, TN and enzyme activities were 6–85% higher under NT than in MT and MP in the upper 5 cm soil. Trends changed at the 5–10 cm depth, with 20–32% higher enzyme activities recorded under MT. Soil quality indicators exhibited different trends over time, with GSWC, TN, DHA, AcP and AlP generally increasing during the fallow period and decreasing during oat and wheat phases, while β-glu was higher during both crop phases than at fallowing. URE was 33.6–174.3% higher during the oat phase than at the fallow and wheat phases. The opposite was observed with SOC, C/N ratio and G EE. Conclusions Enzyme activities were sensitive indicators, but SOC and TN can be used to assess temporal changes in soil quality in resource-limited countries. Implications However, temporal effects on SOC and TN were probably built in the long-term, hence further research focusing on multiple seasons is required.
Anammox bacteria drive fixed nitrogen loss in hadal trench sediments
Authors: Thamdrup Bo , Schauberger Clemens , Larsen Morten , Trouche Blandine , Maignien Lois , Arnaud-Haond Sophie , Wenzhöfer Frank , Glud Ronnie N.
Published: November 2021

Significance

Hadal trenches represent the deepest part of the oceans, apparently offering adverse conditions for life, given their high hydrostatic pressure and wide separation from the productive surface waters. However, focusing of reactive organic matter in trench axis sediments potentially promotes complex yet unexplored microbial communities and associated biogeochemical processes. We demonstrate that hadal sediments at depths reaching 10 km are hotbeds for anaerobic nitrogen transformations, dominated by the anammox process, extending the known depth range of this process by ∼6 km. The diversity and phylogeny of identified hadal anammox bacteria suggest that high hydrostatic pressure has not been a major evolutionary driver. Our results provide insights into hadal biogeochemistry and the ability of microbes to adapt to hydrostatic pressure.
Fluid intelligence and the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine system
Authors: Tsukahara Jason S. , Engle Randall W.
Published: November 2021

Significance

To understand mind and behavior we must understand the biological basis of intelligence. Despite significant progress, we lack a complete picture that integrates different levels of brain function and explains individual differences in cognitive ability. We propose that the locus coeruleus, the source of norepinephrine for the brain, plays a key role in this puzzle. It does so at all levels of brain function, regulating processes of learning, memory, and attention. We use baseline pupil size, which covaries with locus coeruleus activity, to anchor the present analyses of the role of the locus coeruleus in cognitive ability. This work provides a foundation for future research integrating different levels of brain function with individual differences in cognitive ability.
The A39G FF domain folds on a volcano-shaped free energy surface via separate pathways
Authors: Tiwari Ved P. , Toyama Yuki , De Debajyoti , Kay Lewis E. , Vallurupalli Pramodh
Published: November 2021

Significance

Protein molecules interconvert between multiple states, and this exchange process plays an important role in function and misfunction. Here, we use powerful NMR experiments that probe sparsely populated, transiently formed conformational states, which exchange with a highly populated, stable, folded conformer in order to elucidate the folding mechanism of a small protein domain. Notably, by analyzing the exchange profiles in detail, it becomes possible to obtain structural data for states that are about 10-fold less populated and less long lived than has previously been possible. Our results establish that the small FF domain folds via two partially structured intermediates and involves a pair of discrete pathways in which the unfolded state becomes increasingly structured along a volcano-shaped free energy surface.
Multivalent interactions make adherens junction–cytoskeletal linkage robust during morphogenesis
Authors: Perez-Vale Kia Z. , Yow Kristi D. , Johnson Ruth I. , Byrnes Amy E. , Finegan Tara M. , Slep Kevin C. , Peifer Mark
Published: November 2021

Embryogenesis requires cells to change shape and move without disrupting epithelial integrity. This requires robust, responsive linkage between adherens junctions and the actomyosin cytoskeleton. Using Drosophila morphogenesis, we define molecular mechanisms mediating junction–cytoskeletal linkage and explore the role of mechanosensing. We focus on the junction–cytoskeletal linker Canoe, a multidomain protein. We engineered the canoe locus to define how its domains mediate its mechanism of action. To our surprise, the PDZ and FAB domains, which we thought connected junctions and F-actin, are not required for viability or mechanosensitive recruitment to junctions under tension. The FAB domain stabilizes junctions experiencing elevated force, but in its absence, most cells recover, suggesting redundant interactions. In contrast, the Rap1-binding RA domains are critical for all Cno functions and enrichment at junctions under tension. This supports a model in which junctional robustness derives from a large protein network assembled via multivalent interactions, with proteins at network nodes and some node connections more critical than others.
ZNF382 controls mouse neuropathic pain via silencer-based epigenetic inhibition of Cxcl13 in DRG neurons
Authors: Ma Longfei , Yu Lina , Jiang Bao-Chun , Wang Jingkai , Guo Xinying , Huang Yangyuxin , Ren Jinxuan , Sun Na , Gao Dave Schwinn , Ding Hao , Lu Jianan , Zhou Hang , Zou Lijing , Gao Yibo , Wang Lieju , Sun Kai , Ming Yue , Meng Zhipeng , Tao Yuan-Xiang , Yan Min
Published: November 2021

Nerve injury–induced changes of gene expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are critical for neuropathic pain genesis. However, how these changes occur remains elusive. Here we report the down-regulation of zinc finger protein 382 (ZNF382) in injured DRG neurons after nerve injury. Rescuing this down-regulation attenuates nociceptive hypersensitivity. Conversely, mimicking this down-regulation produces neuropathic pain symptoms, which are alleviated by C-X-C motif chemokine 13 (CXCL13) knockdown or its receptor CXCR5 knockout. Mechanistically, an identified cis-acting silencer at distal upstream of the Cxcl13 promoter suppresses Cxcl13 transcription via binding to ZNF382. Blocking this binding or genetically deleting this silencer abolishes the ZNF382 suppression on Cxcl13 transcription and impairs ZNF382-induced antinociception. Moreover, ZNF382 down-regulation disrupts the repressive epigenetic complex containing histone deacetylase 1 and SET domain bifurcated 1 at the silencer-promoter loop, resulting in Cxcl13 transcriptional activation. Thus, ZNF382 down-regulation is required for neuropathic pain likely through silencer-based epigenetic disinhibition of CXCL13, a key neuropathic pain player, in DRG neurons.
Investigations of the linear and non-linear flow harmonics using the a multi-phase transport model
Authors: Magdy Niseem
Published: November 2021

The multi-phase transport model (AMPT) is used to study the effects of the parton-scattering cross-sections (σ
pp) and hadronic re-scattering on the linear contributions to the flow harmonic v
4, the non-linear response coefficients, and the correlations between different order flow symmetry planes in Au + Au collisions at 200 GeV. The model results, which agree with current experimental measurements, indicate that the higher-order flow harmonics are sensitive to the σ
pp variations. However, the non-linear response coefficients and the correlations between different order flow symmetry planes are σ
pp independent. These results suggest that further detailed experimental measurements which span a broad range of collision systems and beam energies could serve as an additional constraint for the theoretical models’ calculations.
A novel method based on the Otsu threshold for instantaneous elimination of light reflection in PIV images
Authors: Amaral Rodrigo de Lima , Bortolin Vítor Augusto Andreghetto , Lemos Bernardo Luiz Harry Diniz , Mazzeto Marcelo , Cestari Idágene Aparecida , Meneghini Julio Romano
Published: November 2021

The base of particle image velocimetry (PIV) is the maximization of the correlation between the distribution of particle images in an interrogation window or a volume separated by an instant of time. In real images, the unwanted reflection of light on fixed walls or moving objects can directly interfere with the correlation, deteriorating the PIV quality. In this work, a new method for generating instantaneous masks based on the Otsu threshold for instantaneous elimination of light reflection in PIV images is proposed. This method separates the saturated image caused by the unwanted scattering of light from the tracer particles images through the Otsu threshold combined with the Gauss filter and Wiener adaptive local filter. This new method, called Otsu–Gauss–Wiener (OGW), was first tested using synthetic PIV images. In these tests, the authors analyzed the reflection caused by an object regarding different sizes, shapes, and intensities to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Later, the OGW method was tested in PIV experimental cases with real adversities, for example, scattering of light on a fixed wall in a channel with periodic hills (case B—4th PIV challenge), strong reflection in a centrifugal impeller (case C—1st PIV challenge) and light scattering caused by an out-of-plane motion of the diaphragm of a pulsatile pediatric ventricular assist device. The results show that the method can remove the reflections by static and moving objects using an automatic mask generated for each instantaneous image.
A dense RGB-D SLAM algorithm based on convolutional neural network of multi-layer image invariant feature
Authors: Su Yan , Yu Lei
Published: November 2021

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is one of the key technologies used in sweepers, autonomous vehicles, virtual reality and other fields. This paper presents a dense three-channel color images composed of red, green and blue and depth images SLAM reconstruction algorithm based on convolutional neural network (CNN) of multi-layer image invariant feature transformation. The main contribution of the system lies in the construction of a CNN based on multi-layer image invariant feature, which optimized the extraction of Oriented FAST and Rotated Brief(ORB) feature points and the reconstruction effect. After the feature point matching, pose estimation, loop detection and other steps, the 3D point clouds were finally spliced to construct a complete and smooth spatial model. The system can improve the accuracy and robustness in feature point processing and pose estimation. Comparative experiments show that the optimized algorithm saves 0.093 s compared to the ordinary extraction algorithm while guaranteeing a high accuracy rate at the same time. The results of reconstruction experiments show that the spatial models have more clear details, smoother connection with no fault layers than the original ones. The reconstruction results are generally better than other common algorithms, such as Kintinuous, Elasticfusion and ORBSLAM2 dense reconstruction.
Analysis of relative changes in pulse shapes of intracranial pressure and cerebral blood flow velocity
Authors: Ziółkowski Arkadiusz , Pudełko Agata , Kazimierska Agnieszka , Czosnyka Zofia , Czosnyka Marek , Kasprowicz Magdalena
Published: November 2021

Objective. Analysis of relative changes in the shapes of pulse waveforms of intracranial pressure (ICP) and transcranial Doppler cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) may provide information on intracranial compliance. We tested this hypothesis, introducing an index named the ratio of pulse slopes (RPS) that is based on inclinations of the ascending parts of the ICP and CBFV pulse waveforms. It has hypothetically a simple interpretation: a value of 1 indicates good compliance and a value less than 1, reduced compliance. Here, we investigated the usefulness of RPS for assessment of intracranial compliance. Approach. ICP and CBFV signals recorded simultaneously in 30 normal-pressure hydrocephalus patients during infusion tests were retrospectively analysed. CBFV was measured in the middle cerebral artery. Changes in RPS during the test were compared with changes in the height ratio of the first and second peak of the ICP pulse (P1/P2) and the shape of the ICP pulse was classified from normal (1) to pathological (4). Values are medians (lower, upper quartiles). Main results. There was a significant correlation between baseline RPS and intracranial elasticity (R = −0.55, p = 0.0018). During the infusion tests, both RPS and P1/P2 decreased with rising ICP [RPS, 0.80 (0.56, 0.92) versus 0.63 (0.44, 0.80), p = 0.00015; P1/P2, 0.58 (0.50, 0.91) versus 0.52 (0.36, 0.71), p = 0.00009] while the ICP pulses became more pathological in shape [class: 3 (2, 3) versus 3 (3, 4), p = 0.04]. The magnitude of the decrease in RPS during infusion was inversely correlated with baseline P1/P2 (R = −0.40, p < 0.03). Significance. During infusion, the slopes of the ascending parts of ICP and CBFV pulses become increasingly divergent with a shift in opposite directions. RPS seems to be a promising methodological tool for monitoring intracranial compliance with no additional volumetric manipulation required.
Nonhomogeneous volume conduction effects affecting needle electromyography: an analytical and simulation study
Authors: Luo Xuesong , Wang Shaoping , Rutkove Seward B , Sanchez Benjamin
Published: November 2021

Objective. Needle electromyography (EMG) is used to study the electrical behavior of myofiber properties in patients with neuromuscular disorders. However, due to the complexity of electrical potential spatial propagation in nonhomogeneous diseased muscle, a comprehensive understanding of volume conduction effects remains elusive. Here, we develop a framework to study the conduction effect of extracellular abnormalities and electrode positioning on extracellular local field potential (LFP) recordings. Methods. The framework describes the macroscopic conduction of electrical potential in an isotropic, nonhomogeneous (i.e. two tissue) model. Numerical and finite element model simulations are provided to study the conduction effect in prototypical monopolar EMG measurements. Results. LFPs recorded are influenced in amplitude, phase and duration by the electrode position in regards to the vicinity of tissue with different electrical properties. Conclusion. The framework reveals the influence of multiple mechanisms affecting LFPs including changes in the distance between the source–electrode and tissue electrical properties. Clinical significance. Our modeled predictions may lead to new ways for interpreting volume conduction effects on recorded EMG activity, for example in neuromuscular diseases that cause structural and compositional changes in muscle tissue. These change will manifest itself by changing the electric properties of the conductor media and will impact recorded potentials in the area of affected tissue.
The ITB dynamics controlled by internal kink modes on HL-2A tokamak
Authors: He X X , Yan L W , Yu D L , Chen W , Yu L M , Ma Q , Liu L , Wei Y L , He X F , Zhang N , Li Y G , Sun T F , Nie L , Shi Z B , Zhong W L , Xu M , Duan X R
Published: November 2021

The active control of internal transport barriers (ITBs) is an important issue to achieve high performance plasma in a fusion reactor. A critical challenge of ITB control is to increase the ITB position. The ITBs with internal kink modes (IKMs), such as fishbone (FB) instability and long-live mode (LLM) with mode number of m/n = 1/1 are frequently observed on HL-2A tokamak in neutral beam heated discharges. The correlation of FB instability/LLM with ITBs is analyzed in order to extend the ITB radius. It has been revealed that FB instability and LLM are often excited after the ITB formation. Therefore, FB instability and LLM play no role in triggering ITBs on HL-2A tokamak. On the other hand, they may slow down the outward radial expansion and then shrink the foot position of ITB, and damp the gradient growth of ion temperature and rotation velocity. Since the perturbation of LLM is weaker than that of FB instability, the shrinking effect of ITB foot and braking effect on gradient growth are slighter than those of FB instability. Compared with the LLM, FB instability routinely appears in plasmas with lower density, higher heating power and lower plasma current. In addition, large ITBs without IKMs are also discussed on HL-2A tokamak. The large ITB is the largest one, the FB ITB is the strongest one and the LLM ITB is the widest one in three ITBs, where the ‘large’, ‘strong’ and ‘wide’ qualifications correspond to ITB position ρ
ITB, the normalized temperature gradient R/LT, and its width W/a. Therefore, the large ITB position may be obtained if the IKMs are effectively controlled in a tokamak.
A new approach for displacement and stress monitoring of tunnel based on iFEM methodology
Authors: Savino Pierclaudio , Tondolo Francesco
Published: November 2021

Structural monitoring plays a key role for underground structures such as tunnels. Strain readings are expected to report structural conditions during construction and at the final delivery of the works. Furthermore, it is increasingly requested an extension to long-term monitoring from contractors with possible use of the same system in service during construction. A robust and efficient monitoring methodology from discrete strain measurements is the inverse finite element method (iFEM), which allows to reconstruct the structural response without input data on the load pattern applied to the structure as well as material and inertial properties of the elements and therefore it is interesting for structural configurations affected by uncertain loading conditions, such as the tunnel. The formulation presented in this paper, based on the iFEM theory, is improved from the previous work available in literature for both the shape functions used and the computational procedure. Indeed, the approach allows to overcome inconsistencies related to structural loading conditions and a pseudo-inverse matrix preserve all the rigid body modes without imposing specific constraints which is typical for tunnels. Numerical validation of the iFEM procedure is performed by simulating the input data coming from a tunnel working in a heterogeneous soil under different loading conditions with direct FEM analysis.
The Variability of the Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies from the Pan-STARRS’s View
Authors: Wang Hong-Tao , Su Yan-Ping , Ge Xue , Chen Yong-Yun , Yu Xiao-Ling
Published: November 2021

By means of the data sets from the Pan-STARRS1 survey, we have systematically examined the relationship between the variability characteristics and the physical parameters of the largest NLS1 galaxy sample up to now. The results are summarized as follows: (1). We find significant anti-correlations between variability amplitude and absolute magnitude in g, r, i, z and y bands, which are consistent with the results in previous works. (2) The correlations between the variability amplitude in optical band and many physical parameters (e.g., λ
L(5100 Å), black hole mass, Eddington ratio, R
4570 and R
5007) are investigated. The results show the variability amplitude is significantly anti-correlated with L(5100 Å), M
BH, Eddington ratio and R
4570, but positively correlated with R
5007. The relation could be explained by the simple standard accretion disk model. (3) We further investigate the relationship between optical variability and radio luminosity/radio-loudness. The results present weak positive correlation in g and r bands, but insignificant correlation in i, z and y bands. The large error of the approximate fraction of the host galaxy in i, z and y bands may lead to insignificant correlations.
Strong Spatial Aggregation of Martian Surface Temperature Shaped by Spatial and Seasonal Variations in Meteorological and Environmental Factors
Authors: Luo Yao-Wen , Li Fei , Yan Jian-Guo , Barriot Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2021

Spatio-temporal variation in the Martian surface temperature (MST) is an indicator of ground level thermal processes and hence a building block for climate models. However, the distribution of MST exhibits different levels of spatial aggregation or heterogeneity, and varies in space and time. Furthermore, the effect of regional differences in meteorological or environmental factors on the MST is not well understood. Thus, we investigated the degree of spatial autocorrelation of MST across the surface of Mars globally by Moran’s I, and identified the hot spots by GetisOrd

G

i

*

. We also estimated the regional differences in the influence of seasonally dominant factors including thermal inertia (TI), albedo, surface pressure, latitude, dust and slope on MST by a geographically weighted regression model. The results indicate (1) that MST is spatially aggregated and hot and cold spots varied over time and space. (2) Hemispheric differences in topography, surface TI and albedo were primarily responsible for the hemispheric asymmetry of hot spots. (3) The dominant factors varied by geographical locations and seasons. For example, the seasonal Hadley circulation dominates at the low-latitudes and CO2 circulation at the high-latitudes. (4) Regions with extreme variations in topography and low TI were sensitive to meteorological and environmental factors such as dust and CO2 ice. We conclude that the spatial autocorrelation of MST and the spatial and seasonal heterogeneity of influencing factors must be considered when simulating Martian climate models. This work provides a reference for further exploration of Martian climatic processes.
Spot and Facula Activity Variations of the Eccentric Detached Eclipsing Binary KIC 8098300 Based on the Time-series Orbital Solutions
Authors: Niu Hu-Biao , Fu Jian-Ning , Wang Jia-Xin , Li Chun-Qian
Published: November 2021

The LAMOST spectra and Kepler light curves are combined to investigate the detached eclipsing binary KIC 8098300, which shows the O’Connell effect caused by spot/facula modulation. The radial velocity (RV) measurements are derived by using the tomographic spectra disentangling technology. The mass ratio q = K
1/K
2 = 0.812 ± 0.007, and the orbital semimajor axis

a
sin
i
=
14.984
±
0.048

R

⊙

are obtained by fitting the RV curves. We optimize the binary model concerning the spot/facula activity with the code PHOEBE and obtain precise parameters of the orbit including the eccentricity e = 0.0217 ± 0.0008, the inclination i = 87.°71 ± 0.°04, and the angle of periastron ω = 284.°1 ± 0.°5. The masses and radii of the primary and secondary star are determined as M
1 = 1.3467 ± 0.0001 M
⊙, R
1 = 1.569 ± 0.003 R
⊙, and M
2 = 1.0940 ± 0.0001 M
⊙, R
2 = 1.078 ± 0.002 R
⊙, respectively. The ratio of temperatures of the two component stars is r
teff = 0.924 ± 0.001. We also obtain the periastron precession speed of 0.000024 ± 0.000001 day cycle−1. The residuals of out-of-eclipse are analyzed using the auto-correlation function and the discrete Fourier transform. The spot/facula activity is relatively weaker, but the lifetime is longer than that of most single main sequence stars in the same temperature range. The average rotation period of the spots P
rot = 4.32 days is slightly longer than the orbital period, which may be caused by either the migration of spots/faculae along the longitude or the latitudinal differential rotation. The activity may be spot-dominated for the secondary star and facula-dominated for the primary star. The method of this work can be used to analyze more eclipsing binaries with the O’Connell effect in the Kepler field to obtain the precise parameters and investigate the difference of spot behavior between binaries and single stars. It is helpful for a deeper understanding of the stellar magnetic activity and dynamo theory.
Effect of concentration of cadmium sulfate solution on structural, optical and electric properties of Cd1–x
Zn
x
S thin films
Authors: Xue Yuming , Zhang Shipeng , Song Dianyou , Zhang Liming , Wang Xinyu , Wang Lang , Sun Hang
Published: November 2021

Cd1–

x
Zn
x
S thin films were deposited by chemical bath deposition (CBD) on the glass substrate to study the influence of cadmium sulfate concentration on the structural characteristics of the thin film. The SEM results show that the thin film surfaces under the cadmium sulfate concentration of 0.005 M exhibit better compactness and uniformity. The distribution diagrams of thin film elements illustrate the film growth rate changes on the trend of the increase, decrease, and increase with the increase of cadmium sulfate concentration. XRD studies exhibit the crystal structure of the film is the hexagonal phase, and there are obvious diffraction peaks and better crystallinity when the concentration is 0.005 M. Spectrophotometer test results demonstrate that the relationship between zinc content x and optical band gap value E
g can be expressed by the equation E
g(x) = 0.59x
2 + 0.69x + 2.43. Increasing the zinc content can increase the optical band gap, and the absorbance of the thin film can be improved by decreasing the cadmium sulfate concentration, however, all of them have good transmittance. At a concentration of 0.005 M, the thin film has good absorbance in the 300–800 nm range, 80% transmittance, and band gap value of 3.24 eV, which is suitable for use as a buffer layer for solar cells.