bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomic medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction with and without tibial tuberosity osteotomy for objective patellar instability
Authors: Pautasso A. , Sabatini L. , Capella M. , Saccia F. , Rissolio L. , Boasso G. , Atzori F. , Massè A.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients treated with anatomic medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction with and without tibial tuberosity osteotomy (TTO). Correlations between patient's age, gender, pre-injury physical activity and the achieved results were investigated as secondary endpoints.

Methods

An observational retrospective study with prospective collected data was performed. Inclusion criteria were: treatment with anatomic MPFL reconstruction with gracilis tendon according to Schӧttle’s technique performed between 2011 and 2017; associated TTO as unique accessory procedure; skeletal joint maturity; a minimum follow-up of 12 months after surgery. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Kujala, Lysholm and Tegner scores.

Results

Forty patients (42 knees) were included, 64% of them underwent TTO. The Kujala score significantly improved from 47.4 ± 17.6 preoperatively to 89.4 ± 13.6 postoperatively (p < 0.01). The average Lysholm score was 45.6 ± 20.5 preoperatively: it showed a significant increase to 89.8 ± 12.8 postoperatively (p < 0.01). Pre-injury mean Tegner was 5.9 ± 1.8, while it dropped to 3.0 ± 1.6 after injury. After surgery, Tegner resulted 4.9 ± 1.6. Forty-three percent of patients regained the pre-injury sport activity level. Redislocation rate was 2.4%.

Conclusion

Anatomic MPFL reconstruction allows excellent patellar stability recovery, knee functionality improvement, return to Activities of Daily Living and a low redislocation rate. Better results were achieved in younger (under 30 years old) and higher sports activity-level subjects. The TTO association provided clinical results comparable to isolated MPFL reconstructions, suggesting that the two procedures can be safely accomplished together without affecting the positive outcomes.

Level of evidence

Level IV.
Diagenetic Control on the Distribution of Porosity within the Depositional Facies of Proterozoic Rajgarh Formation, Alwar Sub-basin, Northeastern Rajasthan
Authors: Khanam Sadia , Quasim M. A. , Ahmad A. H. M.
Published: July 2021

The sandstones of the Proterozoic Rajgarh Formation are texturally immature and compositionally sub-mature quartz arenite to arkose in composition. The reservoir quality of sandstones is strongly influenced by depositional facies and various types of diagenetic modifications. A significant reduction in primary porosity in the studied sandstone is mainly due to high mechanical compaction followed by chemical compaction rather than the cementation process. Arkose from the river-dominated estuary facies show infiltrated clay coating, feldspar dissolution, iron-oxide cementation, leaching of detrital by iron-oxide cement, kaolinization of feldspar, the fracturing of detrital, partial albitization and folding of mica. The pore-lining clay has helped in retaining primary porosity, and leaching and dissolution processes were the main process generating secondary porosity in this facies. Tidal flat sub-arkose petrofacies display compaction of micas and unstable rock fragments into the pseudomatrix, expansion of muscovite by kaolinite, and pore-filling silty matrix that occupied intergranular spaces. Quartz-arenite petrofacies from shallow marine deposit show grain replacive kaolinite, pyrite precipitation, glauconite authigenesis, muscovite bending, albitization of plagioclase, feldspar overgrowths, dissolution, and grain fracturing. Pyrite plays a significant role in the reduction of both primary and secondary porosity by precipitating in intergranular spaces and in dissolution voids of feldspar. Moreover, fractures in detrital act as a second cycle porosity generation process in the shallow marine petrofacies. The linking between the diagenetic processes and depositional facies provides a geologic model for hydrocarbon exploration through reservoir quality prediction. Therefore, the petrographic observations indicate quartz-arenite (shallow marine facies) and sub-arkosic sandstones (tidal flat facies) are the least suitable latent reservoir because of their lowest primary and secondary porosity and unconnected pore spaces. Arkosic (river-dominated estuary facies) compositions are considered to be appropriate frameworks for potential reservoir rocks. This study reveals that the depositional environment largely controls the diagenetic pathways and hence, influences the reservoir quality.
Quantitative Analysis of Drainage Basin Parameters towards better Management of Damodar River, Eastern India
Authors: Ghosh Prasanta Kumar , Mukhopadhyay Ritendu , Jana Narayan Chandra
Published: July 2021

Morphometric analysis of a drainage basin is important for the study of river basin evaluation, analysis of flood hazard, watershed prioritization, and for better management of the river. Primarily to mitigate flood, India’s first multipurpose river valley project was implemented on Damodar river valley, disregarding in depth study about the basic morphometry of the river. After that, in last 50-60 years, many researchers have worked on this topic in selected watersheds or parts of Damodar river basin. The present study extended the work to entire Damodar river basin of eastern India and demarcated the basin from 59 nos. of SOI topographical maps (R.F.1:50,000) and satellite images. For detailed analysis, the whole basin was divided into 103 watersheds and each watershed was treated as a unit for the analysis. Then twenty-three morphometric variables (comprising of linear, areal and relief parameters) were used to generate dataset of the morphometric characteristics of all watersheds. Using these morphometry data, watersheds are classified into different groups based on their similarities. Further, watershed-wise amount of runoff, sediment yield and environmental flow of Damodar river have been estimated for flood and erosion management purpose. Finally, watersheds are divided into different classes as per their priority in management process. This important study may assist us to understand and manage the river properly for the future of human populations during Anthropocene.
GPR Investigation of Mining Induced Subsidence and its Effects on Surface Structures: A Case Study of Srinagar City, J&K, India, NW Himalayas
Authors: Bali Bikram Singh , Wani Ahsan Afzal , Bhat Gulam Rasool , Mir Sareer Ahmad
Published: July 2021

The subsidence reported from the Rainawari, 4 kms north west of Lal Chowk (The city centre of Srinagar) in 1999-2000 was mainly restricted to Surateng (which in local language means a mound of ash) locality of the area. Rainawari, 4 km north west of Srinagar city invariably witnessed land subsidence for the past several decades and in this process most of the structures in the area suffered massive damage including collapse, sags, sinking of floors, temporal and spatial evolution of cracks, swaying, sink holes, colloquially numerous structures started sinking and tilting and major potholes appeared on roadways, thus creating panic in the inhabitants of the area. The surface change phenomena in the present study is strictly restricted to a small area, where extensive underground mining related to pottery industry has a history of hundreds of years. In this context, six ground penetrating radar profiles have been acquired from two main sites namely JLNM hospital and Surteng locality of Rainawari using 200, 500 MHz shielded and 100 MHz rough terrain antennas. In order to investigate the shallow sub-surface, possible locations of sink holes, kinematics of the subsidence phenomena, spatial-temporal evolution of sink holes, effects of subsidence on surface structures, to locate underground caves and cavities, seismic liquefaction features, geometry and trends in near surface tectonic deformation, geotechnical characterization and seismic resilience of the surface structures, the subsurface imaging was acquired using GPR. Major sub-surface observations made were underground cavities, room and pillar mining structures and voids. In addition to the sub-surface structures caused by the mining in the historical past, the surface deformations were observed in the form of cracks developed in the construction.
Estimation of Optimum Burden for Blasting of Different Rock Strata in an Indian Iron Ore Mine
Authors: Himanshu Vivek K. , Mishra A. K. , Priyadarshi Vivek , Shankar Ravi , Yadav R. S. , Singh P. K.
Published: July 2021

Burden movement plays very important role in the bench blasting for the effective utilization of the explosive energy. The optimum burden for a blast face varies with the nature of the strata and explosive quantity & quality. There are various experimental and empirical approaches for the estimation of optimum burden. However, there is a need for the site-specific estimation suited with the strata condition for estimation of optimum burden at the blast faces having huge variations in the rock types. Two different approaches have been used in this paper for computation of optimal burden of different rock strata of an Indian iron ore mine. The first approach is based on assessment of rock mass properties and explosive properties for the blast. The assessed properties are put in different empirical equations of Kuz-Ram model. To achieve optimal burden desired fragment size has been computed by back calculation from the empirical model. The second approach is based on the assessment of critical vibration limit for different rock strata. The determination of critical vibration is done using the assessment of rock mass properties. The prediction of distance up to which critical vibration limit will be achieved using the designed charging parameters, gives the optimum burden. The computed burden has been compared for both the approaches, which gives a good correlation with correlation coefficient of 0.78. The experimental blasts of different rock strata were conducted using the computed optimal burden. The blast output with optimal burden and charging parameters have been improved in terms of fragmentation, blast face movement and reduction of back-break.
Hydrocarbon Source Potential of Coal-bearing Tikak-Parbat Formation of Barail Group in a Part of the Belt of Schuppen, India
Authors: Banik Prasun , Phukan Sarat , Das Minati
Published: July 2021

The Oligocene succession of the Tikak Parbat Formation has prominent coal bearing horizons. The formation comprises of medium to coarse grained light coloured sandstone, clay and carbonaceous shale with four workable coal seams. Core samples from two wells has been studied with regards to organic matter content and type. Relatively high total organic carbon (TOC) contents are present (average 72.103 wt %) in coal; the hydrogen index (HI) values reach a maximum of 410 mg HC/g TOC, indicating presence of type III-II kerogen, and the organic matter is thermally immature (Tmax 428°C) in coal. The genetic potential have maximum yield of 246.53 mg/g, so the coal deposits could act as an excellent source rock for hydrocarbons if the burial depth is sufficient. Carbonaceous shale samples are at early mature stage (T 438°C). Kerogen at this maturity level is within oil window and is capable of generating oil and thermogenic gas upon thermal cracking. The study highlights dense accumulation of reactive macerals (vitrinite + liptinite) and low concentration of inertinite. The empirically derived values for coal reveal a high conversion (>90%) and oil yield (>60%).
A Preliminary Study on Aquifers and its Possible Geometry in Parts of Kashmir Valley, India
Authors: Lone Khurshid Ahmad , Mir Riyaz Ahmad
Published: July 2021

The present study used bore-well litholog data from six locations (Badampora, Telbal, Cheshmashai, Batwara, Karannagar and Bemina) to map the aquifers and its possible geometry in parts of Srinagar and Ganderbal districts, Kashmir valley, India. From the available data, a fence diagram was generated that depicted the occurrence of a 2-32 m thick upper alluvial layer of regional scale underlain by a 2-10 m thick sandy-silt horizon. Underlying this, a regional sandy horizon varying in thickness from 3 m (Telbal and Batwara) to 11 m (Bemina) is present at a depth of 7 m (at Badampora) to 32 m (at Bemina) below the ground level. The sandy stratum is followed by a number of granular horizons comprising alternate coarser sediments with clay as matrix at varying depths. Except the sandy stratum, the other litho-horizons/aquifers indicated heterogeneity and pinching character with a significant variation in nature and geometry from place to place both vertically and horizontally, thereby leading to wide variation in the water availability. Overall, the sub-surface horizons exhibit gradation from coarse detrital sediments (gravel, pebble, boulder and coarse sand) in NE-NW parts to fine sediments (clay, silt, and fine sand) in SE-SW parts of the area. The sandy stratum along with the overlying sandy silt horizon overlain by a regional clay blanket is probably acting as a single aquifer system providing a significant and potential groundwater resource in the area. The water bearing horizons in the upper sub-surface levels exists essentially under unconfined conditions while at deeper sub-surface levels water bearing aquifers exist under confined to semi-confined conditions. The general groundwater movement originates from N-NE upland areas towards S-SW lowland areas, almost replicating the local topography and the general slope of the area. Furthermore, the chemical quality analysis suggested that the groundwater is safe for drinking purposes and suitable for agricultural uses in this area.
Assessment of Water Availability with SWAT Model: A Study on Ganga River
Authors: Bera Suman , Maiti Ramkrishna
Published: July 2021

Availability of water flow for assessing in transboundary river basin is a crucial issue and is necessary for water sharing and management. As a Transboundary river, Ganga has created water conflict between India and Bangladesh, related to water sharing at Farakka. Under these circumstance, applying hydrological model SWAT, measurement and understanding of water availability is important. This paper examines the spatio-temporal distribution of surface water in the entire Ganga basin to understand the actual causes of water shortage during lean season. Based on DEM, slope, soil, LULC and weather data, the SWAT model has been run at the catchment scale with a good performance under R2 and NSE evaluation methods. The study shows that annually Ganga basin of India is rich in water (average 1216165.5 cumec) and majority of the catchments delivers enough water to the main stream but during lean season only above Ramganga, Ghaghara, Gandak and Yamuna lower are active, which together contributes 60.6% of the lean season water discharge to the main channel of Ganga. Likewise, India, annual discharge in Bangladesh (average 65764 cumec) is satisfactory, but lean season water flow has only 3% of the annual, is very meagre which affects actual water availability of northwestern part of the country. The study also established that actual evapotranspiration of the entire basin is much higher than precipitation during the lean season and indicated a great deviation between supply and demand which concluded water stress condition in the Ganga basin.
Hydrogeochemical Analysis for Groundwater Suitability Appraisal in Sivagangai, an Economically Backward District of Tamil Nadu
Authors: Arumugam Muruganantham , Karthikeyan Sivakumar , Thangaraj Kongeswaran , Kulandaisamy Prabakaran , Sundaram Bangaru Priyanga , Ramasamy Karikalan , Vellaikannu Agastheeswaran , Velmayil Perumal
Published: July 2021

Hydrogeochemical analysis was carried out to assess the suitability of groundwater for drinking, domestic, agriculture and industrial purposes in Sivagangai district, which is economically backward district of Tamil Nadu, India. Seventy ground water samples were collected during pre and postmonsoon season in the year 2017 from all over the district and analyzed for hydrogen ion activity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, CO3, HCO3, SO4, total nitrate, and F. All the analytical results are compared with the corresponding guideline values of drinking water standards and the results show that groundwater in most part of the study area is potable except for a few locations in both seasons. The groundwater geochemistry is mostly controlled by rock water interaction and evaporation processes in both seasons as revealed from the Gibbs plot. The irrigation water quality parameters such as SAR, Na% and RSC results show that some of the groundwater samples are fit for agriculture. It is ascertained through hydrogeochemical analysis that the quality of groundwater is appropriate for drinking, domestic use, agriculture as well as industrial purpose and it can be utilized for industrial development to improve the socioeconomic status of the study area.
Evolution of the Drainage System in Yamuna-Sutlej Interfluve - Multi-disciplinary Approach
Authors: Tewari Harsh , Shukla Manoj K. , Chaturvedi Rajesh , Joshi Kaumudi , Bagchi Joyesh
Published: July 2021

The Yamuna–Sutlej interfluve area has been important because of the presence of several palaeochannels that are hypothesized to be linked to Rigvedic river Saraswati that is now lost in time and space. Using satellite data, followed by field studies, the palaeocourse of a major river system in parts of the foothills of Himalaya, piedmont zone and plains of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan has been delineated. The palaeocourse of this major river system originating from south of Ropar, flowing southwards, combined with its tributaries including Ghaggar near Shutrana in Punjab flowed further south-west in parts of India and Pakistan culminating at Kutch. Along the length of interpreted palaeochannel, numerous Indus valley civilization sites are present. The field investigations with systematic sampling for geochronological analysis using thermo luminescence /optically stimulated luminescence (TL/OSL) technique, petro-minerao- sedimentological studies have substantiated the existence of palaeochannels on the ground. Comprehensive remote-sensing investigations backed by geochronological input reveals that Sutlej palaeochannel was the main contributor of perennial water source at around 12±1 ka before shifting its course to present state and the palaeochannels between Yamuna-Sutlej interfluve were its tributaries, the most important being Ghaggar. The Sutlej palaeochannel was active till 12 ka and was receiving Himalayan sediments before the advent of aeolian episodes at around 12 ka and 7.4±0.4 ka. However, sediments from the river bed of the present Ghaggar river near Anupgarh indicates that the palaeochannel was receiving water supply till 5.2 ka having sufficient energy to deposit fine sand.
‘Spatio-market practices’: conceptualising the always spatial dimensions of market making practices
Authors: Holmes Torik , Fernandes Josi , Palo Teea
Published: July 2021

Socio-material conceptualisations of markets suggest that they are spatial formations. Yet, the everyday practical and spatial dimensions of market making have received little explicit attention. We thus introduce the concept of spatio-market practices, drawing on key ideas in market studies and spatial theory. We argue that examining spatio-market practices (and thus the spatial dimensions of markets) promises to provide fresh insight regarding what it takes to realise markets, their uneven distribution, and what and whom markets are (and are not) designed to serve. To demonstrate what the concept calls for, supports and promises, we take Humphreys’ (2010) influential paper as a starting point and draw on other secondary sources in order to articulate an alternative and spatially-oriented account of the growth and legitimacy of the American casino gambling market. This paper, in turn, contributes a subtle and yet incisive shift in thinking, which supports a more explicit means of exploring markets as spatial formations.
Development of a simplified gas ultracleaning process: experiments in biomass residue-based fixed-bed gasification syngas
Authors: Frilund Christian , Kurkela Esa , Hiltunen Ilkka
Published: July 2021

For the realization of small-scale biomass-to-liquid (BTL) processes, low-cost syngas cleaning remains a major obstacle, and for this reason a simplified gas ultracleaning process is being developed. In this study, a low- to medium-temperature final gas cleaning process based on adsorption and organic solvent-free scrubbing methods was coupled to a pilot-scale staged fixed-bed gasification facility including hot filtration and catalytic reforming steps for extended duration gas cleaning tests for the generation of ultraclean syngas. The final gas cleaning process purified syngas from woody and agricultural biomass origin to a degree suitable for catalytic synthesis. The gas contained up to 3000 ppm of ammonia, 1300 ppm of benzene, 200 ppm of hydrogen sulfide, 10 ppm of carbonyl sulfide, and 5 ppm of hydrogen cyanide. Post-run characterization displayed that the accumulation of impurities on the Cu-based deoxygenation catalyst (TOS 105 h) did not occur, demonstrating that effective main impurity removal was achieved in the first two steps: acidic water scrubbing (AWC) and adsorption by activated carbons (AR). In the final test campaign, a comprehensive multipoint gas analysis confirmed that ammonia was fully removed by the scrubbing step, and benzene and H2S were fully removed by the subsequent activated carbon beds. The activated carbons achieved > 90% removal of up to 100 ppm of COS and 5 ppm of HCN in the syngas. These results provide insights into the adsorption affinity of activated carbons in a complex impurity matrix, which would be arduous to replicate in laboratory conditions.
SPARQL Query Generator (SQG)
Authors: Chen Yanji , Kokar Mieczyslaw M. , Moskal Jakub J.
Published: July 2021

This paper describes a program—SPARQL Query Generator (SQG)—which takes as input an OWL ontology, a set of object descriptions in terms of this ontology and an OWL class as the context, and generates relatively large numbers of queries about various types of descriptions of objects expressed in RDF/OWL. The intent is to use SQG in evaluating data representation and retrieval systems from the perspective of OWL semantics coverage. While there are many benchmarks for assessing the efficiency of data retrieval systems, none of the existing solutions for SPARQL query generation focus on the coverage of the OWL semantics. Some are not scalable since manual work is needed for the generation process; some do not consider (or totally ignore) the OWL semantics in the ontology/instance data or rely on large numbers of real queries/datasets that are not readily available in our domain of interest. Our experimental results show that SQG performs reasonably well with generating large numbers of queries and guarantees a good coverage of OWL axioms included in the generated queries.
ITEXT-BIO: Intelligent Term EXTraction for BIOmedical analysis
Authors: Kafando Rodrique , Decoupes Rémy , Valentin Sarah , Sautot Lucile , Teisseire Maguelonne , Roche Mathieu
Published: July 2021

Here, we introduce ITEXT-BIO, an intelligent process for biomedical domain terminology extraction from textual documents and subsequent analysis. The proposed methodology consists of two complementary approaches, including free and driven term extraction. The first is based on term extraction with statistical measures, while the second considers morphosyntactic variation rules to extract term variants from the corpus. The combination of two term extraction and analysis strategies is the keystone of ITEXT-BIO. These include combined intra-corpus strategies that enable term extraction and analysis either from a single corpus (intra), or from corpora (inter). We assessed the two approaches, the corpus or corpora to be analysed and the type of statistical measures used. Our experimental findings revealed that the proposed methodology could be used: (1) to efficiently extract representative, discriminant and new terms from a given corpus or corpora, and (2) to provide quantitative and qualitative analyses on these terms regarding the study domain.
Deep learning framework for handling concept drift and class imbalanced complex decision-making on streaming data
Authors: Priya S. , Uthra R. Annie
Published: July 2021

In present times, data science become popular to support and improve decision-making process. Due to the accessibility of a wide application perspective of data streaming, class imbalance and concept drifting become crucial learning problems. The advent of deep learning (DL) models finds useful for the classification of concept drift in data streaming applications. This paper presents an effective class imbalance with concept drift detection (CIDD) using Adadelta optimizer-based deep neural networks (ADODNN), named CIDD-ADODNN model for the classification of highly imbalanced streaming data. The presented model involves four processes namely preprocessing, class imbalance handling, concept drift detection, and classification. The proposed model uses adaptive synthetic (ADASYN) technique for handling class imbalance data, which utilizes a weighted distribution for diverse minority class examples based on the level of difficulty in learning. Next, a drift detection technique called adaptive sliding window (ADWIN) is employed to detect the existence of the concept drift. Besides, ADODNN model is utilized for the classification processes. For increasing the classifier performance of the DNN model, ADO-based hyperparameter tuning process takes place to determine the optimal parameters of the DNN model. The performance of the presented model is evaluated using three streaming datasets namely intrusion detection (NSL KDDCup) dataset, Spam dataset, and Chess dataset. A detailed comparative results analysis takes place and the simulation results verified the superior performance of the presented model by obtaining a maximum accuracy of 0.9592, 0.9320, and 0.7646 on the applied KDDCup, Spam, and Chess dataset, respectively.
Machine-learning and HEC-RAS integrated models for flood inundation mapping in Baro River Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Tamiru Habtamu , Wagari Meseret
Published: July 2021

This study presents an integrated machine-learning and HEC-RAS models for flood inundation mapping in Baro River Basin, Ethiopia. ANN and HEC-RAS models were integrated as a predictive hydrological and hydraulic model to generate runoff and the extent of flood, respectively. Daily rainfall and temperature data of 7-years (1999–2005), daily discharge (1999–2005) and 30 m × 30 m gridded Topographical Wetness Index (TWI) were used to train a predictive ANN hydrological model in RStudio. The predictive performance of the developed ANN hydrological model was evaluated in RStudio using Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values of 0.86 and 0.88 during the training period (1999–2005) and testing period (2006–2008), respectively, with the corresponding observed daily discharge. The validated ANN predictive hydrological model was linked with HEC-RAS to generate the flood extent along the river course. The HEC-RAS model result was calibrated and validated using the water body delineated using Normal Difference Water Index (NDWI) from LANDSAT 8 imagery based on historical flood events of 2005 and 2008. It was found that about 96% of an agreement was made between the flood-prone areas generated in HEC-RAS and the water body delineated using NDWI. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that the integration of a machine-learning approach with the HEC-RAS model has improved the spatiotemporal uncertainties in traditional flood forecasting methods. This integrated model is powerful tool for flood inundation mapping to warn residents of this basin.
Pig vaccination strategies based on enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli toxins
Authors: Dubreuil J. Daniel
Published: July 2021

EnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) are responsible for diarrhea in humans as well as in farm animals. ETEC infections in newborn, suckling, and especially in post-weaning piglets are associated with reduced growth rate, morbidity, and mortality. ETEC express virulence factors as adhesin and enterotoxins that play a central role in the pathogenic process. Adhesins associated with pigs are of diverse type being either fimbrial or non-fimbrial. Enterotoxins belong to two groups: heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (ST). Heterogeneity of ETEC strains encompass expression of various fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F18, and F41) and enterotoxins (LT, STa, STb, and EAST1). In the late years, attempts to immunize animals against neonatal and post-weaning diarrhea were focused on the development of anti-adhesin strategies as this is the initial step of ETEC pathogenesis. Although those vaccines demonstrated some protection against ETEC infections, as enterotoxins are pivotal to the virulence of ETEC, a new generation of vaccinal molecules, which include adhesin and one or more enterotoxins, were recently tested. Some of these newly developed chimeric fusion proteins are intended to control as well human diarrhea as enterotoxins are more or less common with the ones found in pigs. As these could not be tested in the natural host (human), either a mouse or pig model was substituted to evaluate the protection efficacy. For the advancement of pig vaccine, mice were sometimes used for preliminary testing. This review summarizes advances in the anti-enterotoxin immunization strategies considered in the last 10 years.
scLink: Inferring Sparse Gene Co-Expression Networks from Single-Cell Expression Data
Authors: Li Wei Vivian , Li Yanzeng
Published: July 2021

A system-level understanding of the regulation and coordination mechanisms of gene expression is essential for studying the complexity of biological processes in health and disease. With the rapid development of single-cell RNA sequencing technologies, it is now possible to investigate gene interactions in a cell type-specific manner. Here we propose the scLink method, which uses statistical network modeling to understand the co-expression relationships among genes and construct sparse gene co-expression networks from single-cell gene expression data. We use both simulation and real data studies to demonstrate the advantages of scLink and its ability to improve single-cell gene network analysis. The scLink R package is available at https://github.com/Vivianstats/scLink.
Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Sexual Difficulties: A Systematic Review of Veterans and Military Personnel
Authors: Bird Elizabeth R. , Piccirillo Marilyn , Garcia Natalia , Blais Rebecca , Campbell Sarah
Published: July 2021

Background

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with sexual difficulties but the nuances of this relationship remain elusive. Research has increased in recent years, most notably following publication of several reviews in 2015.

Aim

This systematic review examines the relationship between PTSD and sexual difficulties in veterans/military personnel.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines in PsycINFO and PubMed databases for studies examining a diagnosis of PTSD or PTSD severity in relation to a range of sexual difficulties. Forty-three studies were identified that met inclusion and exclusion criteria for this review.

RESULTS

PTSD was associated with increased risk of experiencing at least one sexual difficulty. PTSD was most clearly associated with overall sexual function, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and sexual distress. Results were mixed for sexual arousal, orgasm function, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, sexual pain, and frequency of sexual activity. PTSD symptom clusters of avoidance and negative alterations in cognition/mood were most commonly associated sexual difficulties. Few studies compared results by gender and trauma type.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should inquire about sexual health in relation to PTSD symptoms and target avoidance and negative mood symptoms by incorporating sexual exposure assignments and sexual activation exercises when appropriate.

Strengths & Limitations

This systematic review synthesizes an extensive literature that has grown substantially in the past 5 years and includes studies with low to moderate risk of bias. Limitations of the existing literature include challenges differentiating between PTSD and depression, inconsistent measurement of PTSD and trauma histories, inconsistent operationalization and measurement of sexual outcomes, and largely cross-sectional study designs.

CONCLUSION

PTSD is linked to a range of sexual outcomes. The current literature suggests that PTSD is associated with sexual difficulties related to both the sexual response cycle (ie, sexual desire) and one’s emotional relationship to sexual activity (eg, sexual distress). More research is needed to increase confidence in findings.
Disavowing Disability
Authors: McKendry Andrew
Published: July 2021

Disavowing Disability examines the role that disability, both as a concept and an experience, played in seventeenth-century debates about salvation and religious practice. Exploring how the use and definition of the term 'disability' functioned to allocate agency and culpability, this study argues that the post-Restoration imperative to capacitate 'all men'—not just the 'elect'—entailed a conceptual circumscription of disability, one premised on a normative imputation of capability. The work of Richard Baxter, sometimes considered a harbinger of 'modernity' and one of the most influential divines of the Long Eighteenth Century, elucidates this multifarious process of enabling. In constructing an ideology of ability that imposed moral self-determination, Baxter encountered a germinal form of the 'problem' of disability in liberal theory. While a strategy of 'inclusionism' served to assimilate most manifestations of alterity, melancholy presented an intractability that frustrated the logic of rehabilitation in fatal ways. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Modern Dimension Reduction
Authors: Waggoner Philip D.
Published: July 2021

Data are not only ubiquitous in society, but are increasingly complex both in size and dimensionality. Dimension reduction offers researchers and scholars the ability to make such complex, high dimensional data spaces simpler and more manageable. This Element offers readers a suite of modern unsupervised dimension reduction techniques along with hundreds of lines of R code, to efficiently represent the original high dimensional data space in a simplified, lower dimensional subspace. Launching from the earliest dimension reduction technique principal components analysis and using real social science data, I introduce and walk readers through application of the following techniques: locally linear embedding, t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE), uniform manifold approximation and projection, self-organizing maps, and deep autoencoders. The result is a well-stocked toolbox of unsupervised algorithms for tackling the complexities of high dimensional data so common in modern society. All code is publicly accessible on Github.
Importance of the Northward IMF for the Quasistatic Mesoscale Field‐Aligned Currents Embedded in the Diminished Region 1/2 Current System in the Dusk Sector
Authors: Yokoyama Y. , Taguchi S. , Iyemori T.
Published: July 2021

To understand the features of the quasistatic field‐aligned currents (FACs) consisting of multiple mesoscale (∼10–100 km) upward and downward FAC regions in the duskside auroral oval, we examined the magnetic field data obtained through the constellation measurements of Swarm satellites for a duration of more than three years. We introduced a method of automated event identification and took the events in 577 satellite orbits that pass through the high‐latitude part of the 14–18 magnetic local time auroral oval. The results of the analysis reveal that the occurrence ratio of the FAC events increases with the IMF BZ, and that the event can be detected at a ratio exceeding 20% for BZ greater than 1 nT. This indicates that the quasistatic mesoscale FACs in the duskside sector are pertinent to a northward IMF condition and that they are not a simple remnant of the diminished Region 1. The results also show that the FAC density tends to increase with the solar wind proton density, implying that the latter is directly associated with FAC generation. The FAC events can occur in a wide range of solar zenith angles, that is, 65–135°, indicating that whether the ionosphere is sunlit or dark is not crucial for the appearance of the event. These results strongly suggest that multiple mesoscale FACs are produced in the low‐latitude boundary layer through a mechanism related to solar wind plasma entry processes that can be more easily attained as the northward component of the IMF increases.
Detailed Structure of Very High‐β Earth Bow Shock
Authors: Petrukovich A. A. , Chugunova O. M.
Published: July 2021

Observations of Earth's bow shock with high (ratio of thermal to magnetic pressure) are rare. However, such shocks are supposed to be ubiquitous in astrophysical plasmas. We present statistics of several tens crossings with for MMS, Cluster and Geotail, 30 of which have . For the latter subset, most of the crossings reveal upstream structure with the periodically emerging activations, gradually thermalizing the solar wind ion flow. One fortuitous MMS shock event allowed to study this phenomenon with unprecedented details. Each activation, in turn, consists of high‐amplitude magnetic variations with the period about 1 s, coupled with the pulses of the plasma flow. These variations have wavelengths of about 150 km, linear polarization and are almost standing in the plasma rest frame, consistent with the expectation for Weibel mode. All together, the transition interval may last 5–10 min, but corresponds to a proton cyclotron scale in the solar wind, due to very low magnetic field and very slow shock motion. The most likely physical cause of this extended upstream activity is reformation of a supercritical shock.
Machine Learning Predicts the Timing and Shear Stress Evolution of Lab Earthquakes Using Active Seismic Monitoring of Fault Zone Processes
Authors: Shreedharan Srisharan , Bolton David Chas , Rivière Jacques , Marone Chris
Published: July 2021

Machine learning (ML) techniques have become increasingly important in seismology and earthquake science. Lab‐based studies have used acoustic emission data to predict time‐to‐failure and stress state, and in a few cases, the same approach has been used for field data. However, the underlying physical mechanisms that allow lab earthquake prediction and seismic forecasting remain poorly resolved. Here, we address this knowledge gap by coupling active‐source seismic data, which probe asperity‐scale processes, with ML methods. We show that elastic waves passing through the lab fault zone contain information that can predict the full spectrum of labquakes from slow slip instabilities to highly aperiodic events. The ML methods utilize systematic changes in P‐wave amplitude and velocity to accurately predict the timing and shear stress during labquakes. The ML predictions improve in accuracy closer to fault failure, demonstrating that the predictive power of the ultrasonic signals improves as the fault approaches failure. Our results demonstrate that the relationship between the ultrasonic parameters and fault slip rate, and in turn, the systematically evolving real area of contact and asperity stiffness allow the gradient boosting algorithm to “learn” about the state of the fault and its proximity to failure. Broadly, our results demonstrate the utility of physics‐informed ML in forecasting the imminence of fault slip at the laboratory scale, which may have important implications for earthquake mechanics in nature.
Quantifying Tectonic and Glacial Controls on Topography in the Patagonian Andes (46.5°S) From Integrated Thermochronometry and Thermo‐Kinematic Modeling
Authors: Andrić‐Tomašević Nevena , Falkowski Sarah , Georgieva Viktoria , Glotzbach Christoph , Strecker Manfred R. , Ehlers Todd A.
Published: July 2021

The Patagonian Andes have been used to illustrate the dependency of major topographic changes in response to glacial erosion processes dominating over tectonic deformation and uplift. Here, we investigate tectonic and glacial contributors to the erosion history and evolution of topography in the Patagonian Andes at 46.5°S. We present 33 new apatite and zircon (U‐Th)/He (AHe and ZHe, respectively) and fission track (AFT and ZFT, respectively) ages integrated with 46 previously published bedrock thermochronometric ages in a 3D thermo‐kinematic model. Observed thermochronometer ages increase from the eastern flank of the topographic crest of the orogen toward the eastern retro‐foreland basin (from AFT 4–10 Ma, ZHe 4–12 Ma, ZFT 6–14 Ma to AFT 28–32 Ma, ZHe 68–117 Ma). Thermo‐kinematic modeling indicates that spatial gradients in thermochronometric ages can be explained by an up to 100‐km‐wide, parabolic‐shaped pattern in exhumation rates with a maximum rate of 0.5 mm/yr from 15 Ma until the onset of glaciation at ∼7 Ma. Furthermore, model results suggest that the youngest AHe ages require a localized acceleration in erosion from ∼0.5 mm/yr to ∼2.2 mm/yr starting between ∼5 and ∼3 Ma, coeval with intensified glaciation and subduction of the Chile Rise. Our results suggest that the long‐wavelength (∼100 km) topography and erosion patterns are likely controlled by rock uplift above mid‐crustal ramp(s) and subsequent transpression along the Liquiñe‐Ofqui Fault. Superposed on these tectonic processes, Late Cenozoic glaciation resulted in localized and accelerated erosion over wavelengths of <20 km.
Temporal and Spatial Variations in Rock Uplift From River‐Profile Inversions at the Central Anatolian Plateau Southern Margin
Authors: Racano Simone , Schildgen Taylor F. , Cosentino Domenico , Miller Scott R.
Published: July 2021

In geodynamically active areas, spatio‐temporal variations in rock uplift can provide key insights into the processes responsible for the evolution of topography. The Central Anatolian Plateau (CAP) southern margin experienced a rapid rock‐uplift pulse with maximum rates of 3.5 m/kyr during the Quaternary, based on marine sediments dated to the middle Pleistocene that are now located at 1,500 m.a.s.l. Fluvial landscapes record elements that reflect temporal and spatial variations in rock‐uplift rates, such as the normalized river steepness index, which is affected by rock‐uplift rate, the erodibility of the underlying rock, and climate. Following the calibration of river profiles for an erosion coefficient value, which can be done using independent data (in our case, uplifted marine terraces and dated marine sediments), river profiles can be inverted for the rock‐uplift histories that created them. Here, we demonstrate how it is possible to define the spatio‐temporal rock‐uplift history of the CAP southern margin by quantitative analysis of river profiles.
Daytime Pc5 Diffuse Auroral Pulsations and Their Association With Outer Magnetospheric ULF Waves
Authors: Motoba T. , Ogawa Y. , Ebihara Y. , Kadokura A. , Gerrard A. J. , Weatherwax A. T.
Published: July 2021

South Pole Station, Antarctica (SPA, magnetic latitude = −74.5°, magnetic local time (MLT) = UT–3.5 h), is a unique observatory which can capture daytime auroral forms throughout austral winter season. We have studied the properties and origin of ultralow‐frequency (ULF) range modulation of daytime diffuse aurora, using data acquired on June 23, 2017 by multi‐instrument measurements at SPA and in situ measurements in the dayside outer magnetosphere. At 1500–1600 UT, monochromatic Pc5‐range pulsations (period ∼10 min) emerged in the midday diffuse auroral region. The sequential 2‐D images reveal that the auroral pulsations result from the repetitive formation of faint, diffuse auroral patches, propagating poleward at a speed of ∼1.5 km s−1. Interestingly, no obviously similar magnetic pulsations were found at SPA. The results differ fundamentally from the ground optical and magnetic signatures expected for a standing field line resonance. On the other hand, the co‐located riometer and VLF receiver observed clearly synchronized pulsations, suggesting that tens‐of‐keV electrons interact with modulated chorus waves and then are scattered down to the auroral pulsation region. During the same interval, the THEMIS‐D spacecraft detected corresponding Pc5 oscillations in the dayside outer magnetosphere (9–10 RE and ∼15 MLT). The compressional component of the magnetospheric Pc5 waves, presumably driven by an external source, exhibited a good correspondence to the daytime Pc5 auroral pulsations. The simultaneous SPA–THEMIS observations highlight the role of compressional Pc5 pulsations in the dayside outer magnetosphere in determining the periodicity of daytime high‐latitude diffuse auroral pulsations.
Environmental Controls of InSAR‐Based Periglacial Ground Dynamics in a Sub‐Arctic Landscape
Authors: Rouyet L. , Karjalainen O. , Niittynen P. , Aalto J. , Luoto M. , Lauknes T. R. , Larsen Y. , Hjort J.
Published: July 2021

Periglacial environments are characterized by highly dynamic landscapes. Freezing and thawing lead to ground movement, associated with cryoturbation and solifluction. These processes are sensitive to climate change and variably distributed depending on multiple environmental factors. In this study, we used multi‐geometry Sentinel‐1 Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) to investigate the spatial distribution of the mean annual ground velocity in a mountainous landscape in Northern Norway. Statistical modeling was employed to examine how periglacial ground velocity is related to environmental variables characterizing the diverse climatic, geomorphic, hydrological and biological conditions within a 148 km2 study area. Two‐dimensional (2D) InSAR results document mean annual ground velocity up to 15 mm/yr. Vertical and horizontal velocity components in the East–West plane show variable spatial distribution, which can be explained by the characteristics of cryoturbation and solifluction operating differently over flat and sloping terrain. Statistical modeling shows that slope angle and mean annual air temperature variables are the most important environmental factors explaining the distribution of the horizontal and vertical components, respectively. Vegetation and snow cover also have a local influence, interpreted as indicators of the ground material and moisture conditions. The results show contrasted model performance depending on the velocity component used as a response variable. In general, our study highlights the potential of integrating radar remote sensing and statistical modeling to investigate mountainous regions and better understand the relations between environmental factors, periglacial processes and ground dynamics.