bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A BCF Bionic Robot Fish Driven by A Dielectric Elastomer Actuator
Authors: Jiao Zhi-Wei , Wang Hao-Yu , Luo Bin , Yang Wei-Min , Yu Yuan
Published: August 2022

Bionic robot fish have been widely used in various underwater exploration activities due to their advantages of low noise, low resistance, high flexibility and high concealment. A dielectric elastomer (DE) is a soft material that significantly deforms under the action of an electric field. It has the characteristics of large strain, flexibility, high energy density and fast response speed, which lead to its unique advantages in the actuation of bionic fish. In this paper, the actuation characteristics of a dielectric elastomer are used to design and prepare a limit-type antagonistic dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA). A BCF bionic robot fish is proposed based on the DEA, which has a maximum swimming speed of 22.7 mm/s.
The Design and Realization of Automobile Anti-theft Control Circuit Based on SCM
Authors: Li Xue , Li Qisheng
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the main realization of car theft and alarm, the system mainly to the thief can close to the car this behavior detection to explore and design, MCU as the central control processing system, constitute a complete system with data acquisition, object analysis, results upload, alarm trigger and other functions. Through the communication port of the system for data collection and transmission, can be the distance sensor, pyroelectric sensor and other recognition acquisition module for processing, and then through the alarm module, voice module for signal output.
Prediction Model of Elastic Load Resource Regulation Potential under Hierarchical and Partitioned Dynamic Control Architecture
Authors: Zhou Ying , Chen Songsong , Shi Kun , Gong Taorong , Yuan Jindou , Li Bo , Yang Shihai
Published: August 2022

In order to deal with the problem of energy shortage, demand side management has attracted more and more attention. Taking demand side resources as an example to understand the regulation potential of demand side resources, this paper designs a hierarchical and partitioned dynamic regulation architecture for demand side adjustable resources, which can carry out the interconnection between multi-level subjects and efficient information interaction. The regulation potential prediction model of elastic load is established through the hierarchical and partitioned architecture, and the credible and adjustable potential of resident users under two regulation scenarios is obtained through calculation: participating in emergency load reduction and peak valley difference, which proves the effectiveness of the architecture.
Characterization of a high bandwidth readout chain for the CMS phase-2 pixel upgrade
Authors: Smith C.
Published: August 2022

The CMS collaboration is building a new inner tracking pixel detector for the High-Luminosity LHC. Each pixel readout chip will be controlled with a single serial input stream at 160 Mb/s and will send out data via four current mode logic (CML) 1.28 Gb/s outputs. The readout chips will be grouped in modules and connected with up to 1.6 meters long low-mass electrical links to Low-Power Gigabit Transceivers (lpGBT) and Versatile Link PLUS Transceiver (VTRx+) modules that send the data optically to off-detector electronics at 10 Gb/s. The characterization of these components and system tests of the readout chain are presented.
Time-assisted energy reconstruction in a highly-granular hadronic calorimeter
Authors: Graf C. , Simon F.
Published: August 2022

The software compensation algorithms developed for the
CALICE Analog Hadron Calorimeter are extended to incorporate time
information on the cell level, and the performance is studied in
GEANT4 simulations with a detector model of a highly-granular
SiPM-on-tile calorimeter. The addition of nanosecond-level time
resolution is found to result in significant improvement of the
energy resolution by approximately 3 % to 4 % for
local software compensation compared to the software compensation
based on local energy density alone, with further improvement
possible with better timing resolution. The high correlation of
energy density and time variables show that both provide sensitivity
to correlated underlying shower features, which limits the potential
of timing information when used as a global rather than a local
variable.
Climate change shifts agropastoral-pastoral margins in Africa putting food security and livelihoods at risk
Authors: Nidumolu Uday , Gobbett David , Hayman Peter , Howden Mark , Dixon John , Vrieling Anton
Published: August 2022

Climate is one of the key factors determining the suitability of land for agricultural production and influencing the spatial transition between grazing and cropping-dominated farming systems in Africa. We identified the climate indices that best align with the margin between the Agropastoral and Pastoral Farming Systems in the historical climate (1981–2006). We then used global climate model results to assess how these agropastoral-pastoral margins are likely to shift by 2050 as a consequence of forecasted climate change. We found that the agropastoral-pastoral margin will retreat across Africa resulting in less area climatically suited for productive agropastoral practices. Depending on the climate model, climate index and projections used, the conversion of land currently suitable for agropastoral production to land suitable for pastoral production across the continent leads to a reduction of the current 4.43 M km2 of Agropastoral Farming Systems to between 1.2 M km2 and 3.6 M km2. This reduction of 27%–81% of the Agropastoral zone would threaten food security and livelihoods in those areas. While we did not assess this aspect, the retreat of the agropastoral-pastoral margin may be offset by the conversion of higher rainfall zones to suitability for agropastoral production which would expand the area suitable for the Agropastoral Farming System. Identifying the locations and vulnerability to the climatic shifts along agropastoral-pastoral margins can help policy makers and planners to define strategies for improving the long-term resilience of livelihoods to climate change.
Unprecedented Arctic sea ice thickness loss and multiyear-ice volume export through Fram Strait during 2010–2011
Authors: Li Xuewei , Yang Qinghua , Yu Lejiang , Holland Paul R , Min Chao , Mu Longjiang , Chen Dake
Published: August 2022

The satellite-observed sea ice thickness (SIT) records from 2003 to 2020 identify an extreme SIT loss during 2010–2011. Ice thickness budget analysis demonstrates that the thickness loss was associated with an extraordinarily large multiyear ice (MYI) volume export through the Fram Strait during the season of sea ice advance. High cloudiness led to positive anomalies of net longwave radiation, and positive net surface energy flux anomalies supported enhanced sea ice melt from June to August. Due to the MYI loss, the Arctic sea ice became more sensitive to subsequent atmospheric anomalies. The reduced surface albedo triggering a positive ice-albedo amplifying feedback and contributed to the accelerating loss of ice thickness. These tightly coupled events highlight that the increasingly younger and thinner Arctic sea ice is becoming more vulnerable to external forcing and created the precondition for the rapid reduction in sea ice extent in 2012.
Heat transfer in transversely coupled qubits: optically controlled thermal modulator with common reservoirs
Authors: Yang Yi-jia , Liu Yu-qiang , Yu Chang-shui
Published: August 2022

This paper systematically studied heat transfer through two transversely coupled qubits in contact with two types of heat reservoirs. One is the independent heat reservoir which essentially interacts with only a single qubit, the other is the common heat reservoir which is allowed to simultaneously interact with two qubits. Compared to independent heat reservoirs, common reservoirs always suppress heat current in most cases. However, the common environment could enhance heat current, if the dissipation rate corresponding to the higher eigenfrequency is significantly higher than that corresponding to the lower eigenfrequency. In particular, in the case of resonant coupling of two qubits and the proper dissipations, the steady state can be decomposed into a stationary dark state which does not evolve and contributes zero heat current, and a residual steady state which corresponds to the maximal heat current. This dark state enables us to control steady-state heat current with an external control field and design a thermal modulator. In addition, we find that inverse heat currents could be present in the dissipative subchannels between the system and reservoirs, which interprets the suppression roles of common heat reservoirs. We also calculate the concurrence of assistance (COA) of the system and find that heat current and COA have the same trend with temperature, which further indicates that entanglement can be regarded as a resource to regulate heat transport.
Determination of the parameters of the canonical working body of the straw chopper
Authors: Mamatov F M , Karimov R R , Gapparov Sh X , Karshiev F U , Choriyev R M
Published: August 2022

In the world, much attention is paid to the development and application of machine straw choppers. The aim of the study is to justify the parameters of a straw chopper in the form of a hyperboloid of polycaninic form. The basic principles and methods of classical mechanics, mathematical analysis and statistics were used in this study. The authors proposed and developed a straw chopper of polycanonical form. On the basis of theoretical studies analytical dependences for definition of the frontal area of a polycanonical straw shredder depending on its parameters are determined. Multifactorial experiments were carried out, on the basis of which the optimal parameters and mode of operation of the shredder were established: length of the working part 861 mm, angle of the tray installation 38° and rotor rotation frequency 727 rpm.
Research the parameters of cutter bar of the rotor of a green stalk forage chopper
Authors: Borotov A N
Published: August 2022

Currently, special attention is being paid to the development of cattle-raising, fisheries and poultry in Uzbekistan. Cattle-raising, fisheries and poultry feeding green forage providing their intensive increasing as well decreases the gathering of additional oil in them. Therefore, a chopping device was produced to cut green crops, such as clover, maize as well legumes. Since the quantity and arrangement of cutter-bars in the rotor depends on the quantity and placement of the cut feeds to be of same length, the quantity of cutter-bars has been explored theoretical and experimental researches. According to theoretical researches, the greater the quantity of cutter-bars in the feed chopping rotor, the greater the work efficiency and the shorter the length of cutting. During the experiments, when the quantity of rotations of the rotor was 1500 rpm and the quantity of rotating of the chopper was 175 rpm, 6 cutter-bars were installed on a rotor with a diameter of 200 mm. It was found that metal consumption and cost were reduced compared to 8 cutter-bars. It is recommended to install 6 cutter-bars on a rotor with a diameter of 200 mm.
Method of prediction of vibration emissions and transition of the technical state of a centrifugal pumping unit
Authors: Bekchanov F A , Atajanov A U , Babajanov L K , Yusupov F F
Published: August 2022

From many factors, the reliable operation of a centrifugal pump unit largely depends on the reliability of the electric motor, which is the main link of the centrifugal pump unit and an important factor in the failure-free operation of the centrifugal pump unit, which depends on the reliability of rolling bearings. This article is devoted to the study of the methodology for predicting vibration emissions and the transition of the technical state of a centrifugal pump unit to the states “Requires action” and “Unacceptable". Experimentally tested and confirmed the operability of the method for isolating vibration emissions in the flow of measuring the vibration of a centrifugal pump unit, separating a smooth increase in vibration from its emission. The technique for detecting and controlling the process of staged accumulation of damage and failure of parts by increasing the amplitudes of vibration emissions has been tested, which provides long-term and prompt proactive diagnostics throughout the entire period of operation, and the performance of the proposed diagnostic method has been confirmed.
Some ecological problems of providing the population with high-quality drinking water
Authors: Sambursky G A , Leont’eva S V , Molchanova Ya P , Nikitina S V
Published: August 2022

Issues of state policy in the field of improving the availability and safety of drinking water supply are focused most often on water treatment technologies. Tariff policy, being hostage to the political conjuncture, limits the possibilities of sustainable development of water supply, which requires a very balanced approach to the choice of technologies. To justify the choice of water treatment technologies in certain local conditions, an assessment of technological approaches based on the methodology of assessing the risk to public health together with a proper feasibility study should be carried out. Assessment of the population’s satisfaction with water supply services makes it possible to form various trajectories of drinking water supply to the population. Based on the analysis, taking into account modern international experience, it is necessary to consider the factor of formation of behavioural practice of safe water supply. Thus, the justification of solutions for the organization of drinking water supply for the end user requires taking into account the formed behavioural motives.
Construction of low-pressure hydraulic structures
Authors: Paluanov D T
Published: August 2022

The issues of construction of low-pressure hydraulic structures to provide sustainable water resources to the economy in areas where there is a shortage of water resources were considered. Based on the structure of areas with difficult geological conditions, a “dam-heterogeneous soil” model has been developed, which is affected by the weight of the structure and the hydrostatic pressure of the water. The developed model is implemented in the adoption of the optimal technical solution to the problem of the presence of deformable and ductile soils on the construction site under the requirements of regulatory documents. The results of the theoretical research were compared with the results of natural research and the results were proved to be close to each other.
Analysis of fractional and chemical composition of chartak reservoir sludge sediments
Authors: Xoshimov S , Qosimov T , Ortikov I , Hoshimov A
Published: August 2022

In the present era, when climate change has become a global problem, efficient use of water resources is becoming an important task. Natural field research was conducted in Chartak reservoir. In order to determine the amount of turbidity entering with the flow, the characteristic tributaries were determined along the length of the reservoir, and in each tributary, samples were taken using a bathometer at different times of the season and filtered in laboratory conditions. According to the analysis of the results, the average amount of incoming turbidity was 0.3-0.5 g/l, and the amount of outgoing turbidity was 0.05-0.08 g/l. Samples of the sediments that sank into the reservoir bowl were taken and their fractional and chemical composition was analyzed in the laboratory of “Gidroproekt” JSC. According to the fractional composition of muddy sediments, particles with a diameter of 1.0-0.5 mm are 13.98%, particles with a diameter of 0.5-0.25 mm are 11, 49%, particles with a diameter of 0.25-0.10 mm - 7.56%, particles with a diameter of 0.10-0.05mm - 10.48%, particles with a diameter of 0.05-0.01 mm - 26.8%, it was found that particles with a diameter of 0.01-0.005 mm make up 13.34%, and particles with a diameter of 0.005-0.002 mm make up 16.42%. If we pay attention to the distribution and share of sediments on the walls, 35-40% of particles with a large fraction (d=1.0-0.1 mm) and 50-60% are particles with a small fraction (d=0.05-0.001mm). It is based on the presence of particles rich in microelements useful for agricultural fields in sediments. If we pay attention to the distribution and share of sediments on the walls, 35-40% of particles with a large fraction (d=1.0-0.1 mm) and 50-60% are particles with a small fraction (d=0.05-0.001mm). It is based on the presence of particles rich in microelements useful for agricultural fields in sediments. If we pay attention to the distribution and share of sediments on the walls, 35-40% of particles with a large fraction (d=1.0-0.1 mm) and 50-60% are particles with a small fraction (d=0.05-0.001mm). It is based on the presence of particles rich in microelements useful for agricultural fields in sediments.
Theoretical study of the accumulation of mechanical mixtures in the engine lubrication system
Authors: Ganiboyeva E , Khakimov B , Shermuxamedov X P , Rakhimov Yu
Published: August 2022

The work in the field of oil obsolescence, theoretical identification of active additives contained in the oil as a benchmark for evaluating the main operational properties of oil, as well as a theoretical assessment of the properties of oil oxidation resistance and the resource of its active elements, depending on the intensity of the eating of engine details and the amount of elements. The sharply changing climate and high pollination conditions of the republic, a sharp increase in the amount of water and mechanical mixtures, which in turn can lead to a premature departure of motor oils used in it, such as viscosity, corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, washing and other properties, and acceleration of engine eating. Due to the overload of the tractor, theoretically determined that mechanical mixtures and asphalt products containing oxidation products containing motor oil in the engine maintenance system increased by 1.2%.
Inherent strain based estimate of the residual deformations for printed MS1 and 316L parts
Authors: Gonda V , Felde I , Horváth R , Réger M
Published: August 2022

In this study, the effect of the magnitude of inherent strain is examined for the simulated deformations of printed specimens, where the material grade is either of MS1 or 316L steel powders. While both material qualities are steel grades, and the same sets of inherent strain values with different magnitude and directional variations are defined in the simulations, allowing isotropic and orthotropic behaviour too, the resulting deformation in the printed part may also be strongly influenced by the mechanical properties of the different steel grades.
Characterisation of defects in die cast aluminium parts
Authors: Horváth R. , Réger M. , Oláh F.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the results of computed tomography and destructive testing of a die cast, gas tight aluminium part are compared and analysed with the aim of refining the porosity map. The mapping of the continuity defects detected by the two methods makes it possible to estimate the number, shape and distribution of continuity defects on and in the immediate vicinity of the machined surface, and to compare the characteristics of continuity defects detected by non-destructive and sequential fine machining. Based on the results of the CT scan of a given casting, we also performed destructive testing to find defects in a selected part of the casting by sequential fine machining. The basic criterion for the choice of the cutting parameters was to minimize the plastic deformation (smearing) on the machined surface, i.e. to clearly identify porosity. We then investigated the position, shape and other characteristics of porosity on the surfaces. The results and differences resulting from the two different methods are also analysed.
Finite element simulation of micro-milling of hardened tool steel
Authors: Balázs B Z , Takács M
Published: August 2022

The demand for miniature components has been growing steadily in recent years. One of the most important technologies to produce such small components is micro-milling. Although the technology is highly researched, there are still many difficulties due to the size reduction, which makes the finite element simulation, as well as the exploration of cutting process challenging. The aim of the research was to investigate the micro-milling process, especially those features, that can be measured very complicated due to the small sizes at the experiments, such as the cutting temperature, and stresses, by means of finite element simulation. The results show that the cutting temperatures are smaller than in the case of conventional size machining, moreover, the stresses do not show significant changes during the cutting edge impact. Finally, the results were validated by the experimental results through comparing cutting force components, which shows a good agreement.
Recording acoustic spectrum for residual stress determination and assigning natural frequency ranges for vibration stress relief
Authors: Rutscher A , Kiri A
Published: August 2022

We have developed a new technique for diagnostics in connection with vibration stress relief. The measurement images developed by us with a unique acoustic spectrum recording are not only suitable for determining the natural frequencies of metal castings, but can also be deduced from them the dislocation in the crystal structure and residual stress, which can cause deformation later. From the changes between the measurement images, the effect of different machining even resting and aging on the casting can be seen. Furthermore, the required input frequency for vibration stress relief can be easily determined from the measured images. Some of the main advantages are the process obtained quickly, easily and immediately. The research will be continued, we are working further development, including the acoustic diagnostic system, the VSR equipment, the recording software with an online platform.
Analysis of the strength difference effect on tailor welded blanks’ springback
Authors: Béres G J , Tisza M
Published: August 2022

Tailor welded blanks (TWBs) are becoming widespread in the automotive industry due to their advantages, such as the possibility of weight reduction or the material usage optimising, resulting from the application. However, their main disadvantage is that the construction design and the simulation of the mechanical processes (like weld line movement, sheet springback, etc) are more complex. Predicting the mechanical response can only be done by accurately estimating the weld properties, which greatly increases the material testing requirements. Moreover, it often does not coincide with the matter of the field of material forming. In this study we focus on the simplified description of the springback of TWBs, to reveal which parameters have the primary influence on this process. Three kinds of DP steels with different strengths were welded to a mild steel grade one by one. Using these pairs we have varied both the strength difference between each sides and the average strength of the blanks, too. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed for the mechanical characterisation of each material, as well as right-angled bends perpendicular to the weld line were carried out to monitor the springback tendency of the samples. Our results show that a transition zone develops near to the weld line, independently from the strength difference between the TWB’s components. This zone is well-defined by linear functions, in which, the parameters are consistent with the physical content of the springback phenomenon.
Surface roughness prediction applying artificial neural network at micro machining
Authors: Adizue U L , Balazs B Z , Takacs M
Published: August 2022

Micro machining forms an integral part of modern manufacturing technology. In order to satisfy the most important demands, like cost reduction, quality improvement, and production efficiency, this process has to be implemented into the framework of Industry 4.0, too. Defect reduction of products can be realized by beneficial trends of Industry 4.0, such as application of sensors driven AI based predictive models. Surface roughness is one of the main indicators, which can be used for evaluation of the machined surface. The aim of this research is to develop a predictive surface roughness model in the case of micro milling of hard materials. Most important scientific knowledge related to micro milling, and application possibilities of AI based predictive models in the case of chip removal processes were summarised. Micro milling experiments on hot work tool steel (AISI H13) were carried out in order to determine the effect of different cutting parameters on surface roughness. The effects of the cutting parameters were investigated by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Two-layer feedforward artificial neural network (ANN) based model was trained, validated and tested by means of experimental results. It was found that the trained model has an average MSE, RMSE and R values of 0.00063850, 0.019116835 and 0.9948, while the additional validation test provided 0.00038148, 0.019531513 and 0.8545, respectively, which are statistically significant. The developed model can effectively predict the surface roughness under the investigated circumstances.
The synthesis of a liver tissue mimicking solution for microwave medical applications
Authors: Farhat Iman , Farrugia Jonathan , Farrugia Lourdes , Bonello Julian , Pollacco Daphne , Sammut Charles
Published: August 2022

This paper presents the synthesis of a mixture solution that is equivalent to ex-vivo liver tissue dielectric characteristics between 500 MHz and 5 GHz. The mimicking solution was synthesized using concentrations of two chemicals, the solute which is referred to as the inclusion phase and the solvent, referred to as the host phase. The inclusion phase consisted of bovine serum albumin (BSA) powder and the host phase consisted of a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution with a concentration of Triton X-100 (TX-100). The dielectric properties of these two phases were substituted into Bruggeman's two-phase mixture equation to estimate the dielectric properties of excised liver. Furthermore, the study exploits Bruggeman’s equation to investigate the impact of tissue dehydration levels on the dielectric properties of an excised tissue. The effect of dehydration has been characterised as a function of time based on the loss-on-drying technique (a substance is heated until it is completely dry). Dielectric parameters were measured as a function of frequency using the Slim Form open-ended coaxial probe at a constant room temperature of circa 25 °C. Measured dielectic data were fitted to the Cole-Cole model and good agreement with the mimicking solutions was obtained. These results indicate that these solutions can be used to model the human body phantoms for microwave medical applications.
Regulatory roles of fibronectin and integrin α5 in reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and completion of adipogenesis
Authors: Uetaki Megumi , Onishi Nobuyuki , Oki Yoshinao , Shimizu Takatsune , Sugihara Eiji , Sampetrean Oltea , Watanabe Takashi , Yanagi Hisano , Suda Kiyoshi , Fujii Hiroya , Kano Koichiro , Saya Hideyuki , Nobusue Hiroyuki
Published: August 2022

Regulation of the interaction between fibronectin and integrin α5 contributes to the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton associated with the completion of adipocyte differentiation.
Preprint Highlight: Intertissue mechanical interactions shape the olfactory circuit in zebrafish
Authors: Priya Rashmi
Published: August 2022

How the mechanics of surrounding tissue regulate tissue morphogenesis in vivo is not well known. This study addresses this problem by studying the developing olfactory placodes in zebrafish, a sensory organ which later gives rise to the opening of the nose. Combining this highly tractable system with quantitative live imaging, genetics, and biophysical manipulations, the authors reveal that the extracellular matrix transmits mechanical cues from the developing eye to the adjacent olfactory placode, thereby coupling their morphogenesis. This study will appeal to the broad cell and developmental biology community as it strengthens the fundamental notion that the emergence of form during embryogenesis does not happen in isolation and relies on the surrounding physical cues and interactions with adjacent tissues.
Preprint Highlight: Cell division in tissues enables macrophage infiltration
Authors: Ríos-Barrera Luis Daniel
Published: August 2022

During embryogenesis, macrophages migrate through epithelial layers to reach their final destination, but the cellular mechanisms underlying this process, or how they relate to other models of epithelial infiltration, are not well understood. Combining live microscopy and genetics, this work describes a novel mechanism that allows macrophage infiltration. Epithelial cells round up and detach from the extracellular matrix during cell division, allowing macrophages to pass through. These results reveal a novel role for mitosis in development, and they also provide a model of how cell division can influence the recruitment of other cells to specific sites, with important implications for pathologies like inflammation and metastasis.
toxCSM: comprehensive prediction of small molecule toxicity profiles
Authors: de Sá Alex G C , Long Yangyang , Portelli Stephanie , Pires Douglas E V , Ascher David B
Published: August 2022

Drug discovery is a lengthy, costly and high-risk endeavour that is further convoluted by high attrition rates in later development stages. Toxicity has been one of the main causes of failure during clinical trials, increasing drug development time and costs. To facilitate early identification and optimisation of toxicity profiles, several computational tools emerged aiming at improving success rates by timely pre-screening drug candidates. Despite these efforts, there is an increasing demand for platforms capable of assessing both environmental as well as human-based toxicity properties at large scale. Here, we present toxCSM, a comprehensive computational platform for the study and optimisation of toxicity profiles of small molecules. toxCSM leverages on the well-established concepts of graph-based signatures, molecular descriptors and similarity scores to develop 36 models for predicting a range of toxicity properties, which can assist in developing safer drugs and agrochemicals. toxCSM achieved an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve (AUC) of up to 0.99 and Pearson’s correlation coefficients of up to 0.94 on 10-fold cross-validation, with comparable performance on blind test sets, outperforming all alternative methods. toxCSM is freely available as a user-friendly web server and API at http://biosig.lab.uq.edu.au/toxcsm.
Profiling prediction of nuclear receptor modulators with multi-task deep learning methods: toward the virtual screening
Authors: Wang Jiye , Lou Chaofeng , Liu Guixia , Li Weihua , Wu Zengrui , Tang Yun
Published: August 2022

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors, which constitute one of the most important targets for drug discovery. Current computational strategies mainly focus on a single target, and the transfer of learned knowledge among NRs was not considered yet. Herein we proposed a novel computational framework named NR-Profiler for prediction of potential NR modulators with high affinity and specificity. First, we built a comprehensive NR data set including 42 684 interactions to connect 42 NRs and 31 033 compounds. Then, we used multi-task deep neural network and multi-task graph convolutional neural network architectures to construct multi-task multi-classification models. To improve the predictive capability and robustness, we built a consensus model with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.883. Compared with conventional machine learning and structure-based approaches, the consensus model showed better performance in external validation. Using this consensus model, we demonstrated the practical value of NR-Profiler in virtual screening for NRs. In addition, we designed a selectivity score to quantitatively measure the specificity of NR modulators. Finally, we developed a freely available standalone software for users to make profiling predictions for their compounds of interest. In summary, our NR-Profiler provides a useful tool for NR-profiling prediction and is expected to facilitate NR-based drug discovery.
YAMACS: a graphical interface for GROMACS
Authors: Sarkar Arkadeep , Santoro Jacopo , Di Biasi Luigi , Marrafino Francesco , Piotto Stefano
Published: August 2022

A graphical user interface for the GROMACS program has been developed as plugins for YASARA molecular graphics suite. The most significant GROMACS methods can be run entirely via a windowed menu system, and the results are shown on screen in real time.

Availability and implementation

YAMACS is written in Python and is freely available for download at https://github.com/YAMACS-SML/YAMACS and is supported on Linux. It has been released under GPL-3.0 license.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the greatest of the amnesia writers
Authors: Lees A J
Published: August 2022

Andrew Lees looks back at the writings of Gabriel García Márquez, and considers what works such as One Hundred Years of Solitude and The Autumn of the Patriarch can teach us about memory and about the disadvantages – but also the benefits – of forgetting.
Dynamic changes in spatial representation within the posterior parietal cortex in response to visuomotor adaptation
Authors: Schintu S , Kravitz D J , Silson E H , Cunningham C A , Wassermann E M , Shomstein S
Published: August 2022

Recent studies used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) population receptive field (pRF) mapping to demonstrate that retinotopic organization extends from the primary visual cortex to ventral and dorsal visual pathways, by quantifying visual field maps, receptive field size, and laterality throughout multiple areas. Visuospatial representation in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is modulated by attentional deployment, raising the question of whether spatial representation in the PPC is dynamic and flexible, and whether this flexibility contributes to visuospatial learning. To answer this question, changes in spatial representation within the PPC and early visual cortex were recorded with pRF mapping before and after prism adaptation (PA)—a well-established visuomotor technique that modulates visuospatial attention according to the direction of the visual displacement. As predicted, results showed that adaptation to left-shifting prisms increases pRF size in left PPC, while leaving space representation in the early visual cortex unchanged. This is the first evidence that PA drives a dynamic reorganization of response profiles in the PPC. These findings show that spatial representations in the PPC not only reflect changes driven by attentional deployment but dynamically change in response to modulation of external factors such as manipulation of the visuospatial input during visuomotor adaptation.
Obesity is associated with decreased gray matter volume in children: a longitudinal study
Authors: Jiang Fukun , Li Guanya , Ji Weibin , Zhang Yaqi , Wu Feifei , Hu Yang , Zhang Wenchao , Manza Peter , Tomasi Dardo , Volkow Nora D , Gao Xinbo , Wang Gene-Jack , Zhang Yi
Published: August 2022

Childhood obesity has become a global health problem. Previous studies showed that childhood obesity is associated with brain structural differences relative to controls. However, few studies have been performed with longitudinal evaluations of brain structural developmental trajectories in childhood obesity. We employed voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis to assess gray matter (GM) volume at baseline and 2-year follow-up in 258 obese children (OB) and 265 normal weight children (NW), recruited as part of the National Institutes of Health Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study. Significant group × time effects on GM volume were observed in the prefrontal lobe, thalamus, right precentral gyrus, caudate, and parahippocampal gyrus/amygdala. OB compared with NW had greater reductions in GM volume in these regions over the 2-year period. Body mass index (BMI) was negatively correlated with GM volume in prefrontal lobe and with matrix reasoning ability at baseline and 2-year follow-up. In OB, Picture Test was positively correlated with GM volume in the left orbital region of the inferior frontal gyrus (OFCinf_L) at baseline and was negatively correlated with reductions in OFCinf_L volume (2-year follow-up vs. baseline). These findings indicate that childhood obesity is associated with GM volume reduction in regions involved with reward evaluation, executive function, and cognitive performance.
Pseudohypobicarbonatemia in a patient with amyloidosis
Authors: Bukhari Marvi , Boyd-Shiwarski Cary , Abramovitz Blaise
Published: August 2022

We report a case of a patient who had critically low serum bicarbonate (HCO3−) levels ranging from 8 to 11 mmol/L on repeated venous measurements using an enzymatic/photometric assay. This prompted hospitalization and treatment with intravenous sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) followed by oral NaHCO3. He was evaluated for potential causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis without any etiology found. He continued to have low serum HCO3− levels despite maintenance oral NaHCO3 therapy and was referred for a second opinion where further laboratory work was pursued. An arterial blood gas was obtained, which revealed normal whole blood pH and HCO3− levels. A different enzymatic/photometric assay revealed a normal serum HCO3− level at 21 mmol/L. Additional workup revealed paraproteinemia, which was thought to interfere with the enzymatic process by which his serum HCO3− was measured, resulting in erroneous values.
Sequential motifs in observed walks
Authors: LaRock Timothy , Scholtes Ingo , Eliassi-Rad Tina
Published: August 2022

The structure of complex networks can be characterized by counting and analysing network motifs. Motifs are small graph structures that occur repeatedly in a network, such as triangles or chains. Recent work has generalized motifs to temporal and dynamic network data. However, existing techniques do not generalize to sequential or trajectory data, which represent entities moving through the nodes of a network, such as passengers moving through transportation networks. The unit of observation in these data is fundamentally different since we analyse observations of trajectories (e.g. a trip from airport A to airport C through airport B), rather than independent observations of edges or snapshots of graphs over time. In this work, we define sequential motifs in trajectory data, which are small, directed and sequence-ordered graphs corresponding to patterns in observed sequences. We draw a connection between the counting and analysis of sequential motifs and Higher-Order Network (HON) models. We show that by mapping edges of a HON, specifically a $k$th-order DeBruijn graph, to sequential motifs, we can count and evaluate their importance in observed data. We test our methodology with two datasets: (1) passengers navigating an airport network and (2) people navigating the Wikipedia article network. We find that the most prevalent and important sequential motifs correspond to intuitive patterns of traversal in the real systems and show empirically that the heterogeneity of edge weights in an observed higher-order DeBruijn graph has implications for the distributions of sequential motifs we expect to see across our null models.
Body mass index in young men in Switzerland after the national shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a cross-sectional monitoring study at the population level since 2010
Authors: Meili Samuel , Brabec Marek , Rühli Frank , Buehrer Thomas W , Gültekin Nejla , Stanga Zeno , Bender Nicole , Staub Kaspar , Reber Emilie
Published: August 2022

Background

Owing to the coronavirus disease pandemic, the Swiss goverment imposed a shutdown twice in 2020, which may have changed diet and physical activity. Regarding the question of weight change during the pandemic, little information based on measured weight data is available. We aimed to investigate whether the body mass indices (BMIs) of young Swiss men after the two shutdowns in spring and fall 2020 differed from those of young men examined before the shutdowns.

Methods

We analysed young Swiss men’s BMIs taken during mandatory recruitment for the Swiss Armed Forces at the cross-sectional (not individual longitudinal) monitoring level and across weeks of conscription between January 2010 and July 2021 (n = 373 016). These data allow for continuous health monitoring of young men at almost the population level (coverage, >90%). For statistical modelling, we used the generalized additive model (GAM) framework.

Results

We showed that the BMIs of the conscripts examined in the 15 weeks after the two shutdowns in spring and autumn 2020 were not or only slightly different from their baseline values. Sensitivity analyses revealed that this conclusion also holds if the BMI distribution or prevalence of excess weight is assessed. The GAM further showed the significant effects of individual and area-based measures of socioeconomic position and age on BMI.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that lifestyle changes during the pandemic in young men might have been too modest to be reflected in body weight. However, longitudinal data and/or data on women, children, or the elderly may lead to different conclusions.
Implementing a home-based virtual hypertension programme—a pilot feasibility study
Authors: Gupta Aditi , Ellis Shellie D , Burkhardt Crystal , Young Kate , Mazzotti Diego R , Mahnken Jonathan , Abu-el-rub Noor , Chandaka Sravani , Comfort Branden , Shanks Denton , Woodward Jennifer , Unrein Amber , Anderson Heidi , Loucks Jennifer , Song Xing , Waitman Lemuel R , Burns Jeffrey M
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Implementing a health system-based hypertension programme may lower blood pressure (BP).

Methods

We performed a randomized, controlled pilot study to assess feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a home-based virtual hypertension programme integrating evidence-based strategies to overcome current barriers to BP control. Trained clinical pharmacists staffed the virtual collaborative care clinic (vCCC) to remotely manage hypertension using a BP dashboard and phone “visits” to monitor BP, adherence, side effects of medications, and prescribe anti-hypertensives. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension were identified via electronic health records. Enrolled patients were randomized to either vCCC or usual care for 3 months. We assessed patients’ home BP monitoring behaviour, and patients’, physicians’, and pharmacists’ perspectives on feasibility and acceptability of individual programme components.

Results

Thirty-one patients (vCCC = 17, usual care = 14) from six physician clinics completed the pilot study. After 3 months, average BP decreased in the vCCC arm (P = 0.01), but not in the control arm (P = 0.45). The vCCC participants measured BP more (9.9 vs. 1.2 per week, P < 0.001). There were no intervention-related adverse events. Participating physicians (n = 6), pharmacists (n = 5), and patients (n = 31) rated all programme components with average scores of >4.0, a pre-specified benchmark. Nine adaptations in vCCC design and delivery were made based on potential barriers to implementing the programme and suggestions.

Conclusion

A home-based virtual hypertension programme using team-based care, technology, and a logical integration of evidence-based strategies is safe, acceptable, and feasible to intended users. These pilot data support studies to assess the effectiveness of this programme at a larger scale.
One-step PCR amplicon sequencing libraries perform better than two-step when assessing soil microbial diversity and community profiles
Authors: Finn Damien R , Samad Md Sainur , Tebbe Christoph C
Published: August 2022

Despite adoption of high-throughput sequencing of PCR-amplified microbial taxonomic markers for ecological analyses, distinct approaches for preparing amplicon libraries exist. One approach utilises long fusion primers and a single PCR (one-step) while another utilises shorter primers in a first reaction, before transferring diluted amplicons to a second reaction for barcode index incorporation (two-step). We investigated whether transferring diluted amplicons risked creating artificially simplified, poorly diverse communities. In soils from three sites with paired cropland and forest, one-step yielded higher alpha-diversity indices, including detection of two–four times more unique taxa. Modelling expected taxa per sequence observation predicted that one-step reaches full coverage by 104 sequences per sample while two-step needs 105–109. Comparisons of rank abundance demonstrated that two-step covered only 38%–69% of distributions. Beta-diversity showed better separation of communities in response to land use change under one-step, although both approaches showed a significant effect. Driving differences was underestimation of relatively minor taxa with the two-step procedure. These taxa were low in abundance, yet play important roles in carbon cycling, secondary metabolite production, anaerobic metabolism, and bacterial predation. We conclude that one-step amplicon libraries are advisable for studies focussed on diversity or relatively minor yet functionally important taxa.
The implication of Sortase E in the morphology and physiology of Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Aliyath Susmitha , Nampoothiri Kesavan Madhavan
Published: August 2022

In this study, we analyzed the srtE gene from Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032, which codes for class E sortase, a transpeptidase involved in attaching surface proteins to the cell wall peptidoglycan. The surface proteins contain an N-terminal leader sequence and a C-terminal sorting signal which consist of a LAXTG motif, a transmembrane region, and a few positively charged amino acids. Sortase E deletion or its overexpression alters the attachment of the surface proteins to the cell wall peptidoglycan; however, the effects on morphology and bacterial physiology have not been studied. Thus, we constructed three C. glutamicum derivatives such as srtE deletion mutant, complemented and overexpressed strains to monitor the possible impact of the gene on cell growth, morphology, and physiological changes. Interestingly, deletion of the gene did not show any change in growth or morphology in C. glutamicum but showed a decrease in cell surface hydrophobicity and heat stress. However, the cells overexpressing the protein not only showed elongated cell morphology and a reduction in hydrophobicity when compared to wild-type and complemented strain, but also showed an increased sensitivity to heat. These results suggest that C. glutamicum sortase E deletion or overexpression causes sorting intermediates to accumulate, altering cellular morphology and physiology and adversely impacting the membrane integrity.