bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shared haemogregarine infections in competing lacertids
Authors: Dajčman Urban , Carretero Miguel A. , Megía-Palma Rodrigo , Perera Ana , Kostanjšek Rok , Žagar Anamarija
Published: September 2021

In parasite–host interactions host species may differ in their ability to fight parasitic infections, while other ecological interactions, including competition, may differentially alter their physiological state, making them even more susceptible to parasites. In this study, we analyse the haemogregarine blood parasites infecting two competing lizard species,Iberolacerta horvathiandPodarcis muralis, and explore host–parasite relationships under different host competition scenarios. Both species were infected with haemogregarine parasites belonging to the genusKaryolysus. Using the 18S rRNA gene, six newKaryolysushaplotypes were identified clustering with other Central and Eastern European samples, and widely shared between both lizard hosts. Haemogregarine infections were detected at all sampled sites with over 50% of individuals parasitized. Overall,I. horvathiwas more frequently and also more intensely parasitized thanP. muralis, with higher infection rates observed in syntopy. Males of both species tended to be more frequently infected and showed a higher infection intensity than conspecific females. The results suggest that parasitisation by haemogregarines may be relevant in the dynamics of the competitive relationship between these lizard species. More studies, including immunological response analysis, and the identification of the vectors are needed to better understand host–parasite relationships and competition.
Use of helminth therapy for management of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease: a systematic review
Authors: Shields Victoria Emma , Cooper Jan
Published: September 2021

The incidence rate of inflammatory bowel diseases is increasing in developed countries. As such there is an increasing demand for new therapies. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether there is evidence to support the use of helminth therapy for the management of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Four databases (PubMed, Embase, Medline and the Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials) were searched for primary evidence in the form of clinical studies. Nine studies were suitable for inclusion: five double-blind randomized control trials and four open-label studies. This review divided the results of the studies into two categories: (a) the efficacy of helminth therapy and (b) the safety of helminth therapy. Results regarding the efficacy were mixed and a conclusive answer could not be reached, as there was not enough evidence to rule out a placebo effect. More research is needed, particularly studies with control groups to address the possibility of a placebo effect. Despite this, all nine studies concluded helminth therapy was safe and tolerable, and therefore there is currently no evidence against further exploration of this treatment option.
Star-shaped order for distributions characterized by several parameters and some applications
Authors: Arab Idir , Hadjikyriakou Milto , Oliveira Paulo Eduardo , Santos Beatriz
Published: September 2021

The star-shaped ordering between probability distributions is a common way to express aging properties. A well-known criterion was proposed by Saunders and Moran [(1978). On the quantiles of the gamma and F distributions.Journal of Applied Probability15(2): 426–432], to order families of distributions depending on one real parameter. However, the lifetime of complex systems usually depends on several parameters, especially when considering heterogeneous components. We extend the Saunders and Moran criterion characterizing the star-shaped order when the multidimensional parameter moves along a given direction. A few applications to the lifetime of complex models, namely parallel and series models assuming different individual components behavior, are discussed.
Pragmatic, linguistic and cognitive factors in young children's development of quantity, relevance and word learning inferences
Authors: WILSON Elspeth , KATSOS Napoleon
Published: September 2021

To better understand the developmental trajectory of children's pragmatic development, studies that examine more than one type of implicature as well as associated linguistic and cognitive factors are required. We investigated three- to five-year-old English-speaking children's (N = 71) performance in ad hoc quantity, scalar quantity and relevance implicatures, as well as word learning by exclusion inferences, using a sentence-to-picture-matching story-based task. Children's pragmatic abilities improved with age, with word learning by exclusion acquired first, followed by relevance and ad hoc quantity implicatures, and finally scalar quantity implicatures. In an exploratory analysis (with a subset of the data N = 58), we found that structural language knowledge was a predictor of pragmatic performance (but no evidence for an association with socioeconomic status or Theory of Mind, controlling for structural language). We discuss reasons why this developmental pattern emerges with reference to linguistic and extra-linguistic properties of these inferences.
Profiles of early family environments and the growth of executive function: Maternal sensitivity as a protective factor
Authors: Ku Seulki , Blair Clancy
Published: September 2021

We identified family risk profiles at 6 months using socioeconomic status (SES) and maternal mental health indicators with data from the Family Life Project (N= 1,292). We related profiles to executive function (EF) at 36 months (intercept) and growth in EF between 36 and 60 months. Latent profile analysis revealed five distinct profiles, characterized by different combinations of SES and maternal mental health symptoms. Maternal sensitivity predicted faster growth in EF among children in the profile characterized by deep poverty and the absence of maternal mental health symptoms. Maternal sensitivity also predicted higher EF intercept but slower EF growth among children in the profile characterized by deep poverty and maternal mental health symptoms, and children in the near poor (low SES), mentally healthy profile. Maternal sensitivity also predicted higher EF intercept but had no effect on growth in EF in the near poor, mentally distressed profile. In contrast, maternal sensitivity did not predict the intercept or growth of EF in the privileged SES/mentally healthy profile. Our findings using a person-centered approach provide a more nuanced understanding of the role of maternal sensitivity in the growth of EF, such that maternal sensitivity may differentially affect the growth of EF in various contexts.
Interplay between genetic risk and the parent environment in adolescence and substance use in young adulthood: A TRAILS study
Authors: Pasman Joëlle A. , Smit Koen , Vollebergh Wilma A.M. , Nolte Ilja M. , Hartman Catharina A. , Abdellaoui Abdel , Verweij Karin J.H. , Maciejewski Dominique , Vink Jacqueline M.
Published: September 2021

Many adolescents start using tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis. Genetic vulnerability, parent characteristics in young adolescence, and interaction (GxE) and correlation (rGE) between these factors could contribute to the development of substance use. Using prospective data from the TRacking Adolescent Individuals’ Lives Survey (TRAILS; N = 1,645), we model latent parent characteristics in young adolescence to predict young adult substance use. Polygenic scores (PGS) are created based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for smoking, alcohol use, and cannabis use. Using structural equation modeling we model the direct, GxE, and rGE effects of parent factors and PGS on young adult smoking, alcohol use, and cannabis initiation. The PGS, parental involvement, parental substance use, and parent–child relationship quality predicted smoking. There was GxE such that the PGS amplified the effect of parental substance use on smoking. There was rGE between all parent factors and the smoking PGS. Alcohol use was not predicted by genetic or parent factors, nor by interplay. Cannabis initiation was predicted by the PGS and parental substance use, but there was no GxE or rGE. Genetic risk and parent factors are important predictors of substance use and show GxE and rGE in smoking. These findings can act as a starting point for identifying people at risk.
The Emergence of a Complex Language Skill: Evidence from the Self-organization of Interpreting Competence in Interpreting Students
Authors: Yu Zhibin , Dong Yanping
Published: September 2021

Research on the development of interpreting competence could be a window to the issue of how L2 learners develop complex language skills. The present study conducted a longitudinal experiment with beginning interpreting students, exploring the change of relationship between consecutive interpreting (CI) competence and two related capacities (i.e., language competence and memory capacity). Two major results were revealed. First, in general, more language skills and working memory (WM) spans got correlated with CI performance at the later stage of CI training. Second, a fit structural equation model of CI competence could only be reported in the post-test. We may therefore conclude that the development of interpreting competence is at least partly a result of the self-organization of the interpreting competence system, in which relevant components get mobilized, and a better coordinated structure emerges. Implications for the development of complex language skills and for the concept of self-organization are discussed.
Psychometric validation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale in Polish (IPOS-Pol)
Authors: Szeliga Marta , Kotlińska-Lemieszek Aleksandra , Jagielski Paweł , Jaroszewski Wojciech , Kuźmicz Ilona , Stachnik Katarzyna , Feit Julia , Deskur-Śmielecka Ewa , Gradalski Tomasz
Published: September 2021

Objective

The study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the IPOS-Pol for patient self-reporting.

Method

Patients (>18 years of age) with advanced cancer admitted to three palliative care centers (inpatient units and home-based) were recruited to a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational, prospective study. Participants provided responses to the IPOS-Pol Patient version and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire – Core 15 – Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) Polish version at baseline (T1) and four to seven days later (T2). We assessed test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the tool.

Results

One hundred and eighty patients were included. Test–retest reliability demonstrated no statistically significant differences in the average outcomes of the IPOS-Pol between T1 and T2 (27.2 ± 9.2 vs. 26.5 ± 8.7; p > 0.05). The intra-class correlation coefficient between T1 and T2 was r = 0.83 (p < 0.0001), the intra-class correlation coefficient for test–retest reliability of the IPOS-Pol items ranged from 0.63 to 0.84 (p < 0.0001), and the Cronbach's α coefficient for internal consistency was 0.773. The correlation coefficient between the IPOS-Pol and EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL total score was 0.79 (p < 0.001).

Significance of results

The patient version of the Polish adaptation of IPOS is a valid and reliable outcome measure for assessing symptoms and concerns of individuals receiving palliative care, as well as the quality of care provided.
Gradient-based optimization method for interference suppression of linear arrays by the amplitude-only and phase-only control
Authors: Gao Renjing , Tang Yi , Wang Qi , Liu Shutian
Published: September 2021

This paper presents a gradient-based optimization method for interference suppression of linear arrays by controlling the electrical parameters of each array element, including the amplitude-only and phase-only. Gradient-based optimization algorithm (GOA), as an efficient optimization algorithm, is applied to the optimization problem of the anti-interference arrays that is generally solved by the evolutionary algorithms. The goal of this method is to maximize the main beam gain while minimizing the peak sidelobe level (PSLL) together with the null constraint. To control the nulls precisely and synthesize the radiation pattern accurately, the full-wave method of moments is used to consider the mutual coupling among the array elements rigorously. The searching efficiency is improved greatly because the gradient (sensitivity) information is used in the algorithm for solving the optimization problem. The sensitivities of the design objective and the constraint function with respect to the design variables are analytically derived and the optimization problems are solved by using GOA. The results of the GOA can produce the desired null at the specific positions, minimize the PSLL, and greatly shorten the computation time compared with the often-used non-gradient method such as genetic algorithm and cuckoo search algorithm.
A low-profile circularly polarized microstrip antenna using elliptical electromagnetic band gap structure
Authors: Patil Shilpee , Verma Alka , Kumar Singh Anil , Kanaujia Binod Kumar , Kumar Suresh
Published: September 2021

This study investigates a low-profile circularly polarized (CP) antenna using coplanar waveguide feeding. Rectangular-shaped slots and an inverted L-shaped slit are entrenched into the ground plane to enhance the impedance bandwidth of the antenna. Furthermore, the antenna is implemented with six elliptical electromagnetic band gap structures on its substrate to enhance the −10 dB return loss bandwidth and also to generate CP waves. The experimental and theoretical results closely match each other and indicate that a simple and compact design antenna with dimensions of 0.317λ0 × 0.317λ0 × 0.023λ0(λ0 is the operating wavelength at 4.74 GHz in free space) achieves 36.9% (3.91–5.68 GHz) of the −10 dB return loss bandwidth and 9.98% (4.09–4.52 GHz) of the 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth, thus making it a favorable entrant for radio altimeter and wireless avionics infra-communication systems.
A model for large‐scale volcanic plumes on Io: Implications for eruption rates and interactions between magmas and near‐surface volatiles
Authors: Cataldo Enzo , Wilson Lionel , Lane Steve , Gilbert Jennie
Published: September 2021

Volcanic plumes deposit magmatic pyroclasts and SO2 frost on the surface of Io. We model the plume activity detected by Galileo at the Pillan and Pele sites from 1996 to 1997 assuming that magmatic eruptions incorporate liquid SO2 from near‐surface aquifers intersecting the conduit system and that the SO2 eventually forms a solid condensate on the ground. The temperature and pressure at which deposition of solid SO2 commences in the Ionian environment and the radial distance from the volcanic vent at which this process appears to occur on the surface are used together with observed vertical heights of plumes to constrain eruption conditions. The temperature, pressure, and density of the gas–magma mixtures are related to distance from the vent using continuity and conservation of energy. Similar eruption mass fluxes of order 5 × 107 kg s−1 are found for both the Pillan and the Pele plumes. The Pele plume requires a larger amount of incorporated SO2 (29–34 mass %) than the Pillan plume (up to ∼6 mass %). Implied vent diameters range from ∼90 m at Pillan to ∼500 m at Pele. The radial extents of the optically dense, isothermal, incandescent parts of the eruption plumes immediately above the vents are ∼100 m at Pillan and ∼1300 m at Pele. Gas pressures in the vents are ∼20 kPa at Pillan and ∼2 kPa at Pele and the eruption conditions appear to be supersonic in both cases, though only just so at Pele.
Australia’s Unfolding Geoscience Malady
Authors: Boone Samuel , Quigley Mark , Betts Peter , Miller Meghan , Rawling Tim
Published: September 2021

Brutal university cuts are putting at risk an industry crucial to addressing climate change Down Under and around the world. Saving geoscience will require a community reckoning.
A Century of Tidal Variability in the North Pacific Extracted From Hourly Geomagnetic Observatory Measurements at Honolulu
Authors: Tyler Robert H.
Published: September 2021

Previous analyses of hourly tide‐gauge data taken at Honolulu since 1905 have shown that both sea level and the amplitude of the tides have increased synchronously over time, and a process has been proposed whereby the common cause is an increase in ocean temperature. Validation with independent data of this change in tides, as well as the proposed cause, has been lacking. Ocean tides also generate magnetic fields that reach far outside the ocean, and tidal signals are clearly seen in the hourly data since 1905 from the Honolulu geomagnetic observatory. Here, it is found that the tidal amplitudes have increased synchronously in the tide‐gauge and magnetic records, providing independent support for the previous results. Further information about the changing ocean is likely contained in the historical data from geomagnetic observatories as well as the global coverage of modern satellite magnetic surveys.
Influence of Riverine Discharge and Timing of Ice Retreat on Particle Sedimentation Patterns on the Laptev Sea Shelf
Authors: Drits A. V. , Pasternak A. F. , Arashkevich E. G. , Kravchishina M. D. , Sukhanova I. N. , Sergeeva V. M. , Flint M. V.
Published: September 2021

We studied the influence of river discharge and timing of ice retreat on sinking fluxes of total particulate matter and its components in the Laptev Sea in August–September 2017 and 2018. Vertical fluxes were measured with short‐term sediment traps located on the shelf adjusted to the Lena and Khatanga Rivers inflows (four shallow stations in 2017) and in Vilkitski Strait/Trough area (two deeper stations) in 2018. One station outside the Khatanga plume was repeated in both years. The effect of river discharge manifested by high total particle flux (1–1.6 g m−2 d−1), high Si (0.3 g m−2 d−1) and Al (0.1 g m−2 d−1) fluxes, a high proportion of terrigenous organic carbon (10.7%–27.5% total organic carbon) was clearly recognizable only in the shelf area closest to the Lena inflow. Large contribution of the lithogenic matter to the flux on the Laptev shelf is suggested to result also from sediment resuspension (caused by the tidal mixing and upwelling events), lateral offshore transport of sediment just above the seabed, and coastal abrasion. The magnitude of vertical fluxes of total particulate matter and organic carbon was two to three times higher in 2017 (late ice retreat) than in 2018 (early ice retreat). Centric diatoms dominated protist flux in 2017 while in 2018, dinoflagellates and tintinnids dominated. The contribution of protists to the biogenic organic carbon flux reached 62% in 2018 versus <1% in 2017. Zooplankton fecal pellet flux was not influenced by river discharge but was higher soon after ice melt.
Skeletal Growth Response of Porites Coral to Long‐Term Ocean Warming and Acidification in the South China Sea
Authors: Kang Huiling , Chen Xuefei , Deng Wenfeng , Wang Xijie , Cui Hao , Liu Xi , Cai Guanqiang , Zeng Ti , Zhao Jian‐xin , Wei Gangjian
Published: September 2021

Identifying the response of corals to anthropogenic ocean warming and acidification remains challenging, but is critical to understanding coral resilience in a changing world. Here, we report composite records of skeletal growth (1847–2014) of nine Porites spp. colonies from the open ocean of the northern South China Sea (SCS), and paired reconstructions of sea surface temperature (SST) and seawater pH (pHsw) by examining skeletal Sr/Ca and δ11B from two of the cores. The reconstructions demonstrate that the open ocean of the northern SCS has experienced significant warming since the 1960s with an overall temperature elevation of ∼0.50°C, and persistent acidification since the 1920s with a decline rate of −0.0102 ± 0.0017 pH units per decade. Under such environmental changes, coral skeletal density represents a long‐term mild decline for the past 168 years, demonstrating significant responses to pHsw and SST variation; whereas coral extension and calcification appear to be less affected, exhibiting overall increases over the studied period. However, persistent declines of both parameters are evident from the 1960s to 2014, which coincide with the sustained low pHsw and elevated SST. Although the general response of coral calcification (mainly dominated by upward growth) to both warming and acidification falls just short of statistical significance over the decadal timescales, the significantly persistent decline in skeletal density and recent downtrends of calcification still underline a pessimistic situation for corals in the northern SCS.
Neutral sphingomyelinase mediates the co-morbidity trias of alcohol abuse, major depression and bone defects
Authors: Kalinichenko Liubov S. , Mühle Christiane , Jia Tianye , Anderheiden Felix , Datz Maria , Eberle Anna-Lisa , Eulenburg Volker , Granzow Jonas , Hofer Martin , Hohenschild Julia , Huber Sabine E. , Kämpf Stefanie , Kogias Georgios , Lacatusu Laura , Lugmair Charlotte , Taku Stephen Mbu , Meixner Doris , Tesch Nina , Praetner Marc , Rhein Cosima , Sauer Christina , Scholz Jessica , Ulrich Franziska , Valenta Florian , Weigand Esther , Werner Markus , Tay Nicole , Mc Veigh Conor J. , Haase Jana , Wang An-Li , Abdel-Hafiz Laila , Huston Joseph P. , Smaga Irena , Frankowska Malgorzata , Filip Malgorzata , Lourdusamy Anbarasu , Kirchner Philipp , Ekici Arif B. , Marx Lena M. , Suresh Neeraja Puliparambil , Frischknecht Renato , Fejtova Anna , Saied Essa M. , Arenz Christoph , Bozec Aline , Wank Isabel , Kreitz Silke , Hess Andreas , Bäuerle Tobias , Ledesma Maria Dolores , Mitroi Daniel N. , Miranda André M. , Oliveira Tiago G. , Gulbins Erich , Lenz Bernd , Schumann Gunter , Kornhuber Johannes , Müller Christian P.
Published: September 2021

Mental disorders are highly comorbid and occur together with physical diseases, which are often considered to arise from separate pathogenic pathways. We observed in alcohol-dependent patients increased serum activity of neutral sphingomyelinase. A genetic association analysis in 456,693 volunteers found associations of haplotypes ofSMPD3coding for NSM-2 (NSM) with alcohol consumption, but also with affective state, and bone mineralisation. Functional analysis in mice showed that NSM controls alcohol consumption, affective behaviour, and their interaction by regulating hippocampal volume, cortical connectivity, and monoaminergic responses. Furthermore, NSM controlled bone–brain communication by enhancing osteocalcin signalling, which can independently supress alcohol consumption and reduce depressive behaviour. Altogether, we identified a single gene source for multiple pathways originating in the brain and bone, which interlink disorders of a mental–physical co-morbidity trias of alcohol abuse—depression/anxiety—bone disorder. Targeting NSM and osteocalcin signalling may, thus, provide a new systems approach in the treatment of a mental–physical co-morbidity trias.
The importance of endothelial protection: the emerging role of defibrotide in reversing endothelial injury and its sequelae
Authors: Richardson Paul G. , Palomo Marta , Kernan Nancy A. , Hildebrandt Gerhard C. , Chao Nelson , Carreras Enric
Published: September 2021

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS), a potentially life-threatening complication of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), results from prolonged sinusoidal endothelial cell activation and profound endothelial cell damage, with sequelae. Defibrotide, the only drug approved in the United States and Europe for treating VOD/SOS post-HCT, has European Commission orphan drug designation for preventing graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), associated with endothelial dysfunction. This endothelial cell protector and stabilizing agent restores thrombo-fibrinolytic balance and preserves endothelial homeostasis through antithrombotic, fibrinolytic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-adhesive activity. Defibrotide also preserves endothelial cell structure by inhibiting heparanase activity. Evidence suggests that downregulating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) is key to defibrotide’s endothelial protective effects; phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/AKT) potentially links defibrotide interaction with the endothelial cell membrane and downstream effects. Despite defibrotide’s being most extensively studied in VOD/SOS, emerging preclinical and clinical data support defibrotide for treating or preventing other conditions driven by endothelial cell activation, dysfunction, and/or damage, such as GvHD, transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy, or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy-associated neurotoxicity, underpinned by cytokine release syndrome and endotheliitis. Further preclinical and clinical studies will explore defibrotide’s potential utility in a broader range of disorders resulting from endothelial cell activation and dysfunction.
Identical twins carry a persistent epigenetic signature of early genome programming
Authors: van Dongen Jenny , Gordon Scott D. , McRae Allan F. , Odintsova Veronika V. , Mbarek Hamdi , Breeze Charles E. , Sugden Karen , Lundgren Sara , Castillo-Fernandez Juan E. , Hannon Eilis , Moffitt Terrie E. , Hagenbeek Fiona A. , van Beijsterveldt Catharina E. M. , Jan Hottenga Jouke , Tsai Pei-Chien ,   BIOS Consortium, van Dongen Jenny , Hottenga Jouke-Jan ,   Genetics of DNA Methylation Consortium, McRae Allan F. , Sugden Karen , Castillo-Fernandez Juan E. , Hannon Eilis , Moffitt Terrie E. , Hottenga Jouke-Jan , de Geus Eco J. C. , Spector Timothy D. , Min Josine L. , Hemani Gibran , Ehli Erik A. , Paul Franziska , Stern Claudio D. , Heijmans Bastiaan T. , Slagboom P. Eline , Daxinger Lucia , van der Maarel Silvère M. , de Geus Eco J. C. , Willemsen Gonneke , Montgomery Grant W. , Reversade Bruno , Ollikainen Miina , Kaprio Jaakko , Spector Tim D. , Bell Jordana T. , Mill Jonathan , Caspi Avshalom , Martin Nicholas G. , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: September 2021

Monozygotic (MZ) twins and higher-order multiples arise when a zygote splits during pre-implantation stages of development. The mechanisms underpinning this event have remained a mystery. Because MZ twinning rarely runs in families, the leading hypothesis is that it occurs at random. Here, we show that MZ twinning is strongly associated with a stable DNA methylation signature in adult somatic tissues. This signature spans regions near telomeres and centromeres, Polycomb-repressed regions and heterochromatin, genes involved in cell-adhesion, WNT signaling, cell fate, and putative human metastable epialleles. Our study also demonstrates a never-anticipated corollary: because identical twins keep a lifelong molecular signature, we can retrospectively diagnose if a person was conceived as monozygotic twin.
Dynamic memory to alleviate catastrophic forgetting in continual learning with medical imaging
Authors: Perkonigg Matthias , Hofmanninger Johannes , Herold Christian J. , Brink James A. , Pianykh Oleg , Prosch Helmut , Langs Georg
Published: September 2021

Medical imaging is a central part of clinical diagnosis and treatment guidance. Machine learning has increasingly gained relevance because it captures features of disease and treatment response that are relevant for therapeutic decision-making. In clinical practice, the continuous progress of image acquisition technology or diagnostic procedures, the diversity of scanners, and evolving imaging protocols hamper the utility of machine learning, as prediction accuracy on new data deteriorates, or models become outdated due to these domain shifts. We propose a continual learning approach to deal with such domain shifts occurring at unknown time points. We adapt models to emerging variations in a continuous data stream while counteracting catastrophic forgetting. A dynamic memory enables rehearsal on a subset of diverse training data to mitigate forgetting while enabling models to expand to new domains. The technique balances memory by detecting pseudo-domains, representing different style clusters within the data stream. Evaluation of two different tasks, cardiac segmentation in magnetic resonance imaging and lung nodule detection in computed tomography, demonstrate a consistent advantage of the method.
Weak impact of microorganisms on Ca, Mg-bearing silicate weathering
Authors: Pokrovsky Oleg S. , Shirokova Liudmila S. , Zabelina Svetlana A. , Jordan Guntram , Bénézeth Pascale
Published: September 2021

Assessment of the microbial impact on mineral dissolution is crucial for a predictive understanding of basic (Ca, Mg bearing) silicate weathering and the associated CO2 consumption, bioerosion, and CO2 storage in basaltic rocks. However, there are controversies about the mechanism of microbial effect, which ranges from inhibiting via nil to accelerating. Here we studied diopside interaction with the heterotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas reactants and the soil fungus Chaetomium brasiliense using a combination of mixed-flow and batch reactors and in situ (AFM) and ex situ (SEM) microscopy. The results provide new nano-level insights into the degree to which microorganisms modify silicate dissolution. Taking into account negligible effects of organic ligands on diopside dissolution as reported earlier, we conclude that the microbial effect on Ca-Mg silicates is weak and the acceleration of dissolution of “basic” silicate rocks in the presence of soil biota is solely due to pH decrease in porewaters.
Phonons, electrons and thermal transport in Planckian high Tc materials
Authors: Mousatov Connie H. , Hartnoll Sean A.
Published: September 2021

The room-temperature thermal diffusivity of high Tc materials is dominated by phonons. This allows the scattering of phonons by electrons to be discerned. We argue that the measured strength of this scattering suggests a converse Planckian scattering of electrons by phonons across the room-temperature phase diagram of these materials. Consistent with this conclusion, the temperature derivative of the resistivity of strongly overdoped cuprates is noted to show a kink at a little below 200 K that we argue should be understood as the onset of a high-temperature Planckian T-linear scattering of electrons by classical phonons. This kink continuously disappears toward optimal doping, even while strong scattering of phonons by electrons remains visible in the thermal diffusivity, sharpening the long-standing puzzle of the lack of a feature in the T-linear resistivity at optimal doping associated with the onset of phonon scattering.
The intelligent networks for double-diffusion and MHD analysis of thin film flow over a stretched surface
Authors: Uddin Iftikhar , Ullah Ikram , Raja Muhammad Asif Zahoor , Shoaib Muhammad , Islam Saeed , Zobaer M. S. , Nisar K. S. , Saleel C. Ahamed , Alshahrani Saad
Published: September 2021

This study presents a novel application of soft-computing through intelligent, neural networks backpropagated by Levenberg–Marquardt scheme (NNs-BLMS) to solve the mathematical model of unsteady thin film flow of magnetized Maxwell fluid with thermo-diffusion effects and chemical reaction (TFFMFTDECR) over a horizontal rotating disk. The expression for thermophoretic velocity is accounted. Energy expression is deliberated with the addition of non-uniform heat source. The PDEs of mathematical model of TFFMFTDECR are transformed to ODEs by the application of similarity transformations. A dataset is generated through Adams method for the proposed NNs-BLMS in case of various scenarios of TFFMFTDECR model by variation of rotation parameter, magnetic parameter, space dependent heat sink/source parameter, temperature dependent heat sink/source parameter and chemical reaction controlling parameter. The designed computational solver NNs-BLMS is implemented by performing training, testing and validation for the solution of TFFMFTDECR system for different variants. Variation of various physical parameters are designed via plots and explain in details. It is depicted that thin film thickness increases for higher values of disk rotation parameter, while it diminishes for higher magnetic parameter. Furthermore, higher values of Dufour number and the corresponding diminishing values of Soret number causes enhancement in fluid temperature profile. Further the effectiveness of NNs-BLMS is validated by comparing the results of the proposed solver and the standard solution of TFFMFTDECR model through error analyses, histogram representations and regression analyses.
A scaffold-free approach to cartilage tissue generation using human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Griffith Lauren A. , Arnold Katherine M. , Sengers Bram G. , Tare Rahul S. , Houghton Franchesca D.
Published: September 2021

Articular cartilage functions as a shock absorber and facilitates the free movement of joints. Currently, there are no therapeutic drugs that promote the healing of damaged articular cartilage. Limitations associated with the two clinically relevant cell populations, human articular chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells, necessitate finding an alternative cell source for cartilage repair. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) provide a readily accessible population of self-renewing, pluripotent cells with perceived immunoprivileged properties for cartilage generation. We have developed a robust method to generate 3D, scaffold-free, hyaline cartilage tissue constructs from hESCs that are composed of numerous chondrocytes in lacunae, embedded in an extracellular matrix containing Type II collagen, sulphated glycosaminoglycans and Aggrecan. The elastic (Young’s) modulus of the hESC-derived cartilage tissue constructs (0.91 ± 0.08 MPa) was comparable to full-thickness human articular cartilage (0.87 ± 0.09 MPa). Moreover, we have successfully scaled up the size of the scaffold-free, 3D hESC-derived cartilage tissue constructs to between 4.5 mm and 6 mm, thus enhancing their suitability for clinical application.
Naphthyridine derived colorimetric and fluorescent turn off sensors for Ni2+ in aqueous media
Authors: Ashraf Abida , Islam Muhammad , Khalid Muhammad , Davis Anthony P. , Ahsan Muhammad Tayyeb , Yaqub Muhammad , Syed Asad , Elgorban Abdallah M. , Bahkali Ali H. , Shafiq Zahid
Published: September 2021

Highly selective and sensitive 2,7-naphthyridine based colorimetric and fluorescence “Turn Off” chemosensors (L1-L4) for detection of Ni2+ in aqueous media are reported. The receptors (L1-L4) showed a distinct color change from yellow to red by addition of Ni2+ with spectral changes in bands at 535–550 nm. The changes are reversible and pH independent. The detection limits for Ni2+ by (L1-L4) are in the range of 0.2–0.5 µM by UV–Visible data and 0.040–0.47 µM by fluorescence data, which is lower than the permissible value of Ni2+ (1.2 µM) in drinking water defined by EPA. The binding stoichiometries of L1-L4 for Ni2+ were found to be 2:1 through Job’s plot and ESI–MS analysis. Moreover the receptors can be used to quantify Ni2+ in real water samples. Formation of test strips by the dip-stick method increases the practical applicability of the Ni2+ test for “in-the-field” measurements. DFT calculations and AIM analyses supported the experimentally determined 2:1 stoichiometries of complexation. TD-DFT calculations were performed which showed slightly decreased FMO energy gaps due to ligand–metal charge transfer (LMCT).
Mindlin solution on ground deformation caused by the trench excavation during installation of concrete diaphragm wall panels
Authors: Zhu Guichun
Published: September 2021

Concrete diaphragm walls (CDWs) are widely used as support of deep excavation in soft ground in urban areas. Ground deformation occurs during the excavation of trenches for the installation of the CDW panels due to ground stress release. This paper investigates the ground deformation during slurry trenching using Mindlin solution. The pressure of slurry used to protect the trench stability during excavation is simulated as a triangularly distributed load on the trench walls, the soil stress state is solved using Mindlin solution, and the horizontal and vertical ground displacement are obtained through integral transformation of ground strain. The rationality of the solution is verified through comparison between the analytical solution and field measurement. Sensitivity analyses are performed on soil elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, trench excavation depth and panel length. Simplified formulation is proposed for the prediction of horizontal ground deformation. The impact of excavation stages and adjacent panels on the ground deformation is explored. The study finds that the Mindlin solution is able to provide an approximate solution on the ground deformation during slurry trenching, and the simplified formulation can be used to provide a fast estimate of the horizontal ground movement in engineering practice.
Comparing prediction accuracy between total keratometry and conventional keratometry in cataract surgery with refractive multifocal intraocular lens implantation
Authors: Chung Ho Seok , Chung Jae Lim , Kim Young Jun , Lee Hun , Kim Jae Yong , Tchah Hungwon
Published: September 2021

We aimed to compare refractive outcomes between total keratometry using a swept-source optical biometer and conventional keratometry in cataract surgery with refractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. We included patients who underwent cataract surgery with refractive multifocal IOL implantation. The IOL power was calculated using conventional formulas (Haigis, SRK/T, Holladay 2, and Barrett Universal II) as well as a new formula (Barrett TK Universal II). The refractive mean error, mean absolute error, and median absolute error were compared, as were the proportions of eyes within ± 0.25 diopters (D), ± 0.50 D, and ± 1.00 D of prediction error. In total 543 eyes of 543 patients, the absolute prediction error of total keratometry was significantly higher than that of conventional keratometry using the SRK/T (P = 0.034) and Barrett Universal II (P = 0.003). The proportion of eyes within ± 0.50 D of the prediction error using the SRK/T and Barrett Universal II was also significantly higher when using conventional keratometry than total keratometry (P = 0.010 for SRK/T and P = 0.005 for Barrett Universal II). Prediction accuracy of conventional keratometry was higher than that of total keratometry in cataract surgery with refractive multifocal IOL implantation.
Multiband transparency effect induced by toroidal excitation in a strongly coupled planar terahertz metamaterial
Authors: Bhattacharya Angana , Sarkar Rakesh , Sharma Naval K. , Bhowmik Bhairov K. , Ahmad Amir , Kumar Gagan
Published: September 2021

The multiband transparency effect in terahertz (THz) domain has intrigued the scientific community due to its significance in developing THz multiband devices. In this article, we have proposed a planar metamaterial geometry comprised of a toroidal split ring resonator (TSRR) flanked by two asymmetric C resonators. The proposed geometry results in multi-band transparency windows in the THz region via strong near field coupling of the toroidal excitation with the dipolar C-resonators of the meta molecule. The geometry displays dominant toroidal excitation as demonstrated by a multipolar analysis of scattered radiation. High Q factor resonances of the metamaterial configuration is reported which can find significance in sensing applications. We report the frequency modulation of transparency windows by changing the separation between TSRR and the C resonators. The numerically simulated findings have been interpreted and validated using an equivalent theoretical model based upon three coupled oscillators system. Such modeling of toroidal resonances may be utilized in future studies on toroidal excitation based EIT responses in metamaterials. Our study has the potential to impact the development of terahertz photonic components useful in building next generation devices.
Modeling pluralism and self-regulation explains the emergence of cooperation in networked societies
Authors: Madeo Dario , Salvatore Sergio , Mannarini Terri , Mocenni Chiara
Published: September 2021

Understanding the dynamics of cooperative behavior of individuals in complex societies represents a fundamental research question which puzzles scientists working in heterogeneous fields. Many studies have been developed using the unitary agent assumption, which embeds the idea that when making decisions, individuals share the same socio-cultural parameters. In this paper, we propose the ECHO-EGN model, based on Evolutionary Game Theory, which relaxes this strong assumption by considering the heterogeneity of three fundamental socio-cultural aspects ruling the behavior of groups of people: the propensity to be more cooperative with members of the same group (Endogamic cooperation), the propensity to cooperate with the public domain (Civicness) and the propensity to prefer connections with members of the same group (Homophily). The ECHO-EGN model is shown to have high performance in describing real world behavior of interacting individuals living in complex environments. Extensive numerical experiments allowing the comparison of real data and model simulations confirmed that the introduction of the above mechanisms enhances the realism in the modelling of cooperation dynamics. Additionally, theoretical findings allow us to conclude that endogamic cooperation may limit significantly the emergence of cooperation.
A high-resolution genome-wide association study of the grain ionome and agronomic traits in rice Oryza sativa subsp. indica
Authors: Cu Suong T. , Warnock Nicholas I. , Pasuquin Julie , Dingkuhn Michael , Stangoulis James
Published: September 2021

This study presents a comprehensive study of the genetic bases controlling variation in the rice ionome employing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with a diverse panel ofindicaaccessions, each genotyped with 5.2 million markers. GWAS was performed for twelve elements including B, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, and Zn and four agronomic traits including days to 50% flowering, grain yield, plant height and thousand grain weight. GWAS identified 128 loci associated with the grain elements and 57 associated with the agronomic traits. There were sixteen co-localization regions containing QTL for two or more traits. Fourteen grain element quantitative trait loci were stable across growing environments, which can be strong candidates to be used in marker-assisted selection to improve the concentrations of nutritive elements in rice grain. Potential candidate genes were revealed includingOsNAS3linked to the locus that controls the variation of Zn and Co concentrations. The effects of starch synthesis and grain filling on multiple grain elements were elucidated through the likely involvement ofOsSUS1andOsGSSB1genes. Overall, our study provides crucial insights into the genetic basis of ionomic variations in rice and will facilitate improvement in breeding for trace mineral content.
Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI associates with neonate local and distal functional connectivity of the left superior frontal gyrus
Authors: Rajasilta Olli , Häkkinen Suvi , Björnsdotter Malin , Scheinin Noora M. , Lehtola Satu J. , Saunavaara Jani , Parkkola Riitta , Lähdesmäki Tuire , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse , Tuulari Jetro J.
Published: September 2021

Maternal obesity/overweight during pregnancy has reached epidemic proportions and has been linked with adverse outcomes for the offspring, including cognitive impairment and increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders. Prior neuroimaging investigations have reported widespread aberrant functional connectivity and white matter tract abnormalities in neonates born to obese mothers. Here we explored whether maternal pre-pregnancy adiposity is associated with alterations in local neuronal synchrony and distal connectivity in the neonate brain. 21 healthy mother-neonate dyads from uncomplicated pregnancies were included in this study (age at scanning 26.14 ± 6.28 days, 12 male). The neonates were scanned with a 6-min resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) during natural sleep. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) maps were computed from obtained rs-fMRI data. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the association of pre-pregnancy maternal body-mass-index (BMI) and ReHo. Seed-based connectivity analysis with multiple regression was subsequently performed with seed-ROI derived from ReHo analysis. Maternal adiposity measured by pre-pregnancy BMI was positively associated with neonate ReHo values within the left superior frontal gyrus (SFG) (FWE-corrected p < 0.005). Additionally, we found both positive and negative associations (p < 0.05, FWE-corrected) for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and seed-based connectivity between left SFG and prefrontal, amygdalae, basal ganglia and insular regions. Our results imply that maternal pre-pregnancy BMI associates with local and distal functional connectivity within the neonate left superior frontal gyrus. These findings add to the evidence that increased maternal pre-pregnancy BMI has a programming influence on the developing neonate brain functional networks.
Metal leaching from antimicrobial cloth face masks intended to slow the spread of COVID-19
Authors: Pollard Zoe A. , Karod Madeline , Goldfarb Jillian L.
Published: September 2021

Global health organizations recommend the use of cloth face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19. Seemingly overnight, companies whose primary business is in no way related to healthcare or personal protective equipment—from mattresses manufacturers to big box stores—transitioned into the “mask business.” Many companies advertise antimicrobial masks containing silver, copper, or other antimicrobials. Often, the techniques used to load such antimicrobials onto mask fibers are undisclosed, and the potential for metal leaching from these masks is yet unknown. We exposed nine so-called “antimicrobial” face masks (and one 100% cotton control mask) to deionized water, laundry detergent, and artificial saliva to quantify the leachable silver and copper that may occur during mask washing and wearing. Leaching varied widely across manufacturer, metal, and leaching solution, but in some cases was as high as 100% of the metals contained in the as-received mask after 1 h of exposure.