bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implicit Conversion of Manifold B-Rep Solids by Neural Halfspace Representation
Authors: Guo Hao-Xiang , Liu Yang , Pan Hao , Guo Baining
Published: November 2022

We present a novel implicit representation ---neural halfspace representation(NH-Rep), to convert manifold B-Rep solids to implicit representations. NH-Rep is a Boolean tree built on a set of implicit functions represented by the neural network, and the composite Boolean function is capable of representing solid geometry while preserving sharp features. We propose an efficient algorithm to extract the Boolean tree from a manifold B-Rep solid and devise a neural network-based optimization approach to compute the implicit functions. We demonstrate the high quality offered by our conversion algorithm on ten thousand manifold B-Rep CAD models that contain various curved patches including NURBS, and the superiority of our learning approach over other representative implicit conversion algorithms in terms of surface reconstruction, sharp feature preservation, signed distance field approximation, and robustness to various surface geometry, as well as a set of applications supported by NH-Rep.
SkinMixer
Authors: Nuvoli Stefano , Pietroni Nico , Cignoni Paolo , Scateni Riccardo , Tarini Marco
Published: November 2022

We propose a novel technique to compose new 3D animated models, such as videogame characters, by combining pieces from existing ones. Our method works on production-ready rigged, skinned, and animated 3D models to reassemble new ones. We exploit
mix-and-match
operations on the skeletons to trigger the automatic creation of a new mesh, linked to the new skeleton by a set of skinning weights and complete with a set of animations. The resulting model preserves the quality of the input meshings (which can be quad-dominant and semi-regular), skinning weights (inducing believable deformation), and animations, featuring coherent movements of the new skeleton.

Our method enables content creators to reuse valuable, carefully designed assets by assembling new ready-to-use characters while preserving most of the hand-crafted subtleties of models authored by digital artists. As shown in the accompanying video, it allows for drastically cutting the time needed to obtain the final result.
Reference Based Sketch Extraction via Attention Mechanism
Authors: Ashtari Amirsaman , Seo Chang Wook , Kang Cholmin , Cha Sihun , Noh Junyong
Published: November 2022

We propose a model that extracts a sketch from a colorized image in such a way that the extracted sketch has a line style similar to a given reference sketch while preserving the visual content identically to the colorized image. Authentic sketches drawn by artists have various sketch styles to add visual interest and contribute feeling to the sketch. However, existing sketch-extraction methods generate sketches with only one style. Moreover, existing style transfer models fail to transfer sketch styles because they are mostly designed to transfer textures of a source style image instead of transferring the sparse line styles from a reference sketch. Lacking the necessary volumes of data for standard training of translation systems, at the core of our GAN-based solution is a self-reference sketch style generator that produces various reference sketches with a similar style but different spatial layouts. We use independent attention modules to detect the edges of a colorized image and reference sketch as well as the visual correspondences between them. We apply several loss terms to imitate the style and enforce sparsity in the extracted sketches. Our sketch-extraction method results in a close imitation of a reference sketch style drawn by an artist and outperforms all baseline methods. Using our method, we produce a synthetic dataset representing various sketch styles and improve the performance of auto-colorization models, in high demand in comics. The validity of our approach is confirmed via qualitative and quantitative evaluations.
Isotropic ARAP Energy Using Cauchy-Green Invariants
Authors: Lin Huancheng , Chitalu Floyd M. , Komura Taku
Published: November 2022

Isotropic
As-Rigid-As-Possible (ARAP) energy has been popular for shape editing, mesh parametrisation and soft-body simulation for almost two decades. However, a formulation using Cauchy-Green (CG) invariants has always been unclear, due to a rotation-polluted trace term that cannot be directly expressed using these invariants. We show how this incongruent trace term can be understood via an implicit relationship to the CG invariants. Our analysis reveals this relationship to be a polynomial where the roots equate to the trace term, and where the derivatives also give rise to closed-form expressions of the Hessian to guarantee positive semi-definiteness for a fast and concise Newton-type implicit time integration. A consequence of this analysis is a novel analytical formulation to compute rotations and singular values of deformation-gradient tensors without explicit/numerical factorization which is significant, resulting in up-to 3.5× speedup and benefits energy function evaluation for reducing solver time. We validate our energy formulation by experiments and comparison, demonstrating that our resulting eigendecomposition using the CG invariants is equivalent to existing ARAP formulations. We thus reveal isotropic ARAP energy to be a member of the "Cauchy-Green club", meaning that it can indeed be defined using CG invariants and therefore that the closed-form expressions of the resulting Hessian are shared with other energies written in their terms.
Efficient Neural Style Transfer for Volumetric Simulations
Authors: Aurand Joshua , Ortiz Raphael , Nauer Silvia , Azevedo Vinicius C.
Published: November 2022

Artistically controlling fluids has always been a challenging task. Recently, volumetric Neural Style Transfer (NST) techniques have been used to artistically manipulate smoke simulation data with 2D images. In this work, we revisit previous volumetric NST techniques for smoke, proposing a suite of upgrades that enable stylizations that are significantly faster, simpler, more controllable and less prone to artifacts. Moreover, the energy minimization solved by previous methods is camera dependent. To avoid that, a computationally expensive iterative optimization performed for multiple views sampled around the original simulation is needed, which can take up to several minutes per frame. We propose a simple feed-forward neural network architecture that is able to infer view-independent stylizations that are three orders of the magnitude faster than its optimization-based counterpart.
Gaussian Blue Noise
Authors: Ahmed Abdalla G. M. , Ren Jing , Wonka Peter
Published: November 2022

Among the various approaches for producing point distributions with blue noise spectrum, we argue for an optimization framework using Gaussian kernels. We show that with a wise selection of optimization parameters, this approach attains unprecedented quality, provably surpassing the current state of the art attained by the optimal transport (BNOT) approach. Further, we show that our algorithm scales smoothly and feasibly to high dimensions while maintaining the same quality, realizing unprecedented high-quality high-dimensional blue noise sets. Finally, we show an extension to adaptive sampling.
QuadStream
Authors: Hladky Jozef , Stengel Michael , Vining Nicholas , Kerbl Bernhard , Seidel Hans-Peter , Steinberger Markus
Published: November 2022

Streaming rendered 3D content over a network to a thin client device, such as a phone or a VR/AR headset, brings high-fidelity graphics to platforms where it would not normally possible due to thermal, power, or cost constraints. Streamed 3D content must be transmitted with a representation that is both robust to latency and potential network dropouts. Transmitting a video stream and reprojecting to correct for changing viewpoints fails in the presence of disocclusion events; streaming scene geometry and performing high-quality rendering on the client is not possible on limited-power mobile GPUs. To balance the competing goals of disocclusion robustness and minimal client workload, we introduce
QuadStream
, a new streaming content representation that reduces motion-to-photon latency by allowing clients to efficiently render novel views without artifacts caused by disocclusion events. Motivated by traditional macroblock approaches to video codec design, we decompose the scene seen from positions in a
view cell
into a series of
quad proxies
, or view-aligned quads from multiple views. By operating on a rasterized G-Buffer, our approach is independent of the representation used for the scene itself; the resulting
QuadStream
is an approximate geometric representation of the scene that can be reconstructed by a thin client to render both the current view and nearby adjacent views. Our technical contributions are an efficient parallel quad generation, merging, and packing strategy for proxy views covering potential client movement in a scene; a packing and encoding strategy that allows masked quads with depth information to be transmitted as a frame-coherent stream; and an efficient rendering approach for rendering our QuadStream representation into entirely novel views on thin clients. We show that our approach achieves superior quality compared both to video data streaming methods, and to geometry-based streaming.
Neural Photo-Finishing
Authors: Tseng Ethan , Zhang Yuxuan , Jebe Lars , Zhang Xuaner , Xia Zhihao , Fan Yifei , Heide Felix , Chen Jiawen
Published: November 2022

Image processing pipelines are ubiquitous and we rely on them either directly, by filtering or adjusting an image post-capture, or indirectly, as image signal processing (ISP) pipelines on broadly deployed camera systems. Used by artists, photographers, system engineers, and for downstream vision tasks, traditional image processing pipelines feature complex algorithmic branches developed over decades. Recently, image-to-image networks have made great strides in image processing, style transfer, and semantic understanding. The differentiable nature of these networks allows them to fit a large corpus of data; however, they do not allow for intuitive, fine-grained controls that photographers find in modern photo-finishing tools.

This work closes that gap and presents an approach to making complex photo-finishing pipelines differentiable, allowing legacy algorithms to be trained akin to neural networks using first-order optimization methods. By concatenating tailored network proxy models of individual processing steps (e.g. white-balance, tone-mapping, color tuning), we can model a non-differentiable reference image finishing pipeline more faithfully than existing proxy image-to-image network models. We validate the method for several diverse applications, including photo and video style transfer, slider regression for commercial camera ISPs, photography-driven neural demosaicking, and adversarial photo-editing.
The Epigenetic Control of the Transposable Element Life Cycle in Plant Genomes and Beyond
Authors: Liu Peng , Cuerda-Gil Diego , Shahid Saima , Slotkin R. Keith
Published: November 2022

Within the life cycle of a living organism, another life cycle exists for the selfish genome inhabitants, which are called transposable elements (TEs). These mobile sequences invade, duplicate, amplify, and diversify within a genome, increasing the genome's size and generating new mutations. Cells act to defend their genome, but rather than permanently destroying TEs, they use chromatin-level repression and epigenetic inheritance to silence TE activity. This level of silencing is ephemeral and reversible, leading to a dynamic equilibrium between TE suppression and reactivation within a host genome. The coexistence of the TE and host genome can also lead to the domestication of the TE to serve in host genome evolution and function. In this review, we describe the life cycle of a TE, with emphasis on how epigenetic regulation is harnessed to control TEs for host genome stability and innovation.
Clonal Hematopoiesis and Its Impact on Human Health
Authors: Ahmad Herra , Jahn Nikolaus , Jaiswal Siddhartha
Published: November 2022

Aging is associated with increased mutational burden in every tissue studied. Occasionally, fitness-increasing mutations will arise, leading to stem cell clonal expansion. This process occurs in several tissues but has been best studied in blood. Clonal hematopoiesis is associated with an increased risk of blood cancers, such as acute myeloid leukemia, which result if additional cooperating mutations occur. Surprisingly, it is also associated with an increased risk of nonmalignant diseases, such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This may be due to enhanced inflammation in mutated innate immune cells, which could be targeted clinically with anti-inflammatory drugs. Recent studies have uncovered other factors that predict poor outcomes in patients with clonal hematopoiesis, such as size of the mutant clone, mutated driver genes, and epigenetic aging. Though clonality is inevitable and largely a function of time, recent work has shown that inherited genetic variation can also influence this process. Clonal hematopoiesis provides a paradigm for understanding how age-related changes in tissue stem cell composition and function influence human health.
A Stable Low Leakage Power SRAM with Built-In Read/Write-Assist Scheme using GNRFETs for IoT Applications
Authors: Abbasian Erfan , Mirzaei Tahere , Sofimowloodi Sobhan
Published: November 2022

Design of circuits using graphene nanoribbon field-effect transistors (GNRFETs), as promising next-generation devices, can improve total performance of a chip due to offering excellent properties. However, GNRFETs are in the early stage of design, and the studies of process-voltage-temperature (PVT) variations on their performance are very crucial. Therefore, this paper aims to design, simulate, and evaluate a novel stable fully differential 12 T (SFD12T) SRAM using GNRFETs under PVT variations. Simulation results in 16 nm GNRFET technology at 0.5 V show that the proposed design improves read stability/writability by 2.11×/1.09 × compared to fully differential 8 T (FD8T: as a basic cell) due to using built-in read/write-assist scheme, which forces “0” storing node to ground during a read operation and cuts pull-down path off during a write operation, respectively. An improvement of at least 4.79% (18.55% compared to FD8T) in leakage power is achieved due to stacking of transistors. The fourth-best read/write energy among eight studied SRAMs is related to the proposed design. In addition, it can support the bit-interleaving architecture because it eliminates half-select disturbance issues. Generally, the proposed design is the best SRAM from the figure of merit (FOM) point of view, so it can be an optimal choice for Internet-of-Things applications.
Electronic Structure, Optical and Thermal Response of Lead-Free RbAuBr3 and RbAuBr4 Perovskites for Renewable Energy Applications
Authors: Munir Junaid , Mustafa Muhammad , Naeem Hamza , Yousaf Masood , El-Shamy E. F. , Ain Quratul
Published: November 2022

The presence of toxic lead in the perovskites is the major hurdle in commercializing these novel materials-based devices. The first principles calculations have been conducted to investigate the electronic structure, optoelectronic, and transport properties of lead-free RbAuBr3 and RbAuBr4 perovskites. Modified Becke-Johnson approximation is used to evaluate the accurate band structures for both compounds. The calculated energy-volume curves and the negative formation energy values confirm their stability. The band structure profile shows a semiconductor nature of both compounds with bandgap values of 0.77 eV and 2.32 eV for RbAuBr3 and RbAuBr4, respectively. The density of states graphs endorsed the band structure results. The optical response is calculated in terms of real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, refractive index, and energy loss parameters. The maximum absorption is achieved in the infrared region for RbAuBr3 and the visible region for RbAuBr4. The thermoelectric response is also computed and a high ZT value of 0.96 is achieved for RbAuBr3, while a moderate value of 0.60 is obtained for RbAuBr4 at 800 K. The calculated properties reveal the potential of studied lead-free perovskites for thermoelectric and optoelectronic applications.
Topical Application of Chinese Formula Yeliangen Promotes Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Al-Romaima Abdulbaset , Guan Xiong , Qin Xihui , Liao Yinan , Qin Guiming , Tang Shixiong , Feng Jie
Published: November 2022

Diabetic wound is one of the most severe complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite the associated risks of wound healing impairment in diabetes, treatment strategies remain limited. Yeliangen (YLG) is a Chinese formulation mainly composed of the rhizome of Coptis chinensis, the root of Isatis tinctoria, and the leaf of Isatis indigotica. We investigated the wound healing effects of YLG in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) rats, which were induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin after a high-fat diet for four weeks.

3
×
3
 
c

m

2

full-thickness excisional wounds were created on the dorsal surface of rats and then divided to control (DC), negative (DPJ), positive (DPC), and YLG-treated (DYLG) groups. Rat’s wounds were treated twice daily for 21 days. Wound area and wound contraction were detected on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21. Histopathological examinations were performed by H&E staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The biochemical parameters, mRNAs, and protein expressions were analyzed through enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISA), qPCR, and western blot, respectively. Compared with other groups, the histological changes of wound tissue in the DYLG group were improved, and the expressions of CD31, eNOS, and PCNA were significantly upregulated. Besides, YLG significantly reduced the inflammatory factors’ expressions of TNF-α, NF-κB, MMP-9, and IL-1B on days 7, 14, and 21 postwounding. Moreover, YLG induced angiogenesis and neovascularization by significantly increasing the levels of VEGF, TGF-β1, EGF, PDGF, and SDF-1α on days 3, 7, and 14. In conclusion, YLG improved wound healing by reducing inflammation and increasing angiogenesis which may provide an alternative and effective approach for diabetic wound therapy.
Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacity (ABTS and CUPRAC) and Total Phenolic Content (Folin-Ciocalteu) Assays of Selected Fruit, Vegetables, and Spices
Authors: George Jenson , Edwards David , Pun Sharon , Williams David
Published: November 2022

Antioxidant (AOX) capacity assays are important analytical tools, used worldwide to measure the AOX capacities of various food commodities. Although numerous protocols have been published to ascertain AOX capacities, there are increasing concerns about the reliability of many of these assays. Poor correlation of results between various assays, as well as problems with reproducibility, consistency, and accuracy, is to blame. Published AOX assays also differ markedly from each other by employing different reaction conditions, using different extracting solvents, and applying dissimilar quantification methods. In this study, AOX capacities of a range of fruit, vegetables, and spices, commonly consumed and of commercial importance in Australia and worldwide, were measured in both hydrophilic and lipophilic solvents by using two different assay systems. As the polyphenolic compounds present in any sample matrix are the main contributors to its AOX properties, the commodities were also analysed for total phenolic content (TPC), again using both solvent systems. Analysis of the results from the current study with values from the published literature exposed the challenges that make direct comparison of any quantitative results difficult. However, a strong mutual correlation of our assay results facilitated a meaningful comparison of the data within the laboratory. Concurrent use of lipophilic and hydrophilic solvents made the results more reliable and understandable. Findings from this study will aid to address the existing challenges and bring a more rational basis to the AOX capacities. This unique analytical approach also provided a platform to build an internal reference database for the commonly consumed and commercially important food commodities with the potential to broaden the scope into a database for similar food matrices.
Fermatean Cubic Fuzzy Aggregation Operators and Their Application in Multiattribute Decision-Making Problems
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Zeb Aurang , Ali Fawad , Naeem Muhammad , Arjika Sama
Published: November 2022

The purpose of aggregation methods is to convert a list of objects of a set into a single object of the same set usually by an

n

-arry function, so-called aggregation operator. The key features of this work are the aggregation operators, because they are based on a novel set called Fermatean cubic fuzzy set (F-CFS). F-CFS has greater spatial scope and can deal with more ambiguous situations where other fuzzy set extensions fail to support them. For this purpose, the notion of F-CFS is defined. F-CFS is the transformation of intuitionistic cubic fuzzy set (I-CFS), Pythagorean cubic fuzzy set (P-CFS), interval-valued cubic fuzzy set, and basic orthopair fuzzy set and is grounded on the constraint that “the cube of the supremum of membership plus nonmembership degree is

≤
1

”. We have analyzed some properties of Fermatean cubic fuzzy numbers (F-CFNs) as they are the alteration

 

of basic properties of I-CFS and P-CFS. We also have defined the score and deviation degrees of F-CFNs. Moreover, the distance measuring function between two F-CFNs is defined which shows the space between two F-CFNs. Based on this notion, the aggregation operators namely Fermatean cubic fuzzy-weighted averaging operator (F-CFWA), Fermatean cubic fuzzy-weighted geometric operator (F-CFWG), Fermatean cubic fuzzy-ordered-weighted averaging operator (F-CFOWA), and Fermatean cubic fuzzy-ordered-weighted geometric operator (F-CFOWG) are developed. Furthermore, the notion is applied to multiattribute decision-making (MADM) problem in which we presented our objectives in the form of F-CFNs to show the effectiveness of the newly developed strategy.
The Prevalence and Antibiotics Susceptibility Patterns of Corynebacterium minutissimum Isolates from Skin Lesions of Patients with Suspected Erythrasma from Tabriz, Iran
Authors: Salemi Seyedeh Zahra , Memar Mohammad Yousef , Kafil Hossein Samadi , Sadeghi Javid , Ghadim Hamideh Herizchi , Alamdari Hamideh Azimi , Nezhadi Javad , Ghotaslou Reza
Published: November 2022

Erythrasma is a chronic infection of the skin that appears in the body folds as flat copper spots. The causative agent of this infection is Corynebacterium minutissimum (C. minutissimum). Erythrasma can be treated with antiseptics or topical antibiotics. The study aimed to investigate the antibiotics susceptibility patterns, and the presence of the erythromycin resistance gene (ermX and mefA) in C. minutissimum isolates in skin lesions with suspected erythrasma. From July 2020 to May 2022, 278 skin scrub specimens were collected from patients admitted to the hospital of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Specimens were incubated on the blood agar plates and isolates were identified by microbiological laboratory methods. The antibiotic susceptibility patterns were determined by the disk diffusion method and resistance genes of ermX and mefA were detected by the PCR method. Out of 278 specimens, 41 C. minutissimum isolates (14.74%) were recovered. The highest frequency of resistance was observed to a penicillin (75.6%) followed by erythromycin and clarithromycin (39.02%), clindamycin (30.05%), tetracycline (24.2%), and gentamicin and neomycin (19.5%). The frequencies of ermX and mefA genes were 75% and 12.5%, respectively. Resistance to antimicrobial drugs was common and worrying. Resistance to erythromycin in C. minutissimum is mainly related to the ermX gene.
Variations in Avian Species and Functional Diversity in Different Habitat Types in a Vulnerable Savannah Ecosystem in Ghana
Authors: Sulemana Abdulai , Monney Kweku A. , Deikumah Justus P.
Published: November 2022

Most research on avian functional diversity in the tropics is focused on forest and agroecosystems, leaving a gap in knowledge about the effects of habitat types on functional diversity in savannah landscapes. Savanna ecosystems are fragile and are under threat of anthropogenic destruction, particularly in developing Sub-Saharan Africa and could be eliminated in the face of the ever-increasing human population exacerbated by the changing climate. This study investigated the influence of the three major habitat types (grassland, riparian forest, woodland) on bird species and functional diversity in the Mole National Park (MNP) in Ghana. We used the line transect method to survey birds along 39 transects, each 1 km in length, and collected data on environmental variables along the same transects. Data from these surveys was used to estimate species and functional diversity indicators. We found significant variations in species and functional diversity measures between the three habitat types in the MNP. These variations were significantly influenced by species abundance and environmental covariates. Diversity measures were particularly higher in the riparian forest habitats compared to the woodland and grassland, with the latter being the least diverse habitat both functionally and species wise. The results of this study suggest that the avifauna assemblages in MNP are largely influenced by the riparian forest and are important for ecosystem function and stability. We recommend management efforts to intensify the protection of such vital habitats of the Mole National Park from illegal human activities, especially the rising removal and export of rosewoods (Dalbergia nigra) around the park. Further research on the avian community composition and structure in the MNP is recommended.
Safety and Efficacy of Bivalirudin versus Unfractionated Heparin Monotherapy in Patients with CAD and DM Undergoing PCI: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Li Jing , Chen Sanbao , Ma Sicong , Yang Mingque , Qi Zizhao , Na Kun , Qiu Miaohan , Li Yi , Han Yaling
Published: November 2022

Introduction. Optimal anticoagulants for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are unclear. This retrospective observational study is aimed at evaluating efficacy and safety of bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) monotherapy in patients with DM undergoing PCI. Methods. A total of 3890 diabetic patients receiving PCI in the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were divided into the bivalirudin group (

n
=
869

) and the UFH group (

n
=
3021

) according to different anticoagulant therapy regimens. Indication for PCI was in accordance with current guidelines including national cardiovascular data registry. The primary endpoint was 30-day net adverse clinical events (NACEs). The secondary endpoints included 30-day major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCEs), bleeding events defined according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) definition, and stent thrombosis (ST). Patients were matched by propensity score at a ratio of 1 : 1. Results. After propensity score matching, the bivalirudin group was associated with a lower incidence of NACEs (3.0% vs. 6.0%,

P
=
0.003

) than the UFH group. The incidence of MACCE (1.7% vs. 3.3%,

P
=
0.033

) was significantly lower in the bivalirudin group, mainly due to a lower mortality rate (0.6% vs. 2.0%,

P
=
0.010

). In addition, patients in the bivalirudin group had less bleeding (1.4% vs. 3.0%,

P
=
0.022

) than those in the UFH group, although BARC 2, 3, and 5 bleeding (0.1% vs. 0.6%,

P
=
0.218

) was numerically lower. Conclusion. In diabetic patients undergoing PCI, bivalirudin was significantly associated with reduced risks of 30-day NACE and MACCE, mainly driven by the lower rates of bleeding and mortality, compared with heparin monotherapy.
Post-Spring Frost Canopy Recovery, Vine Balance, and Fruit Composition in cv. Barbera Grapevines
Authors: Del Zozzo Filippo , Canavera Ginevra , Pagani Silvia , Gatti Matteo , Poni Stefano , Frioni Tommaso
Published: November 2022

Background and Aims. In viticulture, one of the effects of warming trends is the advance of budburst date and the consequent increased risk of spring frost-related damage. In 2021, severe frost events affected a large fraction of European viticulture. In a cv. Barbera vineyard, located in NW Italy, primary bud shoots (PBS), secondary bud shoots (SBS), and suckers (SK) were tagged after the occurrence of freezing temperatures in spring. The goal of the study was to clarify if SBS could partially restore yield loss and analyze their contribution to fruit composition. Methods and Results. The number of developing SBS and SK correlated with the number of killed PBS. While PBS bore 1.44 inflorescences per shoot, SBS had much lower fertility (0.4), with SK at intermediate levels (0.85). The vine yield was 40% of the previous season, with SBS bunches contributing just 17% of the total. SBS produced smaller and looser bunches, as compared with PBS (−28% mass and −27% compactness). At harvest, no difference was found in grape total soluble solids (TSS) among different shoot types. However, the TSS average was notably higher than that observed in the previous season (27.8°Brix vs. 23.3°Brix in 2020). Interestingly, while in PBS and SK, a direct correlation (linear and quadratic, respectively) existed between the leaf area to yield ratio (LA/Y) and grape TSS or total anthocyanins, this did not occur for SBS. Conclusions. In the case of spring frost damage, the number of PBS avoiding fatal injuries will drive agronomic results at harvest since SBS contribution to total yield is modest due to low shoot fruitfulness. The frost-induced increase in vine LA/Y leads to a dramatic rise in grape TSS and phenolics. Significance of the Study. When spring frosts kill a significant number of primary shoots, an altered grape composition at harvest should be expected due to changes in vine balance. Therefore, the vineyard management should be adjusted accordingly early in the season. Further studies are needed to test specific post-frost canopy management strategies ensuring yield, optimal fruit composition, and cane renewal.
A Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm with Gradient Perturbation and Binary Tree Depth First Search Strategy
Authors: Huang Xionghua , Zeng Tiaojun , Li MinSong
Published: November 2022

In this study, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with a negative gradient perturbation and binary tree depth‐first strategy (GB‐PSO) is proposed. The negative gradient term accelerates particle optimization in the direction of decreasing the objective function value. To calculate the step size of this gradient term more easily, a method based on the ratio was proposed. In addition, a new PSO strategy is also proposed. Each iteration of PSO yields not only the current optimal solution of the group, but also the solution based on the 2‐norm maximum. Under the current iteration solution of PSO, these two solutions are the children nodes. In the sense of the binary tree concept, the three solutions constitute the father‐son relationship, and the solution generated throughout the entire search process constitutes the binary tree. PSO uses a traceable depth‐first strategy to determine the optimal solution. Compared with the linear search strategy adopted by several algorithms, it can fully utilize the useful information obtained during the iterative process, construct a variety of particle swarm search paths, and prevent premature and enhance global optimization. The experimental results show that the algorithm outperforms some state‐of‐the‐art PSO algorithms in terms of search performance.
Do Antinuclear Antibodies Influence the Clinical Features of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria?: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Arunkajohnsak Sittiroj , Jiamton Sukhum , Tuchinda Papapit , Chularojanamontri Leena , Rujitharanawong Chuda , Chanchaemsri Nattacha , Kulthanan Kanokvalai
Published: November 2022

Background. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) is often used as a screening test for autoimmune comorbidities in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). However, the relationship of ANA status and the clinical course of the disease have not been fully described. Objectives. To compare clinical features of CSU patients who are positive and negative for ANA. Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study that enrolled CSU patients attending the Urticaria Clinic at Siriraj Hospital from 2013 to 2019. Demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory investigations, and treatments were collected until July 2021. All patients were investigated for ANA. Clinical feature data was compared between CSU patients with positive ANA and negative ANA groups using the 2‐sample t‐test and the Mann–Whitney U test for quantitative variables. The chi‐squared test or Fisher’s exact test was conducted to explore the association of qualitative variables. Disease relapse and remission were analysed via Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis. Results. Of 323 CSU patients, 31% had positive ANA. There were no significant differences in disease severity or impairment in quality of life. Patients with a positive ANA test had significantly lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis (p = .048) and significantly higher level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.007). Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis showed that 2% of ANA positive CSU patients achieved remission status after one year and 28% did so after five years. There was no statistically significant difference in time to remission and time to relapse between ANA‐positive and negative groups. Conclusion. Positive ANA in CSU patients could not indicate the differences in main disease characteristics from the ANA‐negative CSU patients. Investigation for ANA may be useful in CSU patients who are suspected of having autoimmune diseases.
Cell Differentiation Trajectory Predicts Prognosis and Immunotherapeutic Response in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Jin , Chen Xi , Chen Yinyu , Wang Qiushuang , Jin Yingliang , Zhao Huashuo
Published: November 2022

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the main type of malignancy in kidney related to glucose metabolism. Primary single cell culture and single cell sequencing are novel research technologies. In this study, we explored the differentiation status of ccRCC cells and its significance in prognosis and immunotherapeutic response through bioinformatics. We characterized distinct differentiation states and differentiation-related genes (DRGs) in ccRCC cells through single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. Combined with bulk RNA-seq data, we classified patients into two clusters and found that this classification was closely correlated with patient prognosis and immunotherapeutic responses. Based on machine learning, we identified a prognostic risk model composed of 14 DRGs, including BTG2, CDKN1A, COL6A1, CPM, CYB5D2, FOSB, ID2, ISG15, PLCG2, SECISBP2, SOCS3, TES, ZBTB16, and ZNF704, to predict the survival rate of patients and then constructed a nomogram model integrating clinicopathological characteristics and risk score for clinical practice. In the study of immune checkpoints, we found that patients in the high-risk group had a disposition to get worse prognosis and better effects of immune checkpoint blocking therapies. Finally, we found the expression level of model DRGs was associated with a tumor-immune microenvironment (TIME) pattern and the response of 83 compounds or inhibitors was significantly different in the two risk groups. In a word, our study highlights the potential contribution of cell differentiation in prognosis judgment and immunotherapy response and offers promising therapeutic options for ccRCC patients.
Ketamine Infusion for Sedation and Analgesia during Mechanical Ventilation in the ICU: A Multicenter Evaluation
Authors: Pendleton Kathryn M. , Stephenson Laurel E. , Goeden Nick , Benson Anna R. , Wang Qi , Mahmood Salman B. , Considine Kelly A. , Prekker Matthew E.
Published: November 2022

Rationale. Ketamine can provide dissociative sedation and analgesia for mechanically ventilated ICU patients, yet it has been utilized less than other drugs for this purpose. Methods. We reviewed the electronic medical record of critically ill adults who received a continuous infusion of ketamine for ≥24 hours during invasive mechanical ventilation in three hospitals over a two-year period. We captured data including ketamine indication, dose, unintended effects, and adjustments to coadministered sedatives or opioids. We analyzed these data to determine the incidence of reported unintended effects of ketamine infusion (primary outcome) and changes in exposure to coadministered sedatives or opioids during ketamine use (secondary outcome). Results. 95 mechanically ventilated adults received a ketamine infusion for a median duration of 75 hours (interquartile range [IQR] 44–115) at a mean ± standard deviation (SD) infusion rate of 1.3 ± 0.5 mg/kg/hour for the first 24 hours. At least one unintended effect attributed to ketamine was documented in 24% of cases, most frequently tachycardia (6%) and sialorrhea (6%). Other sedative or opioid infusions were administered with ketamine in 76% and 92% of cases, respectively. Comparing the total amount of sedative or opioid administered in the 24 hours prior to ketamine infusion with the total amount administered during the first 24 hours on ketamine, there were no significant differences in propofol, midazolam, or dexmedetomidine exposure, but the average fentanyl exposure was higher after ketamine (2740 ± 1812 mcg) than before (1975 ± 1860 mcg) (absolute difference 766 mcg, 95% confidence interval [CI] 442 to 1089 mcg). Conclusions. In this multicenter cohort of critically ill, mechanically ventilated adults, ketamine infusion was primarily used as an adjunct to conventional sedative and opioid infusions, with noticeable but unintended effects potentially related to ketamine in nearly one-quarter of cases.
Generation of Self-Fertilizing Hermaphroditic Fish from Gonochoristic Fish, Medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Authors: Nishimura Toshiya , Tanaka Minoru
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Hermaphroditism is a mode of reproduction involving an individual animal that possesses both a testis and an ovary either sequentially or simultaneously. The mechanism creating hermaphrodites remains unknown. Previously, we identified foxl3 as the germline sex determination gene in a gonochoristic fish, medaka (Oryzias latipes). foxl3 loss-of-function (foxl3−/−) females produce functional sperm as well as eggs in the ovary. However, these two gametes are not self-fertilizing because of the histological separation of each gamete production. In this study, we attempted to generate self-fertilizing medaka from female medaka by modifying germline sex using foxl3−/− mutants and by using exogenous androgen to induce partial sex reversal of somatic cells. Methods: foxl3−/− XX females were treated with 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), a potent teleost fish androgen, at the sexually mature stage for 30 days (90–120 dph). Then, the fish were kept under normal conditions until they were either being dissected or crossed with infertile males. Results and Discussion: We showed that the foxl3−/− XX female medaka can be transformed into a self-fertilizing hermaphrodite by inducing the formation of a male-like structure with exogenous 11-KT. Self-fertilization occurs in either the ovarian cavity, the oviduct, or both where sperm is released from a tubule-like structure which is likely derived from germinal epithelium, suggesting that timely modification of 2 independent mechanisms, regulation of germline sex and partial sex reversal of somatic cells, are critical to change the reproduction mode. Our results will provide insights in developmental and evolutional occurrence of hermaphrodite vertebrates, facilitate an innovative technique to improve the efficient selection of fish with desirable traits, and contribute to the rescue of endangered species.
A Brief History of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Miller Walter L. , White Perrin C.
Published: November 2022

The adrenal has played a major role in the history of pediatric endocrinology. Cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were reported in the 19th century, leading to the understanding that the adrenal influenced sexual phenotypes as well as being mysteriously required for survival. Numerous adrenal steroids were isolated in the early 20th century, and bioassays eventually distinguished glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens. Treatment of CAH with cortisone in 1950 by Wilkins and by Bartter and Albright revolutionized clinical endocrinology and launched a productive era of pediatric adrenal research. Through careful clinical studies, Wilkins established the contemporary approach to treating CAH. Alfred Bongiovanni identified defective 21-hydroxylation in CAH in 1957, followed by deficiencies of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 11β-hydroxylase. P450 enzymes were described in 1962–1964, and 21-hydroxylation was the first activity ascribed to a P450. Accurate assays for 17OH-progesterone in newborns and in response to ACTH permitted the diagnosis of CAH in children and families. Application of the techniques of molecular genetics elucidated genetic and biochemical bases of these disorders from 1984 to 2004. Pediatric endocrinologists played central roles in identifying the genes responsible for both common and rare forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and determining their most appropriate treatments.
History of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Premature Adrenarche, and Hyperandrogenism in Pediatric Endocrinology
Authors: Witchel Selma F. , Azziz Ricardo , Oberfield Sharon E.
Published: November 2022

Descriptions of probable PCOS can be found in ancient Roman writings and in Renaissance art. Attention to domesticated animal reproduction led ancient observers to understand the role of the testes in male phenotypes, proven experimentally by testicular transplantation (in chickens) in 1849. Testosterone was isolated and its structure determined in the 1930s, but the multiple pathways of androgen synthesis have only been delineated recently. Adrenarche as an event separate from puberty was described in 1937, but the mechanism(s) triggering its onset remains unclear, although most work points to intraadrenal events. The identification of 11-ketotestosterone as the principal adrenal androgen is very recent (2018). Definitions of PCOS have evolved with the elucidation of its complex biology. PCOS is now recognized as a complex disorder characterized by irregular menses and hyperandrogenism often associated with infertility; its prevalence may be as high as 20% of reproductive age women. Work in the 1980s associated premature exaggerated adrenarche with PCOS, linking the adrenal to an “ovarian” syndrome. Obesity has long been noted in many patients with PCOS, and associated insulin resistance was noted in the 1980s, possibly associated with fetal developmental events such as low birth weight, but the mechanistic link between carbohydrate metabolism and hyperandrogenism remains unclear, despite intensive investigation. Genome-wide association studies have identified apparently associated genes, but mechanistic links are apparent for only some of these. Adrenarche, PCOS, and adrenal and ovarian hyperandrogenism remain very active areas of clinical and basic research.
Long-Term Follow-Up on Bilateral Posterior Hypothalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for Treating Refractory Aggressive Behavior in a Patient with Cri du Chat Syndrome: Analysis of Clinical Data, Intraoperative Microdialysis, and Imaging Connectomics
Authors: López Ríos Adriana Lucia , Germann Jürgen , Hutchison William D. , Botero Posada Luis Fernando , Ahunca Velasquez Luisa Fernanda , Garcia Jimenez Francisco Aureliano , Gloria Escobar José Miguel , Chacon Ruiz Martinez Raquel , Hamani Clement , Lebrun Ivo , Auada Aline V.V. , Restrepo Bravo Carlos Anibal , Gouveia Flavia Venetucci
Published: November 2022

Posterior hypothalamic-deep brain stimulation (pHyp-DBS) has been reported as a successful treatment for reducing refractory aggressive behaviors in patients with distinct primary diagnoses. Here, we report on a patient with cri du chat syndrome presenting severe self-injury and aggressive behaviors toward others, who was treated with pHyp-DBS. Positive results were observed at long-term follow-up in aggressive behavior and quality of life. Intraoperative microdialysis and imaging connectomics analysis were performed to investigate possible mechanisms of action. Our results suggest the involvement of limbic and motor areas and alterations in main neurotransmitter levels in the targeted area that are associated with positive results following treatment.
Ethnic-Specific Sociodemographic Factors as Determinants of Cognitive Performance: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research Study
Authors: Asmuje Nur Fazidah , Mat Sumaiyah , Myint Phyo Kyaw , Tan Maw Pin
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Despite cognitive impairment being a major health issue within the older population, limited information is available on factors associated with cognitive function among Asian ethnic groups. The objective of this study was to identify ethnic-specific sociodemographic risk factors which are associated with cognitive performance. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study involving community-dwelling individuals aged >55 years was conducted. Information on sociodemographic factors, medical history, and lifestyle were obtained by computer-assisted interviews in participants’ homes. Cognitive performance was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool during subsequent hospital-based health checks. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted with continuous MoCA scores as the dependent variable. Results: Data were available for 1,140 participants, mean (standard deviation [SD]) = 68.48 (7.23) years, comprising 377 (33.1%) ethnic Malays, 414 (36.3%) Chinese, and 349 (30.6%) Indians. Mean (SD) MoCA scores were 20.44 (4.92), 23.97 (4.03), and 22.04 (4.83) for Malays, Chinese, and Indians, respectively (p = 0.01). Age >75 years, <12 years of education, and low functional ability were common risk factors for low cognitive performance across all three ethnic groups. Cognitive performance was positively associated with social engagement among the ethnic Chinese (β [95% CI] = 0.06 [0.01, 0.11]) and Indians (β [95% CI] = 0.16 [0.09, 0.23]) and with lower depression scores (β [(95% CI] = −0.08 [−0.15, −0.01]) among the ethnic Indians. Conclusion: Common factors associated with cognitive performance include age, education, and functional ability, and ethnic-specific factors were social engagement and depression. Interethnic comparisons of risk factors may form the basis for identification of ethnic-specific modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and provision of culturally acceptable prevention measures.