bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genetic basis of neurocranial size and shape across varied lab mouse populations
Authors: Percival Christopher J. , Devine Jay , Hassan Chaudhry Raza , Vidal‐Garcia Marta , O'Connor‐Coates Christopher J. , Zaffarini Eva , Roseman Charles , Katz David , Hallgrimsson Benedikt
Published: March 2022

Brain and skull tissues interact through molecular signalling and mechanical forces during head development, leading to a strong correlation between the neurocranium and the external brain surface. Therefore, when brain tissue is unavailable, neurocranial endocasts are often used to approximate brain size and shape. Evolutionary changes in brain morphology may have resulted in secondary changes to neurocranial morphology, but the developmental and genetic processes underlying this relationship are not well understood. Using automated phenotyping methods, we quantified the genetic basis of endocast variation across large genetically varied populations of laboratory mice in two ways: (1) to determine the contributions of various genetic factors to neurocranial form and (2) to help clarify whether a neurocranial variation is based on genetic variation that primarily impacts bone development or on genetic variation that primarily impacts brain development, leading to secondary changes in bone morphology. Our results indicate that endocast size is highly heritable and is primarily determined by additive genetic factors. In addition, a non‐additive inbreeding effect led to founder strains with lower neurocranial size, but relatively large brains compared to skull size; suggesting stronger canalization of brain size and/or a general allometric effect. Within an outbred sample of mice, we identified a locus on mouse chromosome 1 that is significantly associated with variation in several positively correlated endocast size measures. Because the protein‐coding genes at this locus have been previously associated with brain development and not with bone development, we propose that genetic variation at this locus leads primarily to variation in brain volume that secondarily leads to changes in neurocranial globularity. We identify a strain‐specific missense mutation within Akt3 that is a strong causal candidate for this genetic effect. Whilst it is not appropriate to generalize our hypothesis for this single locus to all other loci that also contribute to the complex trait of neurocranial skull morphology, our results further reveal the genetic basis of neurocranial variation and highlight the importance of the mechanical influence of brain growth in determining skull morphology.
Evaluation of the long‐term safety and biodegradability of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers (YVOIRE®) for the correction of nasolabial folds: Two multicenter, prospective, observational cohort studies
Authors: Xie Yun , Wu Sufan , Li Shirong , Li Qingfeng , Zhao Hongyi
Published: March 2022

Background

The therapeutic effects of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to correct facial wrinkles and folds usually last up to 6–12 months. Few studies have evaluated their long‐term safety.

Aims

To evaluate the long‐term safety and biodegradability of two hyaluronic acid dermal fillers (YVOIRE® classic s and YVOIRE® volume s) for the correction of nasolabial folds (NLFs) in two prospective, observational studies.

Methods

Subjects scheduled to receive the injections of YVOIRE® classic s (N = 503) or YVOIRE® volume s (N = 503) at NLFs were followed up until complete clinical biodegradation, defined as a change in Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) score of ≥0 from baseline. The primary biodegradation endpoint was the proportion of subjects with complete clinical biodegradation during or after the 104‐week post‐treatment period.

Results

Complete clinical biodegradation was observed in 93.5% [95% CI 91.0%–95.5%] of 494 assessable YVOIRE® classic s recipients and 98.5% [95% CI 97.0%–99.4%] of 469 YVOIRE® volume s recipients during the 104‐week post‐treatment period. In most subjects, complete clinical biodegradation was observed within 52 weeks of the last treatment. Treatment‐related adverse events (AEs) (mostly mild local injection‐site reactions) occurred within 52 weeks post‐treatment, in 68.2% and 75.0% of YVOIRE® classic s and YVOIRE® volume s recipients, respectively. During the 12 to 18 months after YVOIRE® volume s injection, 0.6% of subjects had treatment‐related AEs (local injection‐site reactions). No treatment‐related AEs occurred 12 to 24 months after YVOIRE® classic s injection.

Conclusions

YVOIRE® classic s and YVOIRE® volume s can be safely used to correct NLFs. Total clinical biodegradation tends to occur within 12 months of injection.
Unravelling the consecutive glycosylation and methylation of flavonols in peach in response to UV‐B irradiation
Authors: Xie Linfeng , Guo Yan , Ren Chuanhong , Cao Yunlin , Li Jiajia , Lin Jing , Grierson Donald , Zhao Xiaoyong , Zhang Bo , Sun Chongde , Chen Kunsong , Li Xian
Published: March 2022

Flavonol glycosides are bioactive compounds important for plant defence and human nutrition. Glycosylation and methylation play an important role in enriching the diversity of flavonols in response to the environment. Peach flowers and fruit are rich in flavonol diglycosides such as isorhamnetin 3‐O‐rutinoside (I3Rut), kaempferol 3‐O‐rutinoside and quercetin 3‐O‐rutinoside, and flavonol monoglycosides such as I 3‐O‐glucoside and Q 3‐O‐galactoside. UV‐B irradiation of fruit significantly induced accumulation of all these flavonol glycosides. Candidate biosynthetic genes induced by UV‐B were identified by genome homology searches and the in vitro catalytic activities of purified recombinant proteins determined. PpUGT78T3 and PpUGT78A2 were identified as flavonol 3‐O‐glucosyltransferase and 3‐O‐galactosyltransferase, respectively. PpUGT91AK6 was identified as flavonol 1,6‐rhamnosyl trasferase catalysing the formation of flavonol rutinosides and PpFOMT1 was identified as a flavonol O‐methyltransferase that methylated Q at the 3'‐OH‐OH to form isorhamnetin derivatives. Transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana confirmed the specificity of PpUGT78T3 as a flavonol 3‐O‐glucosyltransferase, PpUGT78A2 as a 3‐O‐galactosyltransferase, PpUGT91AK6 as a 1,6‐rhamnosyltrasferase and PpFOMT1 as an O‐methyltransferase. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of glycosylation and methylation of flavonols, especially the formation of flavonol diglycosides such as I3Rut, and will also be useful for future potential metabolic engineering of complex flavonols.
Losing power safely: Explaining the variation in dictators' responses to anti‐regime protests
Authors: Yukawa Taku , Hidaka Kaoru , Kubota Masanori , Kushima Kaori
Published: March 2022

This study aims to understand a dictator's response to large‐scale anti‐regime protests regarding their safety. While dictators tend to order the repression of such protests, in some cases, they voluntarily cede power without such repression. Earlier studies based on the assumption that leaders always act to maintain power cannot explain this variation. This article presents a novel claim that dictators choose the way in which they lose power. It argues that since dictators who lose power bycoupssuffer a worse fate than those who lose power following protests, they prefer to relinquish power by the latter if they anticipate that repressing dissent will result in acoup. Thus, dictators prefer a safer way of losing power over maintaining their office at all costs. Data on the post‐tenure fate of dictators from 1946 to 2010 and the case of South Korean anti‐regime protests in 1987 support this theory.

Related Articles

Hellmeier, Sebastian. 2016. “The Dictator's Digital Toolkit: Explaining Variation in Internet Filtering in Authoritarian Regimes.”Politics & Policy44(6): 1158–91.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12189

Hiroi, Taeko, and Sawa Omori. 2013. “Causes and Triggers ofCoups d'état: An Event History Analysis.”Politics & Policy41(1): 39–64.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12001

Hunter, Lance Y., Josh Rutland, and Zachary King. 2020. “Leaving the Barracks: MilitaryCoupsin Developing Democracies.”Politics & Policy48(6): 1062–103.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12383
Interpersonal bonds with fellow nationals, blind patriotism and preference for Immigrants' acculturation
Authors: Finell Eerika , Stevenson Clifford
Published: March 2022

Strong interpersonal bonds between group members have been found to either increase intergroup antipathy or improve intergroup attitudes, depending on the intergroup situation. However, the question of whether close ties with fellow group members can contribute positively and negatively to intergroup attitudes at the same time remains unexplored. We explore this question in the context of a national group taking the example of Finns' acculturation attitudes toward immigrants. One adolescent sample (N = 401) and one adult student sample (N = 285) completed surveys assessing these factors. Across both studies, strong interpersonal bonds with fellow nationals showed a negative effect on acculturation attitudes toward immigrants via an increase in blind patriotism. At the same time, interpersonal bonds also had a direct and positive effect on attitudes toward contact with Finns and (among younger respondents only) attitudes toward cultural maintenance. Our results indicate that the strength of interpersonal bonds with fellow nationals has simultaneous and opposing associations with acculturation attitudes via a combination of direct and indirect pathways. Based on these results we argue that groups can be simultaneously both caring and moral communities.
Prior distributions expressing ignorance about convex increasing failure rates
Authors: Gåsemyr Jørund , Hubin Aliaksandr
Published: April 2022

This paper deals with the specification of probability distributions expressing ignorance concerning annual or otherwise discretized failure or mortality rates, when these rates can safely be assumed to be increasing and convex, but are completely unknown otherwise. Such distributions can be used as noninformative priors for Bayesian analysis of failure data. We demonstrate why a uniform distribution used in earlier work is unsatisfactory, especially from the point of view of insensitivity with respect to the time scale that is chosen for the problem at hand. We suggest alternative distributions based on Dirichlet distributed weights for the extreme points of relevant convex sets, and discuss which consequences a requirement for scale neutrality has for the choice of Dirichlet parameters.
Stability of hematologic analytes in New Zealand white rabbits using an impedance‐based analyzer
Authors: Bibay Jan Irving , Margallo Shiela
Published: March 2022

Background

The validity of hematologic data is crucial for correctly diagnosing certain conditions and providing accurate research results. However, delays in blood testing are inevitable.

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether prolonged storage at different temperatures affects CBC measurand stability in rabbit whole blood using the impedance‐based Scil Vet ABC hematology analyzer.

Methods

Hematologic tests were performed on whole blood samples collected from 20 New Zealand white rabbits at <1 hour post‐blood collection as the baseline and at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours post‐blood collection, with aliquots stored at 21 and 4°C. CBC measurand stability was determined by comparing the obtained values at each time point to the baseline value. Statistically significant variations were compared with current quality specifications to determine if a meaningful bias existed.

Results

Hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration remained stable for 72 hours in blood stored at 4°C. No meaningful bias was observed for mean corpuscular volume after 48 and 72 hours of storage at 4°C. Only the white blood cell count was stable for 72 hours at 21°C. The platelet count, hemoglobin concentration, and mean platelet volume were not stable at 6 hours post‐blood collection at either temperature.

Conclusions

The results of this study showed that the hematocrit can be tested for 72 hours in blood stored at 4°C, without a significant change from the baseline value. However, if all hematologic measurands are of interest, the immediate testing of blood samples, namely <1 hour post‐blood collection, remains highly recommended.
Role of spatial ability, motivation and anxiety in learning neuroanatomy
Authors: Newman Hamish , Carr Sandra , Meyer Amanda
Published: March 2022

Introduction: In the last decade, medical student neuroanatomy knowledge has been below an acceptable level. Teaching interventions targeted towards factors relevant to learning neuroanatomy, such as spatial ability or motivation, may be developed to improve knowledge acquisition and long-term retention. This paper seeks to characterise the relationship between spatial ability, motivation and anxiety on learning neuroanatomy. Methods: Students (n = 131) enrolled in a neuroanatomy course (males n = 53; females n = 78; age = 22±6 [mean ± SD] years) completed a mental rotations test (MRT), condensed Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) survey to assess spatial ability, motivation and anxiety, respectively. Spearman correlations were calculated between students’ scores on these tools and examination/unit results. Results: Final unit score and perceived task value were weakly positively correlated (rs = 0.22, p = 0.016, n = 112), whereas final unit score and anxiety were weakly negatively correlated (rs = -0.22, p = 0.04, n = 82). There was a weak positive correlation between spatial ability and spatial MCQ results (rs = 0.232, p = 0.016, n = 108) but no other assessment modality.  Conclusions: Targeting interventions to increase students’ perceptions of the value of learning neuroanatomy and to reduce anxiety will further improve student performance in this subject. Data from this report may guide the development of personalised educational techniques with the aim of improving knowledge acquisition. Future research into devising these interventions and characterising their effect on neuroanatomy learning would be beneficial.
Eco-evolutionary effects of keystone genes
Authors: Nosil Patrik , Gompert Zach
Published: March 2022

The rapid evolution of specific genes within species can drive ecological changes
Methamphetamine Enhances Cryptococcus neoformans Melanization, Antifungal Resistance, and Pathogenesis in a Murine Model of Drug Administration and Systemic Infection
Authors: Erives Victor H. , Munzen Melissa E. , Zamith-Miranda Daniel , Hernandez Hazael , Manepalli Swetha , Nguyen Long N. , Hamed Mohamed F. , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Martinez Luis R.
Published: March 2022

Methamphetamine (METH) is a major public health and safety problem in the United States. Chronic METH abuse is associated with a 2-fold-higher risk of HIV infection and, possibly, additional infections, particularly those that enter through the respiratory tract or skin.
Cryptococcus neoformans
is an encapsulated opportunistic yeast-like fungus that is a relatively frequent cause of meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients, especially in individuals with AIDS.
C. neoformans
melanizes during mammalian infection in a process that presumably uses host-supplied compounds such as catecholamines.
l
-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (
l
-Dopa) is a natural catecholamine that is frequently used to induce melanization in
C. neoformans
.
l
-Dopa-melanized cryptococci manifest resistance to radiation, phagocytosis, detergents, and heavy metals.
Are Unique Regional Factors the Missing Link in India’s COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis Crisis?
Authors: Skaria Jessy , John Teny M. , Varkey Shibu , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P.
Published: March 2022

The exact cause of the disproportionate increase in COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) cases in India remains unknown. Most researchers consider the major cause of India’s CAM epidemic to be the conjunction of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated corticosteroid treatment with the enormous number of Indians with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, excess CAM cases were not seen to the same extent in the Western world, where diabetes is prevalent and corticosteroids are also used extensively for COVID-19 treatment.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Achromobacter
sp. Strain 77, a Hyphosphere Isolate of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
cucumerinum
Authors: Li Ji-Hong , Jing Yu-Ling , Guo Rong-Jun , Ma Gui-Zhen , Li Shi-Dong
Published: March 2022

The genome sequence of
Achromobacter
sp. strain 77, a bacterium isolated from the hyphosphere of
Fusarium oxysporum
f. sp.
cucumerinum
, is reported here. Genome sequencing and assembly yielded one chromosome consisting of 5,868,070 bases, with a G+C content of 65.89%.
Supplemental Material: Plate tectonic–like cycles since the Hadean: Initiated or inherited?
Authors: Mitchell Ross , al. et
Published: March 2022

Methods, supplemental Figures S1–S4 and Tables S1 and S2.
Supplemental Material: Pothole-like depressions in the chamber floor of the Sudbury Igneous Complex, Canada
Authors: Chistyakova S.Yu. , Latypov R.M.
Published: March 2022

Methodology, photomicrographs of major rock units of the Sudbury Igneous Complex, and a data table.
Supplemental Material: Laser-ablation Lu-Hf dating reveals Laurentian garnet in subducted rocks from southern Australia
Authors: Brown Dillon , al. et
Published: March 2022

Detailed petrographical descriptions of investigated samples, the methods used in this study, and supplemental figures and tables.
Supplemental Material: Plagioclase archives of depleted melts in the oceanic crust
Authors: Neave David A. , Namur Olivier
Published: March 2022

Details of experimental, analytical, and regression methods, as well as full lists of data sources and new experimental data.
Supplemental Material: Cretaceous to Oligocene magmatic and tectonic evolution of the western Alaska Range: Insights from U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology
Authors: III J.V. Jones , et al.
Published: March 2022

Complete descriptions of all U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar analytical methods together with detailed analytical data for all samples.
Supplemental Material: Quantifying the growth of continental crust through crustal thickness and zircon Hf-O isotopic signatures: A case study from the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt
Authors: Wang Yujian , al. et
Published: March 2022

Data sources, lithology and geochemical characteristics, and calculation parameterization of the net volume of juvenile continental crust.
Supplemental Material: Late Paleozoic to Mesozoic tectonic transition in northeastern Eurasia: Constraints from two island arc magmatic belts in eastern NE China
Authors: Li Gong-Yu , Zhou Jian-Bo , et al.
Published: March 2022

Detailed analytical methods. Table S1: Major, REE and trace element analyses for the selected samples from the study area. Table S2: U–Pb isotopic data for zircons from selected samples in the study area.
Supplemental Material: Provenance and metamorphic records of forearc sediments from the Heilongjiang Complex, NE China: Implications for subduction erosion associated with the Mudanjiang Ocean
Authors: Jing Jiahao , Yang Hao , et al.
Published: March 2022

Supplemental Text: Analytical methods. Supplemental Figure S1: Representative cathodoluminescence images of detrital zircons from the meta-sedimentary rocks of the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Figure S2 (a), (c), (e), (g): Th/U versus U-Pb age diagram for detrital zircons from meta-sedimentary rocks of the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. (b), (d), (f), (h): Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the detrital zircons from meta-sedimentary rocks of the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Figure S3: eHf(t) versus U-Pb age diagram for the meta-sedimentary rocks of the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Shadow data are cited from Wang et al. (2016) and Long et al. (2019, 2020). Supplemental Figure S4: Color figure of Figure 1. Supplemental Figure S5: Color figure of Figure 3. Supplemental Table S1: Fabric and mineral contents of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Table S2: LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb data of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Table S3: Zircon Hf isotopic compositions of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Luobei Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Table S4: Representative electron microprobe analyses of minerals in sample 18LB24. Supplemental Table S5: Calculations of P-T conditions for the muscovite-quartz schist from the Luobei area. Supplemental Table S6: The summarized LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb data of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the whole Heilongjiang Complex. Supplemental Table S7.1: LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb data of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Eastern Songnen Block; S7.2: The reported ages of the igneous rocks in the Eastern Songnen Block; S7.3: The reported ages of the igneous rocks in the Jiamusi Block. Supplemental Table S8: The data drawn in Figure 9. Supplemental Table S9: Zircon U-Pb and phengite 40Ar/39Ar metamorphic ages of the felsic schists from the Heilongjiang Complex.
Supplemental Material: Locating Lhasa terrane in the Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinents: A key piece of the reconstruction puzzle
Authors: Zhang Xiu-Zheng , al. et
Published: March 2022

Figure S1: Chondrite normalized REE patterns of zircon cores and metamorphic overgrowths from Precambrian metamorphic basic rocks (Q1401 and Q1402). Figure S2: Zr vs. selected element variation diagrams highlighting the effects of metamorphic alteration. Figure S3: Summary of chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns and primitive mantle normalized multi-element plots of Late Neoproterozoic rocks from Lhasa terrane(previous studies). Figure S4: P–T path for Precambrian metamorphic basic rocks (Q1401 and Q1402) from the Yongzhu area, North Lhasa. Table S1: Representative analyses of minerals of basic rocks(Q1401 and Q1402). Table S2: LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb isotopic data. Table S3: SIMS Zircon U-Pb isotopic data. Table S4: In-situ LA-ICP-MS trace element (ppm) results for the zircon. Table S5: Zircon O-Hf isotopic data. Table S6: Whole-rock geochemical data. Table S7: Whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopic data.
Supplemental Material: U-Pb dating of oil charge in superimposed basins: A case study from the Tarim Basin, NW China
Authors: Chen Jiaxu , Guo Xiaowen , et al.
Published: March 2022

Rare earth element, fluid inclusion, and U-Pb LA-ICPMS data.
Supplemental Material: Contrasting mechanisms and timescales of subduction and exhumation as recorded by Paleoproterozoic and late Paleozoic high-pressure granulites in the North China Craton
Authors: Li Shan-Shan , al. et
Published: March 2022

Figure S1: Compositional diagrams in the HPGs. Classification diagram (A) and (B) for amphibole, (C) for clinopyroxene. Figure S2: Zircon chondrite-normalized REE diagrams. (A) and (B) for the Paleoproterozoic HPGs, (C) and (D) for the meta-rondhjemite samples. Figure S3: Zircon chondrite-normalized REE diagrams for the Late Paleozoic HPGs. Figure S4: Monazite chondrite-normalized REE diagrams for the meta-trondhjemite samples. Table S1: Representative mineral compositions for all studied samples. Table S2: Bulk-rock compositions derived from X-ray fluorescence analysis. Table S3: Bulk-rock compositions utilized in petrological modelling (molar percentages of oxides). Table S4: LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb data. Table S5: LA-ICP-MS monazite U-Pb data. Table S6: LA-ICP-MS zircon and monazite trace element data. Table S7: Compilation exhumation velocity data of oceanic crustal rock from Chicheng, TNCO, CAOB, East Antarctica, and the Himalaya.
Supplemental Material: Contrasting mechanisms and timescales of subduction and exhumation as recorded by Paleoproterozoic and late Paleozoic high-pressure granulites in the North China Craton
Authors: Li Shan-Shan , et al.
Published: March 2022

Figure S1: Compositional diagrams in the HPGs. Classification diagram (A) and (B) for amphibole, (C) for clinopyroxene. Figure S2: Zircon chondrite-normalized REE diagrams. (A) and (B) for the Paleoproterozoic HPGs, (C) and (D) for the meta-rondhjemite samples. Figure S3: Zircon chondrite-normalized REE diagrams for the Late Paleozoic HPGs. Figure S4: Monazite chondrite-normalized REE diagrams for the meta-trondhjemite samples. Table S1: Representative mineral compositions for all studied samples. Table S2: Bulk-rock compositions derived from X-ray fluorescence analysis. Table S3: Bulk-rock compositions utilized in petrological modelling (molar percentages of oxides). Table S4: LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb data. Table S5: LA-ICP-MS monazite U-Pb data. Table S6: LA-ICP-MS zircon and monazite trace element data. Table S7: Compilation exhumation velocity data of oceanic crustal rock from Chicheng, TNCO, CAOB, East Antarctica, and the Himalaya.
Supplemental Material: Ediacaran magmatism and rifting along the northern margin of the Tarim craton: Implications for the late Neoproterozoic Rodinia configuration and breakup
Authors: Wu Hong-Xiang , Zhang Feng-Qi , et al.
Published: March 2022

Table S1: Detail analytical methods. Table S2: Analytical results of major- and trace-element compositions of the Lower Ediacaran Sugetbrak basalts in the northwest Tarim craton. Table S3: Analytical results of Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotope compositions of the Lower Ediacaran Sugetbrak basalts in the northwest Tarim craton. Table S4: Laser-ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb data for detrital zircons in the Sugetbrak Formation sandstones. Table S5: Compilation of zircon U-Pb dating data for the magmatic rocks from the Central Tianshan terrane. Figure S1: Cathodoluminescence (CL) images of representative zircons with analyzed spots and preferred ages (in Ma). Figure S2: Detrital zircon Th/U ratio vs. age plot for two sandstone samples in this study.
Theoretical Study of the Electronic and Transport Properties of Lateral 2D–1D–2D Graphene–CNT–Graphene Structures
Authors: Valeev B. Yu. , Toksumakov A. N. , Kvashnin D. G. , Chernozatonskii L. A.
Published: March 2022

The electronic and transport properties of new hybrid 2D–1D–2D structures of carbon atoms, which are graphene sheets continuously connected through a fragment of a single-layer carbon nanotube, frequently observed experimentally, are theoretically studied. The evolution of the electronic properties of such systems with “zigzag” carbon nanotubes of various diameters with chirality indices (14, 0), (15, 0), (16, 0), and (18, 0) is studied using the tight coupling method within electron density functional theory. The calculation of the transmission coefficient demonstrates a strong nonlinearity in the behavior of the transport properties of these structures near the Fermi energy as a function of the diameter of carbon nanotubes, which explains discrepancies in the previously obtained experimental data.
NDP-related retinopathies: clinical phenotype of female carriers
Authors: Huang Li , Sun Limei , Li Xiaoyu , Li Songshan , Zhang Ting , Zhang Zhaotian , Ding Xiaoyan
Published: March 2022

Background/aims

Norrin cysteine knot growth factor (NDP) located on the X chromosome, was previously reported to cause Norrie disease and familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), which are blindness-causing ocular disorders, in males. In this study, we aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of female carriers withNDPmutations.

Methods

Twelve female carriers from 11 unrelated families with pathogenicNDPmutations were recruited. Clinical data were collected from theNDPcarriers. Comprehensive ocular examinations, including best corrected visual acuity, slit lamp examination, fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were evaluated. Targeted gene or whole exome sequencing was performed in the probands, and Sanger sequencing was performed to confirmNDPmutations in female carriers.

Results

Of the 12 females, 1 (1/12, 8.3%) presented with decreased visual acuity and 11 (11/12, 91.7%) were asymptomatic. Based on the FFA, peripheral vascular changes were noted in 66.7% (16/24) of the eyes of 75.0% (9/12) of the carriers. A total of 33.3% (8/24) had typical FEVR phenotype, 33.3% (8/24) had mild vascular abnormalities and 33.3% (8/24) was unremarkable. In addition, predominant changes such as telangiectatic endings (66.7%), anomalous circumferential vessel (37.5%), supernumerary vascular branching (33.3%), fluorescein leakage (29.2%), avascular area (8.3%), retina fold (8.3%) and peripheral straightening of retinal vessels (33.3%) were noted.

Conclusion

AlthoughNDP-related retinopathy is an X-linked recessive disorder, most of the female carriers ofNDPexhibited clinical features of FEVR. Thus, timely examinations and lifelong monitoring should be conducted in theNDPfemale carriers.
Evaluation of the Nallasamy formula: a stacking ensemble machine learning method for refraction prediction in cataract surgery
Authors: Li Tingyang , Stein Joshua , Nallasamy Nambi
Published: April 2022

Aims

To develop a new intraocular lens power selection method with improved accuracy for general cataract patients receiving Alcon SN60WF lenses.

Methods and analysis

A total of 5016 patients (6893 eyes) who underwent cataract surgery at University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center and received the Alcon SN60WF lens were included in the study. A machine learning-based method was developed using a training dataset of 4013 patients (5890 eyes), and evaluated on a testing dataset of 1003 patients (1003 eyes). The performance of our method was compared with that of Barrett Universal II, Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO), Haigis, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, PearlDGS and SRK/T.

Results

Mean absolute error (MAE) of the Nallasamy formula in the testing dataset was 0.312 Dioptres and the median absolute error (MedAE) was 0.242 D. Performance of existing methods were as follows: Barrett Universal II MAE=0.328 D, MedAE=0.256 D; EVO MAE=0.322 D, MedAE=0.251 D; Haigis MAE=0.363 D, MedAE=0.289 D; Hoffer Q MAE=0.404 D, MedAE=0.331 D; Holladay 1 MAE=0.371 D, MedAE=0.298 D; PearlDGS MAE=0.329 D, MedAE=0.258 D; SRK/T MAE=0.376 D, MedAE=0.300 D. The Nallasamy formula performed significantly better than seven existing methods based on the paired Wilcoxon test with Bonferroni correction (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The Nallasamy formula (available athttps://lenscalc.com/) outperformed the seven other formulas studied on overall MAE, MedAE, and percentage of eyes within 0.5 D of prediction. Clinical significance may be primarily at the population level.
Development and validation of the 40-item Glaucoma Visual Functioning Questionnaire
Authors: Huang Haishun , Lin Junxiong , Luo Man , Li Zhidong , Zhu Yingting , Han Jiaxu , Jin Ling , Li Yiqing , Zhuo Yehong
Published: April 2022

Aims

To evaluate the psychometric properties of a newly designed questionnaire, the 40-item Glaucoma Visual Functioning Questionnaire (GVFQ-40), in a Chinese sample to capture the visual ability of patients with glaucomatous vision impairment in five domains.

Methods

Eighty-four glaucoma suspects (controls) and 270 glaucoma patients were recruited from the Glaucoma Clinic at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre in this cross-sectional, observational study. All subjects completed two questionnaires during routine clinical visits: the GVFQ-40 and the validated National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25). The discriminant, criterion-related and construct validity of the GVFQ-40 were assessed. A subset of subjects completed the GVFQ-40 twice, with an interval of 7–21 days, to determine test–retest reliability.

Results

Domain-specific and total GVFQ-40 scores were significantly higher (worse visual ability) in glaucoma patients than in controls (all p<0.001). All pairwise subgroup comparisons were statistically significant except for the ‘mobility’ domain comparison between the mild visual field loss and control groups (p=0.189). Significant differences between these two groups were observed in only 2 of the 12 dimensions on the NEI VFQ-25. The GVFQ-40 results demonstrated strong correlations with better-eye mean deviation and Visual Field Index (glaucoma severity measures). Exploratory factor analysis tended to confirm a three-domain structure. Test–retest intraclass correlation coefficients were higher than 0.927 for domain-specific and total GVFQ-40 scores.

Conclusions

The GVFQ-40 possesses good validity and reliability. It can be used to evaluate the impact of glaucomatous damage on visual ability and has potential in the evaluation of intervention efficacy.

Trial registration number

NCT04722861.
Combating antimicrobial resistance: an evidence-based overview of bacteriophage therapy
Authors: Au Tsz Yuen , Assavarittirong Chanika
Published: April 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) problems cause an enormous challenge to our world in medicine and in agriculture and many other fields. The current situation makes bacteriophage therapy an attractive therapeutic candidate. Nevertheless, very limited clinical trials on bacteriophage therapy were performed and completed as of presence. Bacteriophage therapy alludes to infecting bacteria with a virus, this often results in a bactericidal effect. The compiled studies support the feasibility of treating AMR with bacteriophage. However, the efficacy of specific bacteriophage strains and the accurate dosage have to be further studied and tested rigorously.
Catheter-guided multilevel epidural blood patches in an adolescent boy
Authors: Walfish Laurel , Alobaikan Sultan , Lahijanian Zubin , Saint-Martin Christine , Cortes Nino Maria delPilar , Ingelmo Pablo Mauricio
Published: March 2022

Background

There is increasing evidence for the use of multilevel epidural catheter-guided blood patches to treat spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks in adults. Yet, there are scarce data for their use in children. Furthermore, higher level epidural blood patches are uncommon in both adult and pediatric populations.

Case presentation

An adolescent boy with multilevel cerebrospinal fluid leaks associated with status migrainosus failed conservative pain management treatment. As he remained severely symptomatic, epidural blood patches were required to mitigate his symptoms. Given his multilevel leaks, a catheter-guided blood patch approach was used to treat multiple cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar leaks. After three separate uneventful blood patch procedures, the patient was free of symptoms. Other than some rebound intracranial hypertension, the patient maintained full neurological capacity without further complications. Following the resolution of treatment, he has not sought help for pain since his last blood patch over a year ago.

Conclusions

Multilevel catheter-guided blood patches have the potential to be administered to higher level spinal regions to the pediatric population suffering from multiple spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
Wilsoniana sp. associated with white blister rust of Amaranthus palmeri in Mexico
Authors: Félix-Gastélum Rubén , Mora-Romero Guadalupe Arlene , Valdez-Leyva Ana , Espinosa-Matías Silvia , Lara-Martínez Reyna , Leyva-Mapo Héctor , Leyva-Madrigal Karla Yeriana
Published: March 2022

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses were conducted with two white blister rust specimens from Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson collected in Sinaloa, Mexico. Secondary sporangia were similar to those of Wilsoniana bliti (Biv.) Thines and Wilsoniana amaranthi Y.J. Choi, Thines & H.D. Shin. The coarsely reticulate epispore of the oospores corresponded to W. amaranthi, although they were smaller than those reported in the same species on Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Tell. The diameter of the oospores was similar to that in W. bliti from Amaranthus blitum L., whereas the pattern of ornamentation did not correspond to this species. The phylogenetic analysis confirms that both specimens belong to Wilsoniana but do not correspond to any accepted species within the genus, and they have therefore been designated as Wilsoniana sp. Future research should focus on the description and taxonomic position of species in the genus Wilsoniana.
A DIGITAL SERVICES APPROACH TO PPP: THE NETFLIX INDEX
Authors: AMBROS MAXIMILIAN
Published: March 2022

The famous Big Mac Index (BMI) is a popular example of global price differences for a non-tradable good. We analyze the prices of digital goods worldwide to check whether the Law of One Price (LOP) holds. We construct a Netflix Index, i.e., a price comparison of entertainment subscriptions. This Netflix Index compares the affordability of digital goods around the world. While the deviations between countries are smaller than for the BMI in most countries, there are still substantial price variations across countries. There is an empirical evidence that the LOP does not hold for digital goods.
A study on the sol-enhanced electrodeposition of Ni–P–TiO2 nanocomposite coatings
Authors: He Zhen , Chen Luyuan , Cui Haitao , Song Yunfei , Zhang Weihui
Published: March 2022

Ni–P–TiO2 composite coatings were deposited on brass substrates using a sol-enhanced electrodeposition method. The cyclic voltammetry tests were used to study the effect of TiO2 sol on Ni–P deposition. The surface morphologies of Ni–P–TiO2 deposits were observed, and their elemental analysis was also conducted. The systematic tests were performed to characterize the mechanical and corrosion behavior of as-prepared coatings. The voltammetric studies showed that the addition of TiO2 sol at 12.5 mL/L slightly promoted the Ni–P electrodeposition, while the excessive addition at 50 mL/L reduced it. The results showed that the in-situ generated TiO2 nanoparticles ( ∼15 nm diameter) could be highly dispersed in the electrolytic bath. The addition of TiO2 sol at 12.5 mL/L slightly promoted the Ni–P electrodeposition, while the excessive addition at 50 mL/L caused the opposite.
Solving the Liouville equation to probe relaxation in strongly nonlinear systems
Authors: Barrett Tyler J , Sen Surajit
Published: March 2022

An established formal way to solve the Liouville equation for dynamical systems with hermitian Hamiltonians is to frame the problem via parametrization in a canonical ensemble. The goal is to solve for the dynamics in the canonical ensemble. This approach allows one to examine temperature-dependent relaxation functions as a part of the construction of the full solution to the Liouville equation. Of course, a full solution to the Liouville equation may not always be necessary as it is the relaxation function which often tends to be of interest. The formalism involves evaluation of infinite continued fractions and this can at times be an especially challenging problem. Here we explore the relaxation function in near-equilibrium systems in the presence of strong nonlinearity. Due to computational challenges, we consider small systems. However, even our small system considerations may be adequate to infer about the relaxation in large systems. We show that the nonlinear systems tend to lead to nonconvergent infinite continued fractions. These continued fractions cannot be approximated perturbatively. We close by presenting a new strategy to evaluate them, thereby demonstrating a successful way to examine relaxation processes in strongly nonlinear systems.
Effects of dendritic properties on spike train correlations in biophysically-based model neurons
Authors: Liu Shan , Wang Jiang , Fan Yaqin , Yi Guosheng
Published: March 2022

A large number of studies have shown that the correlation of spike trains in paired neurons is a key indicator of functional connectivity. Acting as the important components of neurons, dendrites affect the generation of spike train and the transmission of signals by changing the transfer function of neurons. However, it is not clear how the intrinsic properties of dendrites influence the degree of correlation of neuronal spike trains. This paper used a biophysically-based two-compartment model to simulate the firing output of neurons that receive correlated input currents, quantify the relationship between the active and passive properties of dendrites and the pairwise spike train correlations. We found that increasing the proportion of dendritic area or the coupling conductance between two compartments increases the output correlation. It is also shown that decreasing the intracellular calcium concentration and the conductance of calcium activated outward potassium channel or increasing the conductance of sodium and potassium channel in dendritic compartment increases the output correlation. This results from the increase of the number of dendritic spikes due to changing dendritic intrinsic properties, which causes more internal current flowing into the soma from dendrites, thereby leading to an increase of somatic firing rate. Our results reveal the influence of the intrinsic characteristics of dendrites on firing output of individual neuron, which further influences the correlation between the spike trains of a pairs or population of neurons. This study is of great significance for understanding how neuronal intrinsic properties affect neural network coding.
Prediction Method of Human Group Emotion Perception Tendency Based on a Machine Learning Model
Authors: Wang Yang , Li Shaobin , Li Shuchun , Zhu Fan
Published: March 2022

Humans with the same attribute tend to assume similar emotional and cognitive tendencies. In this study, a machine learning model was constructed to calculate the sample emotion categories’ membership matrices of human groups towards a group of aria samples, thus making a prediction of the human groups’ emotion perception tendencies. Subjects’ binary attributes in terms of gender, family environment and professional background were collected. The subjects were invited to perform an emotion identification of aria segments to build a multi-classification standard dataset of differences in subjects’ emotion identification. A dual-channel neural network model was proposed, and three neural networks based on it were adopted to predict the emotion perception tendencies of the categorical groups with three attributes. Subjects were clustered according to the predicted values of the emotion perception tendencies towards the sample test group, followed by a comparison of the clustering results with the actual attribute group classifications. As suggested by the experimental results, the neural network accurately predicted the classification groups’ emotion perception tendencies with the three attributes of the subjects. The cluster experiment results of subjects, based on the predicted values of the neural networks’ output, had better performance only under the professional background attribute.
A Differential Game Analysis of the Firms’ Process Innovation with Technological Spillover Under Different Market Structures in a Duopoly Market
Authors: Li Shoude
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we formulated a dynamic game model of the firms’ process innovation with technological spillover under different market structures (market competition intensity) in a duopoly market, in which the firms are concerned about relative profits as well as their own profits and investigated the relationship between the degree of competitiveness faced by the firms and their R&D expenditure. Our results showed that, under certain conditions, the system always admits saddle point steady-state equilibrium under independent ventures and R&D cartel games, respectively, and although the process innovation investment under R&D cartel is higher than that under the independent ventures, whether the marginal production cost under R&D cartel is less (higher) than that under the independent ventures depends on the degree of technological R&D spillover and the market competition intensity. Furthermore, the marginal production cost under independent ventures is not monotonically decreasing with spillover for the given region of market competition intensity; while the marginal production cost under R&D cartel game always monotonically decreases with spillover for any market competition intensity.
FRACTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF LITHIUM DISILICATE CERAMICS AND MONOLITHIC ZIRCONIA CERAMICS
Authors: ZHOU SHANYU , YOU YUEHUA , HU CHEN , SUN TING , SHAO LONGQUAN
Published: March 2022

Objective: To compare the fracture mode of lithium disilicate ceramics and zirconia ceramics through a single-load-to-failure test, and reveal the cause of failure through the fractographic analysis of fracture morphology. Methods: Based on the standardized preparations, 10 IPS e.max disilicate ceramic crowns (IPCs) and 10 monolithic zirconia ceramic crowns (MZCs) were designed and fabricated. All the specimens were placed on a universal material testing machine for a single-load-to-failure test. The fracture load was recorded, and two independent sample [Formula: see text]-tests were performed. Additionally, the type of fracture under a stereo-microscope was observed, and the morphological characteristics of the fracture with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were investigated. Results: The fracture load of the IPC group was [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]N, and that of the MZC group was [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]N, with a statistically significant difference ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). The fracture types of the IPC group and the MZC group were similar, namely, types II and III. The fracture modes of the two groups were all ceramic layer fracture. Through SEM, the origin of the crack on the occlusal surface could be traced back. The crystal fracture of IPC group had a rock sugar-like pattern, and the crystal distribution of MZC group was uniform. Conclusions: Zirconia ceramics have higher fracture load and a denser crystal structure compared to lithium disilicate. Fractographic analysis method could be a better way to analyze the failure mode of single-layer porcelain materials and reveal the origin of fracture.
THE OPTIMIZATION OF DRILLER PARAMETERS FOR ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY APPLICATIONS USING MULTIOBJECTIVE GRAY RELATIONAL ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE SURFACE METHOD
Authors: GÖK ARIF , GÖK KADIR , ALKAN MEHMET ALI
Published: March 2022

In bone-drilling operations, undesirable temperature rises are experienced due to high-contact friction. These increases in temperature can damage bone and soft tissues from time to time. When the temperature exceeds 47∘C, osteonecrosis occurs. This article presents a new method for both the selection of optimum drilling parameters and the mathematical temperature model ([Formula: see text]∘C). In this study, the optimum parameter values for bone-drilling operations were found using gray relational analysis, and a mathematical model was created based on the temperature parameters using the response surface method. The accuracy of the developed analytical model has been proven by ANOVA. As a result, it has been revealed that the value of spindle speed is the most effective factor in bone-drilling operations and that the developed analytical model and experimental measurements are in harmony.
A short note on the Pell-Lucas–Eisenstein series
Authors: Uysal Mine , Inam Ilker , Özkan Engin
Published: March 2022

In this work, we define a new type of Eisenstein-like series by using Pell-Lucas numbers and call them the Pell-Lucas–Eisenstein Series. First, we show that the Pell-Lucas–Eisenstein series are convergent on their domain. Afterwards we prove that they satisfy some certain functional equations. Proofs follows from some on calculations on Pell-Lucas numbers.