bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A robust gene expression signature for NASH in liver expression data
Authors: Hasin-Brumshtein Yehudit , Sakaram Suraj , Khatri Purvesh , He Yudong D. , Sweeney Timothy E.
Published: February 2022

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a progressive liver disease that affects up to 30% of worldwide population, of which up to 25% progress to Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis (NASH), a severe form of the disease that involves inflammation and predisposes the patient to liver cirrhosis. Despite its epidemic proportions, there is no reliable diagnostics that generalizes to global patient population for distinguishing NASH from NAFLD. We performed a comprehensive multicohort analysis of publicly available transcriptome data of liver biopsies from Healthy Controls (HC), NAFLD and NASH patients. Altogether we analyzed 812 samples from 12 different datasets across 7 countries, encompassing real world patient heterogeneity. We used 7 datasets for discovery and 5 datasets were held-out for independent validation. Altogether we identified 130 genes significantly differentially expressed in NASH versus a mixed group of NAFLD and HC. We show that our signature is not driven by one particular group (NAFLD or HC) and reflects true biological signal. Using a forward search we were able to downselect to a parsimonious set of 19 mRNA signature with mean AUROC of 0.98 in discovery and 0.79 in independent validation. Methods for consistent diagnosis of NASH relative to NAFLD are urgently needed. We showed that gene expression data combined with advanced statistical methodology holds the potential to serve basis for development of such diagnostic tests for the unmet clinical need.
Towards a software architecture to manage occupational safety at grain handling and storage facilities
Authors: Bellochio Sabrina Dalla Corte , Coradi Paulo Carteri , Maran Vinícius , dos Santos Marcos Alves , Silveira Luan Willig , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo
Published: February 2022

The study had as objective to evaluate occupational hazards on grain storage unit to define a conceptual model, implemented in an algorithm to manage the grains storage facilities safety standards compliance. Sampling points location were defined for static quantification of noise, dust and heat stress hazards in grains pre-processing operations to indicate the effectiveness of the control measures implemented. Safety standards applied to grain handling and storage facilities were identified and selected. Chart flows were elaborated to the algorithm logics and conceptual modeling. The highest level of noise was present in the grain cleaning operation (99.1 dB), while the expedition operation has the highest level of dust (20.27%). The heat stress was present in the grain drying operation (43.64 WBGT). Noise analysis did not show a difference between grains, only between operations. The flow of corn grain mass caused higher dust concentrations in the expedition operation. The method applied to characterize and quantify the hazards in grain storage units was satisfactory, and it is recommended as standard, for use in corn and soybean grains handling and storage units. The algorithm to manage occupational safety at storage facilities collaborates to monitor the safety compliance on postharvest operations.
Adaptive blind equalization for multi‐level QAM signals in impulsive noise environment
Authors: Zhang Yijiao , Tian Shulin , Pan Huiqing , Zhang Qinchuan , Qiu Duyu , Zhou Yi
Published: February 2022

A maximum correntropy criterion‐blind clustering multi‐modulus algorithm (MCC‐BCMMA) is proposed to equalize multi‐level quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) channels in impulsive noise environment. The novel cost function is based on the maximum correntropy criterion (MCC), theoretical analysis shows that this criterion is useful when the noise is impulsive. Moreover, this cost function is decomposed into in‐phase term and orthogonal term to eliminate the phase ambiguity, treats high‐order QAM signal to classical QAM4 signal to reduce the error, and calculates the weight coefficients by a simple way. Simulation results show that the newly proposed algorithm MCC‐BCMMA can be used to equalize multi‐level QAM signals in both Gaussian and impulsive noise environments, and it shows better equalization performance under impulsive noise. The relationship between the kernel size of MCC, the convergence speed and accuracy is also analysed.
Analysis and testing of a superconducting maglev submersible cryogenic liquid pump
Authors: Ai Liwang , Zhang Guomin , Xu Xiaozhuo , Feng Haichao , Cao Wenping
Published: February 2022

This paper studies a superconducting maglev submersible cryogenic liquid pump (CLP) using superconducting magnetic bearing (SMB). A new structure is proposed for the self‐stability of high‐temperature superconducting magnetic levitation, and the compact structure of disk motor‐pump. The rotor of the axial‐flux disk motor is connected with a centrifugal impeller to form an impeller‐rotor of the proposed superconducting CLP. Supported by a SMB system, the impeller‐rotor rotates frictionlessly with self‐stabilisation as a suspension rotor. The SMB system includes a radial‐type SMB, an auxiliary permanent magnet bearing, and an electromagnetic bearing composed of the stator and the rotor of disk motor. Theoretical calculations and experimental measurements are performed to examine the axial and radial levitation force behaviours of the SMB system. Then, a kinetic model of the suspension rotor is established and analysed to assure force balance and stable levitation. Finally, a prototype pump is fabricated and an experimental setup for liquid nitrogen transmission is constructed for validation purposes. The experimental tests on the pump head and the flow rate are carried out, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed superconducting maglev submersible CLP.
Methods of image recognition of overhead power line insulators and ice types based on deep weakly‐supervised and transfer learning
Authors: Hao Yanpeng , Liang Wei , Yang Lin , He Jinqiang , Wu Jianrong
Published: February 2022

Insulator icing endangers the safe operation of overhead power lines. The current measures for image monitoring of icing overhead power lines rely on manual observation. There is an urgent need for image intelligent analysis methods with strong generalisation, accuracy, and efficiency to improve power grid decision‐making. Based on the icing monitoring data from China Southern Power Grid, this paper first proposes rules for insulator image data cleaning, classification, and annotation, establishing a dataset of insulator icing monitoring images during 2014–2018. Then, based on Yolo (You only look once) v5, a weakly supervised and phased transfer learning method is proposed to recognise insulators and ice types such as snow, rime, mixed rime, glaze, and the normal. This method reduces the interference of icing background, uneven illumination, and camera occlusion through multidimensional feature fusion. The precision, recall, and mean average precision of the recognition can reach 86.6%, 91.3%, and 90.1%, respectively, and the recognition speed is as fast as 8 ms/image. Using image pseudo‐labelling based on weakly supervised learning enables the intellectualisation of image annotation, which significantly changes the inefficiency of manual labelling.
Feature‐based no‐reference video quality assessment using Extra Trees
Authors: Otroshi‐Shahreza Hatef , Amini Arash , Behroozi Hamid
Published: February 2022

With the emergence of social networks and improvements in the internet speed, the video data has become an ever‐increasing portion of the global internet traffic. Besides the content, the quality of a video sequence is an important issue at the user end which is often affected by various factors such as compression. Therefore, monitoring the quality is crucial for the video content and service providers. A simple monitoring approach is to compare the raw video content (uncompressed) with the received data at the receiver. In most practical scenarios, however, the reference video sequence is not available. Consequently, it is desirable to have a general reference‐less method for assessing the perceived quality of any given video sequence. In this paper, a no‐reference video quality assessment technique based on video features is proposed. In particular, a long list of video features (21 sets of features, each consisting of 1 to 216 features) is considered and all possible combinations () for training an Extra Trees regressor is examined. This choice of the regressor is wisely selected and is observed to perform better than other common regressors. The results reveal that the top 20 performing feature subsets all outperform the existing feature‐based assessment methods in terms of the Pearson linear correlation coefficient (PLCC) or the Spearman rank order correlation coefficient (SROCC). Specially, the best performing regressor achieves on the test data over the KonVid‐1k dataset. It is believed that the results of the comprehensive comparison could be potentially useful for other feature‐based video‐related problems. The source codes of the implementations are publicly available.
Comparison of hydrostatic and lensing cluster mass estimates: A pilot study in MACS J0647.7+7015
Authors: Ferragamo A. , Macías-Pérez J. F. , Pelgrims V. , Ruppin F. , De Petris M. , Mayet F. , Muñoz-Echeverría M. , Perotto L. , Pointecouteau E.
Published: February 2022

The detailed characterization of scaling laws relating the observables of a cluster of galaxies to their mass is crucial for obtaining accurate cosmological constraints with clusters. In this paper, we present a comparison between the hydrostatic and lensing mass profiles of the cluster MACS J0647.7+7015 at z = 0.59. The hydrostatic mass profile is obtained from the combination of high resolution NIKA2 thermal Sunyaev-Zel’dovich and XMM-Newton X-ray observations of the cluster. The lensing mass profile, on the other hand, is obtained from an analysis of the CLASH lensing data based on the lensing convergence map. We find significant variation in the cluster mass estimate depending on the observable, the modeling of the data, and the knowledge of the cluster’s dynamical state. This might lead to significant systematic effects on cluster cosmological analyses for which only a single observable is generally used. From this pilot study, we conclude that the combination of high resolution Sunyaev-Zel’dovich, X-ray, and lensing data could allow us to identify and correct for these systematic effects. This would constitute a very interesting extension of the NIKA2 SZ Large Program.
Effects of austempering time on the microstructure and properties of austempered ductile iron
Authors: Shi Zhiwen , Dong Mengjie , Sun Yufu , Ma Jiangtao , Du Xueshan , Zhao Jingyu
Published: February 2022

The effects of austempering time on the structure and properties of high-strength austempered ductile iron were studied by using optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the matrix structure of austempered ductile iron (ADI) consists of acicular ferrite and retained austenite. With the increase of austempering time, the content of acicular ferrite increases and the content of retained austenite first increases and then decreases, which results in tensile strength, elongation and impact toughness increase whereas hardness and wear resistance decreases. The fracture characteristics of the ADI specimens change from brittle fracture to ductile fracture with the increase of austempering time. ADI has excellent comprehensive mechanical properties after austenitizing at 900 °C for 90 min and then austempering at 250 °C for 120 min.
Nutzen und Risiken von
Corona-Selbsttests aus
Verbrauchersicht
Authors: Gandjour Afschin
Published: February 2022

Wie hoch ist der gesundheitliche Nutzen von
Corona-Selbsttests aus Verbrauchersicht? Selbsttests sollen helfen,
Kontaktpersonen vor einer Infektion zu schützen. In folgender Analyse
sei der Nutzen für Kontaktpersonen mit durchschnittlichem
Ansteckungsrisiko für die Delta-Variante und durchschnittlichem
COVID-19-Krankheitsverlauf quantifiziert. Die Analyse berücksichtigt die
Impfquote und verwendet Daten vom September/Oktober 2021. Als Endpunkte
der Selbsttestung werden vermiedene SARS-CoV-2-Infektionen, falsche positive und
negative Selbsttests sowie ein kombinierter Endpunkt aus Todesfällen,
intensivmedizinischen Aufnahmen und Long-COVID-Syndromen angesetzt. Im Base Case
wird von einer 7-Tage-Inzidenz von 100 Fällen pro 100.000 Einwohner
ausgegangen. Die Reproduktionszahl (R-Wert), d. h. die Zahl der Personen, die
ein COVID-19-Infizierter ansteckt, betrage 0,9. Testsensitivität und
-spezifität werden mit 81% bzw. 98% angesetzt und
erfüllen damit die Kriterien für zugelassene Selbsttests des
Paul-Ehrlich-Instituts.
Antibiotic Optimization in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Lizza Bryan D. , Raush Nick , Micek Scott T.
Published: February 2022

Effective antimicrobial therapy remains paramount to successful treatment of patients with critical illness, such as pneumonia and sepsis. Unfortunately, critically ill patients often exhibit altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) that make this endeavor challenging. Particularly in sepsis, alterations in volume of distribution (Vd) and protein binding lead to unpredictable effects on serum levels of various antimicrobials. Additionally, metabolic pathways and excretion may be significantly impacted due to end-organ failure. These dynamic factors may increase the likelihood of deleterious effects such as treatment failure or toxicity. Meeting these challenging scenarios has led to various strategies meant to improve clinical cure without untoward consequences. Vancomycin and β-lactam antimicrobials are frequently utilized and have been the focus of dose optimization strategies including extended infusion (EI) or continuous infusion (CI). Available data suggests that administration of vancomycin by CI may reduce the risk of nephrotoxicity without increasing the risk of treatment failure, although retrospective data are largely utilized in supporting this method. Other efforts to optimize vancomycin have focused on transitioning from trough-based therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to area-under-the-curve: minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC:MIC) ratios. Despite the creation of more user-friendly methods of calculation and data suggesting reduced rates of nephrotoxicity, widespread implementation is limited, in part due to clinician comfort. Use of β-lactams in patients with sepsis is similarly problematic due to observational data demonstrating fluctuations in serum levels in the setting of critical illness. Implementing TDM of agents such as piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, and meropenem has been suggested as a method of improving time above MIC (T >MIC). This practice is limited by the lack of access to commercial assays and the failure of rigorous studies to demonstrate improved treatment success. Clinicians should be aware of these challenges and should refine their dosing strategies based on individualized patient factors to reduce treatment failure.
Severe Infections Due to Respiratory Viruses
Authors: Cillóniz Catia , Pericàs Juan M. , Rojas Jorge R. , Torres Antoni
Published: February 2022

Severe viral infections may result in severe illnesses capable of causing acute respiratory failure that could progress rapidly to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), related to worse outcomes, especially in individuals with a higher risk of infection, including the elderly and those with comorbidities such as asthma, diabetes mellitus and chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease. In addition, in cases of severe viral pneumonia, co-infection with bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus is related to worse outcomes. Respiratory viruses like influenza, rhinovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus, metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and coronavirus have increasingly been detected. This trend has become more prevalent, especially in critically ill patients, due to the availability and implementation of molecular assays in clinical practice. Respiratory viruses have been diagnosed as a frequent cause of severe pneumonia, including cases of community-acquired pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. In this review, we will discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical characteristics, management, and prognosis of patients with severe infections due to respiratory viruses, with a focus on influenza viruses, non-influenza viruses, and coronaviruses.
Unilateral Interstitial Lung Disease with Contralateral Effusion: Unusual Case Report of Dasatinib Toxicity
Authors: Bhaskar Maheema , Biraris Pavankumar , Tisekar Owais , Kaushal Rajiv Kumar , Janu Amit , Tandon Sandeep
Published: February 2022

Dasatinib is a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) used in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). While pleural effusion due to Dasatinib is well described in the literature, interstitial lung disease (ILD) caused by it is rare. A 60-year-old gentleman was on treatment with 100 mg of tablet Dasatinib per day for chronic myeloid leukemia. He presented to the outpatient department with history of progressive breathlessness over 2 months. High-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) thorax revealed mild right-sided effusion and non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) pattern of ILD in the left lower lobe. Thoracocentesis of the right-sided pleural effusion showed exudative and lymphocytic rich pleural effusion. The effusion was negative for malignant cells or infection. Biopsy of the left lower lobe was consistent with the diagnosis of ILD. He was started on prednisolone which was gradually tapered and stopped. At 3 months, there was a complete resolution of the ILD and pleural effusion. Clinicians need to be aware about the pleuroparenchymal toxicities of Dasatinib. Early diagnosis and treatment with steroids can lead to complete resolution of the signs and symptoms.
Associations of Telehealth Care Delivery with Pediatric Health Care Provider Well-Being
Authors: deMayo Richelle , Huang Yungui , Lin En-Ju D. , Lee Jennifer A. , Heggland Andrew , Im Jane , Grindle Christopher , Chandawarkar Aarti
Published: February 2022

Background The rapid, large-scale deployment of new health technologies can introduce challenges to clinicians who are already under stress. The novel coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic transformed health care in the United States to include a telehealth model of care delivery. Clarifying paths through which telehealth technology use is associated with change in provider well-being and interest in sustaining virtual care delivery can inform planning and optimization efforts.

Objective This study aimed to characterize provider-reported changes in well-being and daily work associated with the pandemic-accelerated expansion of telehealth and assess the relationship of provider perceptions of telehealth effectiveness, efficiency, and work–life balance with desire for future telehealth.

Methods A cross-sectional survey study was conducted October through November 2020, 6 months after the outbreak of COVID-19 at three children's hospitals. Factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine telehealth factors associated with reported change in well-being and desire for future telehealth.

Results A total of 947 nontrainee physicians, advanced practice providers, and psychologists were surveyed. Of them, 502 (53.0%) providers responded and 467 (49.3%) met inclusion criteria of telehealth use during the study period. Of these, 325 (69.6%) were female, 301 (65.6%) were physicians, and 220 (47.1%) were medical subspecialists. Providers were 4.77 times as likely (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.29–7.06) to report improved versus worsened well-being associated with telehealth. Also, 95.5% of providers (95% CI: 93.2–97.2%) wish to continue performing telehealth postpandemic. Our model explains 66% of the variance in telehealth-attributed provider well-being and 59% of the variance for future telehealth preference and suggests telehealth resources significantly influence provider-perceived telehealth care effectiveness which in turn significantly influences provider well-being and desire to perform telehealth.

Conclusion Telehealth has potential to promote provider well-being; telehealth-related changes in provider well-being are associated with both provider-perceived effectiveness of telemedicine for patients and adequacy of telehealth resources.
Metastatic Lobular Carcinoma of the Male Breast Masquerading as a Pancreatic Head Mass, a Diagnostic Dilemma—Rare Case and Literature Review
Authors: Mor Akash G. , Das Subhasree , Joshi Shalaka P. , Chaudhari Vikram A. , Desai Sangeeta
Published: February 2022

Male breast cancer comprises of 1% of all and invasive lobular carcinomas (ILC) are even rarer in males. ILC are known to have unusual metastatic sites. We report a case of a 51-year-old male diagnosed with breast cancer, who presented with a recurrent chest wall nodule and icterus after 24 months of disease-free interval. On further investigations, he was found to have pancreatic head mass associated with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia suggestive of obstructive jaundice and a left parasternal soft tissue recurrence. A self-expandable metallic stent was inserted for recurrent cholangitis. Biopsy from the chest wall nodule was recurrence of ILC and pancreatic head mass was suspected to be either a second primary or an isolated pancreatic head metastasis of ILC on imaging. In either case surgical resection if operable and localized was planned. However, on staging laparoscopy, the patient was found to have mild ascites and multiple peritoneal nodules, which on biopsy proved to be metastases from ILC. Patient was treated with second-line hormonal therapy with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist and an aromatase inhibitor. ILC may present with unusual sites of metastasis leading to diagnostic dilemma. A high index of suspicion of metastases and appropriate biopsies can help one embark upon the most appropriate plan.
Breast Imaging: Past and Present
Authors: Haria Purvi , Thakur M. H. , Popat Palak , Katdare Aparna , Chauhan Sonal
Published: February 2022

Breast imaging has evolved over several decades; however, a significant leap has happened in the past couple of decades. Multiple modalities are available for the evaluation of breast diseases; Mammography, Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Contrast Enhanced Mammography (CEM) are a few of the frequently used ones. Image-guided interventions have further evolved, core needle biopsy, vacuum-assisted biopsy, clip placements, and wire localization to name a few. At times, it is difficult to choose between the modalities for disease evaluation and intervention. In this article, we have tried to cover in brief the evolution of breast imaging over years and have discussed the imaging approach to some frequent clinical presentations along with the approach to the evaluation of mammography.
Genetic diversity and differentiation in south-western Australian bloodwoods (
Authors: Sampson Jane , Tapper Sarah , Coates David , Hankinson Margaret , McArthur Shelley , Byrne Margaret
Published: February 2022

An understanding of how variation is shared within and among closely related species is important for understanding evolutionary processes and managing biological diversity. We studied genetic structure in the three species occurring in south-western Australia that form the small and distinct monophyletic section Calophyllae of the genus Corymbia. We compared diversity in nuclear microsatellites and chloroplast DNA sequences in two species with patchy distributions, namely, Corymbia haematoxylon (Maiden) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson and Corymbia ficifolia (F. Muell.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson, with that in the widespread congener, C. calophylla (Lindl.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson. Consistent with predictions for the influence of range and abundance on genetic structure in the Australian flora, population differentiation was higher in the two restricted patchy species than in the widespread, semicontinuous C. calophylla. Genetic diversity in C. haematoxylon was similar to that in C. calophylla, but diversity was lower in the highly localised C. ficifolia, likely owing to genetic bottlenecks. All three species were distinguished by nuclear SSR variation, but C. haematoxylon and C. ficifolia each shared chloroplast haplotypes with C. calophylla from incomplete lineage sorting of ancestral variation and introgression. Limited evidence of recent hybridisation in two populations of C. haematoxylon was also present.
Seed priming with zinc sulfate and zinc chloride affects physio-biochemical traits, grain yield and biofortification of bread wheat (
Authors: Rehman Abdul , Farooq Muhammad , Ullah Aman , Nawaz Ahmad , ud Din Muhammad Moeen , Shahzad Babar
Published: February 2022

Zinc deficiency impedes wheat productivity and is major cause of malnutrition in humans consuming wheat products low in Zn, especially in developing countries, which experience low rates of soil and foliar Zn application owing to high cost of chemical Zn fertilisers. This pot study was conducted to evaluate the potential of seed priming with Zn for improving performance and grain biofortification of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Seeds of wheat cultivars Faisalabad-2008 and Lasani-2008 received one of four Zn treatments involving soaking in aerated solutions of ZnCl2 (0.05 or 0.1 M Zn) or ZnSO4 (0.1 or 0.5 M Zn); untreated seeds were taken as a control. All Zn seed priming treatments improved wheat performance. Seed priming with 0.1 M ZnCl2 advanced seedling emergence, whereas seed priming with 0.5 M ZnSO4 improved leaf elongation/expansion, chlorophyll content, shoot Zn concentration and plant photosynthetic traits. Seed priming with 0.1 and 0.5 M ZnSO4 improved plant water relations. Moreover, seed priming with 0.5 M ZnSO4 improved grain yield (63.1%), and grain Zn concentration (43.1%) and content (93.1%), with low [phytate]:[Zn] compared with non-primed seeds. Faisalabad-2008 performed better than Lasani-2008. In conclusion, seeds of bread wheat may be primed with 0.5 M ZnSO4 as a Zn source for improving plant physiology, yield and grain biofortification.
Exploring plant growth-promoting
Authors: Srinivas Vadlamudi , Naresh Nimmala , Pratyusha Sambangi , Ankati Sravani , Govindaraj Mahalingam , Gopalakrishnan Subramaniam
Published: February 2022

The present study aimed to demonstrate the use of two strains of Streptomyces albus (CAI-24 and KAI-27) and one strain of S. griseus (MMA-32) for plant growth-promotion (PGP) and improving pearl millet yield and nutrient content under greenhouse and field conditions. Two hybrids, a low-Fe (PA-9444; non-biofortified hybrid) and high-Fe (ICMH-1201; biofortified hybrid), treated with selected Streptomyces strains, significantly enhanced a range of traits including grain yield in the glasshouse (13–23%) and field (9–12%) over the control. In the greenhouse experiments an enhanced stover and grain nutrient concentrations were observed in ICMH-1201 (Fe 53% and 40%; Zn 15% and 10%; Ca 11% and 29%) over the control, while such nutrition augmentations were not found in PA-9444. The field harvested stover and grain nutrient concentrations were also increased over the control in both hybrids. A higher stover nutrient concentration was found in ICMH-1201 while PA-9444 had an increase in grain nutrient concentration indicating the significance of these Streptomyces strains’ PGP role in the non-biofortified hybrid. Based on this study, strains KAI-27 and MMA-32 significantly improved shoot weight, root weight and grain yield while CAI-24 and MMA-32 improved nutrient concentrations including Fe contents (up to 49%) in grain as well as in stover. Further, the stover samples of pearl millet contained a higher Fe concentration (150–200%) compared to grain samples. This study confirms that the selected Streptomyces strains have the potential for enhancing PGP and stover and grain nutrient concentrations in pearl millet and can complement the existing conventional biofortification strategies.
Corrigendum to: Willingness to use community health centres for initial diagnosis: the role of policy incentives among Chinese patients
Authors: Zhu Jingrong , Li Xiaofei , Chu Hongrui , Li Jinlin
Published: February 2022

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of policy incentives on residents’ willingness to use community health centres for initial diagnosis. A cross‐sectional survey with specific multiple price-list experiments was conducted in Guizhou, China. We were able to use in-depth individual interviews with a total of 422 participants. Our results showed that both financial and non-financial policy incentives can facilitate the utilisation of the community health centres. Approximately 60% of the respondents reported an increase in their willingness to use community health centres after the presentation of the financial policy, whereas 50% of respondents expressed an increase in their willingness to use community health centres with the non-financial policy. However, to some specific subgroups, such as residents with low trust, residents without chronic disease, residents with less healthcare visits and risk-averters, the impact of policy incentives were limited. The policy incentives are useful tools to attract more visitors to community health centres for initial diagnosis; however, their incentive effects vary in different subgroups. Thus, to change patients’ perceptions regarding healthcare provider choice for initial diagnosis, policymakers should consider the heterogeneous responses of patients to policy incentives and focus their efforts on key cohorts.
Spatio-temporal distribution of sensitive regions of potential vegetation in China based on the Comprehensive Sequential Classification System (CSCS) and a climate-change model
Authors: Du Huaiyu , Zhao Jun , Shi Yinfang
Published: February 2022

The potential vegetation can reflect climatic influence on vegetation type change, and provide a scientific reference and guide for restoration and reconstruction of vegetation ecosystems. Meteorological observation data from 1961 to 2017 and predicative data under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5) during 2030s, 2050s and 2080s, in conjunction with comprehensive sequential classification system (CSCS) model and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, were used to analyse the spatio-temporal distribution and variation of Sensitive Regions of Potential Vegetation (SRPV) in China. Results suggested that SRPV presented a pattern of total dispersion and partial agglomeration under all scenarios. The agglomerate regions spread from north-eastern China (e.g. Inner Mongolia Plateau, Greater Xing’an Mountains, and North-east Plain) to south-western China (e.g. Loess Plateau, Qinling–Huaihe belt, Nanling Mountains, Jiangnan hills, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and Tarim Basin). From the 2030s to the 2080s, SRPV exhibited characteristics of expansion and migration to the north under RCP scenarios. The distributed area of SRPV increased with increased radiation emission intensity. These results both further expand the research on potential vegetation using the CSCS, and also provide reference for governments to ensure vegetation ecological protection.
Discovery of ultrafast myosin, its amino acid sequence, and structural features
Authors: Haraguchi Takeshi , Tamanaha Masanori , Suzuki Kano , Yoshimura Kohei , Imi Takuma , Tominaga Motoki , Sakayama Hidetoshi , Nishiyama Tomoaki , Murata Takeshi , Ito Kohji
Published: February 2022

Significance

It has been suggested for more than 50 y that the fastest myosin in the biological world with a velocity of 70 μm s
−1
exists in the alga
Chara
, because cytoplasmic streaming with a velocity of 70 μm s
−1
occurs in
Chara
cells. However, a myosin with that velocity has not yet been identified. In this work, we succeeded in cloning a myosin XI with a velocity of 60 μm s
−1
, which was measured using a chimeric myosin. We also successfully crystallized myosin XI. Structural comparison of various myosins and mutation experiments of actin-binding regions suggests that the central regions that define the fast movement of
Chara
myosin XI are the actin-binding sites.
Classification of rational angles in plane lattices
Authors: Dvornicich Roberto , Veneziano Francesco , Zannier Umberto
Published: February 2022

This paper is concerned with configurations of points in a plane lattice which determine angles that are rational multiples of

π
\pi

. We shall study how many such angles may appear in a given lattice and in which positions, allowing the lattice to vary arbitrarily.

This classification turns out to be much less simple than could be expected, leading even to parametrizations involving rational points on certain algebraic curves of positive genus.
Enumerating pencils with moving ramification on curves
Authors: Lian Carl
Published: February 2022

We consider the general problem of enumerating branched covers of the projective line from a fixed general curve subject to ramification conditions at possibly moving points. Our main computations are in genus 1; the theory of limit linear series allows one to reduce to this case. We first obtain a simple formula for a weighted count of pencils on a fixed elliptic curve

E
E

, where base-points are allowed. We then deduce, using an inclusion-exclusion procedure, formulas for the numbers of maps

E
→

P

1

E\to \mathbb {P}^1

with moving ramification conditions. A striking consequence is the invariance of these counts under a certain involution. Our results generalize work of Harris, Logan, Osserman, and Farkas-Moschetti-Naranjo-Pirola.
A codimension 2 component of the Gieseker-Petri locus
Authors: Lelli-Chiesa Margherita
Published: February 2022

We show that the Brill-Noether locus

M

18
,
16

3

M^3_{18,16}

is an irreducible component of the Gieseker-Petri locus in genus

18
18

having codimension

2
2

in the moduli space of curves. This result disproves a conjecture predicting that the Gieseker-Petri locus is always divisorial.
Codimension two integral points on some rationally connected threefolds are potentially dense
Authors: McKinnon David , Roth Mike
Published: February 2022

Let

X
X

be a smooth, projective, rationally connected variety, defined over a number field

k
k

, and let

Z
⊂
X

Z\subset X

be a closed subset of codimension at least two. In this paper, for certain choices of

X
X

, we prove that the set of

Z
Z

-integral points is potentially Zariski dense, in the sense that there is a finite extension

K
K

of

k
k

such that the set of points

P
∈
X
(
K
)

P\in X(K)

that are

Z
Z

-integral is Zariski dense in

X
X

. This gives a positive answer to a question of Hassett and Tschinkel from 2001.
Invariant foliations for stochastic partial differential equations with non-dense domain
Authors: Zeng Caibin , Shen Jun
Published: February 2022

In this paper we study the existence of Lipschitz invariant stable and unstable foliations for a class of stochastic partial differential equations with non-dense domain. We would like to emphasize that the linear part neither generates a

C
0

C_0

semigroup nor satisfies the Hille-Yosida condition. Using the theory of integrated semigroup and Lyapunov-Perron method, we establish the main result to trace the long-term behavior of such an equation and apply it to a stochastic parabolic equation.
Bivariate Lagrange interpolation at the checkerboard nodes
Authors: Cao Lihua , Ghimire Srijana , Wang Xiang-Sheng
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we derive an explicit formula for the bivariate Lagrange basis polynomials of a general set of checkerboard nodes. This formula generalizes existing results of bivariate Lagrange basis polynomials at the Padua nodes, Chebyshev nodes, Morrow-Patterson nodes, and Geronimus nodes. We also construct a subspace spanned by linearly independent bivariate vanishing polynomials that vanish at the checkerboard nodes and prove the uniqueness of the set of bivariate Lagrange basis polynomials in the quotient space defined as the space of bivariate polynomials with a certain degree over the subspace of bivariate vanishing polynomials.
Aesthetic Nonexcisional Arm Contouring
Authors: Ibrahiem Saad Mohamed Saad
Published: February 2022

Background

Surgical excision remains the gold-standard therapy for arm skin laxity. However, many patients refuse surgical treatment for fear of the prominent long scars associated with brachioplasty.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to compare the aesthetic outcome of 2 energy-assisted liposuction arm-contouring techniques, radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL; Group A) and Renuvion helium subdermal coagulation (Group B), with a control group treated with VASER-assisted liposuction (VAL) alone (Group C).

Methods

This is a randomized controlled study of 176 patients seeking arm contouring, who were treated between February 2017 and December 2020. All of the patients underwent VAL, followed by either RFAL (53 patients, Group A) with the BodyTite RF platform or subdermal coagulation (66 patients, Group B) with the Renuvion platform; 57 patients in the control group (Group C) received VAL alone. Patient data, marking techniques, operative details, complications (and tips and tricks to avoid them), and aesthetic outcomes were recorded and tabulated. Surgical team, third-party, and patient satisfaction surveys were conducted 6 months postoperatively.

Results

The study included 176 patients (153 female and 23 male) with a mean age of 32 years (range, 20-59 years). All patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. In total, 96 (80.6%) patients reported their satisfaction with the overall technique. An independent plastic surgeon considered the result good to excellent in 97 of 119 cases of the studied group.

Conclusions

The umbrella of nonexcisional arm contouring can be extended to include treatment of difficult cases of arm laxity with energy-producing machines. The procedure can achieve a reduction in fat deposits and significant improvements in skin laxity.

Level of Evidence: 4
Where was WAIR in avian flight evolution?
Authors: Kuznetsov Alexander N , Panyutina Aleksandra A
Published: February 2022

The popular hypothesis that the flapping flight of birds evolved through the stage of wing-assisted incline running (WAIR) is tested through calculations of external forces acting on the wings in the downstroke and upstroke during WAIR activity of an adult chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar). Contrary to previous studies of WAIR, it is found that the total vertical impulse provided by the wings is negative (i.e. downward directed). Thus, the wings cancel out about half of the positive (upward-directed) impulse provided by the legs. The function of the wings in WAIR is not to lift the body, but to push it towards the steep slope. It is like a wing, or aerofoil, of a race car, which is tilted at a negative angle of attack to press the car to the ground for greater friction and adhesion of the wheels and to prevent the race car from becoming airborne. The calculated force pattern suggests that the dominant external forces acting on the wings in the sagittal plane during WAIR are not the virtual forces of inertia but the aerodynamic forces. More specifically, it is only the aerodynamic lift that can be responsible for the wing force component acting at right angles to the wingbeat plane in both the downstroke and the upstroke during WAIR. The lift towards the slope during the WAIR upstroke is ensured by separation of the primary flight feathers and their setting at a negative angle of attack. Analysis of the force pattern in the anatomical coordinate space of a bird’s body shows that the main wing muscles in the WAIR downstroke are the humeral retractor muscles and in the WAIR upstroke the humeral elevator muscles. The humeral protractor muscles are not required at all during WAIR. Therefore, the morphologically necessary protractor state of the supracoracoideus muscle in a ‘semi-flying’ ancestor, which is logically explained by the classical hypothesis of a gliding ancestor, does not fit the WAIR hypothesis of flapping flight origin. Wing-assisted incline running should be regarded as a crown locomotor specialization of birds and is not an appropriate model for locomotion in avian ancestors.
Genetic structure and evolution of diploidCochleariain Iceland
Authors: Olsen Luka N , Brandrud Marie K , Mandáková Terezie , Lysak Martin A , Bjorå Charlotte S , Cires Eduardo , Nordal Inger , Brysting Anne K
Published: February 2022

In northern European Cochlearia (Brassicaceae), considerable chromosome variation has taken place without corresponding morphological differentiation, resulting in an intricate species complex including two base chromosome numbers and several ploidies. Here, we investigate the situation in Iceland. The distribution, genetic structure, taxonomy and origin of the two Cochlearia cytotypes (2n = 12 and 2n = 14) present in Iceland are discussed. Chromosome counts indicate that both cytotypes occur along the coast, but 2n = 12 populations dominate (eight 2n = 12 vs. two 2n = 14 among the investigated populations), whereas 2n = 14 was reported for the two inland alpine populations investigated here. RADseq data support geographically structured genetic variation along the Icelandic coast and environmentally structured genetic differentiation between coastal and alpine populations. The alpine populations show genetic and morphological affiliation with C. groenlandica (2n = 14), which is widely distributed in the Arctic, but more comprehensive sampling is needed to draw conclusions concerning the taxonomic status of the Icelandic coastal plants. To uncover the origin of and phylogenomic relationships between the two chromosome variants, comparative whole-genome sequencing should be performed.
Assessment of temperature optimum signatures of corals at both latitudinal extremes of the Red Sea
Authors: Banc-Prandi Guilhem , Evensen Nicolas R , Barshis Daniel J , Perna Gabriela , Moussa Omar Youssouf , Fine Maoz
Published: February 2022

Rising ocean temperatures are pushing reef-building corals beyond their temperature optima (Topt), resulting in reduced physiological performances and increased risk of bleaching. Identifying refugia with thermally resistant corals and understanding their thermal adaptation strategy is therefore urgent to guide conservation actions. The Gulf of Aqaba (GoA, northern Red Sea) is considered a climate refuge, hosting corals that may originate from populations selected for thermal resistance in the warmer waters of the Gulf of Tadjoura (GoT, entrance to the Red Sea and 2000 km south of the GoA). To better understand the thermal adaptation strategy of GoA corals, we compared the temperature optima (Topt) of six common reef-building coral species from the GoA and the GoT by measuring oxygen production and consumption rates as well as photophysiological performance (i.e. chlorophyll fluorescence) in response to a short heat stress. Most species displayed similar Topt between the two locations, highlighting an exceptional continuity in their respective physiological performances across such a large latitudinal range, supporting the GoA refuge theory. Stylophora pistillata showed a significantly lower Topt in the GoA, which may suggest an ongoing population-level selection (i.e. adaptation) to the cooler waters of the GoA and subsequent loss of thermal resistance. Interestingly, all Topt were significantly above the local maximum monthly mean seawater temperatures in the GoA (27.1°C) and close or below in the GoT (30.9°C), indicating that GoA corals, unlike those in the GoT, may survive ocean warming in the next few decades. Finally, Acropora muricata and Porites lobata displayed higher photophysiological performance than most species, which may translate to dominance in local reef communities under future thermal scenarios. Overall, this study is the first to compare the Topt of common reef-building coral species over such a latitudinal range and provides insights into their thermal adaptation in the Red Sea.
O01 Trends in antimicrobial resistance amongst pathogens isolated from blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures in Pakistan (2011–15): a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Javaid Nida , Sultana Qamar , Rasool Karam , Gandra Sumanth , Ahmad Fayyaz , Chaudhary Safee Ullah , Mirza Shaper
Published: February 2022

Background

While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be a major public health problem in Pakistan, data regarding trends of resistance among pathogenic bacteria remain scarce, with few studies presenting long-term trends in AMR. This study was therefore designed to analyse long-term AMR trends at a national level in Pakistan.

Methods

We report here results of a comprehensive analysis of resistance among pathogens isolated from blood and CSF, between 2011 and 2015. Susceptibility data were obtained from a local laboratory with collection points all across Pakistan (Chughtai Laboratory). Resistance proportions to most commonly used antimicrobials were calculated for each pathogen over a period of 5 years.

Results

While Acinetobacter species demonstrated highest resistance rates to all tested antimicrobials, a sharp increase in carbapenem resistance was the most noticeable (50%–95%) between 2011 and 2015. Our results also highlight the presence of third and fourth generation cephalosporins resistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi in Pakistan. Interestingly, where a rise in AMR was being observed in some major invasive pathogens, decreasing resistance trends were observed in Staphylococcus aureus to commonly used antimicrobials.

Conclusions

Overall pathogens isolated from blood and CSF between 2011 and 2015 showed an increase in resistance towards commonly used antimicrobials.