bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of human leukocyte antigen compatibility on outcomes of living donor liver transplantation: Experience from a tertiary care center
Authors: Mittal Siddharth , Sinha Piyush , Sarin Shashwat , Rastogi Archana , Gupta Ekta , Bajpai Meenu , Pamecha Viniyendra , Trehanpati Nirupma
Published: May 2021

Introduction

The role of HLA compatibility in kidney, heart, and stem cell transplantation is well known, but with regard to living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), there is a different scenario. In the present study, we aim to examine the effects of donor‐recipient HLA mismatches at A, B, and DR loci on various outcomes of LDLT‐like graft survival, early allograft dysfunction (EAD), acute rejection, length of hospital (LOH) stay, sepsis, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation.

Methods

This is a retrospective single center study of a cohort of adult patients who underwent first time ABO‐compatible (ABOc) LDLT between January 2010 and December 2018. Transplants with incomplete records or without HLA typing data were excluded. Donor‐recipient HLA‐A, B, and DR mismatches were assessed in the host versus graft (HVG) direction and were correlated with various post‐transplant outcomes.

Results

Among 140 transplants being evaluated, approximately two third had total HLA mismatches between 2 and 3. HLA mismatches at each locus as well as cumulative HLA mismatches did not show any association with overall graft survival, EAD, acute rejection episodes, and LOH stay. However, the presence of minimum one mismatch at HLA‐A and DR loci was associated with the development of CMV reactivation (P = .03) and sepsis (P = .02) post‐LDLT respectively.

Conclusion

HLA mismatch is not associated with acute rejection, early graft dysfunction, and overall survival in LDLT. Its impact on CMV reactivation and sepsis needs further evaluation.
Translating a Theory of Active Learning: An Attempt to Close the Research‐Practice Gap in Education
Authors: Chi Michelene T. H.
Published: May 2021

Despite decades of research related to teaching and learning, the findings have made little impact on classroom teaching and learning. This paper briefly describes the four existing methods to close this gap, with more extensive analyses of the limitations of one of the four methods, which is to consolidate and distill robust laboratory findings reported over the past decades and attempt to translate them for classroom practice. An alternative method is proposed, which is to translate a theory of how students learn, calledInteractive, Constructive, Active, Passive(ICAP), so that teachers and practitioners can translate their understanding of such a theory into practice themselves, thereby giving teachers autonomy, flexibility, generalizability, and ownership of their own designed interventions based on ICAP. The paper proposes that in order to close the research‐practice gap, a multi‐step empirical translation research framework is needed.
How to Survive between "Standardized Resident Training " and "Professional Master" -On the Difficulties Encountered in Undergraduate Clinical Practice
Authors: Li Zaiyong , Meng Lingzhang , Wei Jihua , Wang Jianchu , Lu Dinggui , Luo Fuqiang , Xie Kangqi , Luo Qunqiang , Luo Qisheng , Liu Fangyin
Published: May 2021

To review on the difficulties encountered by medical bachelor students for their career development after graduation, and to explore potential solutions to their current situation, thus provide them possibilities of making good use of professional training and skills acquired in campus.
Finite Element Model of Equal Channel Angular Extrusion of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
Authors: Vasylevskyi Kostiantyn , Tsukrov Igor , Miroshnichenko Kateryna , Buklovskyi Stanislav , Grover Hannah , Van Citters Douglas
Published: May 2021

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) used in biomedical applications, e.g., as a bearing surface in total joint arthroplasty, has to possess superior tribological properties, high mechanical strength, and toughness. Recently, equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) was proposed as a processing method to introduce large shear strains to achieve higher molecular entanglement and superior mechanical properties of this material. Finite element analysis (FEA) can be utilized to evaluate the influence of important manufacturing parameters such as the extrusion rate, temperature, geometry of the die, back pressure, and friction effects. In this paper, we present efficient FEA models of ECAE for UHMWPE. Our studies demonstrate that the choice of the constitutive model is extremely important for the accuracy of numerical modeling predictions. Three considered material models (J2-Plasticity, Bergstrom-Boyce, and the three-network model) predict different extrusion loads, deformed shapes, and accumulated shear strain distributions. The work has also shown that the friction coefficient significantly influences the punch force and that the two-dimensional (2D) plane strain assumption can become inaccurate in the presence of friction between the billet and the extrusion channel. Additionally, a sharp corner in the die can lead to the formation of the so-called “dead zone” due to a portion of the material lodging into the corner and separating from the billet. Our study shows that the presence of this material in the corner substantially affects the extrusion force and the resulting distribution of accumulated shear strain within the billet.
Multifidelity Data Fusion Based on Gradient-Enhanced Surrogate Modeling Method
Authors: Li Kunpeng , Liu Yin , Wang Shuo , Song Xueguan
Published: May 2021

A multifidelity surrogate (MFS) model is a data fusion method for the enhanced prediction of less intensively sampled primary variables of interest (i.e., high-fidelity (HF) samples) with the assistance of intensively sampled auxiliary variables (i.e., low-fidelity (LF) samples). In this article, an MFS model based on the gradient-enhanced radial basis function, termed gradient-enhanced multifidelity surrogate based on the radial basis function (GEMFS-RBF), is proposed to establish a mapping relationship between HF and LF samples. To identify the scaling factor and the undetermined coefficients in GEMFS-RBF, an expanded correlation matrix is constructed by considering the correlations between the acquired samples, the correlations between the gradients, and the correlations between the samples and their corresponding gradients. To evaluate the prediction accuracy of the GEMFS-RBF model, it is compared with the co-Kriging model, multifidelity surrogate based on the radial basis function (MFS-RBF) model, and two single-fidelity surrogate models. The influences of key factors (i.e., the correlations between the HF and LF functions, the subordinations between the sample sets) and the effect of the cost ratio on the performance of GEMFS-RBF are also investigated. It is observed that GEMFS-RBF presents a more acceptable accuracy rate and is less sensitive to the aforementioned factors than the other benchmark models in most cases in this article, which illustrates the practicability and robustness of the proposed GEMFS-RBF model.
Training Distribution During a Paralympic Cycle for a Multiple Swimming Champion With Paraplegia: A Case Report
Authors: Baumgart Julia Kathrin , Tønnessen Espen , Eklund Morten , Sandbakk Øyvind
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To describe the training volume, intensity distribution, and use of swimming styles during a Paralympic cycle in a multiple swimming champion with paraplegia. Methods: The female Paralympic swimmer was 23–26 years of age and had a body mass of 60 to 62 kg and a body height of 174 cm. She has a spinal cord injury at the Th6 level, competed in the S5/SB4 Para swimming classes, and uses a wheelchair for mobility. Training time, as well as distance in the different intensity zones and swimming styles, was registered with the “workouts for swim coaches” software throughout a full Paralympic cycle. Results: The Para swimmer performed a total of 388, 524, 471, and 656 annual hours of swimming, corresponding to 1126, 1504, 1463, and 1993 km, in the 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, and 2015–16 seasons, respectively. In addition, she performed 1 to 3 weekly dry-land strength sessions and 4 to 6 weekly dry-land basic skill sessions. She conducted 91% to 94% of the swimming distance in each macrocycle at low intensity, 2% to 4% at moderate intensity, and 3% to 6% at high intensity. She performed 78% to 84% of the swimming distance in each macrocycle in the freestyle swimming technique and the remaining 16% to 22% in the backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly techniques. Conclusion: This case study exemplifies how a female Paralympic swimmer with paraplegia progressed her training in the seasons leading up to the Paralympic Games, reaching an annual training distance of 2000 km, which is similar to that of able-bodied swimmers.
Microbiological Characterization of VNRX-5236, a Broad-Spectrum β-Lactamase Inhibitor for Rescue of the Orally Bioavailable Cephalosporin Ceftibuten as a Carbapenem-Sparing Agent against Strains of
Enterobacterales
Expressing Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases and Serine Carbapenemases
Authors: Chatwin Cassandra L. , Hamrick Jodie C. , Trout Robert E. L. , Myers Cullen L. , Cusick Susan M. , Weiss William J. , Pulse Mark E. , Xerri Luigi , Burns Christopher J. , Moeck Gregory , Daigle Denis M. , John Kaitlyn , Uehara Tsuyoshi , Pevear Daniel C.
Published: May 2021

There is an urgent need for oral agents to combat resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Here, we describe the characterization of VNRX-5236, a broad-spectrum boronic acid β-lactamase inhibitor (BLI), and its orally bioavailable etzadroxil prodrug, VNRX-7145.
Piperidine-4-Carboxamides Target DNA Gyrase in Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Negatu Dereje Abate , Beuchel Andreas , Madani Abdeldjalil , Alvarez Nadine , Chen Chao , Aragaw Wassihun Wedajo , Zimmerman Matthew D. , Laleu Benoît , Gengenbacher Martin , Dartois Véronique , Imming Peter , Dick Thomas
Published: May 2021

New, more-effective drugs for the treatment of lung disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are needed. Among NTM opportunistic pathogens,
Mycobacterium abscessus
is the most difficult to cure and intrinsically multidrug resistant. In a whole-cell screen of a compound collection active against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, we previously identified the piperidine-4-carboxamide (P4C) MMV688844 (844) as a hit against
M. abscessus
.
Antifungal Azoles as Tetracycline Resistance Modifiers in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Mahey Nisha , Tambat Rushikesh , Verma Dipesh Kumar , Chandal Nishtha , Thakur Krishan Gopal , Nandanwar Hemraj
Published: May 2021

Staphylococcus aureus
uses efflux pumps to transport antibiotics out of the cell and thus increases the dosage at which it endures antibiotics. Also, efflux pumps play a role in biofilm formation by the excretion of extracellular matrix molecules.
Amino Acid Analog Induces Stress Response in Marine
Synechococcus
Authors: Michels Dana E. , Lomenick Brett , Chou Tsui-Fen , Sweredoski Michael J. , Pasulka Alexis
Published: May 2021

Phytoplankton form the base of the marine food web and substantially impact global energy and nutrient flow. Marine picocyanobacteria of the genus
Synechococcus
comprise a large portion of phytoplankton biomass in the ocean and therefore are important model organisms.
Correlation of Key Physiological Properties of
Methanosarcina
Isolates with Environment of Origin
Authors: Zhou Jinjie , Holmes Dawn E. , Tang Hai-Yan , Lovley Derek R.
Published: May 2021

Biogenic methane is a significant greenhouse gas, and the conversion of organic wastes to methane is an important bioenergy process.
Methanosarcina
species play an important role in methane production in many methanogenic soils and sediments as well as anaerobic waste digesters. The studies reported here emphasize that the genus
Methanosarcina
is composed of two physiologically distinct groups.
Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus p12 Is Required for Histone Loading onto Retroviral DNAs
Authors: Wang Gary Z. , Goff Stephen P.
Published: May 2021

Incoming retroviral DNAs are rapidly loaded with nucleosomal histones upon entry into the nucleus and before integration into the host genome. The entry of murine leukemia virus DNA into the nucleus occurs only upon dissolution of the nuclear membrane in mitosis, and retention in the nucleus requires the action of a viral protein, p12, which tethers the DNA to host chromatin.
Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium SPI-1 and SPI-2 Shape the Global Transcriptional Landscape in a Human Intestinal Organoid Model System
Authors: Lawrence Anna-Lisa E. , Abuaita Basel H. , Berger Ryan P. , Hill David R. , Huang Sha , Yadagiri Veda K. , Bons Brooke , Fields Courtney , Wobus Christiane E. , Spence Jason R. , Young Vincent B. , O’Riordan Mary X.
Published: May 2021

Salmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) causes a significant health burden worldwide, yet host responses to initial stages of intestinal infection remain poorly understood.
Functional Genomic and Biochemical Analysis Reveals Pleiotropic Effect of Congo Red on Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Liu Zhonghua , Raj Shriya , van Rhijn Norman , Fraczek Marcin , Michel Jean-Philippe , Sismeiro Odile , Legendre Rachel , Varet Hugo , Fontaine Thierry , Bromley Michael , Latgé Jean-Paul
Published: May 2021

The compound Congo red (CR) has been historically used for coloring treatment and histological examination as well to inhibit the growth of yeast and filamentous fungi. It has been thought that CR binds to β-1,3-glucans in the fungal cell wall, disrupting the organization of the cell wall structure.
Circadian Clock Control of Translation Initiation Factor eIF2α Activity Requires eIF2γ-Dependent Recruitment of Rhythmic PPP-1 Phosphatase in
Neurospora crassa
Authors: Ding Zhaolan , Lamb Teresa M. , Boukhris Ahmad , Porter Rachel , Bell-Pedersen Deborah
Published: May 2021

Circadian clock control of mRNA translation contributes to the daily cycling of a significant proportion of the cellular protein synthesis, but how this is accomplished is not understood. We discovered that the clock in the model fungus
Neurospora crassa
regulates rhythms in protein synthesis by controlling the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of a conserved translation initiation factor eIF2α.
Evolutionary Trajectory of the Tet(X) Family: Critical Residue Changes towards High-Level Tigecycline Resistance
Authors: Cui Chao-Yue , He Qian , Jia Qiu-Lin , Li Cang , Chen Chong , Wu Xiao-Ting , Zhang Xiao-Jing , Lin Zhuo-Yu , Zheng Zi-Jian , Liao Xiao-Ping , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Liu Ya-Hong , Chen Liang , Sun Jian
Published: May 2021

The newly emerged tigecycline-inactivating enzymes Tet(X3) and Tet(X4), which are associated with high-level tigecycline resistance, demonstrated significantly higher activities in comparison to that of the prototypical Tet(X) enzyme, threatening the clinical efficacy of tigecycline as a last-resort antibiotic to treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to high-level tigecycline resistance remain elusive.
Interkingdom Gut Microbiome and Resistome of the Cockroach
Blattella germanica
Authors: Domínguez-Santos Rebeca , Pérez-Cobas Ana Elena , Cuti Paolo , Pérez-Brocal Vicente , García-Ferris Carlos , Moya Andrés , Latorre Amparo , Gil Rosario
Published: May 2021

For the first time, we analyze the interkingdom hindgut microbiome of this species, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses. Network analysis reveals putative cooperation between core bacteria that could be key for ecosystem equilibrium.
Supplemental Material: Highly localized upper mantle deformation during plate boundary initiation near the Alpine fault, New Zealand
Authors: Kidder Steven , al. et
Published: May 2021

Supplemental figures, data, and code related to shear zone width estimates.
The Sweeping-out of Dust by Radiation Pressure of Stars and Chemical Composition Peculiarities of Disc Galaxies
Authors: Sivkova E. E. , Wiebe D. S. , Shustov B. M.
Published: May 2021

Abstract—

We consider the drift of dust grains of various sizes and chemical compositions caused by the stellar radiation pressure in the vicinity of the Milky Way. When integrating the equations of motion, in addition to the radiation pressure, we consider the gravitational attraction from various components of the Galaxy and the gas drag. It has been shown that carbonaceous grains of medium sizes (~0.01 μm) are swept out of the galactic disc most effectively. Smaller dust grains are swept out to a substantially lesser extent, or they are not swept out at all. We also consider the motion of silicate dust grains, including those with porous structure. It has been shown that silicate grains experience a considerably weaker impact of the radiation pressure. The simulation result of their motion does not essentially depend on whether their porosity is accounted for or ignored. The total rate of the Galaxy’s dust loss has turned out to be high—approximately 0.03 M⊙ per year, which is comparable to the effect produced by the other mechanisms ejecting heavy elements to the circumgalactic space. We discuss the potential of the sweeping of dust out of the Galaxy in formation of the radial metallicity gradient, as well as the prospects of detecting extensive dust structures in elliptical galaxies.
Mean Square Geodesic Deviation in the Zeldovich Problem on Light Propagation in a Universe with Inhomogeneities
Authors: Sokoloff D. D. , Chikina A. A. , Illarionov E. A.
Published: May 2021

In 1964, Ya.B. Zeldovich formulated the problem of light propagation in the Universe under the influence of inhomogeneities. It is reduced to describing the divergence of two close geodesics in a Riemannian space and is described by the geodesic deviation equation (Jacobi equation) with the curvature along the geodesic line varying randomly. Assuming the curvature to be constant on segments of small but finite length, the problem is reduced to studying the product of random matrices and makes it possible to apply the appropriate well-developed mathematical theory, which, however, did not allow calculating the mean-square growth rate of the geodesic deviation. In our paper, we propose a way to solve this problem by introducing a bilinear quantity, one component of which coincides with the square of the Jacobi field. The system of first-order differential equations for the bilinear quantity is explicitly written out, and the solution, same as the growth rate, is again expressed through the product of matrices. Such a technique can be used in the study of a wide range of problems and is naturally generalized to higher-order moments.
Improving timeliness of hepatitis B vaccine administration in an urban safety net level III NICU
Authors: Hayashi Madoka , Grover Theresa R , Small Steve , Staples Tessa , Roosevelt Genie
Published: May 2021

Objective

To avoid preventable consequences of perinatal hepatitis B infection, all infants should be given hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) within 24 hours of birth if birth weight is ≥2 kg and at 30 days of life or at discharge if <2 kg, to provide highest seroprotection rates while ensuring universal vaccination prior to discharge. We aimed to achieve timely HBV administration in >80% of eligible infants in both birthweight groups and decrease infants discharged home without receiving HBV to <1% over an 18-month period and sustain results for an additional 15 months.

Methods

Data were collected from June 2016 to May 2020 in a level III neonatal intensive care unit. A multidisciplinary team identified barriers and interventions through Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles from September 2017 to February 2019: using pharmacists as champions, overcoming legal barriers, staff education and best practice alerts (BPAs) embedded in electronic health records. Statistical process control (SPC) p charts were used to evaluate the primary outcome measure, monthly percentage of infants receiving timely HBV administration stratified by birthweight categories (≥2 and <2 kg). For infants receiving HBV outside the time frame, absolute difference of timeliness was calculated.

Results

Mean timely HBV administration improved from 45% to 95% (≥2 kg) and from 45% to 85% (<2 kg) with special cause variation in SPC charts. Infants discharged without receiving HBV decreased from 4.6% to 0.22%. Of those given HBV outside the recommended time frame, median absolute time between recommended and actual administration time decreased significantly: from 3.5 days (IQR 1.6, 8.6) to 0.3 day (IQR 0.1, 0.8) (p<0.001) in ≥2 kg group and from 6 days (IQR 1, 15) to 1 day (IQR 1, 6.5) (p=0.009) in <2 kg group.

Conclusions

Using a multidisciplinary approach, we significantly improved and sustained timely HBV administration and nearly eliminated infants discharged home without receiving HBV. Pharmacists as champions and BPAs were critical to our success.
Anterior cruciate ligament injury mechanisms through a neurocognition lens: implications for injury screening
Authors: Gokeler Alli , Benjaminse Anne , Della Villa Francesco , Tosarelli Fillippo , Verhagen Evert , Baumeister Jochen
Published: May 2021

Athletes in team sports have to quickly visually perceive actions of opponents and teammates while executing their own movements. These continuous actions are performed under time pressure and may contribute to a non-contact ACL injury. However, ACL injury screening and prevention programmes are primarily based on standardised movements in a predictable environment. The sports environment provides much greater cognitive demand because athletes must attend their attention to numerous external stimuli and inhibit impulsive actions. Any deficit or delay in attentional processing may contribute to an inability to correct potential errors in complex coordination, resulting in knee positions that increase the ACL injury risk. In this viewpoint, we advocate that ACL injury screening should include the sports specific neurocognitive demands.
Gout as a Risk Factor for Acute Myocardial Infarction: Evidence from Competing Risk Model Analysis
Authors: Huang Chia-Luen , Wang Tai-Wen , Chen Yong-Chen , Hu Je-Ming , Ku Po-Ming , Hsieh Chang-Hsun , Lee Chien-Hsing , Kuo Feng-Chih , Lu Chieh-Hua , Su Cheng-Chiang , Liu Jhih-Syuan , Lin Fu-Huang , Chou Yu-Ching , Sun Chien-An
Published: May 2021

Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of gout, is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thus, in theory, gout can be expected to increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Yet, results from several epidemiological studies have been inconclusive. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan dated from 2000 to 2013. The study cohort comprised 3581 patients with gout (the gout cohort) and 14,324 patients without gout (the non-gout cohort). The primary outcome was the incidence of AMI. To estimate the effect of gout on the risk of AMI, the Lunn-McNeil competing risk model was fitted to estimate cause-specific hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The cumulative incidence of AMI was significantly higher in the gout cohort than in the non-gout cohort, resulting in an adjusted HR of 1.36 (95% CI 1.04 to 2.76). Further, HRs of gout with incident AMI were higher in patients without hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or hyperlipidemia (ranging from 1.63 to 2.09) than in those with each of these comorbidities (ranging from 0.95 to 1.13). The results of this study suggest that patients with gout have an increased risk of AMI. The AMI risk associated with gout was conditional on patients’ cardiovascular risk profile. Future work is needed to confirm these findings.
Caffeinated energy drinks in the Canadian context: health risk assessment with a focus on cardiovascular effects
Authors: La Vieille Sébastien , Gillespie Zoe , Bonvalot Yvette , Benkhedda Karima , Grinberg Nancy , Rotstein Joel , Barber Jennifer , Krahn Andrew D.
Published: May 2021

In Canada, caffeinated energy drinks (CEDs) currently sold under Temporary Marketing Authorizations must meet strict eligibility criteria. These criteria, which include compositional and labelling requirements, were developed based on the outcome of a health risk assessment conducted by Health Canada (HC) in 2013. HC updated its assessment by reviewing new information with the focus on potential cardiovascular effects associated with the consumption of CEDs available for sale in Canada. Due to limited data on CED consumption among Canadians to derive accurate exposure information, the composition of a typical CED was characterized to assess the potential effects of single ingredients and synergistic interactions between ingredients on the cardiovascular system. Surveillance data on potential adverse effects related to CED consumption was also analyzed. After extensive review, HC’s updated assessment confirms the current risk management approach for CEDs is health protective for Canadian consumers, including the potential for cardiovascular effects. The available evidence supports that moderate consumption (up to 500 mL per day) of a typical CED authorized for sale in Canada is safe for the general population of healthy adults and adolescents. It also re-confirms that vulnerable sub-populations (i.e., children, pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, and caffeine-sensitive individuals) should not consume CEDs.

Novelty: Consumption up to 500 mL per day of a typical CED is not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular effects. Children, pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, and caffeine-sensitive individuals should not consume CEDs.
Art, anatomy, and the stars: Russell and Séguin’s dinosauroid1
Authors: Naish Darren , Tattersdill Will
Published: May 2021

It takes a bold, innovative mind to publish an exercise in speculative evolution pertaining to an alternative timeline. Dale Russell’s studies of the troodontid Stenonychosaurus and of ornithomimid theropods, published in 1969 and 1972, inspired him to consider the possibility that some theropod dinosaur lineages might have given rise to big-brained species had they never died out. By late 1980, Russell had considered the invention of a hypothetical descendant of Stenonychosaurus dubbed the “dinosauroid”. There is likely no specific inspiration for the dinosauroid given Russell’s overlapping areas of interest, but his correspondence with Carl Sagan and his involvement in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence program were likely of special influence. The early-1980s creation of a life-size Stenonychosaurus model with Ron Séguin gave Russell the impetus to bring the dinosauroid to life. Authors have disagreed on whether the dinosauroid’s creation was an exercise in scientific extrapolation or one of speculative fiction, and on whether its form reflects bias or an honest experiment: Russell justified his decisions on the basis of the dinosauroid’s anatomy being adaptive and linked to efficiency, but he also stated or implied that the human form may be considered a predictable evolutionary outcome among big-brained organisms, and expressed a preference for directionist views that posit humans as close to the pinnacle of evolution. Both derided and praised at the time of its construction, the dinosauroid is undergoing a resurgence of interest. Given that its aim was to spark discussion and invite alternative solutions, it can only be considered an extraordinary success.
Refining the use of oxygen consumption as a proxy corrosion rate measure for archaeological and historic iron
Authors: Emmerson N. J. , Seifert J. H. , Watkinson D. E.
Published: May 2021

Since its introduction to the field of heritage science, oxygen consumption has found multiple applications in the assessment of artefact stability and the examination of conservation treatment efficiencies. Early papers identified various factors affecting oxygen measurements and produced preliminary data on their effects. This paper follows on from the early research by other workers and presents guidance on the application of oxygen consumption as a proxy corrosion rate measurement based on a decade of experience at Cardiff University. It examines the rationale for key aspects of the Cardiff protocols for oxygen consumption and presents data to underpin these. Finally, it provides instructional guidance for heritage scientists adopting oxygen consumption for their research applications.
Qualifying quantum approaches for hard industrial optimization problems. A case study in the field of smart-charging of electric vehicles
Authors: Dalyac Constantin , Henriet Loïc , Jeandel Emmanuel , Lechner Wolfgang , Perdrix Simon , Porcheron Marc , Veshchezerova Margarita
Published: May 2021

In order to qualify quantum algorithms for industrial NP-Hard problems, comparing them to available polynomial approximate classical algorithms and not only to exact exponential ones is necessary. This is a great challenge as, in many cases, bounds on the reachable approximation ratios exist according to some highly-trusted conjectures of Complexity Theory. An interesting setup for such qualification is thus to focus on particular instances of these problems known to be “less difficult” than the worst-case ones and for which the above bounds can be outperformed: quantum algorithms should perform at least as well as the conventional approximate ones on these instances, up to very large sizes. We present a case study of such a protocol for two industrial problems drawn from the strongly developing field of smart-charging of electric vehicles. Tailored implementations of the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) have been developed for both problems, and tested numerically with classical resources either by emulation of Pasqal’s Rydberg atom based quantum device or using Atos Quantum Learning Machine. In both cases, quantum algorithms exhibit the same approximation ratios as conventional approximation algorithms or improve them. These are very encouraging results, although still for instances of limited size as allowed by studies on classical computing resources. The next step will be to confirm them on larger instances, on actual devices, and for more complex versions of the problems addressed.
A Trajectory-Based Method for Dynamic Scene Recognition
Authors: Peng Xiaoming , Bouzerdoum Abdesselam , Phung Son Lam
Published: May 2021

Existing methods for dynamic scene recognition mostly use global features extracted from the entire video frame or a video segment. In this paper, a trajectory-based dynamic scene recognition method is proposed. A trajectory is formed by a pixel moving across consecutive frames of a video segment. The local regions surrounding the trajectory provide useful appearance and motion information about a portion of the video segment. The proposed method works at several stages. First, dense and evenly distributed trajectories are extracted from a video segment. Then, the fully-connected-layer features are extracted from each trajectory using a pre-trained Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) model, forming a feature sequence. Next, these feature sequences are fed into a Long-Short-Term-Memory (LSTM) network to learn their temporal behavior. Finally, by aggregating the information of the trajectories, a global representation of the video segment can be obtained for classification purposes. The LSTM is trained using synthetic trajectory feature sequences instead of real ones. The synthetic feature sequences are generated with a series of generative adversarial networks (GANs). In addition to classification, category-specific discriminative trajectories are located in a video segment, which help reveal what portions of a video segment are more important than others. This is achieved by formulating an optimization problem to learn discriminative part detectors for all categories simultaneously. Experimental results on two benchmark dynamic scene datasets show that the proposed method is very competitive with six other methods.
A NOVEL pH SENSITIVITY OF SnO2THIN FILM BASED EGFET PREPARED USING CHEMICAL BATH METHOD
Authors: KADHIM IMAD H. , ABD-ALGHAFOUR N. M.
Published: May 2021

Nanocrystalline (NC) tin dioxide (SnO2) thin film has been prepared using chemical bath method at low working temperature onto SiO2/Si substrates. The structural and morphological properties were studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The as-deposited thin film appeared with tetragonal rutile structure. The crystallization of SnO2film was achieved when the film was exposed to anneal at [Formula: see text]C. NC SnO2thin film was successfully utilized as an extended gate field-effect transistor (EGFET) pH sensing. NC SnO2film based pH-EGFET sensor displayed a notable pH sensing performance, where the sensitivity and the linearity values are equal to 25.7 (mV/pH) and 0.8489 within 2–12 range consecutive. The NC SnO2thin film sensor has shown good pH sensor stability and reliability; thus it can be considered the best choice for flexible and disposable biosensors.
Belt and Road in Ethiopia and China’s African Ambition
Authors: Larçon Jean-Paul , Vadcar Corinne
Published: May 2021

China–Ethiopia economic cooperation in the period of 2000–2020 is marked by the convergence between the industrial policy of Ethiopia, the orientations of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and the infrastructure development strategy which is the cornerstone of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

China, the largest foreign investor in Ethiopia during this period, has had a major role in terms of investment and financing in the energy sector and the transportation infrastructure: Addis Ababa Airport, roads, railway, seaport terminal, and gas pipeline.

The flagship project — the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway — connecting Addis Ababa to Djibouti City and Djibouti’s Doraleh Container Terminal, inaugurated in 2018, provided landlocked Ethiopia with a good connection between the hinterland and the seaport: the economic corridor accounts for more than 95% of Ethiopia’s foreign trade.

The development of Ethiopian Industrial Parks on the model of Chinese Special Economic Zones (SEZs) was the second pillar of the strategy of development of an export-oriented manufacturing sector. Chinese companies operating in Ethiopian Industrial Parks in the textile and leather industries have been pioneering this activity contributing to Ethiopia’s participation in the Global Value Chains (GVCs).

Ethiopian government is also planning the development of agro-industrial parks specialized in added-value agricultural products such as coffee or cut flowers exported to Europe via Addis Ababa Airport and Ethiopian Airlines Cargo.

Ethiopia’s main challenges in that direction are the necessity to go up the value chain to further penetrate European markets and, most likely, to identify the products or services which could be integrated into the African markets in the new context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement that entered into force in January 2021.
The subantarctic lithospheric mantle
Authors: Delpech Guillaume , Scott James M. , Grégoire Michel , Moine Bertrand N. , Li Dongxu , Liu Jingao , Pearson D. Graham , van der Meer Quinten H. A. , Waight Tod E. , Michon Gilbert , Guillaume Damien , O'Reilly Suzanne Y. , Cottin Jean-Yves , Giret André
Published: May 2021

We present a summary of peridotite in the Subantarctic (46–60° S) surrounding the Antarctic Plate. Peridotite xenoliths occur on the Kerguelen Islands and Auckland Islands. The Kerguelen Islands are underlain by a plume, whereas the Auckland Islands are part of continental Zealandia, which is a Gondwana-rifted fragment. Small amounts of serpentinized peridotite has been dredged from fracture zones on the Southeast Indian Ridge, Southwest Indian Ridge and Pacific Antarctic Ridge, and represent upwelled asthenosphere accreted to form lithosphere. Suprasubduction-zone peridotite was collected from two locations on the Sandwich Plate. Peridotites from most subantarctic occurrences are moderately to highly depleted, and many show signs of subsequent metasomatic enrichment. Os isotopes indicate that subantarctic continental and oceanic lithospheric mantle contains ancient fragments that underwent depletion long before formation of the overlying crust.
Ogilvie Platform Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element
Authors: Morrow David W.
Published: May 2021

The Ogilvie Platform Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element (CTSE) occupies an area of about 68 000 km
2
in the northern part of the Yukon Territory of Canada, and includes all Paleozoic- and Triassic-aged strata between a base of Cambrian unconformity and a base of Jurassic and Cretaceous unconformity. This cratonic platform is composed of two lithologically distinct sedimentary successions: a lower suite of peritidal to shallow-subtidal, carbonate-dominated, Cambrian–Middle Devonian-aged units; and an upper succession of siliciclastic-dominated alluvial fan, shelf delta, nearshore, slope and basinal strata of Middle Devonian–Late Permian and Triassic age. The lower succession is composed of a synrift tectono-sedimentary element (TSE) and an overlying passive continental-margin TSE. The upper succession is composed of an Ellesmerian orogenic foreland TSE and a syn-epeirogenic TSE. The total discovered oil reserve within the Ogilvie Platform is estimated to be 1.757 × 10
6
m
3
(11.05 MMbbl) and the total discovered gas reserve is estimated to be 2.376 × 109 m
3
(83.7 Bcf) in four oil and gas pools. A variety of stratigraphic and structural trap types have been assessed to contain additional conventional hydrocarbon reserves, with a total mean potential of 33.4 × 10
6
m
3
(210.1 MMbbl) of oil and 33.4 × 10
9
m
3
(2.63 Tcf) of gas. The organic-rich shale and siltstone-dominated petroleum source-rock units, such as within the Road River Group, the Canol and Ford Lake formations, and organic-rich strata within the Hart River and Blackie formations, are also prospective for large reserves of unconventional oil and gas, and have yet to be formally assessed.
Petrogenesis of silicic rocks from the Phan Si Pan–Tu Le region of the Emeishan large igneous province, northwestern Vietnam
Authors: Pham Thuy Thanh , Shellnutt J. Gregory , Tran Tuan-Anh , Denyszyn Steven W. , Iizuka Yoshiyuki
Published: May 2021

The Permian silicic rocks in the Phan Si Pan (PSP) Uplift area and Tu Le (TL) basin of NW Vietnam (collectively the PSP–TL region) are associated with the Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP). The Permian Muong Hum, Phu Sa Phin and Nam Xe–Tam Duong granites and Tu Le rhyolites are alkali ferroan A
1
-type granitic rocks, which probably formed by fractional crystallization of high-Ti basaltic magma that was contaminated by melts derived from the Neoproterozoic host rocks. Zircon U–Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) geochronology yielded weighted-mean
206
Pb/
238
U ages of 246 ± 3 to 259 ± 3 Ma for granites, and 249 ± 3 and 254 ± 2 Ma for rhyolites. This is contrasted with previously published high precision U–Pb ages, obtained using chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry method applied on the same zircon grains, which suggests that the calculated LA–ICP–MS U–Pb ages are variably inaccurate by up to 10 Ma, although at the single-grain level dates generally agree within uncertainty. The similarity of rock texture, whole-rock geochemistry, emplacement ages and fractionation phases between the PSP–TL region and silicic rocks in the Inner Zone ELIP (i.e. Panzhihua, Binchuan) suggests they were spatially proximal before being sinistrally displaced along the Ailao Shan–Red River shear zone.
Petrogenesis and tectonic settings of Proterozoic mafic magmatism from the northern Indian Shield and the Himalaya: possible role for interaction of mantle plume with the subcontinental lithospheric mantle
Authors: Ahmad Talat , Yousuf Ibrahim , Chauhan Hiredya
Published: May 2021

Northern Indian Shield and the western Himalaya have an impressive record of mafic magmatism. The Aravalli Craton preserved 2.3 Ga komatiitic (picritic) and 2.1–1.8 Ga tholeiities. Gwalior and Betul belts preserved 2.1 and 1.5–1.2 Ga tholeiites, respectively. Western Himalaya has preserved 2.1–1.8 Ga tholeiites in Garhwal and Himachal regions. Studied rocks depict enriched rare earth elements, large ion lithophile elements and depleted high field strength elements. Whereas komatiites/picrites represent higher degrees of partial melting (
c.
35–40%) at higher temperatures (
c.
1500°C), tholeiites represent lower degrees of partial melting (
c.
10%) at lower temperatures (
c.
1200°C). Our results indicate interaction of mantle plume with variably enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle sources, causing generation of these varied magmatic suites of rocks. Whereas the higher temperature komatiitic/picritic melts from the Aravalli region appear to have been generated closer to the plume head, the lower temperature tholeiitic melts from the shield region and western Himalaya were generated towards the plume margins. Different terrains of the study have undergone plume tectonics causing the development of the rift valleys. The majority of these developed into aulacogens, except for the Aravalli basin, which developed into deeper marine facies.
Exercise effect on insulin-dependent and insulin-independent glucose utilization in healthy individuals and individuals with type 1 diabetes: a modeling study
Authors: Romeres Davide , Schiavon Michele , Basu Ananda , Cobelli Claudio , Basu Rita , Dalla Man Chiara
Published: May 2021

Here, we present a new mathematical model describing the effect of moderate physical activity on insulin-mediated and noninsulin-mediated glucose disposal in subjects with and without diabetes. We believe that this represents a step-forward in the knowledge of type 1 diabetes pathophysiology, and an useful tool to design safe and effective insulin-therapies.
Aberrant activation of the complement system in renal grafts is mediated by cold storage
Authors: Lo Sorena , Jiang Li , Stacks Savannah , Lin Haixia , Parajuli Nirmala
Published: May 2021

This study highlights cold storage-mediated aberrant activation of complement components in renal allografts following transplantation. Specifically, the results demonstrate, for the first time, that cold storage functions in exacerbation of C5b-9, a terminal cytolytic membrane attack complex, in renal grafts following transplantation. In addition, the results indicated that cold storage induces local C3 biogenesis in renal proximal cells/tubules and that TNF-α promotes C3 biogenesis and activation in renal proximal tubular cells.
Uniform Treatment of Jensen’s Inequality by Montgomery Identity
Authors: Rasheed Tahir , Butt Saad Ihsan , Pečarić Đilda , Pečarić Josip , Akdemir Ahmet Ocak
Published: May 2021

We generalize Jensen’s integral inequality for real Stieltjes measure by using Montgomery identity under the effect of

n
−

convex functions; also, we give different versions of Jensen’s discrete inequality along with its converses for real weights. As an application, we give generalized variants of Hermite–Hadamard inequality. Montgomery identity has a great importance as many inequalities can be obtained from Montgomery identity in

q
−

calculus and fractional integrals. Also, we give applications in information theory for our obtained results, especially for Zipf and Hybrid Zipf–Mandelbrot entropies.
Combination of a Green and a Traditional Method for Estimating Relative and Absolute Ink Age: A Case Study of Ballpoint Pen Ink Dating in Vietnam
Authors: Hoang Anh Duc , Tu Minh Binh , Ta Thi Thao , Hoang Manh Hung
Published: May 2021

The dating of ink in questioned documents remains a significant challenge in forensic investigations in Vietnam and other countries. Many forensic examination methods have been usually applied to ensure the highest accuracy of the assessment results while maintaining high environment awareness. In this study, paper characteristics were physically tested to confirm source similarity, and the relative ink dating was established by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Absolute ink dating by solvent and dye identification was performed by Raman spectrometry—a green technique, using a time-dependent degradation model for crystal violet and the comparison between 2-phenoxyethanol peak intensities. We found that the relative dating of the questioned document was 14 ± 3 months lesser than that of the reference samples, i.e., the absolute age of the questioned samples was estimated to be 24 ± 3 months. The combination of the conventional HPTLC method with the dynamic crystal violet degradation Raman model provides promising results for relative and absolute ink dating of ballpoint pens, which can be applied for documents written 1–15 years prior to the time of examination. The combination of the abovementioned methods demonstrated an acceptable error margin, affording highly practical applications in modern forensic science.
A Distributed E‐Cross Learning Algorithm for Intelligent Multiple Network Slice Selection
Authors: Wu Guomin , Tan Guoping , Jiang Defu
Published: May 2021

Recently, some technological issues in network slicing have been explored. However, most works focus on the physical resource management in this research field and less on slice selection. Different from the existing studies, we explore the problem of intelligent multiple slice selection, which makes some effort to dynamically obtain better user experience in a changeable state. Herein, we consider two factors about user experience: its throughput and energy consumption. Accordingly, a distributed E‐cross learning algorithm is developed in the multiagent system where each terminal is regarded as an agent in the distributed network. Furthermore, its convergence is theoretically proven for the dynamic game model. In addition, the complexity of the proposed algorithm is discussed. A mass of simulation results are presented for the convergence and effectiveness of the proposed distributed learning algorithm. Compared with greedy algorithm, the proposed intelligent algorithm has a faster convergence speed. Besides, better user experience is attained effectively with multiple slice access.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Preclinical Infertility Cytotherapy: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Chang Zhuo , Zhu Hui , Zhou Xueming , Zhang Yang , Jiang Bei , Li Shuoxi , Chen Lu , Pan Xue , Feng Xiao-ling
Published: May 2021

Infertility is a global reproductive disorder which is caused by a variety of complex diseases. Infertility affects the individual, family, and community through physical, psychological, social and economic consequences. The results from recent preclinical studies regarding stem cell-based therapies are promising. Stem cell-based therapies cast a new hope for infertility treatment as a replacement or regeneration strategy. The main features and application prospects of mesenchymal stem cells in the future of infertility should be understood by clinicians. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells with abundant source, active proliferation, and multidirectional differentiation potential. MSCs play a role through cell homing, secretion of active factors, and participation in immune regulation. Another advantage is that, compared with embryonic stem cells, there are fewer ethical factors involved in the application of MSCs. However, a number of questions remain to be answered prior to safe and effective clinical application. In this review, we summarized the recent status of MSCs in the application of the diseases related to or may cause to infertility and suggest a possible direction for future cytotherapy to infertility.