bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of serum levels of interleukins 1‐beta, 10 and 12 in patients with acne vulgaris
Authors: Mohamed Marwa , Shehata Hanan Abdel Aaty , Fahmy Nahed Fathallah , Saleh Ramadan
Published: September 2022

Introduction

One of the most prevalent skin disorders is acne vulgaris. It is a distressing problem among young adults and adolescents. The pathophysiology of AV is significantly influenced by certain immune response cells. Acne's localized tissue inflammatory reactions are brought on by the bacteria Cutibacterium acnes, which also causes the release of several inflammatory mediators.

Aim of the Work

To measure the serum levels of IL‐1 and IL‐12, two pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and IL‐10, an anti‐inflammatory cytokine, in AV patients and link those levels with the severity of the condition.

Results

This study included 19 males and 23 females with AV(n = 42), with mean age of 21.79 ± 3.5. The control group included 19 males and 23 female (n = 42) with mean age of 22.05 ± 3.3 (p = 0.729). Serum levels of IL‐1β was significantly higher in patients with AV as than controls (p < 0.001). Similarly, the serum levels of IL‐12 were significantly higher in AV cases than controls (p < 0.001). On the contrary, the median IL‐10 was significantly lower in AV cases than controls (p = 0.015). The correlation between serum levels of IL‐1β and IL‐12 in AV patients and disease severity was insignificant (r = −0.04, p = 0.404) and (r = −0.19, p = 0.118, respectively). (r = −0.19, p = 0.118) On the contrary, there was a significant negative correlation between serum levels of IL‐10 in AV patients and disease severity (r = −0.43, p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Our results indicate significant alterations in the monocyte‐derived cytokine (MDCs) profile in patients with AV, IL‐1 and IL‐12 serum levels rose while IL‐10 levels fell, reflecting an increase in pro‐inflammatory cytokines and a decrease in anti‐inflammatory cytokines. These highlight the important role played by monocytes in the pathogenesis of AV.
Spurious laboratory results associated with immunoglobulin M gammopathy in a dog with multiple myeloma
Authors: Loane Samantha C. , Castillo Daniel A. , Peschard Anne‐Lorraine D. M. , Hall Harriet R. , Kortum Andre J.
Published: September 2022

An 11 year old female‐neutered Labrador presented for facial swelling. Clinicopathological abnormalities included hyperglobulinemia, azotemia, hypercalcemia, nonregenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, and spurious hypoglycemia. Normoglycemia was subsequently confirmed using a cage‐side analyzer (AlphaTRAK, Zoetis, UK). Serum and urine protein electrophoresis documented monoclonal (immunoglobulin M) gammopathy with Bence‐Jones proteinuria. Computed tomography imaging revealed a monostotic osteolytic bone‐lesion, and bone marrow cytology and histopathology documented plasmacytosis with multiple myeloma oncogene 1 / interferon regulatory factor 4 positivity, consistent with multiple myeloma. Infectious disease testing initially indicated seropositivity forLeishmania,Borrelia, andAnaplasmaspp.; however,LeishmaniaPCR (splenic and bone marrow aspirates), and paired serological titers forBorreliaandAnaplasmawere negative. Consequently, initial serological results were considered to be false positive because of paraproteinemia‐associated assay interference. Chemotherapy (prednisolone and melphalan combination therapy) was initiated, but the dog was euthanased 30 days later because of the development of pericardial effusion. This is a report of spurious serological (and other laboratory) results occurring secondary to monoclonal gammopathy in a dog.
Novel genome sequence of Chinese cavefish (Triplophysa rosa) reveals pervasive relaxation of natural selection in cavefish genomes
Authors: Zhao Qingyuan , Shao Feng , Li Yanping , Yi Soojin V. , Peng Zuogang
Published: September 2022

All cavefishes, living exclusively in caves across the globe, exhibit similar phenotypic traits, including the characteristic loss of eyes. To understand whether such phenotypic convergence shares similar genomic bases, here we investigated genome‐wide evolutionary signatures of cavefish phenotypes by comparing whole‐genome sequences of three pairs of cavefishes and their surface fish relatives. Notably, we newly sequenced and generated a whole‐genome assembly of the Chinese cavefish Triplophysa rosa. Our comparative analyses revealed several shared features of cavefish genome evolution. Cavefishes had lower mutation rates than their surface fish relatives. In contrast, the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions (ω) was significantly elevated in cavefishes compared to in surface fishes, consistent with the relaxation of purifying selection. In addition, cavefish genomes had an increased mutational load, including mutations that alter protein hydrophobicity profiles, which were considered harmful. Interestingly, however, we found no overlap in positively selected genes among different cavefish lineages, indicating that the phenotypic convergence in cavefishes was not caused by positive selection of the same sets of genes. Analyses of previously identified candidate genes associated with cave phenotypes supported this conclusion. Genes belonging to the lipid metabolism functional ontology were under relaxed purifying selection in all cavefish genomes, which may be associated with the nutrient‐poor habitat of cavefishes. Our work reveals previously uncharacterized patterns of cavefish genome evolution and provides comparative insights into the evolution of cave‐associated phenotypic traits.
A methodology for scheduling within‐day roadway work zones using deep neural networks and active learning
Authors: Saneii Mostafa , Kazemeini Ali , Seilabi Sania Esmaeilzadeh , Miralinaghi Mohammad , Labi Samuel
Published: September 2022

City infrastructure agencies routinely implement road projects that address various elements of urban infrastructure. The majority of these projects are short‐term in nature (e.g., utility repair), as they are completed in a few hours within 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. of a workday. The implementation of these projects during working hours, in spite of the inconvenience imposed on road users, helps the agency avoid extra labor costs associated with nonregular working hours. Careful scheduling of these projects can prevent unduly increased travel delays (road users’ interest) while keeping project costs low (the agency's interest). This study presents a bi‐level framework for scheduling short‐term urban road projects that analyzes the implicit tradeoffs between the two stakeholders’ interests. The upper‐level model establishes the optimal schedule considering the project characteristics, such as cost and duration. The lower‐level model captures the dynamic user equilibrium conditions that yield the road users’ path and departure time choices. The bi‐level model is a mixed‐integer program with nonlinear constraints. Recognizing the relatively low efficiency of traditional solution methods, this paper proposes a deep‐neural‐network‐ensemble‐assisted active learning (DN2EA2L) algorithm and adopts a fixed‐point algorithm for solving the bi‐level model. The numerical experiment uses the Sioux Falls network to demonstrate the efficiency of the DN2EA2L, compared to conventional metaheuristic methods. It is shown that travel time increases due to the project implementation during the peak hours can outweigh the agency's saving in wage costs. Further, it is shown that a significant reduction in the road users’ value of time enables the agency to schedule more projects during regular working hours.
Math anxiety as an independent psychological construct among social‐emotional attitudes: An exploratory factor analysis
Authors: Cheng Dazhi , Ren Bingqian , Yu Xiaodan , Wang Haitao , Chen Qian , Zhou Xinlin
Published: September 2022

Math anxiety is a widespread problem for children and adolescents worldwide. However, the psychological trait of math anxiety is poorly understood. The present study aimed to examine the psychological construct of math anxiety among social‐emotional attitudes. A total of 28,726 students, including 17,378 fourth graders and 11,348 eighth graders, were selected from the Qingdao Basic Education Quality Assessment database using multi‐stage cluster random sampling. There were 10 questionnaires assessing social‐emotional attitudes in the database. Pearson's correlation analyses were performed to examine the intercorrelations between social‐emotional attitudes and mathematical performance. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to examine the psychological structure of these 10 social‐emotional attitudes. After controlling for other social‐emotional attitudes, math anxiety had a weak but significant correlation to mathematical performance in most subtests across grades. Among three‐factor, four‐factor, and five‐factor EFA models, math anxiety was an independent factor that was separate from other social‐emotional attitudes across six parallel subtests in grades four and eight. Math anxiety is a stable and independent psychological construct that is separate from other social‐emotional attitudes. It suggests that math anxiety should be considered as a distinct anxiety disorder specific to mathematical learning in subsequent versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Water retention and metabolic changes improve desiccation tolerance in Barbacenia graminifolia (Velloziaceae)
Authors: Vieira Evandro Alves , Silva Kleber Resende , Rossi Mônica Lanzoni , Martinelli Adriana Pinheiro , Gaspar Marilia , Braga Marcia Regina
Published: September 2022

Barbacenia graminifolia is a Velloziaceae species endemic to the campos rupestres in Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais state (Brazil). This biome is characterised by high irradiance and limited water conditions. Unlike other resurrection plants, B. graminifolia can maintain a high hydric status (>80%) after 28 days of water suppression before desiccation. We investigated the physiological and metabolic mechanisms associated with structural changes that allow B. graminifolia to maintain hydration under a prolonged water deficit and to recover after desiccation. After 30 days of water deficit, desiccated plants exhibited chlorophyll degradation, a 178.4% and 193.7% increase in total carotenoids and MDA, respectively, and twice the CAT and APX activity compared to hydrated plants. The metabolite profile showed increased amino acids, carbohydrates, saturated fatty acids and benzoic acids during dehydration, while trichloroacetic acid cycle acids were higher in hydrated and rehydrated plants. Anatomical and ultrastructural data corroborated the physiological and metabolic changes and revealed the presence of mucilaginous cells with high water retention capacity. Our data indicated that combined strategies of assimilatory metabolism shutdown, accumulation of compatible solutes and antioxidant compounds, increase in hydrophilic molecules, changes in the composition of membrane lipids and remodelling of cell organelles conditioned the efficiency of B. graminifolia in delaying water loss, tolerating further desiccation and quickly recovering after rehydration. These attributes evidence that this species is well adapted to cope with adverse environmental conditions, mainly directing the metabolism to an efficient antioxidant response and improving its capacity to retain water during the dry season.
The contribution of mother‐father‐child interactions to children's emotion narratives
Authors: Adler Shira Yuval , Oppenheim David
Published: September 2022

Parents' sensitivity during interactions with their children has been associated with children's emotion narratives elicited using story completion tasks, but almost all of this research focused on mothers and was based on a dyadic, parent‐child focus. The goal of the present study was to expand this research by studying triadic, mother‐father‐child interactions and their associations with children's narratives. Seventy‐one families with their 4.5‐year‐old children were observed in the Lausanne Trilogue Play (LTP) procedure to assess Family Cooperation, and children were administered the MacArthur Story‐Stem Battery (MSSB) to assess Coherence, Parental Representations, and Engagement with the task. Regression analyses indicated that controlling for children's Narrative Competence and Effortful Control, children who were part of more cooperative family interactions produced narratives that were more coherent, and they were more engaged during the task. No associations were found with children's representations of parents. Directions for future studies as well as clinical implications are discussed.
Hepatitis E virus is effectively inactivated by methylene blue plus light treatment
Authors: Gravemann Ute , Engelmann Michael , Kinast Volker , Burkard Thomas , Behrendt Patrick , Schulze Torsten J. , Todt Daniel , Steinmann Eike
Published: September 2022

Background and objectives

Photodynamic treatment with methylene blue (MB) and visible light is a well‐established pathogen inactivation system for human plasma. This technique is routinely used in different countries. MB/light treatment was shown to inactivate several transfusion‐transmittable viruses, but its efficiency for the inactivation of the quasi‐enveloped hepatitis E virus (HEV) has not yet been investigated.

Materials and methods

Plasma units were spiked with cell culture‐derived HEV and treated with the THERAFLEX MB‐Plasma system using various light doses (30, 60, 90, and 120 J/cm2). HEV titers in pre‐ and post‐treatment samples were determined by virus titration and a large‐volume plating assay to improve the detection limit of the virus assay.

Results

THERAFLEX MB‐Plasma efficiently inactivated HEV in human plasma. Even the lowest light dose of 30 J/cm2 inactivated HEV down to the limit of detection, with a mean log reduction factor of greater than 2.4 for the total process.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that the THERAFLEX MB‐Plasma system effectively inactivates HEV in human plasma.
Echocardiographic indicators of fluid responsiveness in hospitalized dogs with compromised hemodynamics and tissue hypoperfusion
Authors: Donati Pablo A. , Villalta Cesar , Lisa Tarragona , Fravega Rodrigo , Cordero Ignacio Sandez , Tunesi Marcela , Guevara Juan Manuel , Otero Pablo E.
Published: September 2022

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of selected echocardiographic variables used to predict fluid responsiveness in hospitalized dogs with compromised hemodynamics and tissue hypoperfusion.

Design

Diagnostic test study in a prospective cohort of hospitalized dogs.

Setting

Veterinary referral clinics.

Animals

Forty‐four hospitalized dogs with compromised hemodynamics and tissue hypoperfusion were utilized in this study.

Interventions

Echocardiographic examination before and after fluid replacement with 30 ml/kg of lactated Ringer's solution.

Measurements and Main Results

Pre‐fluid replacement measurements of velocity of transmitral E wave (E‐peak), the left ventricular end‐diastolic internal diameter normalized to body weight (LVIDdN), and the left ventricular end‐systolic internal diameter normalized to body weight (LVIDsN) were significantly lower in fluid‐responsive patients compared with nonresponders (P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) for each significant predictor was as follows: E‐peak 0.907 (0.776–1.000, P < 0.001) and LVIDdN 0.919 (0.801–1.000, P < 0.001). The predictive capacity of LVIDsN was not significantly better than chance (AUROC, 0.753; 95% CI, 0.472–1.000, P = 0.078). A significant negative linear correlation was observed between the percentage of increase in velocity–time integral after expansion and the echocardiographic variables LVIDdN (rs = –0.452, P = 0.023) and E‐peak (rs = –0.396, P = 0.008) pre‐fluid replacement. The intraobserver and interobserver variability was very low (<5 %) for all measurements.

Conclusions

In this study using critically ill dogs with compromised hemodynamics and tissue hypoperfusion, pre‐fluid replacement measurements of LVIDdN and E‐peak adequately predict fluid responsiveness. Because a small number of fluid nonresponders were involved in the present study (11.4%), further studies that include larger numbers of fluid‐nonresponsive animals are required.
Retrospective study of 20 cats surgically treated for insulinoma
Authors: Veytsman Stan , Amsellem Pierre , Husbands Brian D. , Rendahl Aaron K. , Bergman Philip J. , Chanoit Guillaume , Hickey Colleen , Cash Kristy R. , Maritato Karl C. , Collivignarelli Francesco , Kirpensteijn Jolle
Published: September 2022

Objective

To report the clinical signs, histopathology results, and prognostic factors for outcomes following excision for feline insulinoma (INS).

Study design

Retrospective study.

Sample population

Twenty client‐owned cats.

Methods

Medical records from 2006 to 2020 were reviewed by Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology members for cats with hypoglycemia resulting from INS, with surgical excision and follow up. Clinical signs and histopathology results were summarized. Factors potentially related to disease‐free interval (DFI), disease‐related death (DRD), and overall survival time (OST) were analyzed with a Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results

All cats were hypoglycemic on presentation with neurologic signs in 18 out of 20 and inappropriate insulin levels in 12/13. Excision of insulinomas resulted in immediate euglycemia or hyperglycemia in 18 cats. Eighteen cats survived to hospital discharge. The median time to death or last postoperative follow up was 664 days (range: 2‐1205 days). Prognostic factors included age at presentation (for DFI); time to postoperative euglycemia (for DRD); preoperative and postoperative serum blood glucose concentrations; metastasis at the time of surgery (DFI and DRD), and histopathologic tumor invasion (for OST). The median OST for all cats was 863 days. The 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐year survival rates were 75%, 51%, and 10%, respectively.

Conclusion

Excision of insulinoma resulted in euglycemia or hyperglycemia in most cats. Negative prognostic factors included young age, low serum glucose concentrations, metastasis at time of surgery, tumor invasion, and shorter time to euglycemia.

Clinical significance

Surgical excision resulted in survival times comparable to those of canine INS.
A compositional analysis of native and decellularized porcine nasal septum cartilage
Authors: Tluczynski Katharina , Breiter Roman
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Decellularization of porcine septum cartilage is necessary for its application as xenogenic replacement material. The aim of this study was to investigate spatial differences of structure and composition in the whole native and decellularized porcine nasal septum. Subsequently, the results shall be compared with studies of human nasal septum.

Methods

Ten porcine nasal septa were divided into six regions from caudal to cephalic and four regions from dorsal to ventral to create a grid of 24 approximately equal segments. All segments of five septal cartilages were decellularized separately by a wet chemical multistep procedure. The segments were analyzed to determine quantitative amounts of total collagen, chondrocytes, and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG).

Results

The distribution of cell number showed no significant differences between the individual regions. For the distribution of collagen and sGAG, no significant differences could be identified from caudal to cephalic, both in native and decellularized tissue. From dorsal to ventral, native and decellularized nasal septum showed significant differences between individual regions. In native septum, linear regression analysis indicated a decreasing collagen and an increasing sGAG content from dorsal to ventral. After decellularization, an increasing collagen and a decreasing sGAG content was detected.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed slightly but significant differences in the distribution of collagen and sGAG from dorsal to ventral. From caudal to cephalic, no differences could be observed. Compared to human, nasal septum differences in cell, collagen, and sGAG content were detected. Despite this, human and porcine nasal septum showed similar distributions and a consistently inverse linearity of collagen and sGAG content. Nevertheless, the midcaudal and midcephalic regions showed the highest porosity and a high stability and thus offer the best conditions for the revitalization of porcine tissue by human cells.
Phylogeny of European Pyrochroa (Coleoptera, Pyrochroidae) reveals cryptic taxa and different glacial histories
Authors: Molfini Marco , Mancini Emiliano , Bologna Marco A.
Published: September 2022

Only three saproxylic species of Pyrochroinae (Coleoptera: Pyrochroidae) are distributed in Europe, two of which belonging to Pyrochroa: P. coccinea and P. serraticornis. However, P. serraticornis is polytypic, for the presence of the endemic subspecies P. s. kiesenwetteri in southern Italy. Using both molecular and morphological data, we explored the phylogeny of the European Pyrochroa species. A multilocus (COI, CAD, 28S) phylogenetic analysis helped highlight different evolutionary histories for the two examined species. First, P. coccinea, distributed throughout Europe, showed a high differentiation among Italian and European populations. Furthermore, three different taxonomic entities were identified within P. serraticornis, among which the cryptic species Pyrochroa bifoveata sp. n. from central Europe is described and illustrated. A comprehensive identification key to the European Pyrochroinae is also provided. Our results also suggested an historical survival of P. coccinea and P. s. kiesenwetteri in glacial refugia in Italy, and a subsequent post‐glacial spread of the former species throughout the Peninsula. In contrast, the current distribution of P. s. serraticornis likely originated from a post‐glacial colonization of western European relict populations, while the survival of P. bifoveata plausibly occurred in more eastern glacial refugia (e.g. Carpathian or Balkan regions). Similarly, the European populations of P. coccinea could have originated from relict populations in glacial refugia out from the Italian Peninsula. More comprehensive data on the taxonomy, ecology and biogeography of Pyrochroa are needed to learn more about these species and to help preserve the European saproxylic fauna.
Early chronotype with metabolic syndrome favours resting and exercise fat oxidation in relation to insulin‐stimulated non‐oxidative glucose disposal
Authors: Malin Steven K. , Remchak Mary‐Margaret E. , Smith Anthony J. , Ragland Tristan J. , Heiston Emily M. , Cheema Udeyvir
Published: September 2022

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Chronotype reflects differences in circadian‐mediated metabolic and hormonal profiles. But, does resting and/or exercise fuel use differ in early versus late chronotype as it relates to insulin sensitivity?

What are the main finding and its importance?

Early chronotypes with metabolic syndrome utilized more fat during rest and exercise independent of aerobic fitness when compared with late chronotypes. Early chronotypes were also more physically active throughout the day. Greater fat use was related to non‐oxidative glucose disposal. These findings suggest that early chronotypes have differences in fuel selection that associate with type 2 diabetes risk.

Early chronotypes (ECs) are often insulin‐sensitive, in part, due to physical activity behaviour. It is unclear, however, if chronotypes differ in resting and/or exercise fuel oxidation in relation to insulin action. Using the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), adults with metabolic syndrome (ATP III criteria) were classified as EC (MEQ = 63.7 ± 0.9, n = 24 (19F), 54.2 ± 1.2 years) or late chronotype (LC; MEQ = 47.2 ± 1.4, n = 27 (23F), 55.3 ± 1.5 years). Carbohydrate (CHO) and fat oxidation (FOX, indirect calorimetry) were determined at rest, 55% and 85% , along with heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Physical activity patterns (accelerometers), body composition (DXA) and insulin sensitivity (clamp, 40 mU/m2/min, 90 mg/dl) with an indirect calorimetry for non‐oxidative glucose disposal (NOGD) were also determined. While demographics were similar, ECs had higher (P = 0.02), NOGD (P < 0.001) and resting FOX (P = 0.02) than LCs. Both groups increased CHO reliance during exercise at 55% and 85% (test effect, P < 0.01) from rest, although ECs used more fat (group effect, P < 0.01). ECs had lower sedentary behaviour and more physical activity during morning/midday (both, P < 0.05). FOX at 55% correlated with (r = 0.425, P = 0.004) whereas FOX at 85% related to NOGD (r = 0.392, P = 0.022). ECs with metabolic syndrome used more fat in relation to insulin‐stimulated NOGD.
Hexagonal Twist Origami Pattern for Deployable Space Arrays
Authors: Ynchausti Collin , Roubicek Clark , Erickson Joseph , Sargent Brandon , Magleby Spencer P. , Howell Larry L.
Published: September 2022

The hexagonal twist origami pattern has characteristics that made it a candidate for next-generation deployable space arrays. It has a deployed area that is up to 3.3 times larger than the stowed area, has a single-degree-of-freedom which simplifies actuation, it is flat-foldable making flat positions possible in both stowed and deployed positions, and its rigid foldability means that its motion is enabled by rotation about distinct axes without deformation of its panels. Although the pattern shows promise for deployable systems, it cannot be directly applied with thick materials because of the self-intersection of nesting panels. This paper presents the kinematics and mechanical advantages of the hexagonal twist pattern, addresses the self-intersection problem by implementing five different thickness accommodation techniques and provides metrics for comparing thickness accommodation techniques to determine which would be best suited for a given application. The concepts are demonstrated through two applications: a deployable reflectarray antenna and a LiDAR telescope.
Under-resourced dialect identification in Ao using source information
Authors: Tzudir Moakala , Baghel Shikha , Sarmah Priyankoo , Prasanna S. R. Mahadeva
Published: September 2022

This paper reports the findings of an automatic dialect identification (DID) task conducted on Ao speech data using source features. Considering that Ao is a tone language, in this study for DID, the gammatonegram of the linear prediction residual is proposed as a feature. As Ao is an under-resourced language, data augmentation was carried out to increase the size of the speech corpus. The results showed that data augmentation improved DID by 14%. A perception test conducted on Ao speakers showed better DID by the subjects when utterance duration was 3 s. Accordingly, automatic DID was conducted on utterances of various duration. A baseline DID system with the Slms feature attained an average F1-score of 53.84% in a 3 s long utterance. Inclusion of source features, Silpr and SLP-gm, improved the F1-score to 60.69%. In a final system, with a combination of Silpr, SLP-gm, Slms, and Mel frequency cepstral coefficient features, the F1-score increased to 61.46%.
Uncovering Lasonolide A Biosynthesis Using Genome-Resolved Metagenomics
Authors: Uppal Siddharth , Metz Jackie L. , Xavier René K. M. , Nepal Keshav Kumar , Xu Dongbo , Wang Guojun , Kwan Jason C.
Published: September 2022

While sponges are valuable sources of bioactive natural products, a majority of these compounds are produced in small quantities by uncultured symbionts, hampering the study and clinical development of these unique compounds. Lasonolide A (LSA), isolated from marine sponge
Forcepia
sp., is a cytotoxic molecule active at nanomolar concentrations, which causes premature chromosome condensation, blebbing, cell contraction, and loss of cell adhesion, indicating a novel mechanism of action and making it a potential anticancer drug lead.
Building a Resilient Scientific Network for COVID-19 and Beyond
Authors: Babady N. Esther , Burckhardt Rachel M. , Krammer Florian , Moore Penny L. , Enquist Lynn W.
Published: September 2022

The continued evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) necessitates that the global scientific community monitor, assess, and respond to the evolving coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. But the current reactive approach to emerging variants is ill-suited to address the quickly evolving and ever-changing pandemic.
Genome Sequencing of Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Susceptible
Mammaliicoccus sciuri
from Diseased Animals
Authors: Garcia-Aroca Teddy , Souza Stephanie S. R. , Ikhimiukor Odion O. , Marcovici Michael M. , Smith Joshua T. , Amador Sharlene , McGonagle Colin J. , Nye Griffin J. , Needle David B. , Gibson Robert , Andam Cheryl P.
Published: September 2022

Mammaliicoccus sciuri
(previously
Staphylococcus sciuri
) is a frequent colonizer of mammals. We report the draft genomes of a methicillin-resistant strain (2254A) isolated from an armadillo and a methicillin-susceptible strain (6942A) from a cow. Genomes were sequenced using long-read Nanopore sequencing.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Glutamicibacter
sp. Strain JC586, Isolated from Soil Sediment of the Floating Islands of Loktak Lake, India
Authors: Lhingjakim Khongsai L. , Sasikala Chintalapati , Ramana Chintalapati Venkata
Published: September 2022

The 3.52-Mbp whole-genome sequence of a
Glutamicibacter
sp. strain isolated from soil sediment of the floating islands of Loktak Lake is reported. The genomic information here gives insight into the presence of genes linked to oxidative stress, osmo-protection, and cold shock proteins which helps in the survival of the organism under extreme environmental conditions.
Widespread Dissemination of Plasmid-Mediated Tigecycline Resistance Gene
tet
(X4) in
Enterobacterales
of Porcine Origin
Authors: Wang Qin , Lei Changwei , Cheng Hansen , Yang Xue , Huang Zheren , Chen Xuan , Ju Zijing , Zhang Haoyu , Wang Hongning
Published: September 2022

Tigecycline is considered to be the last resort of defense against diseases caused by broad-spectrum resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we systematically analyzed the prevalence and genetic environments of the resistance gene
tet
(X4) in a pig slaughterhouse and farms and the evolutionary relationship of 533
tet
(X4)-positive
Escherichia coli
strains, including 509
tet
(X4)-positive
E. coli
strains selected from the 27,802 assembled genomes of
E. coli
from the NCBI between 2002 and 2022.
Facile preparation of CoFe-based oxide nanosheets derived from CoFe-layered double hydroxide for the thermal catalytic decomposition of ammonium perchlorate
Authors: Gao Xia , Deng Peng , Han Kehua , Cao Yu
Published: September 2022

In this work, CoFe-based oxide nanosheets were prepared by a facile method and its catalysis effects on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) were studied. CoFe-based oxide nanosheets were obtained from hydrothermal process and high-temperature treatment of CoFe-layered double hydroxide. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The thermal catalytic decomposition of AP with CoFe-based oxide nanosheets as catalysts was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and coupling Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The results showed that the CoFe-based oxide samples with the width size of 200–300 nm and the thickness size of ∼10 nm show the inherent catalytic ability. With 10 wt% of CoFe-based oxide nanosheets added, the decomposition temperature of AP was reduced by 127.5 °C from 431.0 °C to 303.5 °C. The apparent activation energy was decreased by 61.1 kJ/mol from 177.3 kJ/mol of raw AP to 116.2 kJ/mol of AP with 10 wt% of CoFe-based oxide nanosheets added. The thermal catalysis decomposition mechanism of AP with CoFe-based oxide nanosheet material promoting was proposed. This work offered a novel idea toward preparation and application of functional material layered double hydroxide in the field of energetic materials.
Rapid coastal erosion of ice-bonded deposits on Pelly Island, southeastern Beaufort Sea, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, western Canadian Arctic
Authors: Malenfant François , Whalen D. , Fraser P. , van Proosdij D.
Published: September 2022

This paper quantifies rates of shoreline change and investigates the influence of surficial geology on shoreline dynamics between 1950 and 2018 on Pelly Island, located 10 km off the Mackenzie Delta. Long-term changes in shoreline position were calculated using imagery analysis and Analysing Moving Boundaries Using R (AMBUR). The influence of shoreline exposure to predominant storm direction and influence of surficial geology were examined for northwestern and southeastern zones. The average annual linear regression rate (LRR) rate during the 1950–2018 observation period was −3.8 m·a−1. The end point rate (EPR) was calculated for seven observation periods: 1950–1972, 1972–1985, 1985–2000, 2000–2018, 2000–2013, 2013–2018, and 1950–2018. A mean EPR of −5.5 ± 0.7 m·a−1 was calculated for the 2000–2018 period, and a maximum retreat rate of 46.7 ± 2.1 m·a−1 was recorded during the 2013–2018 observation period. By comparing the rate of change for sections of historical shorelines with differing surficial geology and exposure to storms, it was possible to draw conclusions on why Pelly Island continues to have the highest retreat rates in the Mackenzie–Beaufort region. Greater retreat rates were observed in lacustrine deposits (5.3 m·a−1) compared with moraine deposits (2.7 m·a−1). In addition, shoreline exposure to the predominant storm direction from the northwest was found to be a major influence on rates of shoreline change in all observation periods.
Space use and resource selection of Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in the northeastern part of its range
Authors: Latham Sierra R. , Sirén Alexej P.K. , Reitsma Leonard R.
Published: September 2022

The threats that affect a species often vary within its geographic range. Wood Turtles ( Glyptemys insculpta (Le Conte, 1830), formerly Clemmys insculpta (Le Conte, 1830)) are a species of concern due to widespread decline from anthropogenic threats. We studied two populations of Wood Turtles from June to September 2019 and 2020 to evaluate how landscape features and vegetative structure influenced space and habitat use and to identify potential risks in the remote, northern parts of its range. We hypothesized that space use would vary due to regional, landscape, and sex-specific differences. Turtles at the conifer-dominated site with higher road density had significantly smaller home ranges than the site with expansive and contiguous floodplains (7.25 ± 1.92 ha and 26.28 ± 6.77 ha, respectively). Females moved farther away from rivers than males (136.00 ± 23.68 m and 69.18 ± 34.81 m, respectively) and made the longest single-event movements. However, movements by males were significantly longer (34.65 ± 1.91 m) than females (23.99 ± 1.03 m) and followed rivers. At finer spatial scales, we found that turtles selected activity areas with complex vegetative structure and a more open canopy. Our study indicates that populations in contiguous forest could be critical to the conservation of Wood Turtles and we discuss management recommendations to reduce potential mortality risks in the northern part of its range.
Ensemble Learning of Lightweight Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Crop Disease Image Detection
Authors: Al-Gaashani Mehdhar S. A. M. , Shang Fengjun , Abd El-Latif Ahmed A.
Published: September 2022

The application of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to plant disease recognition is widely considered to enhance the effectiveness of such networks significantly. However, these models are nonlinear and have a high bias. To address the high bias of the single CNN model, the authors proposed an ensemble method of three lightweight CNNs models (MobileNetv2, NasNetMobile and a simple CNN model from scratch) based on a stacking generalization approach. This method has two-stage training, first, we fine-tuned and trained the base models (level-0) to make predictions, then we passed these predictions to XGBoost (level-1 or meta-learner) for training and making the final prediction. Furthermore, a search grid algorithm was used for the hyperparameter tuning of the XGBoost. The proposed method is compared to the majority voting approach and all base learner models (MobileNetv2, NasNetMobile and simple CNN model from scratch). The proposed ensemble method significantly improved the performance of plant disease classification. Experiments show that the ensemble approach achieves higher prediction accuracy (98% for majority voting and 99% for staking method) than a single CNN learner. Furthermore, the proposed ensemble method has a lightweight size (e.g., 10[Formula: see text] smaller than VGG16), allowing farmers to deploy it on devices with limited resources such as cell phones, internet of things (IoT) devices, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and so on.
Defect Detection of Metro Wheel Set Tread Based on Image Recognition
Authors: Ma Jun , Zhang Chunguang , Chen Bingzhi
Published: September 2022

In the operation of railway vehicles, the quality of bogies directly affects the operation quality and driving safety. Wheel set is one of the most important components in bogie, so the maintenance of wheel set is very important. For a long time, the detection of train wheel sets in China is still in the stage of manual measurement with backward technology and low efficiency. A new automatic detection method of wheel flange tread based on fuzzy neural network image processing technology is proposed in this paper. This method can accurately detect the defects of wheel flange tread. It collects the original image of the tested wheel set through the digital camera, inputs it into the computer, through certain calculation and processing, and compares it with the model established based on fuzzy neural network, so as to detect the defects of wheel flange and tread. First, the research status of wheel tread defect detection is summarized. Second, the basic principles of digital image technology are studied, the image processing models are confirmed, and the image processing method based on fuzzy neural network is established. Finally, eight wheel set treads are selected to carry out defect detection, and the analysis results show that the proposed method can obtain the better inspection precision.
A NOTE ON CONTROLLABILITY OF NONINSTANTANEOUS IMPULSIVE ATANGANA–BALEANU–CAPUTO NEUTRAL FRACTIONAL INTEGRODIFFERENTIAL SYSTEMS
Authors: NISAR KOTTAKKARAN SOOPPY , VIJAYARAJ V. , VALLIAMMAL N. , LOGESWARI K. , RAVICHANDRAN C. , ABDEL-ATY ABDEL-HALEEM , YAHIA IBRAHIM S.
Published: September 2022

This paper describes the required and adequate conditions for controllability and optimal controls of Atangana–Baleanu–Caputo (ABC) neutral fractional integrodifferential equations (NFIE) with noninstantaneous impulses. Measure of noncompactness, semigroup theory, fractional calculus and fixed point techniques act as the main tools in deriving the results. An illustration is offered to enhance our theoretical outcomes.
Experimental Recognition of Plastic Domain in Contact Problem Based on Full Field Metrology and Neural Network
Authors: Huang Jiaxin , Sun Chen , Chen Jubing
Published: September 2022

Contact usually results in stress concentration which can easily cause the yield of materials and structures. The classic elastic–plastic yield criterion needs to utilize stress or strain field for calculation. However, most advanced full-field measurement methods output the displacement as the original data, and the fitting from displacement to strain will induce error accumulation in applications. In this paper, a plastic domain characterization method is developed that can directly judge the elastic–plastic state of materials based on the full-field displacement and neural network. By establishing and training a three-layer-based neural network, the relationship between the displacement and the elastic/plastic stage of the sampling points is modeled. A physical model is formulated based on the yield criterion and embedded in the layer of the network, which can increase the convergence rate and accuracy. Only the displacements of the contact member are required in this method, which can be easily measured by the optical metrologies. The performances of the developed method are carefully discussed through simulated data and real-world tests. Results show that the method can accurately identify the plastic domain during the tests.
Big Data Classification in IOT Healthcare Application Using Optimal Deep Learning
Authors: Akhtar MD Mobin , Ahamad Danish , Shatat Abdallah Saleh Ali , Shatat Ahmad Saleh Ali
Published: September 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) system is composed of several numbers of sensor nodes and systems, which are wirelessly interlinked to the internet. Generally, big data is the storage of a huge amount of information, which causes the classification process to be very challenging. Numerous big data classification approaches are implemented, but the computational time and secure handling of information are the major problems. The aim of the study is the development of big data approach in Internet of Things (IoT) healthcare application. Hence, this paper presents the proposed Dragonfly Rider Competitive Swarm Optimization-based Deep Residual Network (DRCSO-based DRN) for big data classification in IoT. First, the IoT nodes are simulated, and the heart disease patient data are collected through sensors. The routing is done using the Multi-objective Fractional Gravitational Search Algorithm (Multi-objective FGSA). In the Base Station (BS), the big data classification is done. Here, the classification is done using MapReduce (MR) framework, which includes two phases, like mapper and the reducer phase. The input data is initially fed to the mapper phase in the map-reduce (MR) framework. In the mapper phase, feature selection is carried out based on Dragonfly Rider Optimization Algorithm (DROA) in order to select the appropriate features for further processing. The DROA is modeled through merging Dragonfly Algorithm (DA) and Rider Optimization Algorithm (ROA). In the reducer phase, the classification is performed using DRN, which is trained by the developed DRCSO algorithm. The DRCSO is modeled by incorporating DA, ROA and Competitive Swarm Optimization (CSO). In addition, the performance of the developed method is outperformed than the existing approaches such as Linguistic Fuzzy Rules with Canopy Mapreduce (LFR-CM) + Fuzzy classifier, Machine learning-dependent k-nearest neighbors (FML-KNN), MapReduce-Fuzzy Integral-dependent Ensemble Learning Model+Single hidden layer feedforward neural network (MR-FI-ELM + SLFN) and DROA-recurrent neural network (RNN) based on the accuracy, average residual energy and throughput with the value of 0.929, 0.086[Formula: see text]J and 86.585. The proposed method is used to manage and derive meaningful information from the patient’s medical records, medical examinations results and hospital records.
Evaluation of Common External Communication Concepts of Automated Vehicles for People With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Haimerl Mathias , Colley Mark , Riener Andreas
Published: September 2022

With the future availability of highly automated vehicles (AVs), vulnerable road users (VRUs) will encounter vehicles without human operators. To compensate for the lack of eye contact, realizing communication via external human-machine interfaces (eHMIs) is planned. The adequacy of this regarding people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) is, however, still unknown. This work compares eHMI concepts by their perceived user experience (UX) for people with and without ID to evaluate the inclusiveness of current eHMI concepts. We analyzed related work and derived two representative concepts for a visual and an auditory eHMI. Subsequently, a survey of N=120 participants (64 with, 56 without ID) was performed, comparing the perceived UX of the selected eHMI concepts for visual, auditory, and combined modalities, and a baseline without eHMI using videos of simulations. We then had them assessed using the modified user experience questionnaire - short (UEQ-S). We found that auditory eHMIs performed worse than visual or multi-modal ones, and multi-modal concepts performed worse for people with ID in terms of pragmatic quality and crossing decisions. Our insights can be taken by both industry and academia, to make AVs more inclusive.
"Baby, You can Ride my Bike"
Authors: Matviienko Andrii , Mehmedovic Damir , Müller Florian , Mühlhäuser Max
Published: September 2022

We envision a future where self-driving bicycles can take us to our destinations. This allows cyclists to use their time on the bike efficiently for work or relaxation without having to focus their attention on traffic. In the related field of self-driving cars, research has shown that communicating the planned route to passengers plays an important role in building trust in automation and situational awareness. For self-driving bicycles, this information transfer will be even more important, as riders will need to actively compensate for the movement of a self-driving bicycle to maintain balance. In this paper, we investigate maneuver indications for self-driving bicycles: (1) ambient light in a helmet, (2) head-up display indications, (3) speech feedback, (4) vibration on the handlebar, and (5) no assistance. To evaluate these indications, we conducted an outdoor experiment (N = 25) in a proposed tandem simulator consisting of a tandem bicycle with a steering and braking control on the back seat and a rider in full control of it. Our results indicate that riders respond faster to visual cues and focus comparably on the reading task while riding with and without maneuver indications. Additionally, we found that the tandem simulator is realistic, safe, and creates an awareness of a human cyclist controlling the tandem.
A Study into the Effect of Mobile Device Configurations on Co-Located Collaboration using AR
Authors: Wells Thomas , Potts Dominic , Houben Steven
Published: September 2022

The increasing availability of portable handheld mobile Augmented Reality technology is revolutionising the way digital information is embedded into the real world. As this data is embedded, it enables new forms of cross-device collaborative work. However, despite the widespread availability of handheld AR, little is known about the role that device configurations and size play on collaboration. This paper presents a study that examines how completing tasks using a simple mobile AR interface on different device sizes and configurations impacts key factors of collaboration such as collaboration strategy, behaviour, and efficacy. Our results show subtle differences between device size and configurations that have a direct influence on the way people approach tasks and interact with virtual models. We highlight key observations and strategies that people employ across different device sizes and configurations.
Development and Evaluation of a Motion-based VR Bicycle Simulator
Authors: Wintersberger Philipp , Matviienko Andrii , Schweidler Andreas , Michahelles Florian
Published: September 2022

Bicycle simulators are becoming an increasingly used research tool. However, due to the complex cycling dynamics, these simulators have issues of simulator sickness and perceived realism. A potential method to address these issues could be providing a motion-based tilting function. Some bicycle simulators with tilt functionality have already been presented but still lack a systematic evaluation. In this work, we present a motion-based bicycle simulator without centrifugal force simulation and the results from a user study that compared different tilt modes. N=31 participants completed a study in virtual reality with a strong and a weak tilt mode, as well as a baseline condition without movement. We discovered that weak tilting could significantly improve the cycling realism without decreasing cycling performance and simulator sickness. Furthermore, our research suggests that there is a sweet spot for a tilting function, which facilitates a balance between presence/immersion and simulator sickness.