bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with small prostates: Smooth muscle proliferation and calcification might be causative factors
Authors: Ather Muhammad Muneeb , Aman Sadia , Qamar Huma , Latif Rabia , Baloch Muhammad Bahadur , Zehra Uruj
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The current study is designed to evaluate and compare the histological changes in the surgical samples of prostate taken from patients undergoing transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) with different sizes.

Methods

Prostate surgical tissue samples were obtained from BPH patients undergoing TURP after taking informed consent. Ultrasound measure of prostatic weight and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels were obtained from the patients along with other clinical and demographic details. Tissue samples were fixed, processed, sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome to look for histological features, specifically smooth muscle proliferation. Immunohistochemical expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐2 was recorded to assess the calcification potential.

Results

Fifty‐nine surgical samples were obtained from the patients of age range 50–90 years and body mass index (BMI) 15.6–33.3 kg/m2. The range of ultrasound measures of prostate weight was 20–137 g with PSA ranged 1.03–93.3 ng/mL. Patients with small‐sized prostate had significant severe smooth muscle proliferation (P < .001). Prostate size/weight had significant positive association with BMI (P < 0.001, r = 0.543) and negative association with BMP‐2 (P < 0.001, r = −0.654). Samples with severe smooth muscle proliferation were with increased BMP‐2 expression (P < .001) and higher levels of PSA levels (P = 0.004). BMP‐2 expression revealed positive significant association with PSA (P < .001, r = 0.432).

Conclusion

From this study we conclude that BPH patients with small‐sized glands and high PSA levels have increased smooth muscle proliferation and calcification potential causing the symptoms of lower urinary tract symptoms in these patients.
Segment‐condition‐based railway track maintenance schedule optimization
Authors: Chang Yanyan , Liu Rengkui , Tang Yuanjie
Published: February 2022

Reasonable maintenance plans are important for ensuring safe train operation and prolonging the service life of tracks. However, previous studies on the scheduling and optimization of railway track maintenance plans possess the following limitations. First, scheduling optimization models generally operate at the planning level with months as the time units rather than at the operation scheduling level with days as the time units. Second, they fail to consider the bidirectional feedback and dynamic impact between predicted condition and maintenance scheduling. Third, actual on‐site operation strategies (e.g., opportunistic and centralized maintenance) are neglected. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel operation‐level maintenance scheduling framework based on segment condition considering both opportunistic and centralized maintenance strategies. According to the problem characteristics, ae hybrid multi‐objective optimization algorithm based on a quantum‐behaved particle swarm optimization was designed. Furthermore, by utilizing actual practical cases, the effectiveness of the model and algorithm was verified via comparison with MOPSO, NSGA‐II, NSGA‐III, and Gurobi in different scenarios.
A novel U‐shaped encoder–decoder network with attention mechanism for detection and evaluation of road cracks at pixel level
Authors: Chen Jun , He Ye
Published: February 2022

As the most common road distress, cracks have a substantial influence on the integrity of pavement structures. Accurate identification of crack existence and quantification of crack geometry are thus critical for the decision‐making of maintenance measures. This paper proposes a novel neural network for the detection and evaluation of road cracks at pixel level, which combines the advantage of encoding–decoding network and attention mechanism and can thus extract the crack pixels more accurately and efficiently. The proposed network achieves an excellent detection performance with IOU = 92.85%, precision = 96.90%, recall = 95.36%, F1 = 95.53%. Compared with the other advanced networks, the accuracy of the proposed method is substantially enhanced. The quantitative estimation of key geometrical features of cracks including length, width, and area is successfully realized with the development of a prototype of an intelligent mobile system. Compared with the ground truth, the maximum crack width shows the lowest relative error rate, which ranges −31.75%∼28.57%.
Age at menarche and its association with overweight including obesity and socio‐economic conditions of Brazilian schoolgirls: A time‐trend analysis
Authors: Matsuo Luísa Harumi , Adami Fernando , Pereira Luciana Jeremias , Silva Diego Augusto Santos , de Vasconcelos Francisco de Assis Guedes , Longo Giana Zarbato , Vieira Francilene Gracieli Kunradi , Hinnig Patrícia de Fragas
Published: February 2022

This study aims to describe the time trend of age at menarche in Brazilian schoolgirls evaluated in 2007, 2012/2013 and 2018/2019, and to assess its association with having overweight, including obesity and socio‐economic conditions. Three cross‐sectional studies were carried out in 2007, 2012/2013 and 2018/2019 in schoolchildren enrolled between the second and ninth years of elementary school and comprising 838, 688 and 326 schoolgirls, respectively. Body mass index Z scores were calculated and categorised as either without overweight or with overweight (including obesity). The type of school (a proxy of socio‐economic condition) was categorised as either public or private. Menarche data were collected using the status quo and recall methods. The mean age at menarche was estimated by survival analysis. Differences in age at menarche according to the year of survey, weight status and type of school were verified by the Log‐Rank test and Cox's univariate and multiple regression. There was an increase in the prevalence of overweight in girls throughout the surveys, with 21.4% in 2007, 27.2% in 2012 and 28.5% in 2018 (p = 0.007) having overweight. There was a decrease in the mean age at menarche between 2007 and 2018/2019 (12.3 vs. 11.9 years, respectively). The mean age at menarche in girls with overweight was lower in the three time periods when compared to girls without overweight (11.9, 11.8 and 11.5 vs. 12.4, 12.4 and 12.1, respectively). Girls with overweight were more likely to have had earlier age at menarche than girls without overweight (Hazard Ratio 1.57; 95% CI 1.36; 1.80). There were no differences in the age at menarche according to the type of school. The increase in the prevalence of girls with overweight (including obesity) may be associated with the age at menarche. Girls with overweight had a higher risk of earlier age at menarche than girls without overweight.
Leaf out time correlates with wood anatomy across large geographic scales and within local communities
Authors: Savage Jessica A. , Kiecker Thomas , McMann Natalie , Park Daniel , Rothendler Matthew , Mosher Kennedy
Published: February 2022

There is a long‐standing idea that the timing of leaf production in seasonally cold climates is linked to xylem anatomy, specifically vessel diameter because of the hydraulic requirements of expanding leaves.

We tested for a relationship between the timing of leaf out and vessel diameter in 220 plants in three common gardens accounting for species’ phylogenetic relationships. We investigated how vessel diameter related to wood porosity, plant height and leaf length. We also used dye perfusion tests to determine whether plants relied on xylem produced during the previous growing season at the time of leaf out.

In all three gardens, there was later leaf out in species with wider vessels. Ring‐porous species had the widest vessels, exhibited latest leaf out and relied less on xylem made during the previous growing season than diffuse‐porous species. Wood anatomy and leaf phenology did not exhibit a phylogenetic signal.

The timing of leaf out is correlated with wood anatomy across species regardless of species’ geographic origin and phylogenetic relationships. This correlation could be a result of developmental and physiological links between leaves and wood or tied to a larger safety efficiency trade‐off.
‘Boom‐and‐busted’ dynamics of phytoplankton–virus interactions explain the paradox of the plankton
Authors: Flynn Kevin J. , Mitra Aditee , Wilson William H. , Kimmance Susan A. , Clark Darren R. , Pelusi Angela , Polimene Luca
Published: February 2022

Rapid virus proliferation can exert a powerful control on phytoplankton host populations, playing a significant role in marine biogeochemistry and ecology. We explore how marine lytic viruses impact phytoplankton succession, affecting host and nonhost populations.

Using an in silico food web we conducted simulation experiments under a range of different abiotic and biotic conditions, exploring virus–host–grazer interactions and manipulating competition, allometry, motility and cyst cycles.

Virus‐host and predator–prey interactions, and interactions with competitors, generate bloom dynamics with a pronounced ‘boom‐and‐busted’ dynamic (BBeD) which leads to the suppression of otherwise potentially successful phytoplankton species. The BBeD is less pronounced at low nutrient loading through distancing of phytoplankton hosts, while high sediment loading and high nonhost biomass decrease the abundance of viruses through adsorption. Larger hosts are inherently more distanced, but motility increases virus attack, while cyst cycles promote spatial and temporal distancing.

Virus control of phytoplankton bloom development appears more important than virus‐induced termination of those blooms. This affects plankton succession – not only the growth of species infected by the virus, but also those that compete for the same resources and are collectively subjected to common grazer control. The role of viruses in structuring plankton communities via BBeDs can thus provide an explanation for the paradox of the plankton.
Worsening ulceration of infantile hemangioma after initiation or escalation of propranolol
Authors: Meyer‐Mueller Cameron , Nicholson Cynthia , Polcari Ingrid , Boull Christina , Maguiness Sheilagh
Published: February 2022

For infantile hemangiomas (IH) requiring treatment, including those in high‐risk locations or in the setting of ulceration, oral propranolol is first‐line therapy. Here, we present three cases of infantile hemangioma with worsening ulceration following initiation or escalation of oral propranolol at standard doses.
Imprecision in the ethics of rescue
Authors: Rabenberg Michael
Published: February 2022

Suppose you can save one group of people or a larger group of different people, but you cannot save both groups. Are you morally required, ceteris paribus, to save the larger group? Some say, “No.” Far more say, without qualification, “Yes.” But some say, “It depends on the sizes of the groups.” In this paper, I argue that an attractive moral principle that seems on its face to support the second answer in fact supports a version of the third. In the process, I defend some revisionary claims about how the lives and deaths of different people compare evaluatively to one another. The most important of these for my purposes is the claim that the deaths of different people are on a par, other things being equal.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of production performance of aquaculture species fed dietary insect meals
Authors: Tran Hung Quang , Nguyen Tram Thi , Prokešová Markéta , Gebauer Tatyana , Doan Hien Van , Stejskal Vlastimil
Published: February 2022

The present work employed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to quantify the overall effects of various types of insect meal on special growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of aquatic animals. A total of 107 studies published from 1990 to 2021, targeting 23 freshwater and 17 marine fish species, employing 17 insect species as a replacement for fishmeal, was compiled. Overall, a significantly higher Hedges’ g value for SGR and lower FCR was found in aquatic animals fed dietary larval defatted mealworm Tenebrio molitor and pupal full‐fat silkworm Bombyx mori compared with fishmeal diet. The majority of dietary insect meals had a negative linear correlation with Hedges’ g of growth performance, except larval fly Chrysomya megacephala, which had a positive linear relationship, and of prepupal defatted black soldier fly Hermetia illucens, which had a negative quadratic relationship. Some insect meals, including G. bimaculatus, adult grasshoppers of Oxya fuscovittata and Zonocerus variegatus and larval full‐fat Cirina butyrospermi, supported adequate growth of aquatic animals at plausible inclusion levels. At as low as 2.2%, insect‐derived chitin supported growth performance and improved feed utilization of marine fish species. In the quest to minimize fishmeal in aquafeeds, insect meal holds enormous potential but is not the sole option; rather, integrating insect meal and novel/conventional materials is more strategic. The present study lays the groundwork for further multidisciplinary considerations for the effective use of insect meal as an alternative aquafeed protein with the goal of long‐term sustainability.
Investigating natural attenuation of PAHs by soil microbial communities: insights by a machine learning approach
Authors: Picariello Enrica , Baldantoni Daniela , De Nicola Flavia
Published: February 2022

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to “long‐range atmospheric transport” can reach forest soil in areas far from anthropogenic activities. Information on microorganisms able to metabolize different PAHs helps in developing bioremediation strategies. We focused on the degradation of different molecular weight PAHs (phenanthrene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene) in a biological natural attenuation process. Data on microbial biomass, growth, and enzyme activities, monitored along 360 days in mesocosms with forest soils (holm oak, black pine, and beech) artificially contaminated with the three PAHs, were analyzed by machine learning techniques, a powerful and novel approach in soil microbial ecology, still scantly employed. Nonlinear statistical learning methods (random forests) and linear‐based classifiers (linear discriminant analysis) were applied to identify which variables were able to separate distinct groups, independently from time. Random forest was also applied to evaluate the importance of each variable in determining the PAH degradation. Nonlinear statistical learning methods more accurately found patterns related to PAH exposure in soil microbial community than the linear‐based classifier. The role of fungi and their related enzymatic activities, laccase in holm oak and peroxidase in beech soil, in phenanthrene and pyrene degradation has been identified, suggesting the importance of myco‐remediation in contaminated‐site restoration.
Atmospheric CO2 as a resource for renewable energy production: A European energy law appraisal of direct air capture fuels
Authors: Schaller Romina , Markus Till , Korte Klaas , Gawel Erik
Published: February 2022

The high concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is considered the root cause of climate change. However, in the future atmospheric CO2 could play a strategic role towards a renewable energy transition due to its use as a carbon source for the production of goods. Notably, direct air capture (DAC) technology, by removing CO2 from the atmosphere, could support and improve the carbon footprint of the transport and building sector, both of which are responsible for a large part of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Once the CO2 is removed, it can be used to produce synthetic fuels for the transport sector, where there are few low‐carbon alternatives, such as aviation and shipping. In this article, we examine European Union legislation, focusing on the Renewable Energy Directive, and conclude that DAC fuels can be considered as renewable energy for the transport sector. Moreover, we highlight that the Directive does not yet regulate the methodology that defines the renewable character of DAC fuels and examine relevant criteria to be considered. In addition, because DAC can possibly be operated in buildings, we examine whether the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is a legal instrument to be considered for deploying this technology.
Export margins and survival: A firm‐level analysis using Kenyan data
Authors: Türkcan Kemal , Majune Kraido Socrates , Moyi Eliud
Published: February 2022

This study uses annual customs transaction data (HS six‐digit) for the period 2006–2018 to analyse the impact of average tariffs on the export sales, margins and survival of firms in Kenya. Results from the fixed‐effects regression model reveal that a 1% increase in tariffs reduces exports by 0.181% and the intensive margin by 0.183% but does not affect the extensive margin. Meanwhile, the cloglog fixed‐effects duration model reveals that a 1% increase in tariffs reduces export survival by 2.7%. This suggests that cutting tariffs, possibly through trade agreements, can help firms and countries improve their export performance.
Re‐encountering the familiar other: Contesting ‘re‐Sinicization’ in Thailand
Authors: Han Enze
Published: February 2022

Annually, around 10 million Chinese tourists, constituting almost a quarter of Thailand's total foreign visitors (before COVID‐19), have started to make a strong imprint on Thailand's tourist landscape. At the same time, a new wave of Chinese migrants to Thailand are seeking business and work opportunities. This paper focuses on these new encounters between local Thais and the incoming mainland Chinese in terms of how cultural boundaries are created, contested and renegotiated, specifically within the context of Thailand's long history of Chinese migration, which dates back several generations. The paper investigates the phenomenon of ‘re‐Sinicization’ in Thailand, and its contested nature within the broader Thai political and cultural milieu. It draws upon recent controversies regarding online battles between Thai and Chinese netizens to argue that the controversies are indicative of the unease from the increasing Chinese presence within Thai society and the increasing embroilment of Thailand within the political contestation of the wider Sinosphere.
Modelling normal and nephrotic axial uptake of albumin and other filtered proteins along the proximal tubule
Authors: Edwards Aurélie , Long Kimberly R. , Baty Catherine J. , Shipman Katherine E. , Weisz Ora A.
Published: February 2022

Recent studies indicate that filtered albumin is retrieved in the proximal tubule (PT) via three pathways: receptor‐mediated endocytosis via cubilin (high affinity) and megalin (low affinity), and fluid‐phase uptake. Expression of megalin is required to maintain all three pathways, making it challenging to determine their respective contributions. Moreover, uptake of filtered molecules varies between the sub‐segments (S1, S2 and S3) that make up the PT. Here we used new and published data to develop a mathematical model that predicts the rates of albumin uptake in mouse PT sub‐segments in normal and nephrotic states, and partially accounts for competition by β2‐microglobulin (β2m) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). Our simulations indicate that receptor‐mediated, rather than fluid‐phase, uptake accounts for the vast majority of ligand recovery. Our model predicts that ∼75% of normally filtered albumin is reabsorbed via cubilin; however, megalin‐mediated uptake predominates under nephrotic conditions. Our results also suggest that ∼80% of albumin is normally recovered in S1, whereas nephrotic conditions or knockout of cubilin shifts the bulk of albumin uptake to S2. The model predicts β2m and IgG axial recovery profiles qualitatively similar to those of albumin under normal conditions. In contrast with albumin, however, the bulk of IgG and β2m uptake still occurs in S1 under nephrotic conditions. Overall, our model provides a kinetic rationale for why tubular proteinuria can occur even though a large excess in potential PT uptake capacity exists, and suggests testable predictions to expand our understanding of the recovery profile of filtered proteins along the PT.

Key points

We used new and published data to develop a mathematical model that predicts the profile of albumin uptake in the mouse proximal tubule in normal and nephrotic states, and partially accounts for competitive inhibition of uptake by normally filtered and pathological ligands.

Three pathways, consisting of high‐affinity uptake by cubilin receptors, low‐affinity uptake by megalin receptors and fluid phase uptake, contribute to the overall retrieval of filtered proteins.

The axial profile and efficiency of protein uptake depend on the initial filtrate composition and the individual protein affinities for megalin and cubilin.

Under normal conditions, the majority of albumin is retrieved in sub‐segment S1 but shifts to sub‐segment S2 under nephrotic conditions. Other proteins exhibit different uptake profiles.

Our model explains how tubular proteinuria can occur despite a large excess in potential proximal tubule uptake capacity.
Performance Assessment of Solar Parabolic Trough Collector-Assisted Combined Organic Rankine Cycle and Triple Pressure Level Ejector-Absorption Refrigeration Cycle
Authors: Chowdhury Md. Tareq , Mokheimer Esmail M. A.
Published: February 2022

A novel solar-assisted combined power and cooling system comprising a parabolic trough collector (PTC) assisted organic Rankine cycle (ORC) and ejector-absorption cooling cycle (EARC) is presented and analyzed in this paper. The use of Ammonia-Lithium Nitrate (NH3-LiNO3) as the working pair in EARC is investigated. First and second law thermodynamics analysis revealed that PTC accounted for 60–80% of the total exergy destruction. Using different ORC fluids revealed that Toluene showed the best performance. The energy utilization factor of Toluene is found to be 25.31% at turbine inlet temperature of 550 K and solar irradiation of 1 kW/m2, whereas for other ORC fluids like R134a (tetrafluoroethane, CH2FCF3), R245fa (pentafluoropropane, CF3CH2CHF2), n-pentane, R410a (near azeotropic mixture of difluoromethane, CH2F2 and pentafluoroethane, C2HF5), it was found to be 17–20%. The exergy efficiency of the combined system using Toluene has reached up to 17%, while the rest of the ORC fluids exhibited 8–12% exergy efficiency. The pump power consumption was significantly reduced due to the use of the ejector in the EARC. Generator temperature and solution heat exchanger (SHX) effectiveness were also found to highly influence the performance of the refrigeration system.
Spherical-periodic order and relevant short-range structural units in simple crystal structures
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Dong Chuang , Häussler Peter
Published: February 2022

Since crystals grow from liquid and glassy states, the liquid structure feature may also exist in the pair-correlation functions of crystalline systems. The present article addresses the spherical-periodic order derived from Friedel oscillations in the pair-correlation functions of simple crystal structures such as face-centered cubic, hexagonal close-packed, and body-centered cubic structures. In these simple crystal structures, the resonance lattice planes, corresponding to the strong peaks in reciprocal space, give the Friedel wavelengths using their interplanar spacings, which are {111} and {200} for the face-centered cubic structure, {100}, {002}, and {101} for the hexagonal close-packed structure, and {110} for the body-centered cubic structure. After being scaled with the Friedel wavelengths corresponding to the most intense diffraction peaks, the pair-correlation functions all show atomic density maxima within the spherical-periodic zones. From such a spherical-periodic picture of any simple crystal structure, it is possible to identify a charge-neutral and mean-density local atomic entity that serves as the molecule-like structural unit of the whole structure. Examples in Cu-Zn, Co-Cr, and β-Ti alloys are provided to show how to interpret the compositions of simple-crystal-based industrial alloys.
Preparation of Nd1.85Ce0.15CuO4 superconducting thin film by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Jia Jiqiang , Liu Chen , Guo Mengjiao , Lei Li
Published: February 2022

In this study, the epitaxial growth process of negative-type high-temperature superconducting thin film Nd1.85Ce0.15CuO4 (NCCO) by pulsed laser deposition is reported. First, the relationships between the heat treatment temperature of NCCO films, target-substrate distance, and oxygen pressure and the phase formation of a superconducting (00l)-T′ phase were investigated. It was found that a good superconducting (00l)-T′ phase could be epitaxially prepared from NCCO films only when the heat treatment temperature was higher than 650 °C. However, when the heat treatment temperature increased to 820 °C, NCCO films underwent thermal decomposition. The optimal oxygen pressure of phase formation for NCCO films, corresponding to the heat treatment temperature range of 650–800 °C, was given. Furthermore, the effect of deoxidization temperature on the superconductivity of NCCO films was also studied. The superconductivity of NCCO films was obtained only when the heat treatment temperature reaches 770 °C and the deoxidization temperature reaches 750 °C. The NCCO films obtained at 800 °C heat treatment temperature and 750 °C deoxidization temperature showed the best superconducting properties, and the initial superconducting transition temperature was as high as ∼30 K, with a transition width of only ∼0.15 K.
Vibration-based sound power measurements of arbitrarily curved panels
Authors: Bates Trent P. , Bacon Ian C. , Blotter Jonathan D. , Sommerfeldt Scott D.
Published: February 2022

Vibration-based sound power (VBSP) measurement methods are appealing because of their potential versatility in application compared to sound pressure and intensity-based methods. It has been understood that VBSP methods have been reliant on the acoustic radiation resistance matrix specific to the surface shape. Expressions for these matrices have been developed and presented in the literature for flat plates, simple-curved plates (constant radius of curvature in one direction), and cylindrical- and spherical-shells. This paper shows that the VBSP method is relatively insensitive to the exact form of the radiation resistance matrix and that computationally efficient forms of the radiation resistance matrix can be used to accurately approximate the sound power radiated from arbitrarily curved panels. Experimental sound power measurements using the VBSP method with the simple-curved plate radiation resistance matrix and the ISO 3741 standard method are compared for two arbitrarily curved panels and are shown to have good agreement. The VBSP method based on the simple-curved plate form of the radiation resistance matrix is also shown to have excellent agreement with numerical results from a boundary element model, which inherently uses the appropriate form of the radiation resistance matrix.
Batf-mediated epigenetic control of effector CD8
+
T cell differentiation
Authors: Tsao Hsiao-Wei , Kaminski James , Kurachi Makoto , Barnitz R. Anthony , DiIorio Michael A. , LaFleur Martin W. , Ise Wataru , Kurosaki Tomohiro , Wherry E. John , Haining W. Nicholas , Yosef Nir
Published: February 2022

The response of naive CD8
+
T cells to their cognate antigen involves rapid and broad changes to gene expression that are coupled with extensive chromatin remodeling, but the mechanisms governing these changes are not fully understood. Here, we investigated how these changes depend on the basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor Batf, which is essential for the early phases of the process. Through genome scale profiling, we characterized the role of Batf in chromatin organization at several levels, including the accessibility of key regulatory regions, the expression of their nearby genes, and the interactions that these regions form with each other and with key transcription factors. We identified a core network of transcription factors that cooperated with Batf, including Irf4, Runx3, and T-bet, as indicated by their colocalization with Batf and their binding in regions whose accessibility, interactions, and expression of nearby genes depend on Batf. We demonstrated the synergistic activity of this network by overexpressing the different combinations of these genes in fibroblasts. Batf and Irf4, but not Batf alone, were sufficient to increase accessibility and transcription of key loci, normally associated with T cell function. Addition of Runx3 and T-bet further contributed to fine-tuning of these changes and was essential for establishing chromatin loops characteristic of T cells. These data provide a resource for studying the epigenomic and transcriptomic landscape of effector differentiation of cytotoxic T cells and for investigating the interdependency between transcription factors and its effects on the epigenome and transcriptome of primary cells.
Low levels of hybridization between sympatric cold-water-adapted Arctic cod and Polar cod in the Beaufort Sea confirm genetic distinctiveness
Authors: Wilson Robert E. , Sonsthagen Sarah A. , Lavretsky Philip , Majewski Andrew , Árnason Einar , Halldórsdóttir Katrín , Einarsson Axel W. , Wedemeyer Kate , Talbot Sandra L.
Published: February 2022

As marine ecosystems respond to climate change and other stressors, it is necessary to evaluate current and past hybridization events to gain insight on the outcomes and drivers of such events. Ancestral introgression within the gadids has been suggested to allow cod to inhabit a variety of habitats. Little attention has been given to contemporary hybridization, especially within cold-water-adapted cod ( Boreogadus saida Lepechin, 1774 and Arctogadus glacialis Peters, 1872). We used whole-genome, restriction-site associated, and mitochondrial sequence data to explore the degree and direction of hybridization between these species where previous hybridization had not been reported. Although nearly identical morphologically at certain life stages, we detected very distinct nuclear and mitochondrial lineages. We detected one potential hybrid with a Arctogadus mitochondrial haplotype and Boreogadus nuclear genotype, but no early generational hybrids. The presence of a late generation hybrid suggests that at least some hybrids survive to maturity and reproduce. However, a historical introgression event could not be excluded. Contemporary gene flow appears asymmetrical from Arctogadus into Boreogadus, which may be due to overlap in timing of spawning, environmental heterogeneity, or differences in population size. This study provides important baseline information for the degree of potential hybridization between these species within Alaska marine environments.
Effet du type de stabulation sur le bien-être des vaches laitières en Algérie
Authors: Matallah S. , M’Hamdi N. , Matallah F. , Bounouala Z.
Published: February 2022

Le but de la présente étude était d’examiner l’effet du type de stabulation sur le bien-être des vaches laitières de race Holstein dans les fermes du Nord-Est algérien au niveau de quatre wilayas sur la base du protocole d’évaluation Welfare Quality®pour les bovins. Par conséquent, nous avons appliqué ce protocole à 50 fermes laitières en stabulation libre et à 50 en stabulation entravée. Un total de 2200 vaches laitières a été évalué en période hivernale. Il y avait des différences significatives entre les deux types de logements pour la majorité des critères étudiés : confort autour du repos (33, 54 ± 5,60 vs 22,34 ± 2,70), absence de soif prolongée (42,40 ± 6,60 vs 20,40 ± 6,60), facilité de mouvement (100,00 ± 00 vs 44,50 ± 3,40) et absence de blessures (38,50 ± 10,30 vs 25,12 ± 8,40), cependant l’analyse des mesures liées indique d’importants échecs de gestion dans les deux types de logements dans la région d’étude. En effet, de multiples contraintes ont été observées d’ordre alimentaire (indisponibilité de fourrages et non-maitrise du rationnement) et sanitaire (non-respect des normes hygiéniques). Cette situation nécessite d’informer et de communiquer avec l’éleveur sur ce qu’est réellement le bien-être des animaux afin d’améliorer les conditions d’élevage.
Joint-species analysis reveals potential displacement of native fishes by non-native fishes within the Santa Ana River, California
Authors: Huntsman Brock M. , Brown Larry R , Palenscar Kai , Jones Chris , Russell Kerwin , Dyer Heather , Mills Brett , Wulff Marissa , May Jason
Published: February 2022

Accurate estimates of abundance are a cornerstone for resource managers to make effective decisions for fish conservation. However, multiple sampling methods often are required to sample fish communities and ignoring the detection process can create substantial bias in latent state parameter estimation (e.g., abundance, survival). We developed a joint-species N-mixture model that integrated snorkel, seining, and electrofishing surveys to estimate factors affecting native and non-native fish distributions in the Santa Ana River, California. We found through data integration that native Santa Ana sucker (Catostomus santaanae) and arroyo chub (Gila orcuttii) were most abundant in wide stream channels, and the abundance of both native fishes were negatively correlated with non-native largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Our results highlight the power of integrating multiple data sets into a single analysis and incorporating among-species correlation into abundance modeling. Our results also highlight a pattern of native fish declines that coincide with an expanding largemouth bass population, a concern for the management of native aquatic communities within the Santa Ana River.
Analysis of fMRI Signals from Working Memory Tasks and Resting-State of Brain: Neutrosophic-Entropy-Based Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Singh Pritpal , Wa̧torek Marcin , Ceglarek Anna , Fąfrowicz Magdalena , Lewandowska Koryna , Marek Tadeusz , Sikora-Wachowicz Barbara , Oświȩcimka Paweł
Published: February 2022

This study applies a neutrosophic-entropy-based clustering algorithm (NEBCA) to analyze the fMRI signals. We consider the data obtained from four different working memory tasks and the brain’s resting state for the experimental purpose. Three non-overlapping clusters of data related to temporal brain activity are determined and statistically analyzed. Moreover, we used the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) method to reduce system dimensionality and present the effectiveness of NEBCA. The results show that using NEBCA, we are able to distinguish between different working memory tasks and resting-state and identify subtle differences in the related activity of brain regions. By analyzing the statistical properties of the entropy inside the clusters, the various regions of interest (ROIs), according to Automated Anatomical Labeling (AAL) atlas crucial for clustering procedure, are determined. The inferior occipital gyrus is established as an important brain region in distinguishing the resting state from the tasks. Moreover, the inferior occipital gyrus and superior parietal lobule are identified as necessary to correct the data discrimination related to the different memory tasks. We verified the statistical significance of the results through the two-sample t-test and analysis of surrogates performed by randomization of the cluster elements. The presented methodology is also appropriate to determine the influence of time of day on brain activity patterns. The differences between working memory tasks and resting-state in the morning are related to a lower index of small-worldness and sleep inertia in the first hours after waking. We also compared the performance of NEBCA to two existing algorithms, KMCA and FKMCA. We showed the advantage of the NEBCA over these algorithms that could not effectively accumulate fMRI signals with higher variability.
A Hardware Trojan Detection and Diagnosis Method for Gate-Level Netlists Based on Different Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Huang Zhao , Xie Changjian , Li Zeyu , Du Maofan , Wang Quan
Published: February 2022

The design complexity and outsourcing trend of modern integrated circuits (ICs) have increased the chance for adversaries to implant hardware Trojans (HTs) in the development process. To effectively defend against this hardware-based security threat, many solutions have been reported in the literature, including dynamic and static techniques. However, there is still a lack of methods that can simultaneously detect and diagnose HT circuits with high accuracy and low time complexity. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, this paper presents an HT detection and diagnosis method for gate-level netlists (GLNs) based on different machine learning (ML) algorithms. Given a GLN, the proposed method first partitions it into several circuit cones and extracts seven HT-related features from each cone. Then, we repeat this process for the sample GLN to construct a dataset for the next step. After that, we use K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Decision Tree (DT) and Naive Bayes (NB) to classify all circuit cones of the target GLN. Finally, we determine whether each circuit cone is HT-implanted through the label, completing the HT detection and diagnosis for target GLN. We have applied our method to 11 GLNs from ISCAS’85 and ISCAS’89 benchmark suites. As shown in experimental results of the three ML algorithms used in our method: (1) NB costs shortest time and achieves the highest average true positive rate (ATPR) of 100%; (2) DT costs longest time but achieve the highest average true negative rate (ATNR) of 98.61%; (3) Compared to NB and DT, KNN costs a slightly longer time than NB but the ATPR and ATNR values are approximately close to DT. Moreover, it can also report the possible implantation location of a Trojan instance according to the detecting results.
Conformance Testing for Finite State Machines Guided by Deep Neural Network
Authors: Rahaman Habibur , Chattopadhyay Santanu , Sengupta Indranil
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes a Finite State Machine (FSM) testing technique based on deep neural network (DNN). This technique verifies the correctness of an implementation FSM-B of a specification FSM-A. Using the back-propagation algorithm, a deep neural network is trained with the input–output patterns for a given set of transition functions that specify an FSM. Initially, for FSM-A, the input patterns and the corresponding output patterns (I/O pairs) are generated. Then most of the patterns are used to train the DNN. Once the training is over, the DNN is validated with the remaining I/O pairs (around 20%). The model can be used for verifying the correctness of FSM-B after training and validation of the DNN. Some inputs are applied to FSM-B and the generated output patterns are compared with the predicted values of the proposed DNN. The difference of accuracy percentages between FSM-A and FSM-B is recorded and zero difference between them indicates the fault-free condition of the implementation FSM-B. To check the effectiveness of the scheme, the output- and state-type faults are injected to derive mutant FSMs. Experimental results performed on the MCNC FSM benchmarks prove the efficacy of the proposed method. Only a few numbers of tests are needed to detect the presence of anomaly, if any. Hence, the test time reduces significantly — resulting in an average test time reduction of 85.67% compared to the conventional techniques. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time a DNN-driven testing scheme is being proposed.
Synthesis and nonlinear optical study of the hybrid salt: [C12H14N2][Fe(CN)5(NO)]⋅5H2O
Authors: Zidan M. D. , Al-Ktaifani M. M. , El-Daher M. S. , Allahham A. , Ghanem A.
Published: February 2022

The new prepared hybrid salt 1,1’-(Ethylene-1,2-diyl)dipyridinium pentacyanidonitrosoferrate(II) pentahydrate was synthesized. Then, it was characterized using different spectroscopic methods. The nonlinear optical properties of the new compound were investigated using the simple [Formula: see text]-scan technique with a CW diode laser radiation ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm). Also, the [Formula: see text]-scan technique with pump/probe configuration was utilized to observe the Cross Phase Modulation (XPM) phenomena. Theoretical fit to the new experimental data was performed to calculate the third order nonlinear optical parameters including the nonlinear refractive index, which is about [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm2/W. This kind of molecule is considered to be promising candidate for using in future optoelectronic devices.
A Stiffness Ratio-Based Seismic Design for Reinforced Concrete Frames with Buckling-Restrained Braces
Authors: Bai Jiulin , Li Wenxue , Chen Huiming , Feng Mingfu , Wang Yu-Hang
Published: February 2022

The buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) are widely applied in reinforced concrete frames (RCFs) to improve their performance under seismic loading. A procedure for designing such structures based on stiffness ratios was developed. The stiffness ratio was assumed to decrease gradually from the bottom story to the roof. The intermediate stiffness ratios were defined by linear interpolation. A step-by-step design procedure was presented. Three structures with 5, 10, and 15 stories were designed using the procedure and considering three seismic intensity levels. Linear time analysis showed that the stiffness ratio reduced along structural height had no significant effect on the inter-story drift ratio (IDR) of low-rise structures. The nonlinear time history analysis was performed to assess the structural seismic performance. On the basis of the analytical results in terms of the elastic and inelastic IDRs, reinforcements, hysteretic energy ratios of BRBs and structural damage, recommended range of stiffness ratios are proposed for various structures and design seismic intensities.
Seismic Performance of RC Split-Foundation Frame Structures with Steel Braces in the Mountainous Area
Authors: Li Ruifeng , Liu Liping , Yin Yaori , Zhang Cheng , Li Yingmin
Published: February 2022

Reinforced concrete (RC) split-foundation frame structures are widely used in mountainous areas. There are two grounding terminals with different heights in the split-foundation frame structures. Under the earthquake, the local damage phenomenon of the structures is severe due to the uneven stiffness distribution. It is one way to improve the seismic performance of the split-foundation frame structures to install steel braces in the upper embedding floor. According to the deformation characteristics of the upper embedding floor, three types of steel braces arrangement for the split-foundation frame structures were proposed: horizontal braces, V-type braces, and V-[Formula: see text] braces. Then based on the ratio of lateral stiffness of steel braces and concrete frame columns, the section of steel brace was designed. A quasi-static test was carried out to analyze the influence of steel braces on the failure mode of the RC split-foundation frame. The reasonable seismic waves were selected to carry out the nonlinear dynamic time history analysis. Then the seismic response and failure mode of the split-foundation frame structures with different braces arrangements were compared. On this basis, fragility analysis was carried out, and the earthquake-induced collapse resistance capacity of split-foundation frame structures with steel braces was preliminarily evaluated. The results show that the horizontal steel brace can improve the phenomenon of damage concentration of the split-foundation frame structures. Furthermore, setting V-shaped braces can significantly reduce the damage degree of the upper embedding end columns and change the phenomenon of locally severe damage of the split-foundation frame structures. Moreover, according to the design method proposed in this paper, setting steel braces can improve the seismic collapse resistance capacity of the split-foundation frame structures.
Seismic Performance of MRSF Structures Damped with Steel Slit Shear Panels
Authors: He Liusheng , Sun Xiaobo , Bu Haifeng , Tang Zhenyun
Published: February 2022

The steel slit shear panel (SP), made by cutting slits in a monolithic steel plate, dissipates seismic energy through the flexural behavior of individual plate links separated by slits. To investigate the influence of different link designs and steel properties, three scaled SP specimens are designed and tested under quasi-static cyclic loading. Test results show that plate links with a larger width-thickness ratio buckle earlier and larger, and associated pinching in hysteresis is more serious. Significant strain hardening of low yield steel promotes plump shear hysteresis even with obvious out-of-plane buckling deformation. To investigate the effect of different SPs on the overall structural performance, moment resisting steel frame (MRSF) structures installed with SPs are built. Time-history analysis results show that the installation of SPs reduces the story displacement responses but increases the floor accelerations. The low yield SP works best in reducing both the maximum and residual inter-story drift.
Wind-Induced Response Control of a Television Transmission Tower by Piezoelectric Semi-Active Friction Dampers
Authors: Wu Jingbo , Chen Bo , Song Xinxin
Published: February 2022

To be a typical flexible structure with small damping, a high-rise television (TV) transmission tower is sensitive to wind excitations. The response control of TV transmission towers by semi-active friction dampers under strong external excitations is still very limited and the parametric study on control performance has not been systematically investigated. To this end, the semi-active control of a wind-excited TV transmission tower by piezoelectric friction dampers is conducted in this study. A fine finite element (FE) model of a real TV transmission tower is constructed and then a two-dimensional (2D) dynamic model is also established. The analytical model of a semi-active friction damper based on piezoelectric actuators is then established with damper stiffness considered. The equations of motion of the tower with friction dampers are then established. The local feedback control algorithm based on nonlinear Reid damping mechanisms is used to command piezoelectric friction dampers for wind-excited towers. A high-rise TV transmission tower in China is used to investigate the validity of the proposed semi-active control approach and compared with that of passive control. Furthermore, a detailed parametric investigation is conducted to examine the influence of gain coefficient, damper stiffness, hysteresis loops, damper force, and wind loading intensity on control efficacy. The analytical results indicate that piezoelectric friction dampers with optimal parameters are beneficial to the vibration mitigation of TV transmission towers under different wind loading intensities.