bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trajectories of alcohol consumption during life and the risk of developing breast cancer
Authors: Donat-Vargas Carolina , Guerrero-Zotano Ángel , Casas Ana , Baena-Cañada José Manuel , Lope Virginia , Antolín Silvia , Garcia-Saénz José Ángel , Bermejo Begoña , Muñoz Montserrat , Ramos Manuel , de Juan Ana , Jara Sánchez Carlos , Sánchez-Rovira Pedro , Antón Antonio , Brunet Joan , Gavilá Joaquín , Salvador Javier , Arriola Arellano Esperanza , Bezares Susana , Fernández de Larrea-Baz Nerea , Pérez-Gómez Beatriz , Martín Miguel , Pollán Marina
Published: September 2021

Background

Whether there are lifetime points of greater sensitivity to the deleterious effects of alcohol intake on the breasts remains inconclusive.

Objective

To compare the influence of distinctive trajectories of alcohol consumption throughout a woman’s life on development of breast cancer (BC).

Methods

1278 confirmed invasive BC cases and matched (by age and residence) controls from the Epi-GEICAM study (Spain) were used. The novel group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify different alcohol consumption trajectories throughout women’s lifetime.

Results

Four alcohol trajectories were identified. The first comprised women (45%) with low alcohol consumption (<5 g/day) throughout their life. The second included those (33%) who gradually moved from a low alcohol consumption in adolescence to a moderate in adulthood (5 to <15 g/day), never having a high consumption; and oppositely, women in the third trajectory (16%) moved from moderate consumption in adolescence, to a lower consumption in adulthood. Women in the fourth (6%) moved from a moderate alcohol consumption in adolescence to the highest consumption in adulthood (≥15 g/day), never having a low alcohol consumption. Comparing with the first trajectory, the fourth doubled BC risk (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.27, 3.77), followed by the third (OR 1.44; 0.96, 2.16) and ultimately by the second trajectory (OR 1.17; 0.86, 1.58). The magnitude of BC risk was greater in postmenopausal women, especially in those with underweight or normal weight. When alcohol consumption was independently examined at each life stage, ≥15 g/day of alcohol consumption in adolescence was strongly associated with BC risk followed by consumption in adulthood.

Conclusions

The greater the alcohol consumption accumulated throughout life, the greater the risk of BC, especially in postmenopausal women. Alcohol consumption during adolescence may particularly influence BC risk.
Evaluation of ventricular systolic function by speckle tracking technique in patients with biliary atresia before and after liver transplantation
Authors: Brito Márcio Miranda , Miyatani Helena Thie , de Alencar Pereira Paulo Renato , Tannuri Ana Cristina Aoun , Tannuri Uenis
Published: September 2021

To evaluate the ventricular function of patients with biliary atresia (BA) before and after liver transplantation using two-dimensional speckle tracking. Observational, analytical study with healthy control group, volunteers. We recruited patients from 0 to 18 years old who were candidates for liver transplantation and patients after six months of liver transplantation performed for BA from January 1997 to August 2015 at Children’s Institute of São Paulo University Medical School. The patients were submitted to a complete conventional echocardiographic study. After that, the images were captured for global longitudinal strain (GLS). A blood sample was collected for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level. Ejection fraction obtained by Simpson’s method was significantly higher in the hepatic pre-transplantation group (p < 0.001), as well as left atrial size (p < 0.001) and left ventricle size (p = 0.039). The left ventricular mass index was significantly higher in pre-transplantation group (p < 0.001). The left atrium volume (p = 0.008) and the left ventricular mass index (p t = 0.035) were higher in the post-transplant group. It was observed that the lower the BNP, the lower/more negative the GLS in the post-transplant group (p = 0.038 and r = 0.427). Significant reduction in the overall longitudinal strain of the left ventricle was detected before (p = 0.01) and after liver transplantation (p = 0.019). A subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction was evidenced by two-dimensional speckle tracking technique before and after liver transplantation, even when compared to normal values of the last pediatric meta-analysis.
Screening of tarragon accessions based on physiological and phytochemical responses under water deficit
Authors: Mumivand Hasan , Ebrahimi Amin , Shayganfar Alireza , Khoshro Hamid Hassaneian
Published: September 2021

In this study, screening of Artemisia dracunculus accessions was investigated under water deficit based on physiological and phytochemical traits. The results clearly indicated that water deficit significantly reduced the relative water content, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents and increased malondialdehyde, electrolyte leakage, and antioxidant activities. The responses of tarragon accessions to water deficit, however, were inconsistent. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of chlorogenic, syringic, ferulic, vanillic, chicoric, and p-coumaric acids as major phenolic acids, while quercetin and herniarin were detected as the predominant flavonoid and coumarin compounds in the extracts. Our findings revealed that the water deficit not only increased the amounts of herniarin, luteolin, apigenin, caffeic acid, and syringic acid, but also introduced quercetin that was not present under normal conditions in Estahbanat. Nevertheless, these results were highly impacted by the accession type. The results indicated that Hamadan, Varamin and Estahbanat accessions could be introduced as tolerant accessions. Given the very different responses of tarragon accessions to water deficit and the diversity between these accessions, the findings of the present study could be an effective step in identifying and achieving homogeneous, drought-tolerant and high-yield potential accessions, and may help tarragon breeding programs as well as development of cultivation.
Lockdowns and their influence on Earth’s hum
Authors: Somala Surendra Nadh
Published: September 2021

Earth’s hum at higher frequencies is disturbed substantially by human activity. Anthropogenic noise is more evident in frequencies higher than 1 Hz. The power at 10 Hz power is used from January 2020 to early May (mostly first wave of SARS-CoV-2) across various sites across the world, to show that there is a clear decrease in noise power during the lockdown period. Furthermore, this anthropogenic noise across the world during the COVID-19 lockdown period, within which vehicular movement and industrial activity have stalled in many places, is quantified into a few bins. Implications of easing the lockdown measures on the onset of second wave of pandemic are discussed.
“CinNapht” dyes: a new cinnoline/naphthalimide fused hybrid fluorophore. Synthesis, photo-physical study and use for bio-imaging
Authors: Hoang Minh-Duc , Bodin Jean-Baptiste , Savina Farah , Steinmetz Vincent , Bignon Jérôme , Durand Philippe , Clavier Gilles , Méallet-Renault Rachel , Chevalier Arnaud
Published: September 2021

Six-membered-diaza ring of cinnoline has been fused on naphthalimide dye to give a donor–acceptor system called CinNapht.
Correction: Benzo[d]thiazole-2-thiol bearing 2-oxo-2-substituted-phenylethan-1-yl as potent selective lasB quorum sensing inhibitors of Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Thanh Tung Truong , Xuan Huy Luong , Quoc Thang Nguyen
Published: September 2021

Correction for ‘Benzo[d]thiazole-2-thiol bearing 2-oxo-2-substituted-phenylethan-1-yl as potent selective lasB quorum sensing inhibitors of Gram-negative bacteria’ by Tung Truong Thanh et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 28797–28808, DOI: 10.1039/D1RA03616E.
MicroRNA-375: potential cancer suppressor and therapeutic drug
Authors: Wei Jiahui , Lu Yiran , Wang Ruiqing , Xu Xiangzhu , Liu Qing , He Song , Pan Huihao , Liu Xinmiao , Yuan Bao , Ding Yu , Zhang Jiabao
Published: September 2021

MiR-375 is a conserved noncoding RNA that is known to be involved in tumor cell proliferation, migration, and drug resistance. Previous studies have shown that miR-375 affects the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human tumor cells via some key transcription factors, such as Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), Specificity protein 1 (SP1) and signaling pathways (Wnt signaling pathway, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway) and is vital for the development of cancer. Additionally, recent studies have identified microRNA (miRNA) delivery system carriers for improved in vivo transportation of miR-375 to specific sites. Here, we discussed the role of miR-375 in different types of cancers, as well as molecular mechanisms, and analyzed the potential of miR-375 as a molecular biomarker and therapeutic target to improve the efficiency of clinical diagnosis of cancer.
Multilayer event‐based distributed control system for DC microgrids with non‐uniform delays and directional communication
Authors: Alavi Seyed Amir , Rahimian Ardavan , Mehran Kamyar , Vahidinasab Vahid
Published: September 2021

The secondary control layer of microgrids is often modelled as a multi‐agent distributed system, coordinated based on consensus protocols. Convergence time of consensus algorithm significantly affects transient stability of microgrids, due to changes in communication topology, switching of distributed generations (DGs), and uncertainty of intermittent energy sources. To minimise convergence time in consensus protocol, this work proposes a multilayer event‐based consensus control framework, which is resilient to communication delays and supports plug‐and‐play (P&P) addition or removal of DGs in DC microgrids of cellular energy systems. A novel bi‐layer optimisation algorithm minimises convergence time by selecting an optimal communication topology graph and then adjusts controllers' parameters. Average consensus is achieved among distributed controllers using an event‐based consensus protocol, considering non‐uniform delays between agents. A realisation method has also been introduced using the directional beamforming technique for topology assignment algorithm based on modern telecommunication technologies. Provided feasibility case study has been implemented on a real‐time hardware‐in‐the‐loop (HIL) experimental testbed, to validate the performance of the proposed framework for key purposes of voltage stabilisation and balanced power‐sharing in DC microgrids.
A privacy‐preserving approach to day‐ahead TSO‐DSO coordinated stochastic scheduling for energy and reserve
Authors: Habibi Mahdi , Vahidinasab Vahid , Sepasian Mohammad Sadegh
Published: September 2021

Proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) calls for a coordinated transmission and distribution (T&D) scheduling at the day‐ahead stage. The problem becomes more complicated dealing with the variability of stochastic parameters. Also, privacy and complexity are two barriers to the development of such coordinated platforms. This paper addresses these issues by introducing a hybrid centrally‐supported decentralized stochastic framework for the day‐ahead energy and reserve market with minimum complexity and the need for data‐sharing between system operators. The proposed model is able to calculate the bidirectional power exchange at the T&D interface and the separated costs, dispatches, and reserves of all market participants. The proposed model does not consider any priority for operators and increases the liquidity by facilitating participants’ access to the market platform. Also, the second‐order cone programming (SOCP) formulation is used for calculating the AC power flow of distribution grids, and the model is validated and compared with other implementation strategies. The proposed model is implemented on a modified IEEE 24‐bus test system, and results show that the model can schedule resources for supplying energy and reserves in both transmission and distribution levels in an acceptable computation time.
Change detection with cross enhancement of high‐ and low‐level change‐related features
Authors: Huang Rui , Xing Yan , Zhou Mo , Wang Ruofei
Published: September 2021

Change detection (CD) is a fundamental yet challenging problem, which aims at detecting changed object in two observations. Recent CD methods are designed based on the off‐the‐shelf semantic segmentation network architectures, which is not optimal for extracting and using change‐related features. In this paper, a novel CD network architecture is proposed, including change‐related feature extraction, cross feature enhancement, and multi‐level supervision. Absolute difference of the features of different convolutional layers is first computed from a Unet‐like network for two observations. The features are partitioned into high‐ and low‐level features according to their functionalities. Then the high‐ and low‐level features are recurrently refined by cross feature enhancement to increase the representational ability of the features. The network learns change‐related features with multi‐level supervisions. The final CD result can be obtained by fusing multiple predictions. Experimental results on three CD benchmark datasets indicate the superiority of the authors' method when compared with six state‐of‐the‐art deep learning‐based CD methods.
The IBISCO survey
Authors: Zanchettin M. V. , Feruglio C. , Bischetti M. , Malizia A. , Molina M. , Bongiorno A. , Dadina M. , Gruppioni C. , Piconcelli E. , Tombesi F. , Travascio A. , Fiore F.
Published: September 2021

We present the analysis of the ALMA CO(2−1) emission line and the underlying 1.2 mm continuum of Mrk 509 with spatial resolution of ∼270 pc. This local Seyfert 1.5 galaxy, optically classified as a spheroid, is known to host an ionised disc, a starburst ring, and ionised gas winds on both nuclear (ultra-fast outflows) and galactic scales. From CO(2−1) we estimate a molecular gas reservoir of MH2 = 1.7 × 109 M⊙, located within a disc of size ∼5.2 kpc, with Mdyn = (2.0 ± 1.1) × 1010 M⊙ inclined at 44 ± 10 deg. The molecular gas fraction within the disc is μgas = 5%, consistent with that of local star-forming galaxies with similar stellar mass. The gas kinematics in the nuclear region within r ∼ 700 pc, that is only marginally resolved at the current angular resolution, suggests the presence of a warped nuclear disc. Both the presence of a molecular disc with ongoing star formation in a starburst ring, and the signatures of a minor merger, are in agreement with the scenario where galaxy mergers produce gas destabilisation, feeding both star formation and AGN activity. The spatially resolved Toomre Q-parameter across the molecular disc is in the range Qgas = 0.5 − 10, and shows that the disc is marginally unstable across the starburst ring, and stable against fragmentation at nucleus and in a lopsided ring-like structure located inside of the starburst ring. We find complex molecular gas kinematics and significant kinematics perturbations at two locations, one within 300 pc of the nucleus and one 1.4 kpc away close to the region with high Qgas, that we interpret as molecular winds with velocity v98 = 200 − 250 km s−1. The total molecular outflow rate is in the range 6.4−17.0 M⊙ yr−1 for the optically thin and thick cases, respectively. The molecular wind total kinetic energy is consistent with a multiphase momentum-conserving wind driven by the AGN with Ṗof/Ṗrad in the range 0.06−0.5. The spatial overlap of the inner molecular wind with the ionised wind, and their similar velocity suggest a cooling sequence within a multiphase wind driven by the AGN. The second outer molecular wind component overlaps with the starburst ring, and its energy is consistent with a supernova-driven wind arising from the starburst ring.
The Chandra view of the relation between X-ray and UV emission in quasars
Authors: Bisogni S. , Lusso E. , Civano F. , Nardini E. , Risaliti G. , Elvis M. , Fabbiano G.
Published: September 2021

We present a study of the relation between X-rays and ultraviolet emission in quasars for a sample of broad-line, radio-quiet objects obtained from the cross-match of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey DR14 with the latest Chandra Source Catalog 2.0 (2332 quasars) and the Chandra COSMOS Legacy survey (273 quasars). The non-linear relation between the ultraviolet (at 2500 Å, LUV) and the X-ray (at 2 keV, LX) emission in quasars has been proved to be characterised by a smaller intrinsic dispersion than the observed one, as long as a homogeneous selection, aimed at preventing the inclusion of contaminants in the sample, is fulfilled. By leveraging on the low background of Chandra, we performed a complete spectral analysis of all the data available for the SDSS-CSC2.0 quasar sample (i.e. 3430 X-ray observations), with the main goal of reducing the uncertainties on the source properties (e.g. flux, spectral slope). We analysed whether any evolution of the LX − LUV relation exists by dividing the sample in narrow redshift intervals across the redshift range spanned by our sample, z ≃ 0.5−4. We find that the slope of the relation does not evolve with redshift and it is consistent with the literature value of 0.6 over the explored redshift range, implying that the mechanism underlying the coupling of the accretion disc and hot corona is the same at the different cosmic epochs. We also find that the dispersion decreases when examining the highest redshifts, where only pointed observations are available. These results further confirm that quasars are ‘standardisable candles’, that is we can reliably measure cosmological distances at high redshifts where very few cosmological probes are available.
Precessing ellipses as the building blocks of spiral arms
Authors: Harsoula M. , Zouloumi K. , Efthymiopoulos C. , Contopoulos G.
Published: September 2021

Stable periodic orbits in spiral galactic models that form families of precessing ellipses can create spiral density waves similar to those that are observed in real grand-design galaxies. We study the range in parameter space for which the amplitude of the spiral perturbation, the pattern speed, and the pitch angle collaborate so as to lead to the creation of density waves that are supported by precessing ellipses and their surrounding matter in ordered motion. Quantitative estimates lead to a correlation between the pitch angle and the amplitude of the spiral perturbation and also between the pitch angle and the pattern speed of the spiral arms. These correlations can be regarded as an orbital analog of a nonlinear dispersion relation in density wave theory.
SUPG-stabilized virtual elements for diffusion-convection problems: a robustness analysis
Authors: Beirão da Veiga Lourenco , Dassi Franco , Lovadina Carlo , Vacca Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

The objective of this contribution is to develop a convergence analysis for SUPG-stabilized Virtual Element Methods in diffusion-convection problems that is robust also in the convection dominated regime. For the original method introduced in [Benedetto et al., CMAME 2016] we are able to show an “almost uniform” error bound (in the sense that the unique term that depends in an unfavourable way on the parameters is damped by a higher order mesh-size multiplicative factor). We also introduce a novel discretization of the convection term that allows us to develop error estimates that are fully robust in the convection dominated cases. We finally present some numerical result.
Erratum to: Solutions to four open problems on quorum colorings of graphs
Authors: Sahbi Rafik
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this erratum is to correct the references to some theorems and propositions in the original article. Also, for the sake of clarity, the author would like to modify certain passages of the second paragraph of Theorem 2.6 proof’s by adding a few short sentences and deleting others in order to remove the redundancy.
Comparison of Saccular Function in Nonmusicians and Violinists Using cVEMP: A Pilot Study
Authors: D’Souza Eva Eadle , Yerraguntla Krishna
Published: September 2021

Introduction Human auditory and vestibular systems change due to noise exposure. Professional musicians are often subjected to loud music and longer durations as part of their practice. Although the effects of music have been explored extensively on the auditory system, it is important to understand changes in the vestibular system also. The current study is aimed to compare cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) findings in nonmusicians and violinists to understand if there are any changes in the P1 and N1 latencies and absolute amplitudes in the violinists’ groups because of their exposure to violin music.

Materials and Methods Twelve participants (6 nonmusicians and 6 violinists) of both genders were included in the study. Pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were performed on all the participants. cVEMP P1 and N1 latencies and absolute amplitudes were obtained, and overall mean differences were compared within and between groups.

Results Pure tone average and DPOAE were within the normal range between and within the groups. Results indicate that P1 and N1 absolute amplitudes and latencies were slightly prolonged in the violinists’ group; however, the mean difference was not statistically significant. Comparison of mean absolute amplitudes and latencies between the ears in the violinists’ group showed longer latencies and greater absolute amplitudes in the left ear of violinists as compared with the right ear. In the study, the violinists’ group consisted of participants who had an average daily exposure of about one-and-a-half hours and had an experience of playing the instrument for more than 5 years.

Conclusion cVEMP is useful in detecting early changes in the saccule that may occur due to noise exposure. It can be concluded that, even before a clinically detectable hearing loss or vestibular damage, changes in saccule are observed with the help of cVEMP and should be included in the audiovestibular test for early identification.
Mehr Realismus bitte!
Authors: Herrschelmann Anna
Published: September 2021

Alle vier Jahre zur Bundestagswahl versuchen sich die politischen Parteien an einem Reformprogramm für die Gesellschaft. Dabei geht es mal mehr, mal weniger um einen grundlegenden Systemwechsel. Wir Bürger sollen uns entscheiden: Wollen wir mehr staatlichen Einfluss oder setzen wir mehr auf Eigenverantwortlichkeit und Freiheit. In diesem Jahr ist dieser Widerstreit – wie bei fast allen Themen – aufgrund von Pandemie und Naturkatastrophen besonders stark. Das betrifft auch das Gesundheitswesen im Großen und die Klinik-Versorgungsstrukturen im Kleinen.
Effizient und nachhaltig: BI-unterstützte Optimierung von Versorgungsprozessen
Authors: Spitzer Thomas , Kraus Grischa
Published: September 2021

Im Mittelpunkt einer datengestützten Analytik sollte immer der Prozess selbst liegen. Durch ein kontinuierliches BI-Monitoring sind effektive Steuerungsmöglichkeiten und nachhaltige Effekte gewährleistet. Einmal erzielte Optimierungen werden langfristig gesichert. Wie sieht ein erfolgversprechender Ansatz aus?
Automatisierung: „Wissensmosaik“ zur erfolgreichen Sachkostensteuerung im Klinikeinkauf
Authors: Leuthold Jan
Published: September 2021

Wissen entsteht immer aus der Verknüpfung von aktuellen Daten und der richtigen Interpretation dieser unter Einbeziehung historischer, aktueller und zukünftiger Rahmenbedingungen. Eine Zusammenfassung, welche Daten in welcher Qualität für eine erfolgreiche Sachkostensteuerung erforderlich sind, finden Sie in diesem Beitrag.
Automatisierte Dokumentation: Pflegedokumentation mittels Aktivitätserkennung und Machine Learning
Authors: Kaczmarek Sylvia
Published: September 2021

In dem aktuellen Forschungsprojekt „Eingabefreie Station“ wird erforscht, wie Pflegetätigkeiten automatisiert erfasst werden können, um zeitaufwendige und manuelle Pflegedokumentation zu reduzieren.
Immigration attitudes among Western and Eastern European MPs: social identity, economic aspects and political ideology
Authors: Kocijan Bojana , Kukec Marko
Published: September 2021

This article calls for greater attention to immigration attitudes of members of national parliaments (MPs) who absent harmonized immigration policy at the EU level remain the chief decision-makers and are thus responsible for swift government reaction to large influx of immigrants as witnessed in summer 2015 and spring 2020. Against this background, attitudes of MPs toward non-EU immigrants can be highly informative for understanding the foundation and direction of future immigration policy reforms. Although knowledge of MPs immigration attitudes is seemingly important, studies interested in this topic remain scarce. To test the relative importance of identity and economic aspects of MPs' immigration attitudes, this study adopts few well-established theoretical approaches from citizen-level research. Our data come from an MP survey that was administered in 11 Western and Eastern European countries in late 2014 as part of theEuropean National Elites and the Crisisproject. Our results suggest that social identity (religiosity) along with political ideology rather than economic concerns drive MPs' immigration attitudes. In addition, we find that in Eastern Europe immigration is only a light force behind political competition unlike in Western Europe, while economic left in Eastern Europe is more anti-immigrant than in Western Europe.
A tale of two cooling curves: Measuring heat capacity using aerodynamic levitation
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: September 2021

Multiple-gas cooling method for aerodynamic levitation allows simultaneous solving of emissivity and heat capacity for liquid metals.
Quasi-phase matching waveguides on lithium niobate and KTP for nonlinear frequency conversion: A comparison
Authors: Kores Cristine Calil , Canalias Carlota , Laurell Fredrik
Published: September 2021

Established waveguide fabrication technologies on lithium niobate (LN) and potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) were revisited, and a comparative analysis of their performance for type-0 quasi-phase matched second-harmonic generation at 1.55 µm was provided based on literature data and our simulations. This analysis aided identifying gaps where the waveguide performance is below the theoretical predictions, and the possible reasons are discussed. It provides the reader with a roadmap for choosing the most appropriate waveguide type and material choice between LN and KTP for desired performance of targeted applications.
The container and force schemas in political discourse
Authors: Hampl Marek
Published: September 2021

The paper focuses on metaphors based on the image schemas of container and force that were employed by U.S. President Barack Obama in the campaign against ISIL (The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). Systematic metaphors based on the schemas of container and force illustrate the strategy of the international alliance against ISIL’s activity. The strategy included the isolation of the organization, the restriction of the flow of foreign fighters and financial resources to the area controlled by ISIL as well as planning military operations designed to weaken the influence of the organization. The analysis has been conducted on the corpus of political speeches delivered by the speaker in the period from June 2014 to September 2016. Theoretical framework that is employed in the analysis of primary data is grounded in Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA) which explores ideological aspects of discourse.
Valorisation Wastes from Sugar Mill Plant and Water Supply Treatment Process as Alternative Materials for Ecological Ceramic Floor Tiles
Authors: Wangrakdiskul U , Poommang T
Published: September 2021

Wastes from many industries have an effect on environmental degradation and led problems to manufacturers for disposing them. Likewise, the sugar mill process also generates substantially wastes i.e., bagasse ash and calcium carbonate, which are difficult to eliminate. Furthermore, in water supply treatment process, it has generated the abundant of sediment soil, which are still unutilized and need budgeting for disposing. This research aims to utilize wastes from sugar mill process and water supply treatment process for developing eco-friendly floor tiles ceramics by implementing bagasse ash, calcium carbonate and sediment soil. Tri axial diagram is employed to construct the formula mixtures of three alternative materials with adding brown cullet glass. After dry mixing for all materials according to formulas mixtures, they are moulded by 100 bars of uniaxial pressing in dimension 50 × 100 × 7 mm. Then, they are fired at 1100° and 1150° C. Physical properties; bending strength, water absorption, bulk density, % shrinkage, % weight loss is examined. Bending strength and water absorption are compared with TIS 2508-2555. In addition, microstructure of fired specimens is analysed by Scanning Electron Microscope and X-ray Diffractometer.
Development of Aerotropolis in Kulon Progo with Green Infrastructure Concept
Authors: Syaifuddin Muhammad , Purnomo Eko Priyo , Salsabila Lubna , Fathani Aqil Teguh , Mitra Adrian Maisarah
Published: September 2021

This study aims to analyze the development of Aerotropolis in the Yogyakarta region with a development concept that prioritizes green development values. Aerotropolis is a multi-purpose development where the airport serves as a focal point and is surrounded by multi-purpose business districts and transportation systems. An airport in an area will almost certainly spur the development of the following industries: warehousing, real estate, aircraft repair shops, tourism and restaurants. This research is qualitative research using secondary data, namely: national, regional and district government documents in the form of the Basic Medium- and Long-Term Development Articles of Association and Regional Spatial Planning Plans. The results show that: the Aerotropolis development concept in Jogjakarta will have a good impact on the regional and national economy. This can be confirmed by the faster and easier movement of the economy between regions and countries. Also, the concept of Aerotropolis development in Jogja is carried out by paying attention to environmental, agricultural aspects and strengthening green infrastructure concepts.
Acoustic spin and orbital angular momentum using evanescent Bessel beams
Authors: Rondón Irving
Published: September 2021

The fundamental properties for the spin and orbital angular momentum are analyzed using acoustic evanescent Bessel beams. The calculations reveal that the transversal spin, the canonical momentum, and the orbital angular momentum are proportional to the ratio l/ω where l is the topological charge and ω the angular frequency. This analysis shows that the complex acoustic Poynting vector and spin density exhibits interesting features related to the electromagnetic case.
Interfacial spin-orbit torques and magnetic anisotropy in WSe2/permalloy bilayers
Authors: Hidding Jan , Tirion Sytze H , Momand Jamo , Kaverzin Alexey , Mostovoy Maxim , Van Wees Bart J , Kooi Bart J , Guimarães Marcos H D
Published: September 2021

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising materials for efficient generation of current-induced spin-orbit torques (SOTs) on an adjacent ferromagnetic layer. Numerous effects, both interfacial and bulk, have been put forward to explain the different torques previously observed. Thus far, however, there is no clear consensus on the microscopic origin underlying the SOTs observed in these TMD/ferromagnet bilayers. To shine light on the microscopic mechanisms at play, here we perform thickness dependent SOT measurements on the semiconducting WSe2/permalloy bilayer with various WSe2 layer thickness, down to the monolayer limit. We observe a large out-of-plane field-like torque with spin-torque conductivities up to

1
×

10
4

ℏ

/

2
e

Ω
m

−
1

. For some devices, we also observe a smaller in-plane antidamping-like torque, with spin-torque conductivities up to

4
×

10
3

ℏ

/

2
e

Ω
m

−
1

, comparable to other TMD-based systems. Both torques show no clear dependence on the WSe2 thickness, as expected for a Rashba system. Unexpectedly, we observe a strong in-plane magnetic anisotropy—up to about

6.6
×

10
4

erg cm−3—induced in permalloy by the underlying hexagonal WSe2 crystal. Using scanning transmission electron microscopy, we confirm that the easy axis of the magnetic anisotropy is aligned to the armchair direction of the WSe2. Our results indicate a strong interplay between the ferromagnet and TMD, and unveil the nature of the SOTs in TMD-based devices. These findings open new avenues for possible methods for optimizing the torques and the interaction with interfaced magnets, important for future non-volatile magnetic devices for data processing and storage.
Molecular Advances in Larval Fruit Moth Identification to Facilitate Fruit Export From Western United States Under Systems Approaches
Authors: Yokomi Raymond , Delgado Jennifer K , Unruh Thomas R , Barcenas Nina M , Garczynski Stephen F , Walse Spencer , Pérez de León Adalberto A , Cooper William Rodney
Published: September 2021

Molecular advances facilitate fruit export by improving rapid pest diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and advanced sequencing technology. Improved pest detection provides timely certification of the quarantine pest-free status in the commodity being exported, avoiding unnecessary commodity treatment. The U.S.–Japan Systems Approach to export fresh cherries from the Western United States that targets the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is used as an example. Suspect codling moth larvae interdicted at cherry packing houses are distinguished by PCR from other internal fruit moth larvae such as the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); lesser appleworm, G. prunivora (Walsh) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); cherry fruitworm, G. packardi (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae); and filbertworm, Cydia latiferreana (Walsingham) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Identification is confirmed by sequencing the amplicon of a 301 bp region of the COI gene produced by PCR of the DNA from a suspect moth and comparing this sequence of COI gene sequences of other internal fruit feeders of pome fruit. This sequence comparison results in unambiguous pest identification. These findings are discussed in the context of systems approach research to meet evolving needs of phytosanitary requirements for global export of fruits.
Reference Samples to Compare Next-Generation Sequencing Test Performance for Oncology Therapeutics and Diagnostics
Authors: Pfeifer John D , Loberg Robert , Lofton-Day Catherine , Zehnbauer Barbara A
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Diversity of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) using next-generation sequencing (NGS) raises concerns about their accuracy for selection of targeted therapies. A working group developed a pilot study of traceable reference samples to measure NGS LDT performance among a cohort of clinical laboratories.

Methods

Human cell lines were engineered via CRISPR/Cas9 and prepared as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cell pellets (“wet” samples) to assess the entire NGS test cycle. In silico mutagenized NGS sequence files (“dry” samples) were used to assess the bioinformatics component of the NGS test cycle. Single and multinucleotide variants (n = 36) of KRAS and NRAS were tested at 5% or 15% variant allele fraction to determine eligibility for therapy with the EGFR inhibitor panitumumab in the setting of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Results

Twenty-one (21/21) laboratories tested wet samples; 19 of 21 analyzed dry samples. Of the laboratories that tested both the wet and dry samples, 7 (37%) of 19 laboratories correctly reported all variants, 3 (16%) of 19 had fewer than five errors, and 9 (47%) of 19 had five or more errors. Most errors were false negatives.

Conclusions

Genetically engineered cell lines and mutagenized sequence files are complementary reference samples for evaluating NGS test performance among clinical laboratories using LDTs. Variable accuracy in detection of genetic variants among some LDTs may identify different patient populations for targeted therapy.
New Empirical Tests for Classic Litigation Selection Models: Evidence from a Low Settlement Environment
Authors: Chang Yun-chien , Hubbard William
Published: September 2021

Law and economics theorists have long advanced theories of litigation and settlement, including the canonical Landes–Posner–Gould (LPG) and Priest and Klein (PK) models. Famously, PK predict that, as settlement rates rise, plaintiff win rates approach 50%. So far, though, empirical testing of these models has been hampered by two major limitations: first, these models make clear predictions about the effect of case stakes on settlement rates and plaintiff win rates, but lack of reliable data on stakes means these predictions have gone untested. Second, most of the studies have used data from the United States, a high-settlement, high-litigation-costs setting, and the generalizability of these models to other institutional settings has been less explored. We use a novel data set of Taiwanese court data to test previously untested predictions of the LPG and PK models and explore the extent to which these models apply to a low-settlement, low-litigation-cost setting. We find strong support for the predictions of the LPG model that we test but at best weak support for the 50% hypothesis of the PK model, consistent with recent research suggesting that the hypothesis will have limited applicability in a low-settlement, low-litigation-cost environment. These results suggest directions for research and provide guidance to policy on the role that stakes play in the filing and settlement of claims.
The Border and the Way We Live Now
Authors: Moya* Paula M L
Published: September 2021

In this essay-review, Paula Moya discusses three recent scholarly books by T. Jackie Cuevas, Marissa López, and Roberto Hernández that react to the negative racialization of Mexican origin people in the US by analyzing a variety of strategies employed by Chicanx writers and artists in literary and cultural artifacts produced from the 19th century to the present. Cuevas argues that Chicanx scholars need to better acknowledge the wide variety of types of Chicanx people living in the US, including those who are gender variant. López charts how some writers rebuff limiting ethnic stereotypes by engaging in a politics of performative, aggressive abjection as a way of refusing to perform institutionally recognized latinidad. And in his focus on two transnational sites along the US-Mexico border, Hernández seeks to analyze the historical causes and underlying logic of our modern/colonial world system by articulating the not always evident relationship of local eruptions of violence to the global flows of racial capitalism. Together, they unite in fighting the forces of dishistoricization by recovering the history of Chicanx people in the US and imagining for the community a decolonial future that can elude the violent constraints of racial subordination.
Liquid-Immersion Reprocessing Effects on Filtration Efficiency of ‘Single-Use’ Commercial Medical Face Masks
Authors: Everts Richard J , Al Ghusaini Shadha , Telfar-Barnard Lucy , Barclay Ella , Tan Shaun , Jekel Sonja , Jennings Lance , Choi Dong Hoon , Hilson Dougal , Gibson Barbara
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Medical masks have inferior filtration efficiency and fit to filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) but are widely used in healthcare and the community. These masks are intended for disposal after use but in the event of mask shortage re-use after reprocessing may be an option. We investigated eight reprocessing methods that each involved washing or soaking in liquid, are likely to eliminate respiratory viruses, and are safe and available in most community and healthcare settings.

Methods

Three brands of EN 14683 standards-compliant commercial medical mask were each reprocessed 10 times by one of eight methods. We measured filtration efficiency for poly-dispersed sodium chloride particles and pressure differential.

Results

Compared with new medical masks, reprocessed masks had significantly reduced filtration efficiency. The reduction was mild-moderate (6.5–25.8%) after warm water wash, hot water soak or boiling water soak; and moderate-large (24.1–51.5%) after detergent, soap or laundry machine wash, or bleach soak. There were mixed and minor changes in pressure differential. Most reprocessed standards-compliant masks had better filtration efficiency than new non-standard commercial masks and then cotton and cotton-polyester mix fabric samples, even triple-layered fabrics.

Conclusions

High-quality commercial medical masks reprocessed 10 times by water immersion methods had better filtration efficiency than new non-standard masks and washable fabrics. These findings have particular relevance for community and low-resource healthcare settings.
A general optimization protocol for molecular property prediction using a deep learning network
Authors: Chen Jen-Hao , Tseng Yufeng Jane
Published: September 2021

The key to generating the best deep learning model for predicting molecular property is to test and apply various optimization methods. While individual optimization methods from different past works outside the pharmaceutical domain each succeeded in improving the model performance, better improvement may be achieved when specific combinations of these methods and practices are applied. In this work, three high-performance optimization methods in the literature that have been shown to dramatically improve model performance from other fields are used and discussed, eventually resulting in a general procedure for generating optimized CNN models on different properties of molecules. The three techniques are the dynamic batch size strategy for different enumeration ratios of the SMILES representation of compounds, Bayesian optimization for selecting the hyperparameters of a model and feature learning using chemical features obtained by a feedforward neural network, which are concatenated with the learned molecular feature vector. A total of seven different molecular properties (water solubility, lipophilicity, hydration energy, electronic properties, blood–brain barrier permeability and inhibition) are used. We demonstrate how each of the three techniques can affect the model and how the best model can generally benefit from using Bayesian optimization combined with dynamic batch size tuning.
Rossmann-toolbox: a deep learning-based protocol for the prediction and design of cofactor specificity in Rossmann fold proteins
Authors: Kamiński Kamil , Ludwiczak Jan , Jasiński Maciej , Bukala Adriana , Madaj Rafal , Szczepaniak Krzysztof , Dunin-Horkawicz Stanisław
Published: September 2021

The Rossmann fold enzymes are involved in essential biochemical pathways such as nucleotide and amino acid metabolism. Their functioning relies on interaction with cofactors, small nucleoside-based compounds specifically recognized by a conserved βαβ motif shared by all Rossmann fold proteins. While Rossmann methyltransferases recognize only a single cofactor type, the S-adenosylmethionine, the oxidoreductases, depending on the family, bind nicotinamide (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) or flavin-based (flavin adenine dinucleotide) cofactors. In this study, we showed that despite its short length, the βαβ motif unambiguously defines the specificity towards the cofactor. Following this observation, we trained two complementary deep learning models for the prediction of the cofactor specificity based on the sequence and structural features of the βαβ motif. A benchmark on two independent test sets, one containing βαβ motifs bearing no resemblance to those of the training set, and the other comprising 38 experimentally confirmed cases of rational design of the cofactor specificity, revealed the nearly perfect performance of the two methods. The Rossmann-toolbox protocols can be accessed via the webserver at https://lbs.cent.uw.edu.pl/rossmann-toolbox and are available as a Python package at https://github.com/labstructbioinf/rossmann-toolbox.
Impact of mutations in SARS-COV-2 spike on viral infectivity and antigenicity
Authors: Zhou Wenyang , Xu Chang , Wang Pingping , Anashkina Anastasia A , Jiang Qinghua
Published: September 2021

Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the etiologic agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the viral genome has acquired numerous mutations with the potential to alter the viral infectivity and antigenicity. Part of mutations in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has conferred virus the ability to spread more quickly and escape from the immune response caused by the monoclonal neutralizing antibody or vaccination. Herein, we summarize the spatiotemporal distribution of mutations in spike protein, and present recent efforts and progress in investigating the impacts of those mutations on viral infectivity and antigenicity. As mutations continue to emerge in SARS-CoV-2, we strive to provide systematic evaluation of mutations in spike protein, which is vitally important for the subsequent improvement of vaccine and therapeutic neutralizing antibody strategies.
Consensus-based clustering of single cells by reconstructing cell-to-cell dissimilarity
Authors: Wang Chunxiang , Mu Zengchao , Mou Chaozhou , Zheng Hongyu , Liu Juntao
Published: September 2021

The development of single-cell ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology has led to great opportunities for the identification of heterogeneous cell types in complex tissues. Clustering algorithms are of great importance to effectively identify different cell types. In addition, the definition of the distance between each two cells is a critical step for most clustering algorithms. In this study, we found that different distance measures have considerably different effects on clustering algorithms. Moreover, there is no specific distance measure that is applicable to all datasets. In this study, we introduce a new single-cell clustering method called SD-h, which generates an applicable distance measure for different kinds of datasets by optimally synthesizing commonly used distance measures. Then, hierarchical clustering is performed based on the new distance measure for more accurate cell-type clustering. SD-h was tested on nine frequently used scRNA-seq datasets and it showed great superiority over almost all the compared leading single-cell clustering algorithms.
A protocol for dynamic model calibration
Authors: Villaverde Alejandro F , Pathirana Dilan , Fröhlich Fabian , Hasenauer Jan , Banga Julio R
Published: September 2021

Ordinary differential equation models are nowadays widely used for the mechanistic description of biological processes and their temporal evolution. These models typically have many unknown and nonmeasurable parameters, which have to be determined by fitting the model to experimental data. In order to perform this task, known as parameter estimation or model calibration, the modeller faces challenges such as poor parameter identifiability, lack of sufficiently informative experimental data and the existence of local minima in the objective function landscape. These issues tend to worsen with larger model sizes, increasing the computational complexity and the number of unknown parameters. An incorrectly calibrated model is problematic because it may result in inaccurate predictions and misleading conclusions. For nonexpert users, there are a large number of potential pitfalls. Here, we provide a protocol that guides the user through all the steps involved in the calibration of dynamic models. We illustrate the methodology with two models and provide all the code required to reproduce the results and perform the same analysis on new models. Our protocol provides practitioners and researchers in biological modelling with a one-stop guide that is at the same time compact and sufficiently comprehensive to cover all aspects of the problem.