bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Powder thermal conductivity measurements in laser powder-bed fusion: an uncertainty study with sensitivity analysis
Authors: Zhang Shanshan , Lane Brandon , Chou Kevin
Published: January 2021

Laser flash testing and finite element (FE) heat transfer simulations have been together applied to measure the thermal conductivity of metallic powder contained in a solid specimen made by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing. However, input parameters to the FE model potentially influence the accuracy of thermal conductivity evaluations. This study intends to investigate the effect of major uncertainties in the measurement of metallic powder thermal conductivity in L-PBF, including specimen dimensions, solid material properties, as well as the irradiation area and pyrometer detected area in laser flash testing, and to determine the sensitivity of various factors. A dummy-treated Taguchi method with different levels of the studied factors was utilized using the FE simulations and an inverse method. The results show that the dimension of the specimen’s internal powder-enclosed cavity and the solid material properties have dominant effects on the evaluation of powder thermal conductivity. In addition, predictions from the regression equations are verified and give a reasonable agreement with the simulated powder thermal conductivity values.
Charge neutralisation of microparticles by pulsing a low-pressure shielded spatial plasma afterglow
Authors: van Minderhout B , van Huijstee J C A , Peijnenburg A T A , Blom P , Kroesen G M W , Beckers J
Published: January 2021

In this paper, it is shown that microparticles can be effectively neutralised in the (spatial) plasma afterglow of an inductively coupled plasma. A key element in the reported experiments is the utilisation of a grounded mesh grid separating the plasma bulk and the ‘shielded’ plasma afterglow. Once particles—being injected in and charged by the inductively coupled plasma—had passed this mesh grid, the plasma was switched off while the particles continued to be transported under the influence of both flow and gravity. In the shielded spatial plasma afterglow region, the particle charge was deducted from their acceleration in an externally applied electric field. Our experiments demonstrate that all particles were neutralised independently of the applied electric field magnitude. The achieved neutralisation is of primary importance for the further development of plasma-assisted contamination control strategies as well as for a wide range of other applications, such as colourimetric sensing, differential mobility analysers, and medical applications.
Multi-scale simulation of early kidney branching morphogenesis
Authors: Cai Wenran , Wang Yunqi , Zhang Jicong , Zhang Hong , Luo Tianzhi
Published: January 2021

An important feature of the branch morphogenesis during kidney development is the termination of the tips on the outer surface of a kidney. This feature requires the avoidance of the intersection between the tips and existing ducts inside the kidney. Here, we started from a continuous model and implemented the coarse grained rules into a fast and discrete simulations. The ligand–receptor-based Turing mechanism suggests a repulsion that decreases exponentially with distance between interacting branches, preventing the intersection between neighboring branches. We considered this repulsive effect in numerical simulations and successfully reproduce the key features of the experimentally observed branch morphology for an E15.5 kidney. We examine the similarity of several geometrical parameters between the simulation results and experimental observations. The good agreement between the simulations and experiments suggests that the concentration decay caused by the absorption of glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor might be the key factor to affect the geometry in early kidney development.
Exact explicit solitary wave and periodic wave solutions and their dynamical behaviors for the Schamel–Korteweg–de Vries equation*
Authors: He Bin , Meng Qing
Published: January 2021

The Schamel–Korteweg–de Vries equation is investigated by the approach of dynamics. The existences of solitary wave including ω-shape solitary wave and periodic wave are proved via investigating the dynamical behaviors with phase space analyses. The sufficient conditions to guarantee the existences of the above solutions in different regions of the parametric space are given. All possible exact explicit parametric representations of the waves are also presented. Along with the details of the analyses, the analytical results are numerically simulated lastly.
Effects of W6+ occupying Sc3+ on the structure, vibration, and thermal expansion properties of scandium tungstate*
Authors: Chen Dongxia , Sun Qiang , Yu Zhanjun , Li Mingyu , Guo Juan , Chao Mingju , Liang Erjun
Published: January 2021

We experimentally investigate effects of W6+ occupying the sites of Sc3+ in the unit cell of Sc2W3O12 (Sc8W12O48) on the structure, vibration and thermal expansion. The composition and structure of the doped sample (Sc6W2)W12O48 ± δ
(with two W6+ occupying two sites of Sc3+ in the unit cell of Sc8W12O48) are analyzed and identified by combining the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and the synchronous x-ray diffraction with first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. Results show that the crystal with even W6+ occupying even Sc3+ in the unit cell is stable and maintains the orthorhombic structure at room temperature. The structure of the doped sample is similar to that of Sc2W3O12, and with even W occupying even positions of Sc in the unit cell and constituting the WO6 octahedra. Raman analyses show that the doped sample possesses stronger W–O bonds and wider Raman linewidths than those of Sc2W3O12. The sample doped with W also exhibits intrinsic negative thermal expansion in the measured range of 150 K–650 K.
Numerical simulation on partial coalescence of a droplet with different impact velocities*
Authors: Peng Can , Xu Xianghua , Liang Xingang
Published: January 2021

Partial coalescence is a complicated flow phenomenon. In the present study, the coalescence process is simulated with the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The numerical results reveal that a downward high-velocity region plays a significant role in partial coalescence. The high-velocity region pulls the droplet downward continuously which is an important factor for the droplet turning into a prolate shape and the final pinch-off. The shift from partial coalescence to full coalescence is explained based on the droplet shape before the pinch-off. With the droplet impact velocity increasing, the droplet shape will get close to a sphere before the pinch-off. When the shape gets close enough to a sphere, the partial coalescence shifts to full coalescence. The effect of film thickness on the coalescence process is also investigated. With large film thickness, partial coalescence happens, while with small film thickness, full coalescence happens. In addition, the results indicate that the critical droplet impact velocity increases with the increase of surface tension coefficient but decreases with the increase of viscosity and initial droplet diameter. And there is a maximum critical Weber number with the increase of surface tension coefficient and initial droplet diameter.
Suppression of ferroresonance using passive memristor emulator
Authors: Poornima S
Published: January 2021

Power system inherently consists of capacitance and inductance in its components. Equipment with saturable inductance and circuit capacitance provides circumstances of generating ferroresonance, resulting in overvoltage and overcurrent in the connected system. The effects of ferroresonance result in insulation failure and hence damage to the equipment is unavoidable. Though many devices are proposed for mitigating such circumstances, a promising technology of using memristors may provide better performance than others in the future. A memristor emulator using the N-channel JFET J310 is used in this work. Unlike other electronic components that replicate memristor properties, the chosen memristor emulator is a passive device since it does not need any external power supply. Simulation and experimental results verify the design of a memristor emulator and the characteristics of an ideal memristor. Experimental results prove that the memristor emulator can suppress the fundamental ferroresonance induced in a prototype single phase transformer. The results of the harmonic analysis also validate the memristor performance against the conventional technique.
Design of sextuple-mode triple-ring HTS UWB filter using two-round interpolation*
Authors: Tian Ming-En , Long Zhi-He , Lan You , He Lei-Lei , Zhang Tian-Liang
Published: January 2021

A single-stage ring resonator capable of introducing six modes within the ultra-wideband (UWB) passband is presented. The sextuple-mode resonator consists of three rings and three sets of stepped-impedance open stubs. Based on this sextuple-mode resonator, a UWB filter fed by the interdigital-coupling line (ICL) is designed. And we propose a two-round interpolation method to obtain the filter’s initial dimensions. The designed filter is fabricated on a double-sided YBCO/MgO/YBCO high-temperature superconducting (HTS) thin film for demonstration. The experimental results show that this UWB filter produces eight resonances in the passband eventually, which effectively improves the in-band reflection and the band-edge steepness. Moreover, the upper stopband performance is enhanced due to the transmission zeros (TZs) generated by the stepped-impedance open stubs and the ICL structure. The measured good performance verifies the practicability of the two-round interpolation approach, which can also be extended to other odd–even-mode filter designs.
An assessment of data sources, data quality and changes in national forest monitoring capacities in the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005–2020
Authors: Nesha Karimon , Herold Martin , De Sy Veronique , Duchelle Amy E , Martius Christopher , Branthomme Anne , Garzuglia Monica , Jonsson Orjan , Pekkarinen Anssi
Published: January 2021

Globally, countries report forest information to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Global Forest Resources Assessments (FRA) at regular intervals. While the status and trends of national forest monitoring capacities have been previously assessed for the tropics, this has not been systematically done worldwide. In this paper, we assess the use and quality of forest monitoring data sources for national reporting to the FRA in 236 countries and territories. More specifically, we (a) analyze the use of remote sensing (RS) for forest area monitoring and the use of national forest inventory (NFI) for monitoring forest area, growing stock, biomass, carbon stock, and other attributes in FRA 2005–2020, (b) assess data quality in FRA 2020 using FAO tier-based indicators, and (c) zoom in to investigate changes in tropical forest monitoring capacities in FRA 2010–2020. Globally, the number of countries monitoring forest area using RS at good to very good capacities increased from 55 in FRA 2005 to 99 in FRA 2020. Likewise, the number of countries with good to very good NFI capacities increased from 48 in FRA 2005 to 102 in FRA 2020. This corresponds to ∼85% of the global forest area monitored with one or more nationally-produced up-to-date RS products or NFI in FRA 2020. For large proportions of global forests, the highest quality data was used in FRA 2020 for reporting on forest area (93%), growing stock (85%), biomass (76%), and carbon pools (61%). Overall, capacity improvements are more widespread in the tropics, which can be linked to continued international investments for forest monitoring especially in the context of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in tropical countries (REDD+). More than 50% of the tropical countries with targeted international support improved both RS and NFI capacities in the period 2010–2020 on top of those that already had persistent good to very good capabilities. There is also a link between improvements in national capacities and improved governance measured against worldwide governance indicators (WGI). Our findings—the first global study—suggest an ever-improving data basis for national reporting on forest resources in the context of climate and development commitments, e.g. the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.
Discrete Darboux system with self-consistent sources and its symmetric reduction
Authors: Doliwa Adam , Lin Runliang , Wang Zhe
Published: January 2021

The discrete non-commutative Darboux system of equations with self-consistent sources is constructed, utilizing both the vectorial fundamental (binary Darboux) transformation and the method of additional independent variables. Then the symmetric reduction of discrete Darboux equations with sources is presented. In order to provide a simpler version of the resulting equations we introduce the τ/σ form of the (commutative) discrete Darboux system. Our equations give, in continuous limit, the version with self-consistent sources of the classical symmetric Darboux system.
Some novel considerations about the collective coordinates approximation for the scattering of ϕ
4 kinks
Authors: Pereira Carlos F S , Luchini Gabriel , Tassis Tadeu , Constantinidis Clisthenis P
Published: January 2021

The collective coordinates approximation for the kink/anti-kink scattering in the 1 + 1 dimensional ϕ
4 model is considered and we discuss how the results found in the current literature on the topic can be improved by giving the analytical expression for the Lagrangian in the space of parameters. A comprehensive discussion of the role of the collective coordinates approximation in this particular situation is given for completeness.
A global assessment of wildfire potential under climate change utilizing Keetch-Byram drought index and land cover classifications
Authors: Gannon Colin S , Steinberg Nik C
Published: January 2021

In recent years, climate change has caused wildfires across the globe to generally become larger and more severe, creating new challenges for public health, housing and infrastructure, and natural resource management. As the characteristics of wildfires change, it is critical to understand where emerging risks for human and natural systems are most profound. We assess how future wildfire potential, defined here as the meteorological conditions and the availability of burnable vegetation types conducive to wildfire occurrence, are projected to change in the future. To achieve this, we combine modelled temperature and precipitation to calculate the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) as a proxy for soil moisture deficit and overlay a weighting factor representing burnable vegetation derived from land cover classifications. Through our analysis of daily data at both mid- and end-of-century, we find that climate-related changes, such as increasing temperatures and drying patterns, will elevate wildfire potential globally, both in terms of severity of maximum daily KBDI and frequency of high KBDI days. We find that regions which have recently endured major fire events, including the western United States, Australia, and the Amazon, could experience increases in maximum KBDI of up to 100 in places, with more than 60 additional days of high KBDI by mid-century, compared to the historical baseline. Additionally, at the end-of-the-century, regions across much of Africa, Central America, and Southern Asia are projected to emerge as wildfire hotspots. While the occurrence of wildfires may still be rare today in many regions, we find that climatological trends are projected to increase wildfire potential for much of the globe, creating new risks for some, and raising the challenge for already wildfire-prone communities to effectively manage forests and protect people and critical resources.
Nanostructured copper sulphide films deposited from a precursor bath prepared using RO water
Authors: Kari Fasiha , Kothari Anjana
Published: January 2021

Synthesis of functional nanostructured materials using solution-based low-cost deposition routes is an emerging research area. In this paper, we report deposition of one such material, Copper Sulphide nanostructures (CuS NS), using low-cost chemical bath deposition technique. The films have been deposited on bare glass substrate from a precursor (PS) bath prepared using reverse osmosis (RO) processed water (Drinking water). The deposition of the films has been carried out at three different temperatures, 60°, 65° and 70 °C. X-ray diffraction study confirmed the CuS NS film possess pure hexagonal covellite phase. Scanning Electron Microscopy of the films revealed the flower-like shape CuS NS are made up of hexagonal plates of side lengths ∼38 nm and thickness ∼4.76 nm. The average size of the agglomerated grains was calculated 65 nm to 665 nm (60 °C), 94 nm to 670 nm (65 °C) and 94 nm to 670 nm (70 °C) using ImageJ software. The optical study showed the films possess indirect and direct optical energy bandgap (Eg) in the range ∼1.3–1.6 eV and ∼2.4–2.7 eV, respectively.
Diseasome and comorbidities complexities of SARS-CoV-2 infection with common malignant diseases
Authors: Satu Md Shahriare , Khan Md Imran , Rahman Md Rezanur , Howlader Koushik Chandra , Roy Shatabdi , Roy Shuvo Saha , Quinn Julian M W , Moni Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2021

With the increasing number of immunoinflammatory complexities, cancer patients have a higher risk of serious disease outcomes and mortality with SARS-CoV-2 infection which is still not clear. In this study, we aimed to identify infectome, diseasome and comorbidities between COVID-19 and cancer via comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to identify the synergistic severity of the cancer patient for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We utilized transcriptomic datasets of SARS-CoV-2 and different cancers from Gene Expression Omnibus and Array Express Database to develop a bioinformatics pipeline and software tools to analyze a large set of transcriptomic data and identify the pathobiological relationships between the disease conditions. Our bioinformatics approach revealed commonly dysregulated genes (MARCO, VCAN, ACTB, LGALS1, HMOX1, TIMP1, OAS2, GAPDH, MSH3, FN1, NPC2, JUND, CHI3L1, GPNMB, SYTL2, CASP1, S100A8, MYO10, IGFBP3, APCDD1, COL6A3, FABP5, PRDX3, CLEC1B, DDIT4, CXCL10 and CXCL8), common gene ontology (GO), molecular pathways between SARS-CoV-2 infections and cancers. This work also shows the synergistic complexities of SARS-CoV-2 infections for cancer patients through the gene set enrichment and semantic similarity. These results highlighted the immune systems, cell activation and cytokine production GO pathways that were observed in SARS-CoV-2 infections as well as breast, lungs, colon, kidney and thyroid cancers. This work also revealed ribosome biogenesis, wnt signaling pathway, ribosome, chemokine and cytokine pathways that are commonly deregulated in cancers and COVID-19. Thus, our bioinformatics approach and tools revealed interconnections in terms of significant genes, GO, pathways between SARS-CoV-2 infections and malignant tumors.
A transformer architecture based on BERT and 2D convolutional neural network to identify DNA enhancers from sequence information
Authors: Le Nguyen Quoc Khanh , Ho Quang-Thai , Nguyen Trinh-Trung-Duong , Ou Yu-Yen
Published: January 2021

Recently, language representation models have drawn a lot of attention in the natural language processing field due to their remarkable results. Among them, bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) has proven to be a simple, yet powerful language model that achieved novel state-of-the-art performance. BERT adopted the concept of contextualized word embedding to capture the semantics and context of the words in which they appeared. In this study, we present a novel technique by incorporating BERT-based multilingual model in bioinformatics to represent the information of DNA sequences. We treated DNA sequences as natural sentences and then used BERT models to transform them into fixed-length numerical matrices. As a case study, we applied our method to DNA enhancer prediction, which is a well-known and challenging problem in this field. We then observed that our BERT-based features improved more than 5–10% in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Matthews correlation coefficient compared to the current state-of-the-art features in bioinformatics. Moreover, advanced experiments show that deep learning (as represented by 2D convolutional neural networks; CNN) holds potential in learning BERT features better than other traditional machine learning techniques. In conclusion, we suggest that BERT and 2D CNNs could open a new avenue in biological modeling using sequence information.
Exercise intolerance — from spiroergometry to transdiaphragmatic myocardial punch biopsy: a case report of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Schindler Michael Johannes , Saguner Ardan M , Benussi Stefano , Bode Peter Karl , Manka Robert , Steffel Jan , Tanner Felix C , Zuber Michel , Ruschitzka Frank
Published: January 2021

Background

Several aetiologies account for exercise intolerance, with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) constituting a rare cause thereof. The pathogenesis of CS is still unresolved and its diagnosis still difficult to establish, in the absence of any extracardiac manifestations in particular.

Case summary

A 49-year-old amateur athlete presented with exercise intolerance during running over a 3-week period. Coronary artery and structural lung disease were excluded by coronary angiography and computer tomography. The symptoms could be reproduced during spiroergometry during which an exercise-induced high-degree atrioventricular (AV) block was documented. During electrocardiographic monitoring, a 2:1 AV block was observed. Different imaging modalities showed inferobasal septal inflammation and fibrosis. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography-guided endomyocardial biopsies were inconclusive and only subsequent epicardial biopsy performed by transdiaphragmatic minimally invasive surgery lead to the histological diagnosis of non-caseating granuloma, confirming CS. The patient was treated with high-dose steroids 1 week after implantation of a primary prevention dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). While tapering steroids, recurrence of myocardial inflammation occurred. However, no tachytherapies and <0.1% right ventricular pacing were needed after 2 years of follow-up.

Discussion

Differential diagnoses were either an infiltrative disease, a tumour, or an infectious disease. Due to the different treatment options, we had to establish definite diagnosis by myocardial biopsy. Retrospectively, the implantation of the ICD can be discussed. However, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed fibrosis which is usually irreversible and substrate for potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmia. Confirming the diagnosis of isolated CS is challenging. Long-term management should be guided individually based on clinical and imaging findings.
Acute coronary syndrome caused by extrinsic coronary compression from an aortic root abscess in a patient with mechanical aortic valve endocarditis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Joy George , Lewis Michael , Furniss Stephen
Published: January 2021

Background 

Extrinsic coronary compression is an extremely rare complication of aortic root abscess formation and can manifest as an acute coronary syndrome in infective endocarditis. Optimal management strategies are unknown and therefore illustrative case reports may be informative.

Case summary 

We describe a 63-year-old man with a background history of a mechanical aortic valve who developed sepsis due to Escherichia coli bacteraemia from a presumed urinary source. He suddenly deteriorated with cardiogenic shock and anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction on Day 16 and received emergency percutaneous coronary intervention for severe stenoses of left anterior descending and diagonal arteries. A transoesophageal echocardiogram 2 days later demonstrated a large aortic root abscess. He was transferred for emergency surgery which revealed a large aortic abscess surrounding the left main stem confirming extrinsic coronary compression. He received a redo tissue aortic valve replacement and repair of his abscess cavity.

Discussion 

We describe a case where percutaneous coronary intervention and emergency surgery was used to treat extrinsic compression from an aortic root abscess; a complication that is associated with a high mortality. This is also a rare case of E. coli causing prosthetic valve endocarditis. We also explore the findings of 11 previous cases of extrinsic coronary compression from aortic root abscess.
Acute coronary syndrome due to native coronary occlusion proximal to a patent bypass graft: a case report
Authors: Kitazono Kazunari , Tanoue Kanyo , Ueno Masahiro , Ohishi Mitsuru
Published: January 2021

Background

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome has significantly contributed to improvements in overall outcomes. However, clinical challenges exist when performing urgent PCI for patients with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Case summary

An 83-year-old man with a history of CABG presented with an inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Emergent coronary angiography showed an occlusion of the right coronary artery that had been previously grafted with the right gastroepiploic artery. Primary PCI for the native coronary artery was performed on the assumption that the bypass graft had been occluded. We were unable to attain angiographic antegrade flow after balloon angioplasty, and intravascular ultrasound revealed a ruptured plaque with a thrombus proximally and a patent bypass graft with complete recanalization distally. These findings suggested that the plaque rupture with resultant thrombus formation proximal to the anastomosis eventually overlay the patent bypass graft. Subsequent stent implantation covering only the culprit site with a residual stenosis proximal to the anastomosis was performed, resulting in good patency of both the native coronary artery and bypass graft for more than 3 years.

Discussion

This is the first documented case of a patient with STEMI due to proximal native coronary artery occlusion with a thrombus overlying a patent bypass graft. Intravascular ultrasound was helpful to recognize the distal patency and guide optimal stent implantation. This case illustrates the complexity of treating a patient with a history of CABG and the importance of a multifaceted approach in such an urgent situation.
Anti-TNF-α Treatment Reduces the Baseline Procoagulant Imbalance of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Tripodi Armando , Spina Luisa , Pisani Laura Francesca , Padovan Lidia , Cavallaro Flaminia , Chantarangkul Veena , Valsecchi Carla , Peyvandi Flora , Vecchi Maurizio
Published: January 2021

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized by an increased thrombosis risk of uncertain etiology. Coagulation derangement arising from inflammation may be a triggering factor. We hypothesized that strong inflammation inhibitors (eg, anti-tumor necrosis factor-α drugs) may affect coagulation.

Methods

Forty patients with IBD were compared with 57 control patients for coagulation factors and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), the latter being the most sensitive marker of in vivo pro- and anticoagulation balance. We measured ETP in the presence and absence of thrombomodulin (the physiologic protein C [PC] activator). Coagulation at different timepoints was also assessed for 28 of these patients during infliximab treatment.

Results

The median ETP (nM thrombin × minutes) and range (minimum-maximum) were each higher in patients at baseline than in control patients in both the absence (2120 [1611-3041] vs 1865 [1270-2337]) and the presence (1453 [464-2522] vs 831 [104-1741]) of thrombomodulin. The ETP ratio (with/without thrombomodulin) was high at baseline (0.73 [0.21-0.90] vs 0.45 [0.07-0.85]). The ETP and ETP ratio declined during treatment and were significantly lower at the end than at baseline. Factor (F) VIII and fibrinogen, which were high at baseline, decreased during treatment and at the end were significantly lower than at baseline. The FVIII/PC ratio, which was high in patients at baseline, declined during treatment and at the end was lower than at baseline. C-reactive protein recorded at the end of treatment was lower than at baseline.

Conclusions

Patients with IBD have a procoagulant imbalance as shown by increased ETP at baseline. The ETP decreases during treatment with infliximab, which is related to decreased FVIII and FVIII/PC ratio. This effect is also related to the improvement of inflammation as shown by decreased fibrinogen and C-reactive protein.
Hepatitis-B Vaccine Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Kochhar Gursimran S , Mohan Babu P , Khan Shahab R , Chandan Saurabh , Kassab Lena L , Ponnada Suresh , Desai Aakash , Caldera Freddy , Dulai Parambir S , Farraye Francis A
Published: January 2021

Background

Data on efficacy of hepatitis-B vaccine (HBV) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is limited. Our aim was to review the literature and perform meta-analysis of available studies to quantify efficacy of HBV in patients with IBD.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of several databases (inception to July 2020) to identify studies evaluating efficacy of HBV in patients with IBD. Random effects model was used to calculate the pooled rates and I2 percentage values were used to assess the heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 14 studies (2375 patients) were included. Four data sets were available from 2 studies that compared HBV response in patients with IBD against healthy controls. The pooled odds ratio of HBV response in IBD patients was 0.13 (95% CI, 0.05–0.33, P = 0.001). The pooled proportion of adequate immune response (AIR) was 64% (95% CI, 55–72.1, P = 0.003) from 13 data sets, and effective immune response (EIR) was 39.7% (95% CI, 30.7–49.5, P = 0.04) from 10 data sets.

Conclusion

Patients with IBD on immunosuppression demonstrated significantly reduced HBV response as compared with general population.
Economic effects of sea surface temperature, aging population, and market distance on a small-scale fishery
Authors: Jang Ho Geun , Yamazaki Satoshi , Kiyama Shoichi , Higashida Keisaku , Tinch Dugald
Published: January 2021

We studied how local environmental and socio-economic factors impact fish supply and the price outcome of small-scale fisheries. We exploited day-to-day variations in sea surface temperature (SST) and cross-sectional differences in market distance and age of fishers to measure consumers’ responsiveness to price changes in a small-scale octopus fishery in Japan. Using the estimated demand parameters, we quantified the economic consequences of local socio-environmental factors in terms of changes in fishing revenue and consumer surplus. We found that increasing SST and an aging workforce increase the octopus supply and that consumers are responsive to price changes due to such supply shocks. Our results suggest that increasing SST and an aging workforce have positive net effects on fishing revenue and consumer surplus within the fishery. The octopus fishery provides a temporary source of income in the off-season of other species, smoothing the seasonal income variation of elderly fishers in the community.
Analysis of RNA-Seq, DNA Target Enrichment, and Sanger Nucleotide Sequence Data Resolves Deep Splits in the Phylogeny of Cuckoo Wasps (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae)
Authors: Pauli Thomas , Meusemann Karen , Kukowka Sandra , Sann Manuela , Donath Alexander , Mayer Christoph , Oeyen Jan Philip , Ballesteros Yolanda , Berg Alexander , van den Berghe Eric , Escalona Hermes E , Guglielmino Adalgisa , Niehuis Manfred , Olmi Massimo , Podsiadlowski Lars , Polidori Carlo , de Rond Jeroen , Rosa Paolo , Schmitt Thomas , Strumia Franco , Wurdack Mareike , Liu Shanlin , Zhou Xin , Misof Bernhard , Peters Ralph S , Niehuis Oliver
Published: January 2021

The wasp family Chrysididae (cuckoo wasps, gold wasps) comprises exclusively parasitoid and kleptoparasitic species, many of which feature a stunning iridescent coloration and phenotypic adaptations to their parasitic life style. Previous attempts to infer phylogenetic relationships among the family’s major lineages (subfamilies, tribes, genera) based on Sanger sequence data were insufficient to statistically resolve the monophyly and the phylogenetic position of the subfamily Amiseginae and the phylogenetic relationships among the tribes Allocoeliini, Chrysidini, Elampini, and Parnopini (Chrysidinae). Here, we present a phylogeny inferred from nucleotide sequence data of 492 nuclear single-copy genes (230,915 aligned amino acid sites) from 94 species of Chrysidoidea (representing Bethylidae, Chrysididae, Dryinidae, Plumariidae) and 45 outgroup species by combining RNA-seq and DNA target enrichment data. We find support for Amiseginae being more closely related to Cleptinae than to Chrysidinae. Furthermore, we find strong support for Allocoeliini being the sister lineage of all remaining Chrysidinae, whereas Elampini represent the sister lineage of Chrysidini and Parnopini. Our study corroborates results from a recent phylogenomic investigation, which revealed Chrysidoidea as likely paraphyletic.
Upper Cretaceous paleoenvironmental changes and petrophysical responses in lacustrine record (Songliao Basin, NE China) and marine sedimentary deposit (Goban Spur Basin, NW Europe)
Authors: Kouamelan Kouamelan Serge , Zou Changchun , Assie Konan Roger , Peng Cheng , N'dri Koffi Alexis , Mondah Ohouo Rebecca
Published: January 2021

The Cretaceous interval is marked by several important geological changes whose prints are buried in both continental and marine sytems. Although significant paleoenvironmental details of this period have been inferred from biological and geochemical indicators, little is known about the physical proxies. Through scientific borehole data, petrophysical properties of Upper Cretaceous Songliao Basin (SB) in NE China and Goban Spur Basin (GSB) in NW Europe were intercorrelated to investigate the critical geological paleoenvironmental shifts and their petrophysical responses, through statistical, wavelet and spectral approaches. The results demonstrated that petrophysical features, particularly gamma-ray and resistivity reactivities, were responsive to past environmental changes in both terrestrial and marine systems. Shifts in organic-rich shale deposition and brine bearing shale showed a correlation to a probable period of seawater incursion in SB, while the gamma log, resistivity and density reactivities were interrelated to the basin paleo-structuration. At GSB, the gamma-ray and resistivity reactivities are tied-up to the Mid-Atlantic seabed motion, marine-water level shifts and paleoceanographic instabilities. In both paleo-basins, a decrease in the gamma-ray reactivity occurred from Turonian to Maastrichtian and is consistent with a regional or global increase in hydrodynamic energy. The oceanic/lacustrine anoxic events related to low sedimentation rate occurred in both basins and are associated with high gamma-ray and resistivity signals (SB); high gamma-ray and low resistivity signals (GSB). These changes correlated with geochemical evidence, suggesting that gamma-ray and resistivity can represent alternative means for marine and continental paleoenvironmental comparison.
The Key to Combat Readiness Is a Strong Military–Civilian Partnership
Authors: Sussman Matthew S , Ryon Emily L , Urrechaga Eva M , Cioci Alessia C , Herrington Tyler J , Pizano Louis R , Garcia George D , Namias Nicholas , Wetstein Paul J , Buzzelli Mark D , Gross Kirby R , Proctor Kenneth G
Published: January 2021

Introduction

In peacetime, it is challenging for Army Forward Resuscitative Surgical Teams (FRST) to maintain combat readiness as trauma represents <0.5% of military hospital admissions and not all team members have daily clinical responsibilities. Military surgeon clinical experience has been described, but no data exist for other members of the FRST. We test the hypothesis that the clinical experience of non-physician FRST members varies between active duty (AD) and Army reservists (AR).

Methods

Over a 3-year period, all FRSTs were surveyed at one civilian center.

Results

Six hundred and thirteen FRST soldiers were provided surveys and 609 responded (99.3%), including 499 (81.9%) non-physicians and 110 (18.1%) physicians/physician assistants. The non-physician group included 69% male with an average age of 34 ± 11 years and consisted of 224 AR (45%) and 275 AD (55%). Rank ranged from Private to Colonel with officers accounting for 41%. For AD vs. AR, combat experience was similar: 50% vs. 52% had ≥1 combat deployment, 52% vs. 60% peri-deployment patient load was trauma-related, and 31% vs. 32% had ≥40 patient contacts during most recent deployment (all P > .15). However, medical experience differed for AD and AR: 18% vs. 29% had >15 years of experience in practice and 4% vs. 17% spent >50% of their time treating critically injured patients (all P < .001). These differences persisted across all specialties, including perioperative nurses, certified registered nurse anesthetists, operating room (OR) techs, critical-care nurses, emergency room (ER) nurses, licensed practical nurse (LPN), and combat medics.

Conclusions

This is the first study of clinical practice patterns in AD vs. AR, non-physician members of Army FRSTs. In concordance with previous studies of military surgeons, FRST non-physicians seem to be lacking clinical experience as well. To maintain readiness and to provide optimal care for our injured warriors, the entire FRST, not just individuals, should embed within civilian centers.
Could Uranus and Neptune form by collisions of planetary embryos?
Authors: Chau Alice , Reinhardt Christian , Izidoro André , Stadel Joachim , Helled Ravit
Published: January 2021

The origin of Uranus and Neptune remains a challenge for planet formation models. A potential explanation is that the planets formed from a population of a few planetary embryos with masses of a few Earth masses which formed beyond Saturn’s orbit and migrated inwards. These embryos can collide and merge to form Uranus and Neptune. In this work, we revisit this formation scenario and study the outcomes of such collisions using 3D hydrodynamical simulations. We investigate under what conditions the perfect-merging assumption is appropriate, and infer the planets’ final masses, obliquities, and rotation periods, as well as the presence of proto-satellite discs. We find that the total bound mass and obliquities of the planets formed in our simulations generally agree with N-body simulations therefore validating the perfect-merging assumption. The inferred obliquities, however, are typically different from those of Uranus and Neptune, and can be roughly matched only in a few cases. In addition, we find that in most cases, the planets formed in this scenario rotate faster than Uranus and Neptune, close to break-up speed, and have massive discs. We therefore conclude that forming Uranus and Neptune in this scenario is challenging, and further research is required. We suggest that future planet formation models should aim to explain the various physical properties of the planets such as their masses, compositions, obliquities, rotation rates, and satellite systems.
SN 2020ank: a bright and fast-evolving H-deficient superluminous supernova
Authors: Kumar Amit , Kumar Brajesh , Pandey S B , Sahu D K , Singh Avinash , Anupama G C , Aryan Amar , Gupta Rahul , Dutta Anirban , Misra Kuntal
Published: January 2021

We investigate the observational properties of a hydrogen-deficient superluminous supernova (SLSN) SN 2020ank (at z = 0.2485), with the help of early phase observations carried out between –21 and +52 d since g-band maximum. Photometrically, SN 2020ank is one of the brightest SLSN ($M_{\mathrm{ g,peak}}\, \sim$ –21.84 ± 0.10 mag), having fast pre-peak rising and post-peak decaying rates. The bolometric light curve of SN 2020ank exhibits a higher peak luminosity (Lmax) of ∼ (3.9 ± 0.7) × 1044 erg s−1 and appears to be symmetric around the peak with $L^{\mathrm{ rise}}_{\mathrm{ max}}$/e ${\approx}L^{\mathrm{ fall}}_{\mathrm{ max}}$/e ≈ 15 d. The semi-analytical light-curve modelling using the minim code suggests a spin-down millisecond magnetar with $P_i\, \sim$ 2.2 ± 0.5 ms and $B\, \sim$ (2.9 ± 0.1) $\times \, 10^{14}$ G as a possible powering source for SN 2020ank. The possible magnetar origin and excess ultraviolet flux at early epochs indicate a central-engine based powering source for SN 2020ank. Near-peak spectra of SN 2020ank are enriched with the W-shaped O ii features but with the weaker signatures of C ii and Fe iii. Using the estimated rise time of ∼ 27.9 d and the photospheric velocity of ∼ 12 050 km s−1, we constrain the ejecta mass to ∼ 7.2 M⊙ and the kinetic energy of ∼6.3 × 1051 erg. The near-peak spectrum of SN 2020ank exhibits a close spectral resemblance with that of fast-evolving SN 2010gx. The absorption features of SN 2020ank are blueshifted compared to Gaia16apd, suggesting a higher expansion velocity. The spectral similarity with SN 2010gx and comparatively faster spectral evolution than PTF12dam (a slow-evolving SLSN) indicate the fast-evolving behaviour of SN 2020ank.
Chemo-kinematics of the Gaia RR Lyrae: the halo and the disc
Authors: Iorio Giuliano , Belokurov Vasily
Published: January 2021

We present the results of a multicomponent kinematic model of a large sample of RR Lyrae detected by Gaia. By imposing a fourfold symmetry and employing Gaia proper motions, we are able to infer the behaviour of the velocity ellipsoid between ≈3 and ≈30 kpc from the centre of the Galaxy. We detect the presence of two distinct components: a dominant non-rotating halo-like population and a much smaller rotating disc-like population. We demonstrate that the halo RR Lyrae can be described as a superposition of an isotropic and radially biased parts. The radially biased portion of the halo is characterized by a high orbital anisotropy β ≈ 0.9 and contributes between 50 per cent and 80 per cent of the halo RR Lyrae at 5 < R(kpc)<25. In line with previous studies, we interpret this high-β component as the debris cloud of the ancient massive merger also known as the Gaia Sausage (GS) whose orbital extrema we constrain. The light-curve properties of the RR Lyrae support the kinematic decomposition: the GS stars are more metal-rich and boast higher fractions of Oosterhoff Type 1 and high-amplitude short period (HASP) variables compared to the isotropic halo component. The metallicity/HASP maps reveal that the inner 10 kpc of the halo is likely inhabited by the RR Lyrae born in situ. The mean azimuthal speed and the velocity dispersion of the disc RR Lyrae out to R ≈ 30 kpc are consistent with the behaviour of a young and metal-rich thin disc stellar population.
Effectiveness and Safety of Biodegradable Calcium Sulfate Antibiotic Beads as Adjuvant Therapy in Vascular Graft Infections
Authors: Doub James B , Bork Jacqueline T , Heil Emily , Stafford Kristen , Banoub Mary , Karwowski John K , Toursavadkohi Shahab
Published: January 2021

This is a retrospective cohort study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of biodegradable calcium sulfate antibiotic beads in vascular graft infections compared with standard of care. No differences in acute kidney injury or hypercalcemia were observed between the cohorts. Recurrence of infection did not occur in the 13-patient bead cohort compared with 14 patients who had recurrence in the 45-patient nonbead cohort with a number needed to treat of 4.0.
Concomitant Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C With Direct-Acting Antivirals and Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Is Effective and Safe
Authors: Melikyan Nara , Huerga Helena , Atshemyan Hakob , Kirakosyan Ohanna , Sargsyants Narina , Aydinyan Tsovinar , Saribekyan Nora , Khachatryan Naira , Oganezova Izabella , Falcao Joana , Balkan Suna , Hewison Cathy
Published: January 2021

We assessed effectiveness and safety of concomitant chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Of 322 MDR-TB patients (19.4% HCV), 30 were treated concomitantly (23.3% human immunodeficiency virus-positive). Overall, 76.7% achieved HCV treatment success (95.8% among tested). One patient (3.3%) experienced a serious adverse event.
Hypomorphic mutations in human DNA ligase IV lead to compromised DNA binding efficiency, hydrophobicity and thermal stability
Authors: Maddi Eswar Reddy , Raghavan Sathees C , Natesh Ramanathan
Published: January 2021

Studies have shown that Lig4 syndrome mutations in DNA ligase IV (LigIV) are compromised in its function with residual level of double strand break ligation activity in vivo. It was speculated that Lig4 syndrome mutations adversely affect protein folding and stability. Though there are crystal structures of LigIV, there are no reports of crystal structures of Lig4 syndrome mutants and their biophysical characterization to date. Here, we have examined the conformational states, thermal stability, hydrophobicity and DNA binding efficiency of human DNA LigIV wild type and its hypomorphic mutants by far-UV circular dichroism, tyrosine and tryptophan fluorescence, and 1-anilino-8-naphthalene-sulfonate binding, dynamic light scattering, size exclusion chromatography, multi-angle light scattering and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We show here that LigIV hypomorphic mutants have reduced DNA-binding efficiency, a shift in secondary structure content from the helical to random coil, marginal reduction in their thermal stability and increased hydrophobicity as compared to the wild-type LigIV.
Are we meeting the needs of vulnerable children? Distribution of speech-language pathology services on the Gold Coast, Australia
Authors: Conway M , Krahe M A , Weir K A , Reilly S
Published: January 2021

Background

Compared to national averages, the Gold Coast, Australia, has a proportionately higher number of children entering their first year of primary school with ‘at risk’ or ‘vulnerable’ language skills. This paper investigates the distribution of paediatric speech-language pathology (SLP) services on the Gold Coast, relative to children’s language and cognitive skills, and socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods

SLP service locations were identified through national association data and a manual search and mapped against SES and Australian Early Development Census data, for language and cognitive skills.

Results

Data for 7595 children was included, with 943 (12.4%) at risk and 780 (12.6%) vulnerable for language and cognitive skills. A total of 75 SLPs were identified (85.3% private, 14.6% public), which is 1 SLP to every 23 children who might have current or impending speech, language and communication needs. Fewer services were available in areas where vulnerable children were located and most were private providers, leading to further potential barriers to service access.

Conclusions

The number of SLP services located on the Gold Coast is inadequate to meet the needs of children with language and cognitive skill vulnerabilities. Consideration of how services might be distributed is explored and warrants further consideration.