bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Análise tomográfica dos parâmetros anatômicos para inserção dos parafusos de trajeto cortical
Authors: Herrero Carlos Fernando Pereira Silva , Marangoni Rafael Campos Fróes
Published: January 2022

Objetivo Estudar os parâmetros anatômicos do trajeto de inserção do parafuso cortical e descrever sua técnica.

Métodos Analisaram-se exames de tomografia computadorizada de 30 pacientes, e as medidas nas vértebras de L1 a L5 bilateralmente. Um segundo observador avaliou dez exames aleatoriamente. Os parâmetros incluíram o ângulo lateral (AL) e o diâmetro do parafuso (DP) como variáveis axiais, e o ângulo cranial (AC) e o comprimento do parafuso (CP) como variáveis sagitais.

Resultados No total, havia 15 pacientes do sexo masculino (média de idade de 31,33 anos) e 15 do sexo feminino (média de idade de 32,01 anos). O AL variou de 13,8° a 20,89°, com uma tendência de aumento no sentido de proximal a distal. O AC variou de 17,5° a 24,9°, com tendência de diminuição no sentido caudal. O DP variou de 2,3 mm a 7,2 mm, havendo uma tendência ao aumento conforme avançamos de proximal a distal. O CP variou de 19 mm a 45 mm, havendo uma tendência de diminuição conforme avançamos de proximal (L1) a distal (L5). Não houve diferença estatística entre os sexos, nem diferenças na confiabilidade interobservador, quanto aos valores estudados quando comparados os lados.

Conclusão A trajetória do parafuso de trajeto cortical apresenta variações em diferentes populações. Assim, recomendamos o estudo pré-operatório de imagens para reduzir os riscos cirúrgicos relacionados à técnica.
A influência de calçados no arco longitudinal medial do pé e na cinemática dos membros inferiores de crianças no início da fase de aquisição de marcha
Authors: Okai-Nobrega Liria Akie , Santos Thiago Ribeiro Teles , Lage Ana Paula , Araújo Priscila Albuquerque de , Souza Thales Rezende de , Fonseca Sérgio Teixeira
Published: January 2022

Objetivo Avaliar o comportamento do arco longitudinal medial do pé (ALM) e os parâmetros cinemáticos dos membros inferiores durante a deambulação com calçados biomiméticos (CBs) e não biomiméticos (NB1, NB2, NB3 e NB4) em crianças no início da fase de aquisição da marcha.

Métodos Foram avaliadas quatro crianças no início da fase de aquisição da marcha nas seguintes condições: andar descalço, andar com CBs e calçados NB1, NB2, NB3 e NB4 em solo plano. O calçado biomimético é descrito como biomimético por emular pisos naturais e irregulares por meio de uma palmilha interna dinâmica. O ALM e a cinemática do quadril, joelho e tornozelo durante a marcha foram avaliados por meio de sistema de análise do movimento tridimensional. A similaridade entre as curvas cinemáticas das condições descalça e com calçado foi analisada por meio do cálculo de root mean square error (RMSE).

Resultados O CB foi o que apresentou maior magnitude do ALM e maior diferença do ALM em relação à condição descalça (maior RMSE). O CB apresentou ainda menor diferença na cinemática das articulações do joelho e tornozelo durante a marcha quando comparado à condição descalça (menor RMSE). O calçado NB2 apresentou a cinemática do quadril mais semelhante à condição descalça (menor RMSE).

Conclusão Os calçados CB e NB2 que apresentam a região do antepé mais larga geraram menores diferenças na cinemática dos membros inferiores. Além disso, o ALM foi maior no CB provavelmente devido a seu design ser diferente daquele dos demais calçados.
Role of YAP1 Signaling in Biliary Development, Repair, and Disease
Authors: Molina Laura , Nejak-Bowen Kari , Monga Satdarshan P.
Published: January 2022

Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is a transcriptional coactivator that activates transcriptional enhanced associate domain transcription factors upon inactivation of the Hippo signaling pathway, to regulate biological processes like proliferation, survival, and differentiation. YAP1 is most prominently expressed in biliary epithelial cells (BECs) in normal adult livers and during development. In the current review, we will discuss the multiple roles of YAP1 in the development and morphogenesis of bile ducts inside and outside the liver, as well as in orchestrating the cholangiocyte repair response to biliary injury. We will review how biliary repair can occur through the process of hepatocyte-to-BEC transdifferentiation and how YAP1 is pertinent to this process. We will also discuss the liver's capacity for metabolic reprogramming as an adaptive mechanism in extreme cholestasis, such as when intrahepatic bile ducts are absent due to YAP1 loss from hepatic progenitors. Finally, we will discuss the roles of YAP1 in the context of pediatric pathologies afflicting bile ducts, such as Alagille syndrome and biliary atresia. In conclusion, we will comprehensively discuss the spatiotemporal roles of YAP1 in biliary development and repair after biliary injury while describing key interactions with other well-known developmental pathways.
Relative efficiency of biochar particles of different sizes for immobilising heavy metals and improving soil properties
Authors: Ahmad Wiqar , Khan Arbaz , Zeeshan Muhammad , Ahmad Ijaz , Adnan Muhammad , Fahad Shah
Published: January 2022

Biochar has received significant attention for its potential in bioremediation of polluted soils. However, the impact of biochar particle size is yet to be investigated. We evaluated the role of various particle sizes (<3, 3–6 and 6–9 mm) of commercially available hardwood Acacia arabica biochar applied at the rate of 10 g kg−1 soil in the immobilisation of heavy metals 12 months after application. Heavy metals cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) were spiked in designated pots from their respective sources CdSO4, Ni(NO3)2 and PbNO3 according to their permissible limits (0.2–2, 8.1 and 10–15 mg kg−1, respectively). Biochar particles of sizes <3, 3–6 and 6–9 mm significantly mitigated contamination of Cd by 35%, 10% and 9%; Pb by 61%, 60% and 35%; and Ni by 64%, 45% and 3.2%. Relative to the control, application of biochar particles of sizes <3, 3–6 and 6–9 mm significantly increased soil porosity by 10.3%, 4.2% and 3%; saturation percentage by 100%, 42% and 27%; pH by 0.53%, 2.6% and 4%; and organic matter by 33.6%, 19.7% and 16.8%. Soil bulk density decreased by 12%, 5% and 2.3%; and electrical conductivity by 19%, 20% and 24%. The contamination factor for Cd was >1 (in the moderate contamination category), whereas Pb and Ni had contamination factors <1 (in the low contamination category), under biochar application. The heavy metal spiking effect was also significant and ranked as Pb > Cd > Ni for soil pH, electrical conductivity and porosity; Cd > Ni > Pb for organic matter; and Ni > Cd > Pb for bulk density and saturation percentage. Smallest sized biochar (<3 mm) maximally stabilised heavy metals in the soil and improved soil physicochemical properties. Therefore, heavy metal polluted soils should be treated with fine (<3 mm) biochar for maximum immobilisation for heavy metals and improvement in soil physicochemical properties.
Mandarinchī‘eat’ sentences in elicitation and corpus data
Authors: Newman John , Zhao Dan
Published: January 2022

When collected methodically through elicitation experiments, invented examples prompted by a cue word provide evidence for how speakers think about that word. This study explores characteristics of Mandarinchī‘eat’ sentences obtained through an elicitation experiment and SMS, newspaper, and fiction corpora. Our findings support the view that invented examples collected methodically represent a valuable data type with its own characteristics worthy of attention and analysis.
The centrality of Africa in Lenin’s theory of imperialism
Authors: Pateman Joe
Published: January 2022

Lenin’s Marxist theories have aided both African anti-imperialist struggles and the study of African political economy. Recently, however, some scholars have reinvigorated the postcolonial critique of Marxism as a Eurocentric doctrine, one that misunderstands and marginalises Africa and its peoples. Following Cedric Robinson, several analysts mention Lenin alongside Marx and Engels as a founder of Eurocentric Marxism. This article, by contrast, argues that Lenin displayed a deep concern for Africa, one that was fundamentally non-Eurocentric. Lenin researched Africa extensively in his Notebooks on imperialism. Upon the basis of this research, Lenin placed Africa at the centre of his analysis in Imperialism: the highest stage of capitalism. It is impossible to understand the insights of Lenin’s theory of imperialism without appreciating Africa’s centrality within it. Although Lenin displayed the racist views of Africa that dominated his era, these were marginal in his thought. Lenin militantly opposed colonialism and supported African independence.
Structural correlation to ferroelectric order, non-Griffiths like phase and magnetocaloric effect in YbCrO4
Authors: Indra A , Mukherjee S , Gutowski O , Zimmermann M v , Majumdar S , Giri S
Published: January 2022

We report a ferroelectric order around ∼99 K (T
FE), which is considerably above the long range ferrimagnetic order at 25 K (T

N
). The value of saturation electric polarization is considerable as ∼570 μC m−2 for a poling field of 5 kV cm−1. The ferroelectric order is associated with a significant magnetoelectric coupling below ∼90 K. A weak signature of T
FE is observed in the dielectric constant, which is associated with a linear magnetodielectric response at 18 K

(

<

T

N

)

. A transition to a polar structure has been correlated with the occurrence of ferroelectric order. A non-Griffiths like phase is observed around ∼48 K, which is also linked with the structural distortion. A reasonable value of the magnetic entropy change of 5.07 J Kg−1 K−1 is noted at T

N
for a change in field of 50 kOe, which involves a strong magnetoelastic coupling. The results indicate considerable structural instabilities, which is linked with the observed multifunctional properties of YbCrO4.
Gigabar shock wave driven by laser-accelerated electron stream
Authors: Gus’kov S Yu , Kuchugov P A , Yakhin R A , Zmitrenko N V
Published: January 2022

Theoretical and computational results for the generation of a powerful shock wave with pressure behind the front exceeding a gigabar level in the half-space of a solid when the boundary layer is heated by a flux of laser-accelerated electrons are presented. The influence of the energy flux density of the heating stream, the characteristic initial energy and the electron spectrum on the characteristics of the shock wave is investigated. The main attention is paid to the generation of an extremely powerful shockwave, which can be applied in experiments to study the equation of state of matter. For this, the requirements for the parameters of a laser pulse that can ensure the propagation of a plane shock wave with a gigabar pressure when a substance is heated by a beam of laser-accelerated fast electrons, taking into account its divergence, are established. It is shown that one of the features of the propagation of a shock wave under the impact of a thermal piston heated by fast electrons consists in the radiation cooling of the peripheral region of the substance covered by the shock wave. An increase in the compression of matter due to radiation cooling leads to a multiple increase in the density of matter in the peripheral region of the shock wave compared to the density at its front. The final result of this work is to substantiate the use of shock waves driven by a beam of laser-accelerated electrons in a laboratory experiment to study the properties of matter, in particular, metals compressed to a density of several tens of g cc−1 under the action of gigabar pressure.
Singular spectrum analysis and fuzzy entropy-based damage detection on a thin aluminium plate by using PZTs
Authors: Song Huijun , Xiang Ming , Lu Guangtao , Wang Tao
Published: January 2022

In this research, a new method based on singular spectrum analysis (SSA) and fuzzy entropy is developed for damage detection on thin wall-like structures, and the normalized fuzzy entropy is employed as an indicator to identify the severity of the damage. The lead zirconate titanate (PZT) transducers are used in this research to generate and detect the Lamb waves. During the detection, the collected signals from the PZT sensors are firstly decomposed and reconstructed by SSA to extract the feature of the damage, and then the reconstructed signals with the feature of the damage are processed to obtain the normalized fuzzy entropy. An experimental setup of an aluminium plate with added magnets is fabricated to validate the proposed method. The experimental results show that when magnets are attached on the aluminium plate, the normalized fuzzy entropy is smaller than that when there are no magnets. That is because when magnets are placed on the plate, the movement and some vibration modes of Lamb waves are disturbed by the added magnets and this disturbing effect can be enhanced by increasing the number and locations of the added magnets, and eventually the complexity and nonlinearity of the waves are weakened. The experimental results of a single damage with different number of magnets indicate that the normalized fuzzy entropy decreases linearly as the number of the added magnets increases, which demonstrates that the proposed method can be used to detect the severity of the damage. Moreover, the experimental results of multi-damage on different locations indicate that the normalized fuzzy entropy is relevant with both the total number and locations of the added magnets. The normalized fuzzy entropy decreases linearly as the total number of the magnets increases, and the entropy of a single damage is smaller than that of the multi-damage with the same total number of magnets, which demonstrates that the proposed method also can be used for multi-damage detection on a thin plate. This study provides us a new approach to identifying a single or multiple damages on thin wall-like structures.
A rational quantum state sharing protocol with semi-off-line dealer
Authors: Zhang Hua-Li , Che Bi-Chen , Dou Zhao , Yang Yu , Chen Xiu-Bo
Published: January 2022

A rational quantum state sharing protocol with the semi-off-line dealer is proposed. Firstly, the dealer Alice shares an arbitrary two-particle entangled state with the players by Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) pairs and Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger (GHZ) states. The EPR pairs are prepared by Charlie instead of the dealer, reducing the workload of the dealer. Secondly, all players have the same probability of reconstructing the quantum state, guaranteeing the fairness of the protocol. In addition, the dealer is semi-off-line, which considerably reduces the information exchanging between the dealer and the players. Finally, our protocol achieves security, fairness, correctness, and strict Nash equilibrium.
Effects of heterogeneous adoption thresholds on contact-limited social contagions
Authors: Zhao Dan-Dan , Peng Wang-Xin , Peng Hao , Wang Wei
Published: January 2022

Limited contact capacity and heterogeneous adoption thresholds have been proven to be two essential characteristics of individuals in natural complex social systems, and their impacts on social contagions exhibit complex nature. With this in mind, a heterogeneous contact-limited threshold model is proposed, which adopts one of four threshold distributions, namely Gaussian distribution, log-normal distribution, exponential distribution and power-law distribution. The heterogeneous edge-based compartmental theory is developed for theoretical analysis, and the calculation methods of the final adoption size and outbreak threshold are given theoretically. Many numerical simulations are performed on the Erdös–Rényi and scale-free networks to study the impact of different forms of the threshold distribution on hierarchical spreading process, the final adoption size, the outbreak threshold and the phase transition in contact-limited propagation networks. We find that the spreading process of social contagions is divided into three distinct stages. Moreover, different threshold distributions cause different spreading processes, especially for some threshold distributions, there is a change from a discontinuous first-order phase transition to a continuous second-order phase transition. Further, we find that changing the standard deviation of different threshold distributions will cause the final adoption size and outbreak threshold to change, and finally tend to be stable with the increase of standard deviation.
Photoelectron momentum distributions of Ne and Xe dimers in counter-rotating circularly polarized laser fields
Authors: Lei Zhi-Xian , Xu Qing-Yun , Yang Zhi-Jie , He Yong-Lin , Guo Jing
Published: January 2022

The strong-field ionization of dimers is investigated theoretically in counter-rotating circularly polarized laser fields. By numerically solving the two-dimensional (2D) time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) with the single-electron approximation (SEA) frame, we present the photoelectron momentum distributions (PMDs) and photoelectron angular distribution (PADs) of aligned Ne and Xe dimers. It is found that the PMDs and PADs strongly depend on the time delays by counter-rotating circularly polarized laser pulses. The results can be explained by the ultrafast photoionization model and the evolution of electron wave packets for Ne and Xe dimers. Besides, We make a comparison of PMDs between Ne atom and Ne dimer.
48 V input rad-hard DCDC converters for HEP experiments: development and results
Authors: Antoszczuk P. , Michelis S. , Ripamonti G. , Saggini S. , Iob F.
Published: January 2022

Two new radiation-hard DCDC converters are in development, which tolerate a higher input voltage (up to 48 V) and provide a larger output power compared to existing solutions. They are called bPOL48V and rPOL48V, and they employ gallium nitride devices. bPOL48V can provide 10 A of output current with better than 90% efficiency and is close to production readiness, while rPOL48V is in an early stage of development and is designed to provide larger output current with better power density. A linear regulator called linPOL48V, able step down the voltage from up to 48 V with maximum output current of 200 mA has also been designed and tested.
The LSPE-Strip feed horn array
Authors: Franceschet C. , Del Torto F. , Villa F. , Realini S. , Bongiolatti R. , Peverini O.A. , Pezzotta F. , Viganó D.M. , Addamo G. , Bersanelli M. , Cavaliere F. , Cuttaia F. , Gervasi M. , Mennella A. , Morgante G. , Taylor A.C. , Virone G. , Zannoni M.
Published: January 2022

In this paper we discuss the design, manufacturing and
characterization of the feed horn array of the Strip instrument of
the Large Scale Polarization Explorer (LSPE) experiment. Strip is a
microwave telescope, operating in the Q- and W-band, for the
observation of the polarized emissions from the sky in a large
fraction (about 37%) of the Northern hemisphere with sub-degree
angular resolution. The Strip focal plane is populated by forty-nine
Q-band and six W-band corrugated horns, each feeding a cryogenically
cooled polarimeter for the detection of the Stokes Q and U
components of the polarized signal from the sky. The Q-band channel
is designed to accurately monitor Galactic polarized synchrotron
emission, while the combination of Q- and W-band will allow the
study of atmospheric effects at the observation site, the
Observatorio del Teide, in Tenerife. In this paper we focus on the
development of the Strip corrugated feed horns, including design
requirements, engineering and manufacturing, as well as detailed
characterization and performance verification.
Biomimicking interfacial fracture behavior of lizard tail autotomy with soft microinterlocking structures
Authors: Baban Navajit S , Orozaliev Ajymurat , Stubbs Christopher J , Song Yong-Ak
Published: January 2022

Biological soft interfaces often exhibit complex microscale interlocking geometries to ensure sturdy and flexible connections. If needed, the interlocking can rapidly be released on demand leading to an abrupt decrease of interfacial adhesion. Here, inspired by lizard tail autotomy where such apparently tunable interfacial fracture behavior can be observed, we hypothesized an interlocking mechanism between the tail and body based on the muscle-actuated mushroom-shaped microinterlocks along the fracture planes. To mimic the fracture behavior of the lizard tail, we developed a soft bilayer patch that consisted of a dense array of soft hemispherical microstructures in the upper layer acting as mechanical interlocks with the counter body part. The bottom control layer contained a microchannel that allowed to deflect the upper layer when applying the negative pressure, thus mimicking muscle contraction. In the microinterlocked condition, the biomimetic tail demonstrated a 2.7-fold and a three-fold increase in adhesion strength and toughness, respectively, compared to the pneumatically released microinterlocks. Furthermore, as per the computational analysis, the subsurface microchannel in the control layer enabled augmented adhesion by rendering the interface more compliant as a dissipative matrix, decreasing contact opening and strain energy dissipation by 50%. The contrasting features between the microinterlocked and released cases demonstrated a highly tunable adhesion of our biomimetic soft patch. The potential applications of our study are expected in soft robotics and prosthetics.
A biomimetic remora disc with tunable, reversible adhesion for surface sliding and skimming
Authors: Wang Siqi , Li Lei , Zhao Wei , Zhang Yiyuan , Wen Li
Published: January 2022

Remora suckerfish (Echeneis naucrates) can perform skimming and sliding motions on the surfaces of moving hosts to optimize adhesion positions. We found that remora achieve skimming and sliding motions through coordinated movement of the suction disc’s lamellae and lip locomotion through live animal observations. We implemented an integrated biomimetic remora suction disc based on morphological and kinematic data of biological remoras. With soft actuators enabling ‘compression–rotation’ and ‘compression–extension’, the biomimetic disc controls the disc lip and lamellar movement under driving with only one degree of freedom, and can switch freely between three states: zero, low-friction, and robust adhesion. Then we investigate the effects of the biomimetic suction-disc soft-lip material, preload, and lamellar movement on the tangential friction force (both forward and backward) under different adhesion states. This biomimetic suction disc with a low-modulus soft lip can adhere to a smooth surface under 0.1 N preload and achieve normal adhesion-force and tangential frictional-force control ranges spanning ∼10−1 to ∼102 N and ∼10−1 to ∼101 N, respectively. The results reveal how remora disc achieved fast, tunable adhesion for skimming and sliding on surfaces. Furthermore, we demonstrate a bio-inspired robot capable of attachment, detachment, skimming, and sliding motions with the aiding of simple biomimetic pectoral-fin flapping. This study lays a foundation for future integrated applications of underwater adhesion robots and related biomechanical exploration.
Linear-branched poly(β-amino esters)/DNA nano-polyplexes for effective gene transfection and neural stem cell differentiation
Authors: Cao Yuheng , He Haobo , Cao Kaili , Liu Yongyang , Huang Dehua , Li Tuanwei , Chen Guangcun
Published: January 2022

Controllable regulation of stem cell differentiation is a critical concern in stem cell-based regenerative medicine. In particular, there are still great challenges in controlling the directional differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) into neurons. Herein, we developed a novel linear-branched poly(β-amino esters) (S4-TMPTA-BDA-DT, STBD) through a two-step reaction. The synthesized linear-branched polymers possess multiple positively charged amine terminus and degradable intermolecular ester bonds, thus endowing them with excellent properties such as high gene load, efficient gene delivery, and effective gene release and transcription in cells. In the mCherry transfection test, a high transfection efficiency of approximately 70% was achieved in primary NSCs after a single transfection. Moreover, STBD also showed high biocompatibility to NSCs without disturbing their viability and neural differentiation. With the high gene delivery property, STBD is capable of delivering siRNA (shSOX9) expression plasmid into NSCs to significantly interfere with the expression of SOX9, thus enhancing the neuronal differentiation and maturation of NSCs. The STBD/DNA nano-polyplex represents a powerful non-viral approach of gene delivery for manipulating the differentiation of stem cells, showing broad application prospects in NSC-based regenerative therapy for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Biosafety evaluation of Li2Si2O5 whisker-reinforced glass-ceramics
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Yan Jingyu , Wu Xiuping , Wu Xiao , Zhang Yanjie , Li Bing
Published: January 2022

Lithium disilicate (Li2Si2O5) glass-ceramic is a commonly used dental ceramic material. In this study, Li2Si2O5 whiskers were prepared by the hydrothermal method, mixed with Li2Si2O5 glass powders, and Li2Si2O5 whisker-reinforced glass-ceramics were prepared by reaction sintering. The biosafety of the new Li2Si2O5 glass-ceramics were evaluated by in vitro cytotoxicity, hemolysis, oral mucosal irritation, acute systemic toxicity, and subacute systemic toxicity (oral route) tests according to ISO 7405/ISO 10993 standards. The cytotoxicity test results showed that the cell growth of the experimental group was good, and the cell number and morphology were not significantly different from those of the blank group (P> 0.05). The toxicity grading for both experimental and blank control groups were 0. The hemolysis rate of the material was 1.25%, which indicated that it did not cause hemolytic reaction. The material was non-irritating to the oral mucosa. In acute systemic toxicity test, animals in the experimental group showed increased body weight, moved freely, with no signs of poisoning. The food utilization rate and relative growth rate (change of the weight) of rats in the subacute systemic toxicity test were not statistically different from those of the control group (P > 0.05). Preliminary evaluation of the biosafety of the Li2Si2O5 whisker-reinforced glass-ceramics showed that it met the existing regulatory standards, and further biosafety experiments can be conducted, following which the material may be expected to be applied in clinical practice.
Lie and Leibniz algebras of lower-degree conservation laws
Authors: Elfimov Boris M , Sharapov Alexey A
Published: January 2022

A relationship between the asymptotic and lower-degree conservation laws in (non-) linear gauge theories is considered. We show that the true algebraic structure underlying asymptotic charges is that of Leibniz rather than Lie. The Leibniz product is defined through the derived bracket construction for the natural Poisson brackets and the BRST differential. Only in particular, though not rare, cases that the Poisson brackets of lower-degree conservation laws vanish modulo central charges, the corresponding Leibniz algebra degenerates into a Lie one. The general construction is illustrated by two standard examples: Yang–Mills theory and Einstein’s gravity.
Particle creation and annihilation in an exclusion process on networks
Authors: Gupta Ankita , Gupta Arvind Kumar
Published: January 2022

To mimic the complex transport-like collective phenomena in a man-made or natural system, we study an open network junction model of totally asymmetric simple exclusion process with bulk particle attachment and detachment. The stationary system properties such as particle density, phase transitions, and phase diagrams are derived theoretically utilising the mean field approach. The steady-state phases have been categorized into various sub-classes based upon the phase transitions occurring across the junction. It is found that the number of steady-state phases depends on the number of incoming and outgoing segments at the junction. Further, an increase in the particle non-conserving rates significantly affects the topology of the phase diagram, and the number of stationary phases changes in a non-monotonic way. For both the case of equal and unequal incoming and outgoing segments, the critical values of non-conserving rates at which the topology of the phase diagram changes are identified. The theoretical results are validated using extensive Monte Carlo simulations.
Second-order statistics of fermionic Gaussian states
Authors: Huang Youyi , Wei Lu
Published: January 2022

We study the statistical behavior of entanglement in quantum bipartite systems over fermionic Gaussian states as measured by von Neumann entropy and entanglement capacity. The focus is on the variance of von Neumann entropy and the mean entanglement capacity that belong to the so-defined second-order statistics. The main results are the exact yet explicit formulas of the two considered second-order statistics for fixed subsystem dimension differences. We also conjecture the exact variance of von Neumann entropy valid for arbitrary subsystem dimensions. Based on the obtained results, we analytically study the numerically observed phenomena of Gaussianity of von Neumann entropy and linear growth of average capacity.
Breath collection protocol for SARS-CoV-2 testing in an ambulatory setting
Authors: Myers Renelle , Ruskiewicz Dorota , Meister Austin , Sukhinder Atkar Khattra , Bartolomeu Crista , Thomas Paul , Lam Stephen
Published: January 2022

Background. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic changed the way the society functioned. The race to develop a rapid, non-invasive, widely available test resulted in multiple studies examining the potential of breath to be that ‘game changing test’. Breath sampling is a non-invasive point of care test, but SAR-CoV-2 has introduced a level of danger into collection and analysis that requires a change in workflow to keep staff and participants safe. We developed a SARS-CoV 2 breath test work flow for collection and processing of breath samples in an ambulatory care setting and prospectively evaluated the protocol. Protocol development included testing the effect of respiratory filters on the integrity and reproducibility of breath samples. Methods. Prospective, observational study conducted at community COVID-19 testing sites, collecting breath samples from patients presenting for RT-PCR testing. Breath was collected via Tedlar®, and/or BioVOC-2™ as well as an environmental sample for all participants. Samples were transferred to Tenex tubes, dry purged and analyzed using a Centri automated sample introduction machine, GC, and a Bench-ToF-HD. Results. We successfully collected and processed 528 breath samples from 393 participants at community-based ambulatory COVID-19 test sites. The majority of samples were collected before vaccines were available and throughout the emergence of the Delta Variant. No staff member was infected. Conclusion. We demonstrated a safe workflow for the collection, handling, transport, storage, and analysis of breath samples during the pandemic collecting highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 positive breath samples. This was done without filters as they added complexity to the breath matrix, jeopardizing the sample integrity.
Rehabilitation strategy for mangrove ecotourism development in Tanjung Burung, Tangerang
Authors: Yaeni T , Yulianda F , Yulianto G
Published: January 2022

Mangrove ecotourism is a tourism concept that pays attention to the sustainability of natural resources and the environment as the main tourist object. This study aims to design a mangrove rehabilitation strategy based on a potential analysis of the mangrove ecosystem’s suitability and carrying capacity for ecotourism development. The study was conducted from February to March 2020 in Tanjung Burung Village, Teluk Naga District, Tangerang Regency. The data analysis uses tourism suitability index (TSI) processed by spatial analysis tool and area carrying capacity (RCC). Tanjung Burung mangrove ecotourism has an ecotourism potential of 28 ha, with tracking of 2859 m, this can happen if the entire area is planted with mangroves and can grow well. The potential of mangrove ecotourism based on it carrying capacity is 229 people/day considering the length of the trip for each visitor is 4 hours for 8 operational hours per day. The strategy for the rehabilitation of mangrove ecosystems is to analyze the characteristics of damage and mangrove habitats, repair seawater irrigation systems, and plant mangrove vegetation
Antioxidant activities of acetone extract of Sargassum polycystum from different parts of Thallus
Authors: Santoso J , Khasanah K , Tarman K , Sumandiarsa I K
Published: January 2022

Brown algaSargassum polycystumin Indonesian waters is relatively abundant, and several studies show that brown alga has more antioxidant activity than red and green algae. Analysis of active compounds in the alga is generally carried out as a whole of macroalga thallus. This research was carried out to study the effect of thallus parts, namely basal, middle, and apical, on the antioxidant activity and fucoxanthin content in acetone extract ofS.polycystum. The results determined the best part of the thallus as a producer of antioxidant compounds. The extraction was performed by an ultrasonic-assisted method using 90% acetone. The basal part contained the highest fucoxanthin of 1.00±0.025 mg/kg, while the most increased antioxidant activity was in the apical part of 65.78±5.31 μg/mL for the antioxidant activity of2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) method, 383.19±8.81 μmol ascorbic acid/g for the antioxidant activity of thecupric reducing antioxidant capacity(CUPRAC) method, and 964.75±3.91 μmol Fe2+/g for the antioxidant activity of theferric reducing antioxidant power(FRAP) method. This study shows antioxidant activity had a negative correlation with the fucoxanthin content. It is concluded that fucoxanthin was not the major contributor to an antioxidant activity acetone extract ofS. polycystumthallus.
Development of a compact torus injection system for the Keda Torus eXperiment
Authors: CHEN Chen , LAN Tao , XIAO Chijin , ZHUANG Ge , KONG Defeng , ZHANG Shoubiao , ZHANG Sen , DING Weixing , WU Zhengwei , MAO Wenzhe , WU Jie , XU Hangqi , WU Jiaren , ZU Yiming , ZHANG Dong , WEI Zian , WEN Xiaohui , ZHOU Chu , LIU Ahdi , XIE Jinlin , LI Hong , LIU Wandong
Published: January 2022

A compact torus injection system, KTX-CTI, has been developed for the planned injection experiments on the Keda Torus eXperiment (KTX) reversed field pinch (RFP) device to investigate the physics and engineering issues associated with interaction between a compact torus (CT) and RFP. The key interests include fueling directly into the reactor center, confinement improvement, and the injection of momentum and helicity into the RFP discharges. The CT velocity and mass have been measured using a multichannel optical fiber interferometer, and for the first time the time evolution of the CT density profile during CT propagation is obtained. The effects of discharge parameters on the number of injected particles, CT velocity and CT density have been characterized: the maximum hydrogen CT plasma mass,

m

CT

,

is 50 μg, corresponding to 30% of the mass in a typical KTX plasma; the CT velocity exceeds 120 km s−1. It is observed for the first time that multiple CTs can be produced and emitted during a very short period (<100 μs) in one discharge, which is significant for the future study of repetitive CT injection, even with an ultra-high frequency.
Wealth, Power And Institutional Change in Tanzania’s Parliament
Authors: Collord Michaela
Published: January 2022

Tanzania’s legislature, or Bunge, has undergone considerable change in recent decades, gradually strengthening to attain unprecedented influence during Jakaya Kikwete’s presidency (2005–2015) only to decline again under President John Magufuli (2015–2021). This article investigates Bunge’s institutional evolution, asking what explains institutional change within an authoritarian legislature, dominated in this case by the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi. Building on recent literature highlighting the influence of elite contestation on legislative outcomes, the article seeks to go further by probing the nature and origins of the elite factions driving legislative institutional change. It uses insights from a recent political settlements literature, as well as older work on African political economy, to outline how changes to Tanzania’s Parliament have both reflected—and magnified—shifting patterns of elite contestation within CCM. These elite power struggles, in turn, vary with changes in the extent of private wealth accumulation and the related expansion of rival patron–client factions. When private accumulation has continued relatively uninhibited, as was true under Kikwete but not Magufuli, then factional contestation intensified and surfaced in parliament, helping to drive legislative institutional strengthening. For this analysis, I use interview and archival data gathered during extensive fieldwork.
Deep brain stimulation of the anterior nuclei of the thalamus can alleviate seizure severity and induce hippocampal GABAergic neuronal changes in a pilocarpine-induced epileptic mouse brain
Authors: Bae Sungjun , Lim Hyun-Kyoung , Jeong Yoonyi , Kim Seong-Gi , Park Sung-Min , Shon Young-Min , Suh Minah
Published: January 2022

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) has been widely used as an effective treatment for refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. Despite its promising clinical outcome, the exact mechanism of how ANT-DBS alleviates seizure severity has not been fully understood, especially at the cellular level. To assess effects of DBS, the present study examined electroencephalography (EEG) signals and locomotor behavior changes and conducted immunohistochemical analyses to examine changes in neuronal activity, number of neurons, and neurogenesis of inhibitory neurons in different hippocampal subregions. ANT-DBS alleviated seizure activity, abnormal locomotor behaviors, reduced theta-band, increased gamma-band EEG power in the interictal state, and increased the number of neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG). The number of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neurons was recovered to the level in DG and CA1 of naïve mice. Notably, BrdU-positive inhibitory neurons were increased. In conclusion, ANT-DBS not only could reduce the number of seizures, but also could induce neuronal changes in the hippocampus, which is a key region involved in chronic epileptogenesis. Importantly, our results suggest that ANT-DBS may lead to hippocampal subregion-specific cellular recovery of GABAergic inhibitory neurons.
Introduction of Subcutaneous Infliximab CT-P13 and Vedolizumab in Clinical Practice: A Multi-Stakeholder Position Statement Highlighting the Need for Post-Marketing Studies
Authors: Fierens Liselotte , Liefferinckx Claire , Hoefkens Eveline , Lobatòn Triana , Dreesen Erwin , Sabino João , Ferrante Marc
Published: January 2022

Background and Aims

Although subcutaneous formulations of infliximab CT-P13 and vedolizumab are registered for treating moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], many questions on their use remain unanswered. We set up a multi-stakeholder initiative resulting in a position statement.

Methods

Based on publicly available data, statements on subcutaneous infliximab and vedolizumab were developed and reviewed by 45 Belgian IBD physicians in a three-round modified Delphi process. During a consensus meeting, input from 16 IBD patients, nine IBD nurses and two clinical pharmacologists was provided and statements were further discussed, modified and scored. Statements achieving agreement by at least 70% of the IBD physicians were accepted.

Results

The Delphi process resulted in 79 agreed statements. In patients initiating intravenous therapy, IBD physicians would only consider switching to subcutaneous formulations in patients achieving both clinical and biological response [for Crohn’s disease] or both clinical and endoscopic response [for ulcerative colitis]. For patients under maintenance therapy, switching to subcutaneous formulations was only considered in those achieving both clinical and endoscopic response while receiving standard dosing of infliximab or vedolizumab. While awaiting more scientific data, IBD physicians should consider weekly subcutaneous injections or switching back to an intravenous formulation in case of loss of response. Finally, switching to a subcutaneous formulation should always be a shared decision.

Conclusions

All stakeholders welcomed subcutaneous infliximab and vedolizumab. However, more scientific data are needed to select the right patients and timing for switching to these newer formulations, and to explore the optimal strategy in case of loss of response.
The political economy of reforms in Central Bank design: evidence from a new dataset
Authors: Romelli Davide
Published: January 2022

What explains the worldwide changes in central bank design over the past five decades? Using a new dataset on central bank institutional design, this paper investigates the timing, pace and magnitude of reforms in a sample of 154 countries over the period 1972–2017. I construct a new dynamic index of central bank independence (CBI) and show that past levels of independence, as well as regional convergence, represent important drivers of changes in central bank design. An external pressure, such as obtaining an IMF loan, or political events, such as democratic reforms and the election of nationalistic governments, also impact the reform process. Reforms also follow periods of high inflation rates suggesting an endogenous evolution of CBI. The results also reveal important heterogeneities in the reform process depending on the level of development, the size and direction of reforms, as well as the different dimensions along which central bank legislation can be amended.
Gradients in gene essentiality reshape antibacterial research
Authors: Hogan Andrew M , Cardona Silvia T
Published: January 2022

Essential genes encode the processes that are necessary for life. Until recently, commonly applied binary classifications left no space between essential and non-essential genes. In this review, we frame bacterial gene essentiality in the context of genetic networks. We explore how the quantitative properties of gene essentiality are influenced by the nature of the encoded process, environmental conditions and genetic background, including a strain's distinct evolutionary history. The covered topics have important consequences for antibacterials, which inhibit essential processes. We argue that the quantitative properties of essentiality can thus be used to prioritize antibacterial cellular targets and desired spectrum of activity in specific infection settings. We summarize our points with a case study on the core essential genome of the cystic fibrosis pathobiome and highlight avenues for targeted antibacterial development.
How low can they go? Aerobic respiration by microorganisms under apparent anoxia
Authors: Berg Jasmine S , Ahmerkamp Soeren , Pjevac Petra , Hausmann Bela , Milucka Jana , Kuypers Marcel M M
Published: January 2022

Oxygen (O2) is the ultimate oxidant on Earth and its respiration confers such an energetic advantage that microorganisms have evolved the capacity to scavenge O2 down to nanomolar concentrations. The respiration of O2 at extremely low levels is proving to be common to diverse microbial taxa, including organisms formerly considered strict anaerobes. Motivated by recent advances in O2 sensing and DNA/RNA sequencing technologies, we performed a systematic review of environmental metatranscriptomes revealing that microbial respiration of O2 at nanomolar concentrations is ubiquitous and drives microbial activity in seemingly anoxic aquatic habitats. These habitats were key to the early evolution of life and are projected to become more prevalent in the near future due to anthropogenic-driven environmental change. Here, we summarize our current understanding of aerobic microbial respiration under apparent anoxia, including novel processes, their underlying biochemical pathways, the involved microorganisms, and their environmental importance and evolutionary origin.
Identification of genes related to hydrolysis and assimilation of Agave fructans in Candida apicola NRRL Y-50540 and Torulaspora delbrueckii NRRL Y-50541 by de
novo transcriptome analysis
Authors: Muñoz-Miranda Luis A , Pereira-Santana Alejandro , Gómez-Angulo Jorge H , Gschaedler-Mathis Anne Christine , Amaya-Delgado Lorena , Figueroa-Yáñez Luis J , Arrizon Javier
Published: January 2022

Fructans are the main sugar in agave pine used by yeasts during mezcal fermentation processes, from which Candida apicola NRRL Y-50540 and Torulaspora delbrueckii NRRL Y-50541 were isolated. De novo transcriptome analysis was carried out to identify genes involved in the hydrolysis and assimilation of Agave fructans (AF). We identified a transcript annotated as SUC2, which is related to β-fructofuranosidase activity, and several differential expressed genes involved in the transcriptional regulation of SUC2 such as: MIG1, MTH1, SNF1, SNF5, REG1, SSN6, SIP1, SIP2, SIP5, GPR1, RAS2, and PKA. Some of these genes were specifically expressed in some of the yeasts according to their fructans assimilation metabolism. Different hexose transporters that could be related to the assimilation of fructose and glucose were found in both the transcriptomes. Our findings provide a better understanding of AF assimilation in these yeasts and provide resources for further metabolic engineering and biotechnology applications.
The Imperial Maritime Customs and Sino-British exchange of materia medica, 1850s–1900s
Authors: Lu Di
Published: January 2022

The Imperial Maritime Customs under British influence accomplished and facilitated much work on the transmission of new samples and first-hand information on Chinese drugs to Britain and beyond. It also participated in the shaping of China’s tariff and trade regulation, and quantified China’s drug trade with Britain and others in terms of modern statistics. Its intersection with the British presence was in part characteristic of the dissemination of British and foreign materia medica in Chinese society. The matters between drugs and the Imperial Maritime Customs adds a unique perspective on the networks and activities that engaged China further in global trade and the modern world.