bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast Trajectory Optimization for Gliding Reentry Vehicle Based on Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm
Authors: Jiang Zhanyuan , Ge Jianquan , Xu Qiangqiang , Yang Tao
Published: August 2021

In order to solve the problem of low convergence accuracy and easy to fall into local optimization when solving the reentry vehicle trajectory optimization problem for existing algorithms, an improved sparrow search algorithm (OTRSSA) is proposed. Firstly, the basic sparrow search algorithm is improved by the methods of opposition-based learning, adaptive T-distribution and random walk to improve the optimization accuracy and stability, and increase the global search ability, and the performance verification is carried out in 12 benchmark functions; secondly, the 3-DOF motion model of reentry trajectory optimization problem is established and transformed into multi-dimensional function optimization problem; finally, OTRSSA is applied to solve the trajectory optimization problem. The simulation results show that the optimization performance and convergence speed of OTRSSA are better, and a reentry trajectory with the farthest range and satisfying constraints can be obtained quickly.
Processing Technology and Tooling Design of Control Console of Coal Mine Tunnel Drilling Rig
Authors: Baizhan Gao
Published: August 2021

Based on the problems existing in the production and processing of the coal mine tunnel drill control console, the processing technology of the drill control console is analyzed, and a set of processing tooling of the coal mine tunnel drill control console is designed. The tool has the advantages of simple structure and convenient use, which can effectively solve the processing precision problem of rig control platform. It is of great significance to improve the processing and production efficiency of the rig control console and to standardize the production of the rig control console.
Study on the correlation model between the change of aircraft’s mass center and oil supply flow rates
Authors: Wu Yiting , Zou Xuan , Cui Mengyu , Wang Zhongwei
Published: August 2021

The change of aircraft’s mass center affects the stability and control of flight, and the change of oil mass in the fuel tanks is one of the important factors that lead to the change of the aircraft’s mass center. In this paper, in order to ensure the stability and reliability of the oil supply for engine and minimize the deviation between the aircraft’s mass center and the ideal mass center, a correlation model between the change of aircraft’s mass center and the oil supply flow rates is presented. According to the requirements of the aircraft’s mass center, the optimal oil supply flow rates of each tank can be obtained quickly, and the deviation between the predicted mass center and the ideal mass center can be minimized during flight. The calculation examples show that the maximum deviation between the predicted mass center and the ideal mass center is 0.63μm when the attitude of the aircraft is always unchanged, and it’s 13.6cm when the attitude of the aircraft is constantly adjusted, which can meet the practical requirements. Therefore, the model presented in this paper has a good applicability in solving the problem of oil supply for the mass center’s balance of aircraft.
Numerical Simulation Optimization of Mach Reflection of Near Ground Air Explosion
Authors: Fuyuan Li , Jie Ren , Jianlin Zhong , Xinxin Liu
Published: August 2021

In order to optimize the numerical simulation method of Mach reflection, three numerical simulation schemes of ALE method, LBE method and coupling method are compared based on the finite element analysis software LS-DYNA. The calculation results are compared with the test data of UFC 3-340-02 manual and related literature, and internal comparison is made to put forward the numerical calculation optimization scheme of Mach reflection. The results show that the calculation results of the three schemes are in good agreement with UFC 3-340-02 and test results. When only Mach reflection is considered on a single surface, LBE method is selected. The coupling method and ALE method are selected when considering the interaction of shock wave between non ground objects. When the object is completely or mostly in the Mach reflection region, the calculation time of the coupling method is only one sixth of that of the ALE method. When the effect of the object on the air flow field is strong and the area in the Mach reflection region is small, ALE method is selected.
Research on a 3-DOF Planar Cable-Driven Parallel Robot Based on Fuzzy Adaptive PD Computed Torque Control
Authors: Jiesinuer Ayibule , Shangfeng Pan , Yang Cheng
Published: August 2021

Cable-driven parallel robots (CDPR) with spatial configuration are widely used while ones with plannar configuration are rarely applied. Therefore, this paper studies the modeling and control characteristics of a three degree-of-freedom cable-driven planar parallel robot with great application prospects. Aiming at the shortcomings of the existing control methods towards CDPR, a new method based on fuzzy adaptive PD computing torque control is proposed which contains a reasonable optimal distribution of cable forces. To validate the method, the tracking control simulation research and analysis are carried out for the trajectory of high-order interpolation planning, the results of which show that the control method has favorable dynamic tracking accuracy and mechanical properties. Moreover, compared with the fixed-gain computed torque control, the proposed control method can overcome the influence of model inaccuracy more effectively.
Application of finite element model building and analysis in aerospace shell structure
Authors: Yulong Hu , Ke Xie , Xiaojun Yan
Published: August 2021

Shell parts are widely used in various aerospace products. Whether the design is reasonable will directly affect the product effect. According to the actual structure, the application of ANSYS software to the finite element modeling and analysis of shell parts can provide powerful theoretical analysis and guidance for future structural design. Taking the desulfurization tower as an example, common loads such as gravity load, internal pressure, wind load and seismic load are applied. The stress analysis, strength check and stability check of the desulfurization tower are completed, and the results meet the design requirements.
Characteristic signal based on the combination of empirical mode decomposition method and time series AR model Extraction method
Authors: Bin-Bin Li , Xiang-Dong Li , Xu-Yang Pu , Zhong-Tao Kang , Zong-Yang Li , Hui-Zhuo Zhang , Chen-Xi Chen , Yue Hu
Published: August 2021

In the process of signal decomposition by wavelet theory, the wavelet basis function is artificially selected based on experience, and the method based on empirical mode decomposition is decomposed according to the time scale of the signal itself. The article uses two methods to decompose a certain segmented frequency conversion signal to obtain the intrinsic modal component matrix and the wavelet decomposition coefficient matrix, then calculates the Hilbert time spectrum of the two decomposition matrices. cThe calculations shows that the false information generated by the empirical mode decomposition signal is obviouly more less. Therefore, the empirical mode decomposition method is used to decompose the bearing vibration signal, and the stationary natural mode function obtained is very suitable for establishing an autoregressive AR model to extract the power spectrum of each component for analysis. Finally, the characteristic frequencies of different states of rolling bearings are extracted, which provides support for data-driven fault diagnosis.
Surface Defects Detection of Car Door Seals Based on Improved YOLO V3
Authors: Lv Bo , Zhang Nanfeng , Lin Xintao , Zhang Yanxi , Liang Tianfen , Gao Xiangdong
Published: August 2021

At present, the surface defects of car door seals are generally detected by manual operation, which is inefficient and costly. This paper presents a new detection method to find the surface defects of car door seals with the application of modified YOLO V3 algorithm. Firstly, the K-means clustering algorithm was employed to analyze the number and size of the candidate box of the target detection. Then, the feature pyramid was constructed in the first module of the trunk feature extraction network. Finally, the attention mechanism SE module was added in the output part of darknet53 and two feature gold towers extraction network of the trunk feature. The improved YOLO V3 algorithm was carried out on the defect data set of automobile door seals. The results indicate that compared with the original YOLO V3 algorithm, the improved YOLO V3 mAP reaches 52.71%, increasing by 3.28%.
Three Dimensions Reconstruction of Single-spectrum Multi-X-ray Views of Contraband Based on Space Carving Method
Authors: Ding Tingting , Yuan Jinhao , Lin Xintao , Zhang Nanfeng , Zhang Yanxi , Gao Xiangdong
Published: August 2021

In consideration of imaging principle and sampling process of the X-ray imager, the collected images often appear blurry and noisy. We propose to add image processing in the reconstruction process to optimize the 3D reconstruction surface results of X-ray images in this paper. This paper proposes an automatic image data acquisition method to acquire images. According to the characteristics of X-ray images, an image processing method is drawn up. In this paper, the original image and the processed X-ray image are divided into two groups, and three-dimensional reconstruction is performed respectively, and the visualization effect and reconstruction time of the reconstruction result is compared. Experiments show that the running speed of the program is improved, and the visualization results show that the surface texture refinement and the reconstruction structure of the reconstruction effect after image processing have also been well optimized.
Numerical study of flow characteristics of the blade with different structures
Authors: Li Guoping , Ma Zhenlai , Chen Biwen , Chen Changsheng , Chen Laizuo , Gao Bo
Published: August 2021

In order to study the effect of blade structures on the induced excitation characteristics, two different structures are investigated, which are the blade with special trailing edge and the staggered blade. Firstly, based on the steady numerical simulation, the time-averaged velocity and pressure distribution are obtained at different Re numbers (5×103 and 1×104). Secondly, the unsteady numerical simulation method LES is applied to acquire the transient and complex flow field around the blade. It is found that both two blade structures significantly change the flow characteristics around the blade, especially in the wake flow region. The evident frequency is observed from the frequency spectrums. It is clear that the dominant frequency is originated from the vortex shedding, which is similar to the Karmen vortex street. Finally, the results will be useful for the design of blade with low noise purpose.
Research on Braking in a Turn and Parameter Optimization of Centre-axle trailer combination Based on TruckSim
Authors: Li Bingtao , Chang Sheng , Zhu Xianchao , Yang Meiling
Published: August 2021

This paper uses TruckSim dynamics simulation software to build a non-linear model of a center-axle trailer combination, conducts a braking in a turn simulation to study its braking in a turn stability, and a straight-line braking test was carried out on the train through the built-up centre-axle trailer combination braking performance test system, and the reliability of the simulation model was ensured by comparing the test and simulation results. In order to improve the braking performance of the train, a comprehensive evaluation index for evaluating the braking performance of the train is proposed by taking the structural parameters of the train as the optimization variable. The uniform test method is used to optimize the design of the variables, and the braking in a turn is performed on the high adhesion road. Simulation and analysis results show that the optimization reduces the probability of brake folding and improves braking stability.
The influence of silicon on topographical parameters and mechanical properties of the Ti-Ni-Ta-Si surface alloy synthesized on the NiTi-substrates
Authors: D’yachenko F A , Atovullaeva A A , Yakovlev E V , Meisner L L
Published: August 2021

This work comprises a study of the effect of silicon on the topographical parameters and mechanical properties of the Ti-Ni-Ta-Si surface alloy (SA) synthesized on the NiTi-substrates by the additive thin-film electron-beam method. It was found that the roughness of [Ti-Ni-Ta-Si]SA (~0.095 μm) has a lower value than in [Ti-Ni-Ta]SA (~0.195 μm). The values of the yield strength σ
y
in the surface layers of [Ti-Ni-Ta-Si]SA and [Ti-Ni-Ta]SA are characterized by a gradient decrease from ~4.2 GPa up to ~1.2 and ~1.7 GPa, respectively. During the indentation, evaluation of the deformation behavior (recovered elastic –ε
elast
, and superelastic – εin the surface layers of
SE
, residual plastic – ε
elast
deformation) showed, that in surface layers of [Ti-Ni-Ta-Si]SA and [Ti-Ni-Ta]SA due to an increase of ε
elast
, there was a decrease in ε
SE
up to ~35 and ~22%, respectively (for the NiTi-initial ε
SE
≈ 38%).
3D printing of sacrificial thioester elastomers using digital light processing for templating 3D organoid structures in soft biomatrices
Authors: Carberry Benjamin J , Hergert John E , Yavitt F Max , Hernandez Juan J , Speckl Kelly F , Bowman Christopher N , McLeod Robert R , Anseth Kristi S
Published: August 2021

Biofabrication allows for the templating of structural features in materials on cellularly-relevant size scales, enabling the generation of tissue-like structures with controlled form and function. This is particularly relevant for growing organoids, where the application of biochemical and biomechanical stimuli can be used to guide the assembly and differentiation of stem cells and form architectures similar to the parent tissue or organ. Recently, ablative laser-scanning techniques was used to create 3D overhang features in collagen hydrogels at size scales of 10–100 µm and supported the crypt-villus architecture in intestinal organoids. As a complementary method, providing advantages for high-throughput patterning, we printed thioester functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) elastomers using digital light processing (DLP) and created sacrificial, 3D shapes that could be molded into soft (G′ < 1000 Pa) hydrogel substrates. Specifically, three-arm 1.3 kDa PEG thiol and three-arm 1.6 kDa PEG norbornene, containing internal thioester groups, were photopolymerized to yield degradable elastomers. When incubated in a solution of 300 mM 2-mercaptoethanol (pH 9.0), 1 mm thick 10 mm diameter elastomer discs degraded in <2 h. Using DLP, arrays of features with critical dimensions of 37 ± 4 µm, resolutions of 22 ± 5 µm, and overhang structures as small as 50 µm, were printed on the order of minutes. These sacrificial thioester molds with physiologically relevant features were cast-molded into Matrigel and subsequently degraded to create patterned void spaces with high fidelity. Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) cultured on the patterned Matrigel matrices formed confluent monolayers that conformed to the underlying pattern. DLP printed sacrificial thioester elastomer constructs provide a robust and rapid method to fabricate arrays of 3D organoid-sized features in soft tissue culture substrates and should enable investigations into the effect of epithelial geometry and spacing on the growth and differentiation of ISCs.
Insights into effect of first-step austempering temperature on the microstructure and properties of austempered ductile iron
Authors: Zhang Yu , Guo Erjun , Wang Liping , Zhao Sicong , Liu Xiaoyu , Yi Pengyue , Li Yan , Feng Yicheng , Song Meihui
Published: August 2021

Austempered ductile iron (ADI) is a revolutionary material with high strength and hardness combined with excellent ductility and toughness. The discovery of a two-step austempering process has resulted in superior combination of all the mechanical properties. Therefore, ADI has many different applications in varying fields. One notable application of ADI is in transmission components for new energy vehicles. As the automotive continues to develop, ADI transmission components with higher damping properties are required, because the damping properties of ADI affect the vibration and noise of the transmission system. However, the mechanism behind the damping of ADI, as well as a full characterisation of the damping properties, has not been thoroughly investigated in the literature. Therefore, it is necessary to reveal the influencing factors and mechanism of the damping properties of ADI. In this paper, the effect of first-step austempering temperature on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and damping properties of ADI was investigated. The results revealed that the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of ADI all initially increased, until reaching a global maximum value (1320 MPa, 1230 MPa, and 13.2%, respectively) when the first-step austempering temperature was 280 °C, followed by a decrease in value. Interestingly, the impact energy of ADI initially decreased before reaching a global minimum and then increasing to a maximum value of 93.5 J, when the first-step austempering temperature reached 320 °C. With increasing strain amplitude, the internal friction values (Q−1) of ADI treated with different first-step austempering temperatures all increased gradually, and the Q−1 values of ADI with first-step austempering temperatures of 240 and 260 °C were higher than those of other samples. Moreover, the damping properties of ADI varied with frequency with obvious S-K peaks and Ge peaks.
Modeling a disease-correlated tubulin mutation in budding yeast reveals insight into MAP-mediated dynein function
Authors: Denarier E. , Ecklund K. H. , Berthier G. , Favier A. , O’Toole E. T. , Gory-Fauré S. , De Macedo L. , Delphin C. , Andrieux A. , Markus S. M. , Boscheron C.
Published: August 2021

The authors of this study employ budding yeast to model a disease-correlated tubulin mutation to determine how it leads to microtubule dysfunction. They find that the mutation leads to alterations in microtubule dynamics, tubulin isotype usage, and a spindle positioning defect that is due to disrupted microtubule-binding by a dynein regulator.
Inheriting harmony
Authors: Calosi Claudio
Published: August 2021

Supersubstantivalism, the view that material objects are identical to their locations, has recently been defended in metaphysics and philosophy of physics. One of the most powerful arguments in its favour is the so-called argument from harmony. There is a certain harmony between material objects and their locations. Necessarily, if material object x is located at a spherical region, x is spherical. Necessarily, if material object x is located at region r, any part of x is located at a part of r. Supersubstantivalism offers a straightforward explanation of such harmony. By contrast, dualism, the view that material objects are distinct from their locations, does not offer any explanation and should regard harmony principles as unexplained coincidences. In this paper I put forward a theory, which I shall call the ‘Inheritance Theory’, that does provide a straightforward explanation of harmony on behalf of dualists.
Commonalities and Asymmetries in the Neurobiological Infrastructure for Language Production and Comprehension
Authors: Giglio Laura , Ostarek Markus , Weber Kirsten , Hagoort Peter
Published: August 2021

The neurobiology of sentence production has been largely understudied compared to the neurobiology of sentence comprehension, due to difficulties with experimental control and motion-related artifacts in neuroimaging. We studied the neural response to constituents of increasing size and specifically focused on the similarities and differences in the production and comprehension of the same stimuli. Participants had to either produce or listen to stimuli in a gradient of constituent size based on a visual prompt. Larger constituent sizes engaged the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) and middle temporal gyrus (LMTG) extending to inferior parietal areas in both production and comprehension, confirming that the neural resources for syntactic encoding and decoding are largely overlapping. An ROI analysis in LIFG and LMTG also showed that production elicited larger responses to constituent size than comprehension and that the LMTG was more engaged in comprehension than production, while the LIFG was more engaged in production than comprehension. Finally, increasing constituent size was characterized by later BOLD peaks in comprehension but earlier peaks in production. These results show that syntactic encoding and parsing engage overlapping areas, but there are asymmetries in the engagement of the language network due to the specific requirements of production and comprehension.
Enantiomeric Separation of Indole-3-Propanamide Derivatives by Using Supercritical Fluid Chromatography on a Polysaccharide-Based Chiral Stationary Phase
Authors: Suryakoppa Kaveesha Srinivasa , Kameshwar Vivek Hamse , Appadurai Ramesh , Eranna Siddalingamurthy , Khan M H Moinuddin
Published: August 2021

Thirteen pairs of I3P enantiomers were screened using nine polysaccharide chiral stationary phases and three different mobile phases. The purification strategy for 13 pairs of I3P enantiomers were designed and optimized considering enantiomeric purity and enrichment of isomers. Out of 13 I3P derivatives which were screened using supercritical fluid chromatography, 10 derivatives displayed excellent baseline separation using a Lux Cellulose—4 column and their resolution from higher to lower order of I3P-11, 13, 4, 12, 2, 1, 9, 3, 7 and 8 derivatives whereas in case of Lux Cellulose—2 column, the moderate separation was achieved as compared to Cellulose—4 in the order I3P-5, 6 and 10 derivatives. Excellent enantiomeric separations and retentions for all 13 I3P enantiomer derivatives were obtained in Cellulose—4 and Cellulose—2 columns in presences of methanol as organic modifier without any additives except in the case of I3P 12 enantiomer. The absolute stereochemical assignment of the purified isomers was determined through an optical rotation study. Among the series of I3P derivatives, I3P-5 showed potent antioxidant activity against catalase with an IC50 value of 13.78 μM. Further molecular docking, MM/GBSA and molecular dynamics studies revealed that the I3P-5 derivatives effectively bind to catalase with a docking score of −5.41 kcal/mol. Which validated chiral docking and indicated great potential for enantiomeric separation in drug discovery and present studies (R)—enantiomer preferentially depicts good binding capacity with catalase.
Severe Sepsis: The Fragile Anatomy of Crude Mortality
Authors: Vissichelli Nicole C , Sima Adam P , Wenzel Richard P
Published: August 2021

Clinical trials of severe sepsis that target crude mortality are underpowered to detect mortality differences due to intervention. We discuss the importance of including subcomponents of crude mortality in study design; how the proportion of attributable mortality affects sample size requirements; and how minor changes from predicted outcomes affect interpretation.
The Indian Chronic Kidney Disease (ICKD) study: baseline characteristics
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Yadav Ashok Kumar , Sethi Jasmine , Ghosh Arpita , Sahay Manisha , Prasad Narayan , Varughese Santosh , Parameswaran Sreejith , Gopalakrishnan Natarajan , Kaur Prabhjot , Modi Gopesh K , Kamboj Kajal , Kundu Monica , Sood Vivek , Inamdar Neeraj , Jaryal Ajay , Vikrant Sanjay , Nayak Saurabh , Singh Shivendra , Gang Sishir , Baid-Agrawal Seema , Jha Vivekanand
Published: August 2021

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is a lack of information on epidemiology and progression of CKD in low–middle income countries. The Indian Chronic Kidney Disease (ICKD) study aims to identify factors that associate with CKD progression, and development of kidney failure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Indian patients with CKD.

Methods

ICKD study is prospective, multicentric cohort study enrolling patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 15–60 mL/min/1.73 m2, or >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 with proteinuria. Clinical details and biological samples are collected at annual visits. We analysed the baseline characteristics including socio-demographic details, risk factors, disease characteristics and laboratory measurements. In addition, we compared characteristics between urban and rural participants.

Results

A total of 4056 patients have been enrolled up to 31 March 2020. The mean ± SD age was 50.3 ± 11.8 years, 67.2% were males, two-thirds of patients lived in rural areas and the median eGFR was 40 mL/min/1.73 m2. About 87% were hypertensive, 37% had diabetes, 22% had CVD, 6.7% had past history of acute kidney injury and 23% reported prior use of alternative drugs. Diabetic kidney disease, chronic interstitial nephritis (CIN) and CKD-cause unknown (CKDu) were the leading causes. Rural participants had more occupational exposure and tobacco use but lower educational status and income. CIN and unknown categories were leading causes in rural participants.

Conclusions

The ICKD study is the only large cohort study of patients with mild-to-moderate CKD in a lower middle income country. Baseline characteristics of study population reveal differences as compared with other cohorts from high-income countries.
On the Modulus in Matching Vector Codes
Authors: Zhu Lin , Li Wen Ming , Zhang Liang Feng
Published: August 2021

A $k$-query locally decodable code (LDC) $C$ allows one to encode any $n$-symbol message $x$ as a codeword $C(x)$ of $N$ symbols such that each symbol of $x$ can be recovered by looking at $k$ symbols of $C(x)$, even if a constant fraction of $C(x)$ has been corrupted. Currently, the best known LDCs are matching vector codes (MVCs). A modulus $m=p_1^{\alpha _1}p_2^{\alpha _2}\cdots p_r^{\alpha _r}$ may result in an MVC with $k\leq 2^r$ and $N=\exp (\exp (O((\log n)^{1-1/r} (\log \log n)^{1/r})))$. The $m$ is good if it is possible to have $k<2^r$. The good numbers yield more efficient MVCs. Prior to this work, there are only finitely many good numbers. All of them were obtained via computer search and have the form $m=p_1p_2$. In this paper, we study good numbers of the form $m=p_1^{\alpha _1}p_2^{\alpha _2}$. We show that if $m=p_1^{\alpha _1}p_2^{\alpha _2}$ is good, then any multiple of $m$ of the form $p_1^{\beta _1}p_2^{\beta _2}$ must be good as well. Given a good number $m=p_1^{\alpha _1}p_2^{\alpha _2}$, we show an explicit method of obtaining smaller good numbers that have the same prime divisors. Our approach yields infinitely many new good numbers.
On Random-Oracle-Free Top-Level Secure Certificateless Signature Schemes
Authors: Rastegari Parvin , Susilo Willy
Published: August 2021

Certificateless public key cryptography (CL-PKC) overcomes the difficulties of the certificate managements in traditional public key infrastructure (PKI) and the key escrow problem in ID-Based public key cryptography (ID-PKC), concurrently. In 2018, Tseng et al. proposed a certificateless signature (CLS) scheme and claimed that their proposal is the first scheme which satisfies the security against the level-3 KGC (according to Girault’s three categorizations of the honesty level of a trusted third party (TTP) which is proposed in 1991), in the standard model. However, we will show that unfortunately their scheme is even vulnerable against a malicious KGC. Afterwards, we will improve their scheme to be robust against the proposed attack. Finally, we will propose a CLS scheme secure against the level-3 KGC in the standard model, based on Yuan and Wang’s CLS scheme. We will show that our proposal not only satisfies the level-3 security as well as the basic security requirements of a CLS scheme in the standard model, but also is more efficient than the previous works in the sense of computation and communication costs.
Adaptation of a mouse Doppler echocardiograph system for assessing cardiac function and thermal performance in a juvenile salmonid
Authors: Muir Carlie A , Neff Bryan D , Damjanovski Sashko
Published: August 2021

Measures of cardiac performance are pertinent to the study of thermal physiology and exercise in teleosts, particularly as they pertain to migration success. Increased heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output have previously been linked to improved swimming performance and increased upper thermal tolerance in anadromous salmonids. To assess thermal performance in fishes, it has become commonplace to measure the response of maximum heart rate to warming using electrocardiograms. However, electrocardiograms do not provide insight into the hemodynamic characteristics of heart function that can impact whole-animal performance. Doppler echocardiography is a popular tool used to examine live animal processes, including real-time cardiac function. This method allows for nonsurgical measurements of blood flow velocity through the heart and has been used to detect abnormalities in cardiovascular function, particularly in mammals. Here, we show how a mouse Doppler echocardiograph system can be adapted for use in a juvenile salmonid over a range of temperatures and timeframes. Using this compact, noninvasive system, we measured maximum heart rate, atrioventricular (AV) blood flow velocity, the early flow-atrial flow ratio and stroke distance in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during acute warming. Using histologically determined measures of AV valve area, we show how stroke distance measurements obtained with this system can be used to calculate ventricular inflow volume and approximate cardiac output. Further, we show how this Doppler system can be used to determine cardiorespiratory thresholds for thermal performance, which are increasingly being used to predict the consequences that warming water temperatures will have on migratory fishes.
Temperature-Dependent Demography ofThrips hawaiiensis(Thysanoptera: Thripidae): Implications for Prevention and Control
Authors: Lin Tao , You Yong , Zeng Zhaohua , Chen Yixin , Hu Jinfeng , Lin Shuo , Hu Qingling , Yang Fenghua , Wei Hui
Published: August 2021

The Hawaiian flower thrips, Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan), a common flower-inhabiting thrip, is now a potential pest globally. Effective control of T. hawaiiensis requires information about the effects of temperature on its ontogeny and population growth. In this study, the life history characteristics and demography of T. hawaiiensis were defined at eight temperatures (9–35°C). Additionally, the thermal constant and temperature threshold were estimated by regression analysis. The developmental duration and longevity of T. hawaiiensis decreased with an increase in temperature between 16°C and 32°C; females survived for longer than males at all temperatures. The lower temperature threshold and thermal constant of preadult T. hawaiiensis were 10.5°C and 132.5 degree-days, respectively. The oviposition days of the females gradually decreased from 16°C to 32°C, and net maternity was higher at 20°C than at 16°C, even though the same number of eggs were laid at both temperatures. The mean longevities of the populations were greatest at 20°C; the life expectancy and reproductive value decreased with temperature. The intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase were significantly highest at 20°C, 25°C, and 30°C. Population growth was triggered at 12.3°C, and reached a peak at approximately 27°C when it proliferated to the largest population size. Therefore, the results suggest that although the population of T. hawaiiensis starts to grow at lower temperatures, it adapts to a wide range of temperatures, and these findings facilitate prediction of different stages of damage, population size, and seasonal occurrence of T. hawaiiensis.
Feeding Volatiles of Larval Sparganothis pilleriana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Attract Heterospecific Adults of the European Grapevine Moth
Authors: El-Sayed Ashraf M , Ganji Suresh , Unelius C Rikard , Gemeno César , Ammagarahalli Byrappa , Butler Ruth C , Hoffmann Christoph
Published: August 2021

Plants release volatiles in response to caterpillar feeding. These herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) attract natural enemies of the herbivores and repel or attract conspecific adult herbivores in a tri-trophic interaction which has been considered to be an indirect plant defense against herbivores. Recently, we demonstrated the attraction of male and female European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to a blend of phenylacetonitrile and acetic acid, two compounds identified as HIPVs in heterospecific apple-leafroller interactions. The ecological basis of our findings is not clearly understood. Thus, this work was undertaken to investigate HIPVs in the grapevine-leafroller interaction and study the response of heterospecific adults L. botrana, to these volatiles. We collected headspace volatiles emitted from uninfested grapevines and grapevines infested with larvae of a generalist herbivore, the grapevine leafroller moth, Sparganothis pilleriana (Denis & Schiffermüller), and analyzed them using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Infested grape leaves released three compounds (phenylacetonitrile, indole, and 2-phenylethanol) not found from uninfested leaves. Nine different blends, comprising a full factorial set of the three compounds with each blend containing acetic acid, were tested in a field-cage trial. Only lures containing phenylacetonitrile caused a significant increase in trap catches compared to the other lures and blank traps. Electroantennographic tests show that L. botrana can detect the compounds. The results confirm our hypothesis that phenylacetonitrile is released during grapevines infestation with herbivores, and attracts adult L. botrana.
Predicting mortality in cardiac care unit patients: external validation of the Mayo cardiac intensive care unit admission risk score
Authors: Chichareon Ply , Nilmoje Thanapon , Suriyaamorn Wisanuwee , Preechawettayakul Ittipon , Suwanugsorn Saranyou
Published: August 2021

Aims

The Mayo Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Admission Risk Score (M-CARS) had excellent performance in predicting in-hospital mortality in the US population. We sought to validate the M-CARS for in-hospital and post-discharge mortality in Asian patients admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU).

Methods and results

Patients admitted to the CCU of a tertiary care centre between July 2015 and December 2019 were included into the study. Patients with intra-hospital transfer to the CCU due to intensive care unit overflow, postoperative cardiac surgery, or for monitoring after elective procedures were excluded. Cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure, Braden skin score, blood urea nitrogen, anion gap, and red cell distribution width, were used to calculate the M-CARS. Patients were stratified into three groups, according to the M-CARS (<2, 2–6, >6). Of 1988 patients in the study, 30.1% were female with a median age of 65 years. Prevalence of cardiogenic shock and respiratory failure at admission were 2.8% and 4.5%, respectively. One hundred and seventeen patients died during the admission (mortality rate of 5.9%). The in-hospital mortality rate in patients with M-CARS of <2, 2–6, and >6 was 1.1%, 9.8%, and 35.5%, respectively. C-statistic of M-CARS for in-hospital mortality was 0.840 (95% CI 0.805–0.873); whereas, it was 0.727 (95% CI 0.690–0.761) for 1-year post-discharge mortality. Calibration plot showed good agreement between predicted and observed in-hospital mortality in the majority of patients.

Conclusions

The M-CARS was useful in our study, in terms of discrimination and calibration. M-CARS identified high-risk patients in CCU, who had unacceptably high mortality rate during hospital stay and thereafter.
Wearability and preference of mouthguard during sport in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Kalra Aneesh , Harrington Claire , Minhas Gursharan , Papageorgiou Spyridon N , Cobourne Martyn T
Published: August 2021

Background

Orthodontic patients wearing fixed appliances are susceptible to traumatic dental injuries during a wide range of sporting activities. This randomized clinical trial investigated wearability and preference of mouthguards during sporting activities in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

Methods

A prospective three-arm crossover randomized clinical trial conducted in the UK. Thirty patients in active orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances undertaking at least 120 minutes of contact sport per 6–8-week observation period were randomly assigned to one of six mouthguard allocation sequences consisting of three mouthguard types: (MG1) custom-made laboratory constructed, (MG2) mouth-formed OPRO® Gold Braces, and (MG3) pre-fabricated Shock Doctor® Single Brace. Patients completed a nine-outcome 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire relating to mouthguard wearability during sport. Once feedback was completed, subjects were allocated the next mouthguard in the sequence. At study-end, subjects were asked to identify their preferred mouthguard.

Results

Twenty-four patients (median age = 13; inter-quartile range 12–14.5 years) completed n = 72 follow-up questionnaires with most playing rugby union or field hockey. Considering VAS score as a continuous variable, for comfort, stability, hardness, ability to breathe, ability to not cause nausea, and inclination to chew, MG2 performed better than MG3. For categorization of VAS score into low (less than 80 mm) or high (at least 80 mm) wearability, for comfort, stability, ability to not cause nausea, and inclination to chew, MG1 and MG2 also rated superior to MG3. Patients preferred MG1 overall.

Conclusions

This randomized clinical trial found that during contact sport patients in fixed appliances reported superior wearability for custom-made and mouth-formed mouthguards in comparison to pre-fabricated. Overall, patients preferred custom-made mouthguards.

Clinical trials registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04588831.
Depressive Symptoms, Leisure Activity Engagement, and Global Cognition in Non-Hispanic Black and White Older Adults
Authors: Sharifian Neika , Sol Ketlyne , Zaheed Afsara B , Morris Emily P , Palms Jordan D , Martino Alexa G , Zahodne Laura B
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Prior research indicates that depressive symptoms disproportionately affect cognition in non-Hispanic Blacks relative to non-Hispanic Whites. Depressive symptoms have been linked to worse global cognition in older adulthood through lower leisure activity engagement, but less is known regarding the distinct types of activities that drive these associations and whether associations involving depressive symptoms, leisure activities, and cognition differ across racial groups.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (n = 453, 52.80% Black, Mage = 63.60 years). Principal components analysis identified 6 subtypes of leisure activities (cognitive, creative, community, physical, children, and games). Mediation models examined whether distinct leisure activity subtypes mediated the association between depressive symptoms and performance on a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and whether race moderated these associations.

Results

There were no racial differences in the level of depressive symptoms after adjusting for sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and health covariates. Only lower cognitive activity engagement mediated the negative association between depressive symptoms and global cognition. Multigroup models revealed that this indirect effect was only evident in Blacks, who showed a stronger negative association between depressive symptoms and cognitive activity engagement than Whites. After accounting for indirect effects, a direct effect of higher depressive symptoms on worse cognition remained and did not differ across racial groups.

Discussion

Depressive symptoms may disproportionately affect cognition among Blacks through a greater negative impact on engagement in cognitively stimulating activities that have been shown to promote cognitive reserve. Additional research is necessary to identify other mechanisms linking depressive symptoms and cognition.
Loss-of-function missense variant ofAKAP4induced male infertility through reduced interaction with QRICH2 during sperm flagella development
Authors: Zhang Guohui , Li Dongyan , Tu Chaofeng , Meng Lanlan , Tan Yueqiu , Ji Zhiliang , Cheng Jiao , Lu Guangxiu , Lin Ge , Zhang Huan , Sun Jinpeng , Wang Mingwei , Du Juan , Xu Wenming
Published: August 2021

Sperm fibrous sheath (FS) is closely related to sperm maturation, capacitation and motility, and A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) is the most abundant protein in sperm FS. Previous studies found incomplete sperm FSs and abnormal flagella in Akap4 knockout mice. Meanwhile, it was reported that the partial deletion in AKAP4 is highly relevant to the dysplasia of the FS in an infertile man, and so far, there is no report about male infertility caused by hemizygous AKAP4 variant. Furthermore, the specific mechanisms of how the variant is relevant to the phenotype remain elusive. In this study, we investigated three multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella-affected men from three independent families (including one consanguine family) carried hemizygous c.C1285T variant in AKAP4. The patients carried this variant, which showed dysplastic sperm FS, and the protein expression of AKAP4 was decreased in flagella, which was further confirmed in HEK-293T cells in vitro. In addition, the co-localization and interaction between AKAP4 and glutamine-rich protein 2 (QRICH2) on the molecular level were identified by immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP). The hemizygous c.1285C > T variant in AKAP4 induced decreased protein expression of QRICH2 in spermatozoa. These results suggested that the normal expression of AKAP4 is required for maintaining the expression of QRICH2 and the decreased protein expression of AKAP4 and QRICH2，as well as the interaction between them induced by the hemizygous variant of AKAP4 caused dysplastic fibrous sheath, which eventually led to reduced sperm motility and male infertility.
Article 38: The Treatment of Interest in International Investment Arbitration
Authors: Beharry Christina L , Hugues Juan Pablo
Published: August 2021

Given the breadth of topics in the Articles on State Responsibility, the guidance on interest contained in Article 38 could be easily overlooked. Yet discussions on this subject featured prominently in the work of the International Law Commission (ILC) spanning nearly four decades. Article 38 is also intrinsically relevant to international investment arbitration where the coveted remedy is monetary damages. Despite this, investment arbitration practitioners only make passing reference to Article 38 without fully appreciating the history of the ILCs discussions that inform the application of this provision. Facially, Article 38 seems to provide little direction and broadly defers to the discretion of arbitral tribunals on critical issues. On closer examination, however, the final text of Article 38 itself and its Commentary as well as the ILCs preparatory works provide rich insights for those engaged in interest determinations in investment arbitration. This essay analyzes the treatment of Article 38 by investment arbitration tribunals in conjunction with the ILCs discussions on this article and documents a number of areas where divergences between arbitral awards and the ILC Articles and Commentaries have emerged over time.
Do Intergovernmental Organizations Have a Socialization Effect on Member State Preferences? Evidence from the UN General Debate
Authors: Chelotti Nicola , Dasandi Niheer , Jankin Mikhaylov Slava
Published: August 2021

The question of whether intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) have a socialization effect on member state preferences is central to international relations. However, empirical studies have struggled to separate the socializing effects of IGOs on preferences from the coercion and incentives associated with IGOs that may lead to foreign policy alignment without altering preferences. This article addresses this issue. We adopt a novel approach to measuring state preferences by applying text analytic methods to country statements in the annual United Nations General Debate (UNGD). The absence of interstate coordination with UNGD statements makes them particularly well suited for testing socialization effects on state preferences. We focus on the European Union (EU), enabling us to incorporate the pre-accession period—when states have the strongest incentives for foreign policy alignment—into our analysis. The results of our analysis show that EU membership has a socialization effect that produces preference convergence, controlling for coercion and incentive effects.
Convergence or divergence: how does China analyse innovation concerns in merger review?
Authors: Brandenburger Rachel , Huang Kun , Wang Elizabeth Xiao-Ru
Published: August 2021

There have been few systematic studies of how the Chinese merger review agencies have analysed innovation-related issues, including the theories of harm, the frequency of challenges and the types of remedies. Since China’s Anti-Monopoly Law (AML) took effect in August 2008, China’s merger review agencies have imposed remedies in 48 transactions and blocked two transactions. The authors have found that innovation concerns were addressed in 17 transactions where there were remedies. The innovation concerns generally focused on two broad theories of harm: (i) the transaction would reduce the combined firm’s incentive to innovate by eliminating an existing or potential competitor, or (ii) the transaction would create incentives for the combined firm to hinder innovation by rivals (eg via a refusal to license the relevant technology to rivals). The Chinese merger review agencies have raised innovation concerns in transactions that were unconditionally approved by the EU or US agencies, and have sometimes unconditionally approved transactions where the EU or US agencies identified innovation as a concern. In addition, the Chinese agencies have utilized both structural and behavioural remedies to resolve innovation concerns, whereas the EU and US agencies have preferred structural remedies.
Your Cheatin' Heart: How Emotional Intelligence and Selfishness Impact the Incidence of Consumer Fraud
Authors: Hasford Jonathan , Kidwell Blair , Hardesty David M , Farmer Adam
Published: August 2021

Consumers routinely engage in fraudulent behaviors toward companies including returning products under false pretenses, lying when making insurance claims, and committing petty theft. However, research has been relatively limited in examining the psychological mechanisms that contribute to such behavior. Based on dual-processing models of morality, differences in an individual’s emotional intelligence and selfishness are predicted to impact the likelihood of committing consumer fraud. In a departure from previous research highlighting the prosocial benefits of emotional intelligence, seven studies show that consumers with higher levels of emotional intelligence and greater selfishness are more likely to commit fraud. Highly selfish and emotionally intelligent consumers possess the motivation and ability to suppress feelings of embarrassment that normally deter consumers from committing various routine, less severe forms of consumer fraud.