bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of tool life of a commercial drill bits by cryogenic treatment while machining widmanstatten Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Sert Abdullah , Çakir Fatih Hayati 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In this study, the performance of Ø 8 mm WC-Co (10%) drill bits with a TiAlN coating was tested for machining of Ti6Al4V alloy with a Widmanstatten structure. In order to improve the tool life, cutting tools were subjected to deep cryogenic treatment. In total, three groups of tools were prepared for this study. The first group was used for reference as the supplied state; the second group was subjected to 24 h deep cryogenic treatment at −196 °C, and the third group was subjected to 24 h deep cryogenic at −196 °C, additionally was tempered 2 h at 200 °C. Machining experiments were done by drilling and a set of 60 holes were drilled with each drill bit, and tool wear were observed and recorded with a stereo microscope. Additionally, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were carried on to understand the tool wear better. The microhardness of Cryo-treated and tempered cutting tools hardness increased up to 20 Hv (about 1%), and the toughness value did not change significantly. Cutting performance was observed by measuring the cutting forces during drilling experiments. According to these results, deep cryogenic treatment on WC-Co-based inserts decreased cutting forces by approximately 7% compared to the reference drill bit, which affected the cutting tool life. The dominant wear mechanism was Built-up edge (BUE) formation, and cryo-treatment lowered the BUE amount 8% and cryo-treated and tempered drill bit 45% compared to the reference drill bit.
Black phosphorus phase retarder based on anisotropic refractive index dispersion
Authors: Lee Seong-Yeon , Yee Ki-Ju 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Black phosphorus (BP) has gained wide interest as a promising layered material for its unique physical properties. In particular, the anisotropic optical property of BP can act as a retarder or a polarizer in nano-optoelectronic devices, for which quantitative qualification of the phase retardation and the anisotropic refractive index dispersion are essential. Here, we report the anisotropic refractive index and extinction coefficient dispersions of BP in the visible and near infrared range of 540–1500 nm, and then characterize optical phase retardation in a BP flake. Cauchy absorbent equations are provided for the refractive index dispersions along both armchair and zigzag directions, which well reproduce the experimentally measured reflectance and transmittance contrast spectra of BP flakes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a linear polarized light through BP becomes elliptical, a finding that agrees well with simulation results using the obtained anisotropic refractive index dispersions. The two-dimensional phase retarder in this work is expected to find various applications in novel polarization-sensitive nano-optoelectronic devices.
Investigations of the size distribution and magnetic properties of nanoparticles of Cu2OSeO3
Authors: Holt S J R , Štefančič A , Loudon J C , Lees M R , Balakrishnan G 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Skyrmions in confined geometries have been a subject of increasing interest due to the different properties that they exhibit compared to their bulk counterparts. In this study, nanoparticles of skyrmion-hosting Cu2OSeO3 have been synthesised using a precipitation method followed by thermal treatment. This enables us to produce nanoparticles whose mean size varies from tens of nanometers to a few micrometers by varying the temperature and duration of the thermal decomposition of the precursor. These sizes span the ∼63 nm diameter of skyrmions in Cu2OSeO3, allowing investigations into how the magnetic state changes when the size of the geometrical confinement is similar to and smaller than the size of an isolated magnetic skyrmion. AC susceptibility measurements performed on nanoparticles with a size distribution from 15 to 250 nm show a change in the magnetic phase diagram compared to bulk Cu2OSeO3.
Hemi-ellipsoidal microlensed fiber based on polishing and polymer technology
Authors: Boulaiche Nadjiba , Rochard Philippe , Guessoum Assia , Demagh Nacer-Eddine , Thual Monique 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
This paper represents a development of a new advanced technology to fabricate and characterize micro-collimators with hemi-ellipsoidal microlenses at single-mode fibers outputs. The proposed method utilizes the controlled mechanical micromachining technique based on the variation of the speed of the fiber around its axis in both X and Y directions followed by the injection of a quantity of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to form the hemi-ellipsoidal microlenses. The experimental results show that this technique allows to obtain a wide variety of ellipticity diameters ratios from 0.68 to 0.84. An elliptical ratio of radii of curvature Ry/Rx in a range of 0.51 at 0.86 is also obtained. In this investigation a mode field diameters MFD in an interval between 3.26 μm and 9.93 μm have been realized. The measurement results demonstrate that the proposed technology allows to fabricate hemi-ellipsoidal microlenses having an MFD ellipticity ratios of about 0.60 to 0.97 in near field promising for micro-collimator suitable to match an elliptical laser beam to the circular one of a fiber.
Bio-inspired computing by nonlinear network dynamics—a brief introduction
Authors: S Neves Fabio , Timme Marc 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The field of bio-inspired computing has established a new Frontier for conceptualizing information processing, aggregating knowledge from disciplines as different as neuroscience, physics, computer science and dynamical systems theory. The study of the animal brain has shown that no single neuron or neural circuit motif is responsible for intelligence or other higher-order capabilities. Instead, complex functions are created through a broad variety of circuits, each exhibiting an equally varied repertoire of emergent dynamics. How collective dynamics may contribute to computations still is not fully understood to date, even on the most elementary level. Here we provide a concise introduction to bio-inspired computing via nonlinear dynamical systems. We first provide a coarse overview of how the study of biological systems has catalyzed the development of artificial systems in several broad directions. Second, we discuss how understanding the collective dynamics of spiking neural circuits and model classes thereof, may contribute to and inspire new forms of ‘bio-inspired’ computational paradigms. Finally, as a specific set of examples, we analyze in more detail bio-inspired approaches to computing discrete decisions based on multi-dimensional analogue input signals, via k-winners-take-all functions. This article may thus serve as a brief introduction to the qualitative variety and richness of dynamical bio-inspired computing models, starting broadly and focusing on a general example of computation from current research. We believe that understanding basic aspects of the variety of bio-inspired approaches to computation on the coarse level of first principles (instead of details about specific simulation models) and how they relate to each other, may provide an important step toward catalyzing novel approaches to autonomous and computing machines in general.
Is the New EN689 a Better Standard to Test Compliance With Occupational Exposure Limits in the Workplace?
Authors: D’Errico Antonio , Houba Remko , Kromhout Hans 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the performance of three measurement strategies to test compliance with occupational exposure limits of similarly exposed groups (SEGs): the old and new versions of EN689, and the BOHS-NVvA guidance on measuring compliance.

Methods
Respirable dust exposures concentrations (n = 1383) measured within the member companies of IMA-Europe were used to compare compliance decisions between the three measurement strategies. A total of 210 SEGs of which 158 with repeated measurements were analysed. An R studio OHcomplianceStrategies package was created for the purpose.

Results
The old EN689 strategy resulted in the highest number of compliant SEGs in the preliminary tests and statistical test (49–52% and 83%) with lower percentages of compliance with the new EN689 standard (32–44% and 71%). The percentage of non-compliant SEGs was relatively similar between the old and new EN689 for the preliminary tests (1–12% versus 6–11%). However, the new EN689 declared almost twofold more SEGs non-compliant when applying the statistical test (29% versus 17%). The BOHS-NVvA individual test showed results in between the 26% non-compliant SEGs.

Conclusion
This study showed differences in compliance decisions between the old and new EN689, with the new EN689 being considerably more stringent and resulting in more non-compliant SEGs.
Influence of Pliocene and Pleistocene climates on hybridization patterns between two closely related oak species in China
Authors: Li Yao , Zhang Xingwang , Wang Lu , Sork Victoria L , Mao Lingfeng , Fang Yanming 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackground and AimsContemporary patterns of genetic admixture reflect imprints of both ancient and recent gene flow, which can provide us with valuable information on hybridization history in response to palaeoclimate change. Here, we examine the relationships between present admixture patterns and past climatic niche suitability of two East Asian Cerris oaks (Quercus acutissima and Q. chenii) to test the hypothesis that the mid-Pliocene warm climate promoted while the Pleistocene cool climate limited hybridization among local closely related taxa.MethodsWe analyse genetic variation at seven nuclear microsatellites (1111 individuals) and three chloroplast intergenic spacers (576 individuals) to determine the present admixture pattern and ancient hybridization history. We apply an information-theoretic model selection approach to explore the associations of genetic admixture degree with past climatic niche suitability at multiple spatial scales.Key ResultsMore than 70 % of the hybrids determined by Bayesian clustering analysis and more than 90 % of the individuals with locally shared chloroplast haplotypes are concentrated within a mid-Pliocene contact zone between ~30°N and 35°N. Climatic niche suitabilities for Q. chenii during the mid-Pliocene Warm Period [mPWP, ~3.264–3.025 million years ago (mya)] and during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ~0.022 mya) best explain the admixture patterns across all Q. acutissima populations and across those within the ancient contact zone, respectively.ConclusionsOur results highlight that palaeoclimate change shapes present admixture patterns by influencing the extent of historical range overlap. Specifically, the mid-Pliocene warm climate promoted ancient contact, allowing widespread hybridization throughout central China. In contrast, the Pleistocene cool climate caused the local extinction of Q. chenii, reducing the probability of interspecific gene flow in most areas except those sites having a high level of ecological stability.
Amyloid-β, p-tau and reactive microglia are pathological correlates of MRI cortical atrophy in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Frigerio Irene , Boon Baayla D C , Lin Chen-Pei , Galis-de Graaf Yvon , Bol John , Preziosa Paolo , Twisk Jos , Barkhof Frederik , Hoozemans Jeroen J M , Bouwman Femke H , Rozemuller Annemieke J M , van de Berg Wilma D J , Jonkman Laura E 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease is characterized by cortical atrophy on MRI and abnormal depositions of amyloid-beta, phosphorylated-tau and inflammation pathologically. However, the relative contribution of these pathological hallmarks to cortical atrophy, a widely used MRI biomarker in Alzheimer’s disease, is yet to be defined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the histopathological correlates of MRI cortical atrophy in Alzheimer’s disease donors, and its typical amnestic and atypical non-amnestic phenotypes. Nineteen Alzheimer’s disease (of which 10 typical and 9 atypical) and 10 non-neurological control brain donors underwent post-mortem in situ 3T 3D-T1, from which cortical thickness was calculated with Freesurfer. Upon subsequent autopsy, 12 cortical brain regions from the right hemisphere and 9 from the left hemisphere were dissected and immunostained for amyloid-beta, phosphorylated-tau and reactive microglia, and percentage area load was calculated for each marker using ImageJ. In addition, post-mortem MRI was compared to ante-mortem MRI of the same Alzheimer’s disease donors when available. MRI-pathology associations were assessed using linear mixed models. Higher amyloid-beta load weakly correlated with higher cortical thickness globally (r = 0.22, P = 0.022). Phosphorylated-tau strongly correlated with cortical atrophy in temporal and frontal regions (−0.76 &lt; r &lt; −1.00, all P &lt; 0.05). Reactive microglia load strongly correlated with cortical atrophy in the parietal region (r = −0.94, P &lt; 0.001). Moreover, post-mortem MRI scans showed high concordance with ante-mortem scans acquired &lt;1 year before death. In conclusion, distinct histopathological markers differently correlated with cortical atrophy, highlighting their different roles in the neurodegenerative process, and therefore contributing to the understanding of the pathological underpinnings of MRI atrophic patterns in Alzheimer’s disease. In our cohort, no or only subtle differences were found in MRI-pathology associations in Alzheimer’s disease phenotypes, indicating that the histopathological correlates of cortical atrophy in typical and atypical phenotypes might be similar. Moreover, we show that post-mortem in situ MRI can be used as proxy for ante-mortem in vivo MRI.
Treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1
Authors: Gupta Asheeta , Somers Michael J G , Baum Michelle A 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTSupportive treatment for primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) focuses on high fluid intake and crystallization inhibitors. A subset of patients with specific PH1 genotypes (c.508G&gt;A and c.454T&gt;A) will respond to pyridoxine, defined as a &gt;30% reduction in urinary oxalate excretion. Response to pyridoxine is variable and in some patients, urinary oxalate may normalize. The first focused treatment for PH1 using an RNA interference agent to reduce urinary oxalate was approved in 2020, and such therapies may significantly alter treatment approaches and long-term outcomes in PH1. Currently PH1 often presents with kidney function impairment and frequently results in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). With kidney dysfunction, urinary oxalate clearance decreases and multisystem deposition of oxalate (oxalosis) occurs, commonly in bones, eyes, heart and skin. Once plasma oxalate levels exceed 30 µmol/L, aggressive haemodialysis is indicated to prevent oxalosis, even if the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) remains better than for typical dialysis initiation. Peritoneal dialysis alone does not achieve the needed oxalate clearance. Dialysis is a bridge to future transplantation. Liver transplantation restores hepatic alanine-glyoxylate transaminase enzyme activity, allowing glyoxylate detoxification and preventing further oxalosis. The native liver must be removed as part of this process to avoid ongoing pathologic oxalate production. The timing and type of liver transplantation are dependent on pyridoxine sensitivity, age, weight, residual GFR and evidence of systemic oxalate deposition in extrarenal organs. Liver transplant can be isolated or combined with kidney transplantation in a sequential or simultaneous fashion. Isolated kidney transplantation is generally reserved for pyridoxine-sensitive patients only. Although liver transplantation is curative for PH1 and kidney transplantation treats ESKD, ensuing necessary immunosuppression and potential allograft dysfunction impart significant long-term risks.
Double-brooding and annual breeding success of great tits in urban and forest habitats
Authors: Bukor Boglárka , Seress Gábor , Pipoly Ivett , Sándor Krisztina , Sinkovics Csenge , Vincze Ernő , Liker András 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Urban areas differ from natural habitats in several environmental features that influence the characteristics of animals living there. For example, birds often start breeding seasonally earlier and fledge fewer offspring per brood in cities than in natural habitats. However, longer breeding seasons in cities may increase the frequency of double-brooding in urban compared with nonurban populations, thus potentially increasing urban birds’ annual reproductive output and resulting in lower habitat difference in reproductive success than estimated by studies focusing on first clutches only. In this study, we investigated 2 urban and 2 forests great tit Parus major populations from 2013 to 2019. We compared the probability of double-brooding and the total number of annually fledged chicks per female between urban and forest habitats, while controlling for the effects of potentially confounding variables. There was a trend for a higher probability of double-brooding in urban (44% of females) than in forest populations (36%), although this was not consistent between the 2 urban sites. Females produced significantly fewer fledglings annually in the cities than in the forest sites, and this difference was present both within single- and double-brooded females. Furthermore, double-brooded urban females produced a similar number of fledglings per season as single-brooded forest females. These results indicate that double-brooding increases the reproductive success of female great tits in both habitats, but urban females cannot effectively compensate in this way for their lower reproductive output per brood. However, other mechanisms like increased post-fledging survival can mitigate habitat differences in reproductive success.
Transthoracic guidance of percutaneous tricuspid valve repair: a case report
Authors: Patrascu Alexandru , Binder Donat , Polleit Benjamin , Ott Ilka 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background
Percutaneous tricuspid valve (TV) repair for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is arising as a viable treatment option in high-risk patients and can lead to symptom control an improvement in quality of life (QoL). Newest devices have greatly increased safety and efficacy of interventional TR therapy. However, as with any emerging medical procedure, safety aspects need to be considered and procedural risks gradually reduced.

Case summary
We present the case of an 87-year-old woman with massive TR despite successful percutaneous mitral valve repair. The patient was turned down for surgery and eventually underwent percutaneous TV repair using the TriClip™ (Abbott Medical) device. Significant TR reduction with sustained procedural success at 30-day follow-up were associated with functional and clinical improvement. Transthoracic echocardiographic guidance of the procedure, thanks to excellent parasternal TV visualization, is highlighted, while the complex anatomy of the TV is pointed out.

Discussion
Tricuspid regurgitation is an individual predictor of morbidity but frequently found in elderly patients who are deemed very high risk for surgical treatment. This case underscores the use of modern interventional techniques and devices for addressing TR and improving QoL, whether as a stand-alone procedure or as part of complete interventional therapy of the atrioventricular valves.
Digoxin use in contemporary heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: an analysis from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry
Authors: Kapelios Chris J , Lund Lars H , Benson Lina , Dahlström Ulf , Rosano Giuseppe M C , Hauptman Paul J , Savarese Gianluigi 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Aims
Digoxin is included in some heart failure (HF) guidelines but controversy persists about the true role for and impact of treatment with this drug, particularly in the absence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to assess the association between clinical characteristics and digoxin use and between digoxin use and mortality/morbidity in a large, contemporary cohort of patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) stratified by history of AF.

Methods and results
Patients with HFrEF (EF &lt; 40%) enrolled in the Swedish HF registry between 2005 and 2018 were analysed. The independent association between digoxin use and patient characteristics was assessed by logistic regression, and between digoxin use and outcomes [composite of all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization (HFH), all-cause mortality, and HFH] by Cox regressions in a 1:1 propensity score matched population. Digoxin use was analysed at baseline and as a time-dependent variable. Of 42 456 patients with HFrEF, 16% received digoxin, 29% in the AF group and 2.8% in the non-AF group. The main independent predictors of use were advanced HF, higher heart rate, history of AF, preserved renal function, and concomitant use of beta blockers. Digoxin use was associated with lower risk of all-cause death/HFH [hazard ratio (HR): 0.95; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91–0.99] in AF, but with higher risk in non-AF (HR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.09–1.43). Consistent results were observed when digoxin use was analysed as a time-dependent variable.

Conclusion
The great majority of digoxin users had a history of AF. Digoxin use was associated with lower mortality/morbidity in patients with AF, but with higher mortality/morbidity in patients without AF.
Ade novogenome assembly and annotation of the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans)
Authors: Wolf Jesse F , Bowman Jeff , Keobouasone Sonesinh , Taylor Rebecca S , Wilson Paul J 
Published: November 2021

AbstractNorthern (Glaucomys sabrinus) and southern (Glaucomys volans) flying squirrels are widespread species distributed across North America. Northern flying squirrels are common inhabitants of the boreal forest, also occurring in coniferous forest remnants farther south, whereas the southern flying squirrel range is centered in eastern temperate woodlands. These two flying squirrel species exhibit a hybrid zone across a latitudinal gradient in an area of recent secondary contact. Glaucomys hybrid offspring are viable and can successfully backcross with either parental species, however, the fitness implications of such events are currently unknown. Some populations of G. sabrinus are endangered, and thus, interspecific hybridization is a key conservation concern in flying squirrels. To provide a resource for future studies to evaluate hybridization and possible introgression, we sequenced and assembled a de novo long-read genome from a G. volans individual sampled in southern Ontario, Canada, while four short-read genomes (two G. sabrinus and two G. volans, all from Ontario) were resequenced on Illumina platforms. The final genome assembly consisted of approximately 2.40 Gb with a scaffold N50 of 455.26 Kb. Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs reconstructed 3,742 (91.2%) complete mammalian genes and genome annotation using RNA-Seq identified the locations of 19,124 protein-coding genes. The four short-read individuals were aligned to our reference genome to investigate the demographic history of the two species. A principal component analysis clearly separated resequenced individuals, while inferring population size history using the Pairwise Sequentially Markovian Coalescent model noted an approximate species split 1 million years ago, and a single, possibly recently introgressed individual.