bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GPR‐MCS model of reliability analysis of key blocks and its engineering application
Authors: He Peng , Wang Gang , Xu Fei , Sun Shang‐qu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractReasonable rock bolting schemes for potentially unstable blocks should be proposed and optimized in order to prevent rockfall hazard during tunnel construction. However, the reliability index of key block caused by uncertainty of geometric and mechanics parameters is not easy to be obtained by numerical simulation. Since the performance function of stability analysis of supporting key block is too complex, it is also difficult to calculate the reliability by using analytical and graphic methods rapidly. In this paper, the Gaussian process regression (GPR) model was established instead of the explicit function of key block. The safety factor of supporting key block calculated by UnWedge procedure was taken as the sample output of response model. With the GPR model coupling Monte Carlo Simulation (GPR‐MCS), the failure probability of key block could be predicted rapidly. The reliability of key block with different supporting schemes were analyzed, and the optimization of support parameters for key block was also carried out. It has direct meaning to prevention and control of dangerous key block during tunnel construction.
3D viscoelastic computational grains with spherical inclusions with or without interphases/coatings for micromechanical modeling of heterogeneous materials
Authors: Huang Yezeng , Wang Guannan , Dong Leiting , Atluri Satya N. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this article, the 3D viscoelastic computational grains (CGs) with spherical inclusions, with and without interphases/coatings are developed to study the viscoelastic behavior of polymer‐based heterogeneous materials. Papkovich–Neuber solutions and spherical harmonics are adopted to develop the independent displacement fields inside the grains, and Wachspress coordinate is used to interpolate compatible displacement fields at inter‐element surfaces. The elemental stiffness matrices are developed with multi‐field boundary variational principles in the Laplace domain, after which Zakian technique is adopted to invert both the homogenized and localized responses back to the time domain with good accuracy and efficiency. With different kinds of models to describe the property of the viscoelastic polymers, the generated homogenized moduli and localized stress distributions are validated against the experimental data, simulations by commercial FE software, and predictions by composite spherical assemblage models. Parametric studies are also carried out to investigate the influence of material and geometric parameters on the behavior of viscoelastic composites. Finally, the viscoelastic CG is also used to study the effect of the negative Young's modulus of particles on the stability and loss tangent of viscoelastic composites.
Finite element solution of nonlocal Cahn–Hilliard equations with feedback control time step size adaptivity
Authors: Barros Gabriel F. , Côrtes Adriano M. A. , Coutinho Alvaro L. G. A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this study, we evaluate the performance of feedback control‐based time step adaptivity schemes for the nonlocal Cahn–Hilliard equation derived from the Ohta–Kawasaki free energy functional. The temporal adaptivity scheme is recast under the linear feedback control theory equipped with an error estimation that extrapolates the solution obtained from an energy‐stable, fully implicit time marching scheme. We test three time step controllers with different properties: a simple Integral controller, a complete proportional‐integral‐derivative controller, and the PC11 predictive controller. We assess the performance of the adaptive schemes for the nonlocal Cahn–Hilliard equation in terms of the number of time steps required for the complete simulation and the computational effort measured by the required number of nonlinear and linear solver iterations. We also present numerical evidence of mass conservation and free energy decay for simulations with the three different time step controllers. The PC11 predictive controller is the best in all three‐dimensional test cases.
Low‐cost conductive films based on graphite and cellulose acetate as promising electroanalytical platforms
Authors: Paixão Guilherme A. , Souza Thaís G. , Pradela Filho Lauro A. , Ferreira Marcos V. , Takeuchi Regina M. , Assunção Rosana M. N. , Kikuti Elaine 
Published: May 2021

AbstractConducting films were produced by incorporating 35, 50, and 60 wt.%. of graphite in cellulose acetate. The graphite contents showed to be of pivotal importance to the properties of the materials, mainly on the electrochemical performance. Thermal analyses indicated the graphite hinders the crystallization process of cellulose acetate and increases the hydrophobicity of the films. Scanning electron microscopy provided evidence of laminated graphite structures well‐dispersed in the polymeric matrix and exhibited a more porous aspect surface for the 50% G/Composite, which led to a higher surface area obtained by the N2 adsorption/desorption technique. This composite also had a better electrochemical response for ferrocyanide ion. The fabrication method was reproducible, which was associated with the structural uniformity of the resulting material. In addition, the conductive films are ready to use after production, precluding the need for any surface pretreatment. Moreover, the proposed sensor showed analytical potentiality for dopamine and hydroquinone determination, extending the possibilities for new electroanalytical applications.
Mass spectral analysis of secondary metabolites fromZingiber montanumrhizome extract using UHPLC‐HR‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS/MS
Authors: Kabkrathok Pranatthapong , Jarussophon Suwatchai , Unger Onuma , Lomarat Pattamapan , Reutrakul Vichai , Pittayanurak Prapadsorn , Bongcheewin Bhanubong , Anantachoke Natthinee 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionZingiber montanum(J.Koenig) Link ex A.Dietr. is a popular medicinal plant in Thailand. Its rhizomes have been used as an ingredient in various Thai traditional medicine formulas. While many reports have focused on the chemical constituents and biological activities of this plant, a comprehensive study on secondary metabolite profiling using tandem mass spectrometry has, to this point, never been documented.ObjectiveTo analyze the chemical constituents inZ. montanumrhizomes using ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultra‐high‐resolution electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐HR‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS/MS) analyses and to utilize the characteristic fragmentation patterns of these compounds to facilitate their identification.MethodologyUHPLC‐HR‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS/MS in positive ion mode was used for chemical identification of secondary metabolites from the ethanolic extract of the plant material. MS/MS data of some known reference compounds, together with detailed fragmentation pattern information of several compounds obtained from the crude extract, were used to elucidate their chemical structures.ResultsIn this work, one benzaldehyde, ten phenylbutenoid monomers, six curcuminoids, and nine phenylbutenoid dimers were assigned based on their characteristic fragment ions. Among these compounds, 2‐(3,4‐dimethoxystyryl)oxirane was tentatively suggested as a potential new compound. Several characteristic fragment ions from these compounds were assigned and the relative ion abundance of these was also used to differentiate the chemical structures of compounds having the same molecular mass.ConclusionsThe results will benefit future high‐throughput screening of bioactive compounds and method development for the quality control of raw materials and herbal drugs derived fromZ. montanumrhizome extracts.
Antiviral activity of selected cathelicidins against infectious bronchitis virus
Authors: Verheije M. Hélène , Coorens Maarten , Weerts Erik A. W. S. , Berends Alinda J. , van Harten Roel M. , Angel Marloes , Kooij Jannetje , Ordonez Soledad R. , van Beurden Steven J. , van Dijk Albert , Haagsman Henk P. , Veldhuizen Edwin J. A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAvian infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious disease caused by infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a coronavirus of domestic fowl. IB is a major concern in the poultry industry, causing worldwide economic losses through decreased egg production and quality and by increasing the chicken's susceptibility for secondary bacterial infections, particularly Escherichia coli. In this study, the anti‐IBV activity of cathelicidins, small antimicrobial peptides of the innate immune system was investigated. The cell culture adapted (nonvirulent) IBV strain Beaudette was effectively inhibited by the human cathelicidin LL‐37 in bovine hamster kidney‐21 cells at nontoxic concentrations. The peptide needed to be present during virus inoculation to effectively inhibit the infection of IBV‐Beaudette, indicating that LL‐37 likely bound viral particles. However, no clear morphological changes in the IBV virion upon binding were observed by electron microscopy. In this cell culture model, chicken cathelicidins (CATH1‐3) were inactive against IBV‐Beaudette. In contrast, in multicellular infection models using the virulent IBV‐M41 strain the activities of human and chicken cathelicidins were different. In particular, upon inoculation of 10‐day‐old embryonic eggs with IBV‐M41, CATH‐2 reduced the viral load to a higher extend than LL‐37. Similarly, viral infection of chicken tracheal organ cultures with IBV‐M41 was significantly reduced in the presence of CATH‐2 but not LL‐37. These results indicate a potential antiviral role for CATH‐2 upon IBV infection in vivo.
Investigation on the electron density and temperature in a nanosecond pulsed helium plasma jet with Thomson scattering
Authors: Wu Fan , Li JiaYin , Xian YuBin , Tan Xiao , Lu XinPei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDiagnostic of spatiotemporal distribution of the electron density and temperature of atmospheric pressure plasma jets is a difficult task, as Thomson scattering, which is the most used measurement, suffers from the stray light induced by Rayleigh scattering. In this paper, a new strategy is reported to restrain the stray light in Thomson scattering. With a physical mask placed at the output of a single spectrometer, the scattering signal is obtained with a relatively high ratio of signal to noise. The electron density in a pulsed kHz‐driven atmospheric plasma jet interacting with a dielectric target is measured by using this method. A donut‐shaped distribution of electron density is observed at an axial position 1 mm away from the nozzle. The radius of the ring structure decreases with the reduction of the gas flow rate. The electron density reaches a maximum of about 4.5 × 1020 m−3 at a delay time of 150 ns from the onset of the pulse. A similar time relationship between the electron density and plasma emission intensity is also identified. Higher applied voltage leads to a faster increasing and a higher peak value of the electron density. Pulse width shows little impact on the generation and decay of electrons.
X‐ray scattering reveals disordered linkers and dynamic interfaces in complexes and mechanisms for DNA double‐strand break repair impacting cell and cancer biology
Authors: Hammel Michal , Tainer John A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEvolutionary selection ensures specificity and efficiency in dynamic metastable macromolecular machines that repair DNA damage without releasing toxic and mutagenic intermediates. Here we examine non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ) as the primary conserved DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair process in human cells. NHEJ has exemplary key roles in networks determining the development, outcome of cancer treatments by DSB‐inducing agents, generation of antibody and T‐cell receptor diversity, and innate immune response for RNA viruses. We determine mechanistic insights into NHEJ structural biochemistry focusing upon advanced small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) results combined with X‐ray crystallography (MX) and cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM). SAXS coupled to atomic structures enables integrated structural biology for objective quantitative assessment of conformational ensembles and assemblies in solution, intra‐molecular distances, structural similarity, functional disorder, conformational switching, and flexibility. Importantly, NHEJ complexes in solution undergo larger allosteric transitions than seen in their cryo‐EM or MX structures. In the long‐range synaptic complex, X‐ray repair cross‐complementing 4 (XRCC4) plus XRCC4‐like‐factor (XLF) form a flexible bridge and linchpin for DNA ends bound to KU heterodimer (Ku70/80) and DNA‐PKcs (DNA‐dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit). Upon binding two DNA ends, auto‐phosphorylation opens DNA‐PKcs dimer licensing NHEJ via concerted conformational transformations of XLF‐XRCC4, XLF–Ku80, and LigIVBRCT–Ku70 interfaces. Integrated structures reveal multifunctional roles for disordered linkers and modular dynamic interfaces promoting DSB end processing and alignment into the short‐range complex for ligation by LigIV. Integrated findings define dynamic assemblies fundamental to designing separation‐of‐function mutants and allosteric inhibitors targeting conformational transitions in multifunctional complexes.
Does surgery benefit patients with oligometastatic or metastatic prostate cancer? – A retrospective cohort study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Si Shubin , Zheng Bin , Wang Zhenlin , Niu Zhihong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate long‐term oncological outcomes of radical prostatectomy (RP) plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in oligometastatic prostate cancer (PCa) patients.MethodsOur study included oligometastatic PCa patients hospitalized between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015, who received ADT with or without RP. We evaluated survival by employing Kaplan–Meier methods, with log‐rank tests and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. A meta‐analysis of previously published studies was additionally performed.ResultsThe median follow‐up times of both groups were 68.4 months (interquartile range = 56.5–85.0). In this cohort study, significant statistical difference in preoperative total prostate‐specific antigen (tPSA; p = .121), clinical T stage (p = .115), and N stage (p = .394) were not found between the two groups. Meanwhile, the difference in overall survival (OS) between the two groups did not reach statistical significance (p = .649). A significant difference was not observed in castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)‐free survival between two groups as well (p = .183). Numbers of metastases might be an independent prognosis factor (p = .05) for OS, and postoperative tPSA is a risk predictor for CRPC‐free survival (p = .032). A meta‐analysis of four relevant studies demonstrated significant statistical difference in clinical improvement with RP plus ADT over ADT alone in OS survival (p < .001; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38–0.69) instead of CRPC‐free survival (p = .42; HR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.59–1.24).ConclusionThe addition of RP to ADT for the treatment of oligometastatic PCa was associated with an improved OS instead of CRPC‐free survival.
Influence of a Ser111‐phosphorylation on Rab1b GTPase conformational dynamics studied by advanced sampling simulations
Authors: Pourjafar‐Dehkordi Danial , Zacharias Martin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRab GTPases constitute the largest branch of the Ras protein superfamily that regulate intra‐cellular membrane trafficking. Their signaling activity is mediated by the transition between an active GTP‐bound state and an inactive GDP‐bound state. In the inactive state the switch I and II segments adopt largely disordered flexible conformations, whereas in the active state these regions are in well‐defined conformations. The switch I and II states are central for recognition of Rab GTPases by interacting partners. Phosphorylation of the Rab1b‐GTPase at residue Ser111 (pS111) results in modulation of the signaling activity due to alterations of the protein interaction interface and also due to modulation of the conformational flexibility. We have studied the flexibility of native and pS111‐Rab1b in complex with GTP or GDP using extensive Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and an advanced sampling method called DIhedral Angle‐biasing potential Replica‐Exchange Molecular dynamics (DIA‐REMD). The DIA‐REMD method promotes backbone and side chain dihedral transitions along a series of replica simulations in selected protein segments and through exchanges also improves sampling in an unbiased reference simulation. Application to the Rab1b system results in significantly enhanced sampling of different switch I/II conformational states in the GDP‐bound Rab1b state. The pS111 modification is found to reduce the conformational flexibility even in the presence of GDP, which may influence signaling activities. The stabilizing effect can be attributed to the formation of additional surface salt bridges between Arg‐residues and pS111 not present in the native structure. The DIA‐REMD method could be a valuable approach for studying also other signaling proteins that contain flexible segments.
Transportable Strontium Optical Lattice Clocks Operated Outside Laboratory at the Level of 10−18 Uncertainty
Authors: Ohmae Noriaki , Takamoto Masao , Takahashi Yosuke , Kokubun Motohide , Araki Kuniya , Hinton Andrew , Ushijima Ichiro , Muramatsu Takashi , Furumiya Tetsuo , Sakai Yuya , Moriya Naoji , Kamiya Naohiro , Fujii Kazuaki , Muramatsu Ryuya , Shiimado Toshihiro , Katori Hidetoshi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTransportable strontium optical lattice clocks are developed with a fractional uncertainty of 5.5 × 10−18 for applications outside laboratories. A single clock consists of a spectroscopy chamber and two laser boxes, where all lasers are based on external cavity diode lasers with an adjustment‐free, laser‐welded output coupler. When this system is transported from the laboratory at RIKEN to a broadcasting tower, the instruments experience acceleration change of 4 G at maximum. However, no serious optical misalignments are found. The demonstration opens up field applications of optical atomic clocks resolving a centimeter height difference.
Fatal pulmonary thromboembolism caused by idiopathic ovarian vein thrombosis
Authors: Ogiwara Masanori , Ozaki Masahiko , Nishino Yoshifumi , Miyahara Takuya 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOvarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is observed in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology. It is occasionally diagnosed during the postpartum period or in patients with ovarian malignancy. Few cases of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) caused by OVT have been reported previously. We report the case of a 67‐year‐old woman who presented with fatal PTE due to left OVT during hospitalization for cerebral infarction. The left ovary of the postmenopausal elderly patient showed no tumorous appearance. This case of OVT is extremely rare because of its idiopathic nature and fatal result.
Adaptive output feedback tracking for a class of nonlinear systems with quantized input and output
Authors: Yu Xiaowei , Lin Yan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this paper, an adaptive output feedback tracking for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with input and output quantization is investigated. A new controller structure is introduced in which a modified output quantizer is proposed so that its first‐order derivative exists, and an observer is designed with quantized input and output as its input signals. Then, with dynamic surface control as a tool, an adaptive recursive design is developed which can avoid higher‐order derivatives of the quantized output signal. It is proved that, with the proposed scheme, coarser input and output quantization can be achieved and the tracking error can converge to a small residual set by appropriately choosing some design parameters.
Gender Differences in Text‐Based Interest: Text Characteristics as Underlying Variables
Authors: Lepper Chantal , Stang Justine , McElvany Nele 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTReading motivation is a fundamental basis for reading behavior and performance. For learners, interest is an exceedingly important component of reading motivation. Prior research has shown that students’ text‐based interest varies significantly between texts. However, it is still unclear why one text elicits greater interest over another. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether different text characteristics, such as text genre, topic, and protagonists’ gender, are systematically related to students’ text‐based interest. Furthermore, we examined differences between girls and boys. We used data from a sample of 504 fourth‐grade elementary school students to answer these questions. Eight texts were manipulated experimentally with respect to text genre, topic, and protagonists’ gender. Students were assigned randomly to read one of the eight texts. Structural equation models showed that students’ text‐based interest was related to text genre, topic, and students’ gender. Moreover, students’ gender interacted significantly with text topic and protagonists’ gender, with boys less interested in texts with a more female‐typed text topic and in texts with female protagonists. The findings imply that text characteristics might help educators select reading material to encourage students’ text‐based interest. The results are discussed in terms of research and educational practice.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus seroprevalence in Scottish finishing pigs between 2006 and 2018
Authors: Correia‐Gomes Carla , Duncan Andrew , Ward Allan , Pearce Michael , Eppink Lysan , Webster Grace , McGowan Andy , Thomson Jill 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a major endemic pig disease worldwide and is associated with considerable economic costs.MethodsIn Scotland, three abattoir surveys were conducted in 2006 (158 farms), 2012‒2013 (94 farms) and 2017‒2018 (97 farms) to estimate seroprevalence to PRRS virus (PRRSV) in commercial finishing pigs. These surveys covered around 79%, 59% and 66% of the Quality Meat Scotland assured farms slaughtering pigs in Scotland in 2006, 2012–13 and, 2017–18 respectively. In the 2006 survey, six pigs per farm were sampled and tested using the CIVTEST SUIS PRRS E/S test. In the 2012‒2013 and 2017‒2018 surveys, 10 pigs per farm were sampled and tested using the IDEXX PRRS X3 Ab test. A farm was considered positive if it had one or more seropositive samples.ResultsThe prevalence of positive farms was 45.6% (95% CI: 38.0–53.4), 47.8% (95% CI: 38.1–57.9) and 45.4% (95% CI: 35.8–55.3) in the 2006, 2012‒2013 and 2017‒2018 surveys, respectively, and 70%–75.5% farms did not change their status between sampling periods.ConclusionThe prevalence of PRRSV exposure in Scottish pig herds was high and changed little from 2006 to 2018. These surveys have informed planning for a prospective PRRS control programme in Scotland.