bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extreme variation in recombination rate and genetic diversity along the Sylvioidea neo‐sex chromosome
Authors: Ponnikas Suvi , Sigeman Hanna , Lundberg Max , Hansson Bengt 
Published: May 2022

AbstractRecombination strongly impacts sequence evolution by affecting the extent of linkage and the efficiency of selection. Here, we study recombination over the Z chromosome in great reed warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) using pedigree‐based linkage mapping. This species has extended Z and W chromosomes (“neo‐sex chromosomes”) formed by a fusion between a part of chromosome 4A and the ancestral sex chromosomes, which provides a unique opportunity to assess recombination and sequence evolution in sex‐linked regions of different ages. We assembled an 87.54 Mbp and 90.19 cM large Z with a small pseudoautosomal region (0.89 Mbp) at one end and the fused Chr4A‐part at the other end of the chromosome. A prominent feature in our data was an extreme variation in male recombination rate along Z with high values at both chromosome ends, but an apparent lack of recombination over a substantial central section, covering 78% of the chromosome. The nonrecombining region showed a drastic loss of genetic diversity and accumulation of repeats compared to the recombining parts. Thus, our data emphasize a key role of recombination in affecting local levels of polymorphism. Nonetheless, the evolutionary rate of genes (dN/dS) did not differ between high and low recombining regions, suggesting that the efficiency of selection on protein‐coding sequences can be maintained also at very low levels of recombination. Finally, the Chr4A‐derived part showed a similar recombination rate as the part of the ancestral Z that did recombine, but its sequence characteristics reflected both its previous autosomal, and current Z‐linked, recombination patterns.
Three dimension high‐definition manometry in evaluation of anorectal function in 104 normal infants and children: A clinical study from China
Authors: Zhao Jiawei , Zhang Yanan , Xiong Yu , Du Jingbin , Chen Yongwei , Guo Weihong , Huang Jinshi 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to evaluate anorectal function of normal infants and children through three dimension high‐definition anorectal manometry (3D ARM) to fill the research blank in this area.MethodsFrom November 2014 to January 2019, 104 normal infants and children among patients who underwent 3D ARM were divided into four groups according to age (≤1 month; >1 month to ≤1 year; >1 year to ≤4 years and >4 years) and reviewed. The following parameters were performed: the length of anorectal high‐pressure zone (HPZ), the resting pressure of HPZ (HPZ‐rest), the squeezing pressure of HPZ (HPZ‐sqze), recto‐anal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), and pressure distribution of the anal canal. Graphpad Prism 7.0 software was used for statistical analysis.ResultsHPZ, HPZ‐rest, and HPZ‐sqze increased with age. There were differences in HPZ‐rest and HPZ‐sqze between the groups (p < 0.05). Sex had a significant effect on HPZ, but not on HPZ‐rest and HPZ‐sqze. The HPZ of males was higher than that of females among those ≤1 month old (p < 0.05). RAIR (‐) was found in 17 patients (16%) for whom Hirschsprung's disease were excluded by biopsy, and these patients had regular defecation during follow‐up. Most of the patients (85%) older than 1 year had a symmetric anal pressure distribution during the contracting period (p < 0.05).ConclusionsAnal canal function parameters gradually increased with age in normal infants and children which demonstrated the important role of age in evaluation, and these parameters can provide a reference for postoperative evaluation of anal canal function.
Social policy reform driven by crises: Promoting and reshaping social policy during the SARS and COVID‐19 pandemics in China
Authors: Liu Tao 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis article focuses on one particular and under‐investigated dimension in the study of social policy – crisis events and their special function in promoting and shaping social protection programs. Crises are usually regarded as negative social events that tempestuously challenge the pre‐existing socio‐economic order, triggering social conflicts and disruption, either temporarily or in a more enduring fashion. However, social crises may also foster new opportunities for social investment, public finance expansion and welfare state building after the outbreak of a crisis and even during the post‐crisis period. This article first examines the SARS pandemic and analyzes its developmental trajectory, reconstructing the national debates and discourses on the negative consequences and lessons learned in the SARS and post‐SARS period. I argue that this crisis event revealed many loopholes in the Chinese public health system, constituting a powerful driving force for rebuilding the medical insurance system and health governance in China, and strengthening public discourse on welfare state responsibility. Second, I explore how, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, scholars and experts have constructed the ‘short board’ of Chinese social policy, calling for further social policy reforms to narrow the gaps in health protection resources among social classes and to eliminate the fragmentation of health resource distribution.
Tailored negativity. Campaign consultants, candidate personality, and attack politics
Authors: Nai Alessandro , Tresch Anke , Maier Jürgen 
Published: May 2022

AbstractTo what extent are negative election campaigns “tailored” to the personality of the candidates? And with what electoral consequences? In this article we tackle these questions by focusing on the 2019 Swiss federal election. We estimate the presence of negativity as a function of the personality profile of competing candidates (Big Five) and the presence of professional consultants. Analyses based on data from a candidate survey (Selects 2019) suggest that campaign consultants are likely to take stock of the character of their candidate, and tailor the content of their campaigns accordingly ‐ more aggressive for more energetic candidates (higher plasticity) and for less stable candidates (lower stability). These results, we argue, support our central claim that the role of consultants is to provide the most adequate campaign for the candidate they are promoting (“tailoring hypothesis”). We fail however to find any convincing evidence that such tailoring is electorally successful.
The Global Wealth Chains of Private‐Equity‐Run Physician Practices
Authors: Bůžek Richard , Scheuplein Christoph 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTCurrently, numerous physician practices in industrial and emerging countries are being taken over by private equity firms and integrated into novel physician corporations. This involves private equity firms producing a global wealth chain (GWC) between their investors and the target asset, using offshore financial centres to facilitate tax‐avoiding reflux of capital. Moreover, they are opening up ambulatory health care as an asset for capital investment by overcoming previous market barriers to ambulatory health care via a legal construct. In this paper, we trace the spatial links of these finance‐side and sector‐specific corporate chains based on a capital flow analysis of private equity takeovers of Medical Care Centres (MCCs) in Bavaria, Germany. With our heuristics of a double‐layered GWC, which enables the extraction of value from the German health system, we contribute to the emerging GWC debate that aims to conceptualise the complex and often opaque spatialisations of financialisation processes.
Impact of solid organ transplant status on outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Schaenman Joanna , Byford Hannah , Grogan Tristan , Motwani Yash , Beaird Omer E. , Kamath Megan , Lum Erik , Meneses Katherine , Sayah David , Vucicevic Darko , Saab Sammy 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has caused significant morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. However, it remains unclear whether the risk factor for SOT patients is the immunosuppression inherent to transplantation versus patient comorbidities.MethodsWe reviewed outcomes in a cohort of SOT (n = 129) and non‐SOT (NSOT) patients (n = 708) admitted to the University of California, Los Angeles for COVID‐19 infection. Data analyses utilized multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the impact of patient demographics, comorbidities, and transplant status on outcomes. SOT patients were analyzed by kidney SOT (KSOT) versus nonkidney SOT (NKSOT) groups.ResultsSOT and NSOT patients with COVID‐19 infection differed in terms of patient age, ethnicity, and comorbidities. NKSOT patients were the most likely to experience death, with a mortality rate of 16.2% compared with 1.8% for KSOT and 8.3% for NSOT patients (p = .013). Multivariable analysis of hospitalized patients revealed that patient age (odds ratio [OR] 2.79, p = .001) and neurologic condition (OR 2.66, p < .001) were significantly associated with mortality. Analysis of ICU patients revealed a 2.98‐fold increased odds of death in NKSOT compared with NSOT patients (p = .013).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the importance of transplant status in predicting adverse clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized or admitted to the ICU with COVID‐19, especially for NKSOT patients. Transplant status and comorbidities, including age, could be used to risk stratify patients with COVID‐19. This data suggests that immunosuppression contributes to COVID‐19 disease severity and mortality and may have implications for managing immunosuppression, especially for critically ill patients admitted to the ICU.
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Reduced neutralizing antibody potency of COVID‐19 convalescent vaccinated plasma against SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant
Authors: Gallian Pierre , Amroun Abdennour , Laperche Syria , Le Cam Sophie , Brisbarre Nadège , Malard Lucile , Nurtop Elif , Isnard Christine , Richard Pascale , Morel Pascal , Tiberghien Pierre , de Lamballerie Xavier 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveThe SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant displays increased infectiveness as well as mutations resulting in reduced neutralizing activity of antibodies acquired after vaccination or infection involving earlier strains. To assess the ability of vaccinated COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP‐V) collected before November 2021 to seroneutralize Omicron, we compared neutralizing antibody (nAb) titres of 63 samples against Omicron and earlier B.1 (D614G) strains.Methods and FindingsRelationship between anti‐Omicron titres and IgG anti‐S1 levels (binding arbitrary unit: BAU/ml) was studied. Although correlated, anti‐Omicron titres were significantly lower than anti‐B.1 titres (median = 80 [10–1280] vs. 1280 [160–10,240], p < 0.0001). Omicron nAb titres and IgG anti‐S1 levels were correlated (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.67). Anti‐S1 IgG threshold at 7000 BAU/ml may allow to discard CCP‐V without anti‐Omicron activity (nAb titre <40). Conversely, only those with highest titres (≥160) had systematically anti‐S1 IgG levels >7000 BAU/ml.ConclusionA fraction of CCP‐V collected before November 2021 retains anti‐Omicron seroneutralizing activity that may be selected by quantitative anti‐IgG assays, but such assays do not easily allow the identification of ‘high‐titre’ CCP‐V. However, collecting plasma from vaccinated donors recently infected with Omicron may be the best option to provide optimal CCP‐V for immunocompromised patients infected with this variant.
BIOMATH 2018 International Conference and School for Young Scientists
Authors: Wolkowicz Gail S. K. 
Published: May 2022

The conference was an international event that attracted participants from 25 countries. The conference took place at the Institute of Mechanics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. It also obtained administrative and logistical support from the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics. As is the tradition, the BIOMATH conference series places a strong emphasis on the support and promotion of young scientists and this meeting followed this tradition. This was made possible by additional support from Biomath Forum and the South African DST/NRF SARChI Chair in Mathematical Models and Methods in Bioengineering and Biosciences at the University of Pretoria.
Influence of Accident-Tolerant Fuel With Steel Cladding for Sustainable Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core of VVER-1200
Authors: Sanglap MD Tanzib Ehsan , Shahriar Sazidur Rahman 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Since the events at the Fukushima–Daiichi nuclear power plant, there has been increased interest in developing accident tolerant fuel (ATF) to avoid accidents for light water reactors where Uranium-Silicide-based fuel has an excellent field to minimize the hydrogen hazards. Similarly, steel cladding is at the center of attraction for researchers nowadays. In this research, the feasibility of using Uranium-Silicides (i.e., U3Si, U3Si2, and U3Si5) combined with different types of austenitic steel (i.e., AISI) was investigated to improve the safety performance. A three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-coded star ccm+ model was used to assess heat transfer performance in the hexagonal fuel assembly of a supercritical water-cooled reactor VVER-1200. Utilizing the computational environment of star ccm+, the test analysis was conducted for a portion of fuel height using the realizable K-Epsilon Two-Layer Wall turbulence model. This analysis showed that the combination of U3Si2 fuel with AISI-348 cladding got superiority over other ATF-AISI fuel-claddings assemblies to use in the reactor core of VVER-1200 because of their lower central fuel temperature value with good mechanical and thermal advantages. This work also derived an empirical heat transfer coefficient equation to guide the relevant future investigations on the thermal analysis of the core.
Suboptimal State Tracking Control Applied to a Nonlinear Fractional-Order Slewing Motion Flexible Structure
Authors: Bueno Átila M. , Daltin Daniel C. , Serni Paulo J. A. , Balthazar José M. , Tusset Angelo M. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The control of slewing motion flexible structures is important to a number of systems found in engineering and physical sciences applications, such as aerospace, automotive, robotics, and atomic force microscopy. In this kind of system, the controller must provide a stable and well-damped behavior for the flexible structure vibrations, with admissible control signal amplitudes. Recently, many works have used fractional-order derivatives to model complex and nonlinear dynamical behavior present in the mentioned systems. In order to perform digital computer-based control of fractional-order dynamical systems, a time discretization of the equations is necessary. In many cases, the Grünwald–Letnikov method is used, resulting in an implicit integration method. In this work, a nonlinear slewing motion flexible structure is modeled considering a fractional-order viscous damping in the flexible beam motion. To obtain an explicit integration method, based on the Grünwald–Letnikov definition, the discretization of the dynamical equations is performed considering the existence of sample and hold circuits. In addition, real-time suboptimal infinite horizon tracking control system strategies, namely, the linear quadratic tracking and the state-dependent Riccati equation tracking controller, are designed and implemented to control the fractional-order slewing motion flexible system. The general behavior and performance of the control systems are tested for parameter uncertainties related to the order of the fractional derivatives.
Design, Analysis, and Experiment of a Scissor-Shaped Deployable Metamorphic Hand
Authors: Sun Hanlin , Sun Wei , Chen Bin , Hou Yu , Kong Jianyi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
It is necessary to innovatively design the dexterity and applicability of end-effector to solve the last centimeter problem of automated production. This paper presents a scissor-shaped deployable metamorphic hand (SDMH). First, a scissor-shaped sub-mechanism module mechanism was designed with three metamorphic configurations. A novel connection mechanism was introduced. It can realize the passively adaptive grasping motion and avoid the bifurcation position problem in the clamping process. Subsequently, the three configurations of SDMH were analyzed by the sub-constraint function. Then, the conversion relationship between the various configurations was established through the adjacency matrix, which fundamentally explains the metamorphic mechanism of SDMH. Furthermore, the kinematics analysis of the SDMH was described by the D–H method. Kinematic equations of the single finger can be established in the different three grasping configurations using the matrix transformation method. The working space of SDMH can be obtained by numerical simulation. Finally, the physical prototype of SDMH was manufactured to verify the deployable and grasping performance of SDMH.
In-Situ Visualization of the Transition Metal Dissolution in Layered Cathodes
Authors: Qian Guannan , Zan Guibin , Li Jizhou , Zhang Jin , Pianetta Piero , Liu Yijin 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Transition metal dissolution in layered cathodes is one of the most intractable issues that deteriorate the battery performance and lifetime. It not only aggravates the structure degradation in cathode but also damages the solid electrolyte interphase in anode and even induces the formation of lithium dendrites. In this work, we investigate the dissolution behaviors of polycrystalline and single-crystalline layered cathode via operando X-ray imaging techniques. The cathode particle morphology appears to have a significant impact on the evolution of the dissolution dynamics. As a mitigation strategy, we reveal that doping with a trace amount of Zr in the layered cathode could improve its robustness against the transition metal dissolution. Our finding provides valuable insights for designing the next-generation highly stable layered battery cathodes.
Improving drought tolerance ofOpuntia ficus-indicaunder field using subsurface water retention technology: changes in physiological and biochemical parameters
Authors: Lahbouki Soufiane , Ech-chatir Lahoucine , Er-Raki Salah , Outzourhit Abdelkader , Meddich Abdelilah 
Published: May 2022

The prickly pear ( Opuntia ficus-indica) is an essential economic and ecological medicinal plant in arid and semi-arid areas, especially in Morocco, where water scarcity affects its survival and growth. Evidence suggests that subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) may enhance crops’ drought resistance. A field experiment was conducted to explore SWRT application effects on cactus cladodes’ growth and physiological and biochemical performance under drought conditions. Two water regimes were applied (rainfed conditions; irrigated with 4 L of water twice a week) with two treatments (without SWRT; with SWRT). The results showed that cactus cladodes’ growth and physiological and biochemical parameters cultivated for 8 months were negatively affected by drought. Drought-exposed cactus cladodes under SWRT application showed an increase in surface area and cladode stomatal densities by 65% and 29%, respectively, compared with no SWRT. This technology reduced drought-induced oxidative stress by mitigating malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide excess by 22% and 17%, respectively. Moreover, lower levels of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities were concluded, and soil organic matter and assimilable phosphorus contents were enhanced. In conclusion, our findings highlighted SWRT’s positive impacts on the tested parameters, thus presenting it as a promising technology for cactus growth and development improvement under water deficiency.
A concept for the extraction of the most refractory elements at CERN-ISOLDE as carbonyl complex ions
Authors: Ballof J. , Chrysalidis K. , Düllmann Ch. E. , Fedosseev V. , Granados E. , Leimbach D. , Marsh B. A. , Ramos J. P. , Ringvall-Moberg A. , Rothe S. , Stora T. , Wilkins S. G. , Yakushev A. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWe introduce a novel thick-target concept tailored to the extraction of refractory 4d and 5d transition metal radionuclides of molybdenum, technetium, ruthenium and tungsten for radioactive ion beam production. Despite the more than 60-year old history of thick-target ISOL mass-separation facilities like ISOLDE, the extraction of these most refractory elements as radioactive ion beam has so far not been successful. In ordinary thick ISOL targets, their radioisotopes produced in the target are stopped within the condensed target material. Here, we present a concept which overcomes limitations associated with this method. We exploit the recoil momentum of nuclear reaction products for their release from the solid target material. They are thermalized in a carbon monoxide-containing atmosphere, in which volatile carbonyl complexes form readily at ambient temperature and pressure. This compound serves as volatile carrier for transport to the ion source. Excess carbon monoxide is removed by cryogenic gas separation to enable low pressures in the source region, in which the species are ionized and hence made available for radioactive ion beam formation. The setup is operated in batch mode. Initially, we investigate the feasibility of the approach with isotopes of more than 35s half-life. At the cost of reduced efficiency, the concept could also be applied to isotopes with half-lives of at least one to 10s. We report parameter studies of the key processes of the method, which validate this concept and which define the parameters for the setup. This would allow for the first time the extraction of radioactive molybdenum, tungsten and several other transition metals at thick-target ISOL facilities.
Research on Adsorption and Desorption Characteristics of Gas in Coal Rock Based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Technology
Authors: Wu Xukun , Zhao Guangming , Xu Youlin , Meng Xiangrui , Cheng Xiang 
Published: May 2022

In order to explore the change characteristics of the adsorption and desorption performance of coal under high gas pressure, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LFNMR) technology was used to conduct experimental research on coal adsorption and desorption. The results show that (1) the

T

2

spectrum distribution diagram shows adsorption peaks (

T

2

=
0.01

ms
~
1

ms

) and free peaks (

T

2

=
5

ms
~
1000

ms

); (2) with the increase of equilibrium pressure, the peak area of adsorbed methane gradually increased at first and then tended to equilibrium. The initial increase rate of free methane was slower than that of adsorbed methane, and the increase rate of free methane was faster in the later stage; (3) the relationship between the amount of adsorbed gas in the adsorption state of coal and the gas pressure conforms to the Langmuir equation. Taking the equilibrium pressure

P
=
8.7

MPa as the critical hysteresis pressure, it can be divided into two stages which are higher gas pressure (0.5~8.7 MPa) and high gas pressure (8.7~10.33 MPa); the amount of adsorbed gas in the free state has a linear relationship with the gas pressure, and there is no obvious hysteresis; (4) comparative analysis under the same experimental conditions, the mass of the adsorbed gas in the desorption process is greater than the mass of the adsorbed gas in the adsorption process, and there is basically no difference in the mass of the free gas.