bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on drilling hole sequence planning based on a double-arm drilling machine
Authors: Zhu Limin
Published: May 2024

Based on the integrated structure characteristics of the double-arm drilling machine, there are two kinds of interference between drilling and excavation operations. Through the simplified calculation of the structure model of the left and right drilling arms, the drilling range of the double-arm drilling and loading machine is obtained. Through the calculation of the structure model of the excavation arm, the excavation range is obtained. The interference area and pure interference area exist in the operation range of the three working arms. Taking the drilling arrangement of the section of the 2556 north wing transport lane in Xinji No.1 Mine as an example, the drilling hole sequence to avoid interference is planned for the 52 drilling holes in the drilling range and interference range of the left and right drilling arms, which solves the operation interference of the three working arms and plans two optimal drilling hole sequences. It provides a reference for the subsequent industrial application of various types of drilling machines in coal mines.
Comparative analysis of dynamic load characteristics of artillery steering gear based on different MBD methods
Authors: Si Dongya , Yu Kaiping , Luo Tianfang , Fang Wenmin , Ru Yan
Published: May 2024

The multi-body dynamics analysis model of the steering gear of a certain type of artillery was established. The dynamic load characteristics of the output gear of the steering gear motor and its driven gear under the given speed and load conditions were calculated based on the three different MBD analysis methods, such as the speed, meshing force, and contact stress. Through the comparative analysis, it was concluded that the calculation results of rigid-flexible coupling analysis were closer to the theoretical value and the fluctuation range was smaller, which provides reference and basis for the prediction of gear fatigue life and the optimization design under dynamic load conditions.
3D printing path method for multi-tow continuous carbon fiber
Authors: Zeng Lingwei , Zhang Fan , Zhang Xinghua , Tu Yiwen
Published: May 2024

Carbon fiber composite materials have many excellent characteristics such as high temperature resistance, friction resistance, thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, so carbon fiber composite materials have become the first choice for printing materials. In order to improve the printing efficiency of carbon fiber 3D printing technology, it has been expanded to four side-by-side nozzles based on traditional single nozzles, and four nozzles are bound to print side by side. The four-nozzle side-by-side printing path has the problem of coordinating the motion planning of each nozzle, controlling the squeezing difference of each nozzle, and adjusting the angle of the print head, so it is necessary to reasonably control the squeezing amount of each nozzle and the angle of the print head. After the slicing processing based on the existing model, the Gcode code of the model is obtained. The Gcode code of the model is processed through the multi-tow continuous carbon fiber 3D printing path planning algorithm. The movement trajectory of each nozzle of the printer is reasonably planned based on the outer wall coordinates and the extrusion amount of each nozzle is controlled. Finally, the snipping instruction is executed after a circle of trajectory to print the next layer of motion trajectory, which ultimately improves the 3D printing while ensuring the accuracy of multi-beam model 3D printing.
Composite wick heat pipe fabrication and performance study
Authors: Wei Juguo , Huang Silong , Jiang Qing , He Xinhua
Published: May 2024

A composite wick heat pipe is designed and prepared: a copper mesh is fixed on the copper pipe, and copper powder is filled in the gap between the mesh and the mandrel through the mandrel. A test device is assembled to test the maximum thermal conductive power and temperature stabilization time of the heat pipe. The results show that: the composite wick structure and the copper powder structure compared with the ultimate heat transfer performance increased by 20%, when the heat capacity is increased, the overall temperature difference will increase accordingly, and the optimal liquid injection rate of 100%, the ultimate power of up to 100 W, when filling with powder, it has the best thermal conductivity, the ultimate heat transfer power in the state of gravity is three times higher than that of the state of resistance to gravity, and it is 28.6% higher than that in the state of horizontality. The composite wick structure starts 17.6% faster than the copper powder structure.
Study on the performance of porous polyimide bearing cage material modified with molybdenum disulfide and glass fiber
Authors: Chen Jiangxiong , Qin Hongling , Xu Xiang , Zeng Yi , Chen Kangni
Published: May 2024

This study explores material modification utilizing molybdenum disulfide and glass fiber as lubricating and reinforcing modified materials respectively. The specimens underwent tests for mechanical-physical properties, oil storage capacity and frictional characteristics. The differential analysis identified the optimal mechanical-physical properties of the porous composite PI material at a molding pressure of 192 MPa, molding temperature of 330°C, 9% of AC foaming agent content, 8% of molybdenum disulfide content, and 20% of glass fiber content. The wear coefficient increased with load and decreased with rotational speed, indicating the suitability of this porous composite oil-retaining PI material for medium-high-speed and low-load frictional conditions.
Study of rupture behavior of 40Cr ring-scored bursting diaphragms
Authors: Tao Jie , Pan Xiaobin , Gao Qixuan , Yao Yi
Published: May 2024

The rupture diaphragm is a key part of pressure control in the launcher and the reliability of the rupture pressure is directly related to the internal ballistic performance. In order to study the rupture behavior of the 40Cr annular scored diaphragm under internal ballistic conditions and the remaining thickness of the diaphragm’s scoring, the stress-strain curve of the diaphragm is obtained by fitting the internal ballistic loading curve and simulation, the relationship between the rupture pressure and the remaining thickness of the scoring is established and the accuracy of the simulation is verified by the blasting test.
Effect of mo content on the microstructure and properties of powder metallurgy iron based friction materials
Authors: Qin Qun , Wang Tianguo
Published: May 2024

This article uses powder pressing and sintering methods to prepare iron-based friction materials. The influence of molybdenum on the microstructure and comprehensive properties of powder metallurgy friction materials was studied from the aspects of density, hardness, and wear resistance. The results show that with the increase of Mo mass fraction, the sintering density of iron-based friction materials gradually increases, and the hardness of sintered materials first shows an increasing trend. As the Mo content increases by more than 12%, the hardness of sintered friction materials decreases. With the addition of Mo, the wear amount of the friction material first decreases and then increases. When the mass fraction of Mo added to the sintered friction material is 12%, the wear rate of the material is lower than that of other samples, and it has good wear resistance. Adding Mo element to iron copper based friction materials improves the wear resistance of sintered friction materials due to the strengthening effect of Mo.
Electrochemical study on under-deposit corrosion evolution of oil pipelines
Authors: Yang Chao
Published: May 2024

In the development of oil and gas fields, due to the sand, calcium, and magnesium ions in the produced liquid, the under-deposit corrosion formed by deposition during the transportation process has become one of the key factors of pipeline failure. Therefore, aiming at the problem of CaCO3 under-deposit corrosion in CO2-flooded oil pipelines, this paper studied the influence of deposit thickness change on metal corrosion based on electrochemical experiments, image characterization, and corrosion product analysis. The results showed that the corrosion process of the deposit layer can be divided into three stages. (1) The deposit layer promoted the movement of the electrolyte and then enhanced the corrosion rate of the matrix, leading to the increase of the size and maximum pit depth of the matrix, which was manifested as a rapid negative shift of the open circuit potential. (2) The deposit layer played a certain physical shielding role, leading to the size and maximum pit depth of the pit decreasing, and the number of pits increasing, at which the open circuit potential basically remained unchanged. (3) The deposit layer can play an effective physical shielding role, and the oxygen concentration corrosion inside and outside the deposit layer made the number of pits increase sharply, which was manifested as a slow negative shift of open circuit potential. The deposit layer mainly affected the cathode reaction process of the corrosion process. With the increase of the deposit thickness, the metal corrosion intensified with an increasing corrosion current density.
Investigation of segregation behaviour in 2060 aluminium-lithium alloy during twin-roll casting
Authors: Yu Wei , Li Yong
Published: May 2024

The utilization of the twin-roll casting process to fabricate aluminium (Al) - lithium (Li) alloys is regarded as an efficient and energy-saving strategy to meet the aerospace industry’s demands for reducing processing steps, cost-effectiveness, and corrosion resistance. This study successfully achieved the preparation of Al-Li alloy twin-roll cast slabs across various processing ranges to investigate the corrosion resistance differences in different processing conditions. Remarkable macro segregation phenomena were observed in the fabrication under high twin-roll casting speeds for TRC-3. By combining temperature and flow rate calculations, we comprehensively analysed the results of this segregation mechanism. The segregation is inherited into the final T6 state microstructure, exacerbating the precipitation of the T1 phases and deteriorating the ultimate corrosion resistance performance. We delved into a profound discussion regarding the mechanistic impact of segregation on corrosion behaviour. Ultimately, this study postulates a process parameter range for twin-roll casting of Al-Li alloys, aimed at attaining minimal segregation and maximal corrosion resistance.
Renormalization group flows from the Hessian geometry of quantum effective actions
Authors: Kluth Yannick , Millington Peter , Saffin Paul M
Published: May 2024

We explore a geometric perspective on quantum field theory by considering the configuration space spanned by the correlation functions. Employing n-particle irreducible effective actions constructed via Legendre transforms of the Schwinger functional, this configuration space can be associated with a Hessian manifold. This allows for various properties and uses of the n-particle irreducible effective actions to be re-cast in geometrical terms. In the 2PI case, interpreting the two-point source as a regulator, this approach can be readily connected to the functional renormalization group. Renormalization group flows are then understood in terms of geodesics on this Hessian manifold.
Passive and active field theories for disease spreading
Authors: te Vrugt Michael , Jeggle Julian , Wittkowski Raphael
Published: May 2024

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant growth of interest in the development of mathematical models that allow to describe effects such as social distancing measures, the development of vaccines, and mutations. Several of these models are based on concepts from soft matter theory. Considerably less well investigated is the reverse direction, i.e. how results from epidemiological research can be of interest for the physics of colloids and polymers. In this work, we consider the susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR)-dynamical density functional theory (DDFT) model, a combination of the SIR model from epidemiology with DDFT from nonequilibrium soft matter physics, which allows for an explicit modeling of social distancing. We extend the SIR-DDFT model both from an epidemiological perspective by incorporating vaccines, asymptomaticity, reinfections, and mutations, and from a soft matter perspective by incorporating noise and self-propulsion and by deriving a phase field crystal (PFC) model that allows for a simplified description. On this basis, we investigate via computer simulations how epidemiological models are affected by the presence of non-reciprocal interactions. This is done in a numerical study of a zombie outbreak.
Utilization of Landsat Imagery and Google Earth Engine to Analyze the Urban Growth Dynamics in Thuan An City, Binh Duong Province
Authors: Thi Anh Thu Tran , Thi An Tran , Le Tan Dat Nguyen , Kim Loi Nguyen
Published: May 2024

The study utilized satellite imagery data including Landsat 7 and Landsat 9 combined with Google Earth Engine to classify and evaluate the urban land cover for the period from 2012 to 2022. Supervised classification based on random forest algorithm has been carried out on Google Earth Engine cloud-computing platform to map the urban land cover of Thuan An city, Binh Duong province, Vietnam. The research findings provide a clear understanding of urban dynamics in Binh Duong province during the years from 2012 to 2022. Over this time period, the urban area in Thuan An has nearly doubled, increasing from 2,793 hectares to 5,059 hectares. This information will assist urban managers and local planners in gaining insights into the scale and trends of urban development, enabling them to implement effective management and sustainable development measures for the city and its environment.
Developing a tool to identify residential areas out of preschool service areas with buffer analysis
Authors: Hoang Oanh Huynh , Thong Nhat Tran
Published: May 2024

Preschool education is the first level of education system and the foundation for the sense of learning that is to develop physically and mentally of each person. The provision of adequate preschools for all children to attend preschool is a requirement in Viet Nam today. The development of residential areas in big cities has seen many areas lack preschools in recent years. However, to identify areas where there is a potential lack of preschools accurately, tools with the right technology and data are needed. With that need, the study applied GIS technology with buffer space analysis to identify sufficient residential areas and lack of preschools when there are preschool locations in the area to be identified. Through the test results for the distribution of school sites in different residential areas, the tool has produced accurate, fast and efficient calculation results compared to manual calculations. This tool is easy to implement because it does not need a lot of data, but to increase the accuracy and reality of distances when determining the area serving each school site, it is necessary to study additional traffic network data and apply network analysis tool
Application of GIS and Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) in Land Evaluation at Ninh Phuoc District, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam
Authors: Hoang L H , Tran T T , Luyen H C , Nguyen D H , Nguyen T H
Published: May 2024

This study was conducted to assess land suitability (land evaluation) in the Ninh Phuoc districts in order to identify evidence for recommending main crops effectively and sustainably using agricultural land under drought conditions. Results indicated that Ninh Phuoc district had 83 land mapping units (LMUs), with 10 main land use types (LUTs) of rice, annual cash crops, and perennial plants. About 99.2% of agricultural land was classified as high suitability (S1), moderate suitability (S2), and marginal suitability (S3) for most LUTs, while non-suitability (N) lands were very small (0.8%). This study’s land suitability classification analysis has offered valuable insights into the current land use situation in Ninh Phuoc district and proposes sustainable land management recommendations. It has taken into account various land use criteria and assumptions. The study has proposed the following actions for sustainable land use: (i) Maintain highly suitable (S1) and moderately suitable (S2) land areas, (ii) Renovate or convert marginally suitable land (S3) to suitable tree planting/forestation, (iii) Convert unsuitable land (N) to forestry, grass, or plants that enhance soil quality, and (iv) Preserve existing forest areas without encroachment. Specific results in Ninh Phuoc district when applying land suitability classification for future orientation are as follows: maintain 14,859.31 ha, which has high suitability (S1) and moderate suitability (S2) levels; maintain 30.78 hectares of grass and convert 335 hectares to other suitable trees/forest plantations for the suitable marginal area (S3); Convert 122 ha of Not Suitable (N) to afforestation/grass/apply land soil improvement measure; For more than 3700 hectares of unused land, put into use 343.53 ha for growing spice plants, 8.67 ha for rice, 677.18 ha for planting forest trees, 2,691.50 ha for development of pasture and grazing.
Analyzing Rice land changes using Remote sensing and GIS in Ben Tre province, Viet nam
Authors: Huynh Yen Nhi , Le Ngoc Lam
Published: May 2024

Ben Tre province is located at the downstream of the Mekong river system where there are three ecosystems: saline, brackish and freshwater, which create favorable conditions for the development of the horticultural economy and the marine economy. Faced with the impact of climate change and market demand, agricultural planning has been adjusted to land use planning. In which, the rice land area was adjusted to decrease to suit the actual situation. This study applies Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess the change process in the rice land area of Ben Tre province over 6-time points 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2023. Through land cover classification results from Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellite image data, the study analyzes the process of converting rice land to other land types. From there, the study evaluates the effectiveness of converting agricultural land use purposes. The research results contribute to connecting the master plan for socio-economic development with land use planning in the future.
Molten glass-mediated conditional CVD growth of MoS2 monolayers and effect of surface treatment on their optical properties
Authors: Aras Fikret Gonca , Suleiman Abdulsalam Aji , Parsi Amir , Kasirga Talip Serkan , Yeltik Aydan
Published: May 2024

In the rapidly developing field of optoelectronics, the utilization of transition-metal dichalcogenides with adjustable band gaps holds great promise. MoS2, in particular, has garnered considerable attention owing to its versatility. However, a persistent challenge is to establish a simple, reliable and scalable method for large-scale synthesis of continuous monolayer films. In this study, we report the growth of continuous large-area monolayer MoS2 films using a glass-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. High-quality monolayer films were achieved by precisely controlling carrier gas flow and sulfur vaporization with a customized CVD system. Additionally, we explored the impact of chemical treatment using lithium bistrifluoromethylsulfonylamine (Li-TFSI) salt on the optical properties of monolayer MoS2 crystals. To investigate the evolution of excitonic characteristics, we conditionally grew monolayer MoS2 flakes by controlling sulfur evaporation. We reported two scenarios on MoS2 films and flakes based on substrate-related strain and defect density. Our findings revealed that high-quality monolayer MoS2 films exhibited lower treatment efficiency due to substrate-induced surface strain. whereas defective monolayer MoS2 flakes demonstrated a higher treatment sensitivity due to the p-doping effect. The Li-TFSI-induced changes in exciton density were elucidated through photoluminescence, Raman, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results. Furthermore, we demonstrated treatment-related healing in flakes under variable laser excitation power. The advancements highlighted in our study carry significant implications for the scalable fabrication of diverse optoelectronic devices, potentially paving the way for widespread real-world applications.
Dynamic control of spontaneous emission using magnetized InSb higher-order-mode antennas
Authors: Aghili Sina , Alaee Rasoul , Ahmadnejad Amirreza , Mobini Ehsan , Mohammadpour Mohammadreza , Rockstuhl Carsten , Dolgaleva Ksenia
Published: May 2024

We exploit InSb’s magnetic-induced optical properties to design THz sub-wavelength antennas that actively tune the radiative decay rates of dipole emitters at their proximity. The proposed designs include a spherical InSb antenna and a cylindrical Si-InSb hybrid antenna demonstrating distinct behaviors. The former dramatically enhances both radiative and non-radiative decay rates in the epsilon-near-zero region due to the dominant contribution of the Zeeman-splitting electric octupole mode. The latter realizes significant radiative decay rate enhancement via magnetic octupole mode, mitigating the quenching process and accelerating the photon production rate. A deep-learning-based optimization of emitter positioning further enhances the quantum efficiency of the proposed hybrid system. These novel mechanisms are promising for tunable THz single-photon sources in integrated quantum networks.
Physics-inspired spatiotemporal-graph AI ensemble for the detection of higher order wave mode signals of spinning binary black hole mergers
Authors: Tian Minyang , Huerta E A , Zheng Huihuo , Kumar Prayush
Published: May 2024

We present a new class of AI models for the detection of quasi-circular, spinning, non-precessing binary black hole mergers whose waveforms include the higher order gravitational wave modes

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harmonics. These AI models combine hybrid dilated convolution neural networks to accurately model both short- and long-range temporal sequential information of gravitational waves; and graph neural networks to capture spatial correlations among gravitational wave observatories to consistently describe and identify the presence of a signal in a three detector network encompassing the Advanced LIGO and Virgo detectors. We first trained these spatiotemporal-graph AI models using synthetic noise, using 1.2 million modeled waveforms to densely sample this signal manifold, within 1.7 h using 256 NVIDIA A100 GPUs in the Polaris supercomputer at the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility. This distributed training approach exhibited optimal classification performance, and strong scaling up to 512 NVIDIA A100 GPUs. With these AI ensembles we processed data from a three detector network, and found that an ensemble of 4 AI models achieves state-of-the-art performance for signal detection, and reports two misclassifications for every decade of searched data. We distributed AI inference over 128 GPUs in the Polaris supercomputer and 128 nodes in the Theta supercomputer, and completed the processing of a decade of gravitational wave data from a three detector network within 3.5 h. Finally, we fine-tuned these AI ensembles to process the entire month of February 2020, which is part of the O3b LIGO/Virgo observation run, and found 6 gravitational waves, concurrently identified in Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo data, and zero false positives. This analysis was completed in one hour using one NVIDIA A100 GPU.
Ecosystem functional types of the circumpolar Arctic tundra based on the seasonal dynamics of vegetation productivity
Authors: Armstrong Amanda , Alcaraz-Segura Domingo , Raynolds Martha , Epstein Howard
Published: May 2024

Biodiversity, when viewed through the combined lenses of compositional, structural, and functional attributes, provides for a holistic understanding of the complexities found within community assemblages and ecosystems. However, advancement in our understanding of how ecosystem functional diversity interacts with structural and compositional diversity metrics is lacking, in part because universally applied methodologies to derive ecosystem functional classifications are still under development and vary widely across scales, extents and biomes. This study presents a methodology to construct ecosystem functional types (EFTs), or areas of the land surface that function similarly, using the MODIS NDVI record, for the terrestrial circumpolar Arctic. EFTs were derived from the seasonal dynamics of NDVI, over the Arctic tundra at 250 m resolution and compared to bioclimate subzones and to structurally and compositionally defined vegetation units of the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map (CAVM). Correspondence analyses of CAVM EFTs to previously delineated CAVM bioclimatic subzones, physiognomic (vegetation) units and floristic provinces revealed a general congruence, indicating convergence across composition, structure, and function; yet also demonstrated substantial functional variability even within bioclimate subzones and vegetation units. Strong latitudinal gradients in ecosystem function are present, with EFT richness ranging from low (34) in northernmost regions to high (45) in southernmost regions. Locally, the mountainous regions of northern Alaska, and eastern and western Siberia had high spatial variability in ecosystem functioning. Aside from these generalities, we found that EFTs varied widely within individual mapped vegetation units, successfully capturing the functional dimension of biodiversity across the circumpolar Arctic tundra.
The contribution of pulses to net zero in the UK
Authors: Horril Marcus , Maguire Rosanne , Ingram John
Published: May 2024

The UK agrifood sector is estimated to be responsible for a quarter of the UK’s territorial greenhouse gas emissions, making it a priority sector for the UK’s net zero commitments by 2050. Pulses have been commonly identified as significant in driving emissions reduction throughout the value chain, whilst also delivering multiple co-benefits for biodiversity, soils, local economy, and human health. This review takes a food systems perspective on the potential of pulses to help achieve net zero in UK agrifood. It explores how pulses can increase the net zero impact of each of the key activities and their associated stakeholders: producers, processors and manufacturers, transportation and storage operators, consumers, and waste handlers. In so doing, the review contributes to a field which tends to focus on the two ends of the value chain (production and consumption), as these have been the areas of main interest to date. It thereby accentuates the ‘missing middle’ (what happens between the farm gate and the plate) in mainstream net zero discussions. While it identifies many opportunities in all food system activities along the entire value chain, it also discusses the significant social, economic and technological barriers to increasing the production and consumption of pulses in the UK. Knowledge of producing pulses has dwindled, yields are not economically competitive, the infrastructure to support processing lacks investment, and consumer behaviour is only slowing shifting towards a more pulse-rich diet. A coordinated shift is required across the pulse system to capitalise on the overall net zero opportunities from ‘fork to farm’.
On the divergence of Taylor series in de Branges–Rovnyak spaces
Authors: Parisé Pierre-Olivier , Ransford Thomas
Published: May 2024

It is known that there exist functions in certain de Branges–Rovnyak spaces whose Taylor series diverge in norm, even though polynomials are dense in the space. This is often proved by showing that the sequence of Taylor partial sums is unbounded in norm. In this note we show that it can even happen that the Taylor partial sums tend to infinity in norm. We also establish similar results for lower-triangular summability methods such as the Cesàro means.
A note on the anisotropic Bernstein problem in ℝ³
Authors: Rosales César
Published: May 2024

It was proved by Jenkins [Arch. Rational Mech. Anal. 8 (1961), 181–206] that a smooth entire graph in

R

3

{\mathbb {R}}^3

with vanishing anisotropic mean curvature must be a plane. By using a calibration argument and a stability inequality we show here a different self-contained proof of this result, which is still valid when the anisotropic mean curvature is constant.
Nutrition for dementia prevention: a state of the art update for clinicians
Authors: Townsend Rebecca , Fairley Andrea , Gregory Sarah , Ritchie Craig , Stevenson Emma , Shannon Oliver M
Published: May 2024

Background and objectives

Dementia prevalence continues to rise. It is therefore essential to provide feasible and effective recommendations to encourage healthy brain ageing and reduce dementia risk across the population. Appropriate nutrition represents a potential strategy to mitigate dementia risk and could be recommended by clinicians as part of mid-life health checks and other health initiatives to reduce dementia prevalence. The purpose of this review is to provide a clinician-focused update on the current state of the knowledge on nutrition and dementia prevention.

Methods

Narrative review.

Results

Strong evidence exists to support the consumption of healthy, plant-based dietary patterns (e.g. Mediterranean, MIND or Nordic diet) for maintaining cognitive function and reducing dementia risk in later life and is supported by dementia prevention guideline from leading public health bodies (e.g. World Health Organization). Emerging evidence suggests potential cognitive benefits of consuming specific nutrients/foods (e.g. n-3 fatty acids or fish, flavonols and B-vitamins) and multi-nutrient compounds (e.g. Fortasyn Connect). Challenges and opportunities for integrating nutritional/dietary interventions for dementia prevention into clinical practice are explored in this review.

Conclusions

Appropriate nutrition represents an important factor to help facilitate healthy cognitive ageing and allay dementia risk. The information provided in this article can help clinicians provide informed opinions on appropriate nutritional strategies as part of mid-life Health Checks and other risk reduction initiatives.
The association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and cognitive ageing
Authors: van Soest Annick P M , van de Rest Ondine , Witkamp Renger F , de Groot Lisette C P G M
Published: May 2024

Background

The EAT-Lancet commission has proposed a dietary pattern that is both sustainable and healthy. However, the impact of this diet on cognition in older adults remains unexplored. Therefore, we examined the association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and cognitive ageing.

Methods

We used data from a previous intervention study involving cognitively healthy community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years. Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was calculated using a recently published index and a 190-item food frequency questionnaire. Global and domain-specific cognitive functioning were assessed at baseline and after 2 years using a neuropsychological test battery. Multivariate-adjusted linear regression was conducted to examine associations between EAT-Lancet diet adherence and cognitive functioning (n = 630) and 2-year change (n = 302).

Results

Greater adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was associated with better global cognitive functioning (β per SD = 3.7 points [95% CI]: 0.04 [0.00, 0.08]) and slower rate of decline (β per SD [95% CI]: 0.05 [0.02, 0.08]). With respect to domain-specific functioning, beneficial associations were observed cross-sectionally for executive functioning (P < 0.01), and longitudinally for change in executive functioning (P < 0.01) and attention and working memory (P < 0.01). The degree of adherence to the EAT-Lancet was not associated with (changes in) information processing speed or episodic memory.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that greater adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet is associated with better global cognitive functioning and slower cognitive decline among cognitively healthy older adults. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and assess the potential benefits of the EAT-Lancet diet for the ageing population in a broader context.
The effect of current antithrombotic therapy on mortality in nursing home residents with COVID-19: a multicentre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Boutkourt Firdaouss , van Haaps Thijs , Brüggemann Reneé , Bhoelan Soerajja , ten Cate Hugo , Kruip Marieke J H A , Spaetgens Bart , van Es Nick , Roest Tineke , Joling Karlijn J , Meijer Karina , Hugtenburg Jacqueline
Published: May 2024

Background

The first wave of COVID led to an alarmingly high mortality rate among nursing home residents (NHRs). In hospitalised patients, the use of anticoagulants may be associated with a favourable prognosis. However, it is unknown whether the use of antithrombotic medication also protected NHRs from COVID-19-related mortality.

Objectives

To investigate the effect of current antithrombotic therapy in NHRs with COVID-19 on 30-day all-cause mortality during the first COVID-19 wave.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study linking electronic health records and pharmacy data in NHRs with COVID-19. A propensity score was used to match NHRs with current use of therapeutic dose anticoagulants to NHRs not using anticoagulant medication. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality, which was evaluated using a logistic regression model. In a secondary analysis, multivariable logistic regression was performed in the complete study group to compare NHRs with current use of therapeutic dose anticoagulants and those with current use of antiplatelet therapy to those without such medication.

Results

We included 3521 NHRs with COVID-19 based on a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 or with a well-defined clinical suspicion of COVID-19. In the matched propensity score analysis, NHRs with current use of therapeutic dose anticoagulants had a significantly lower all-cause mortality (OR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.58–0.92) compared to NHRs who did not use therapeutic anticoagulants. In the secondary analysis, current use of therapeutic dose anticoagulants (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.48–0.82) and current use of antiplatelet therapy (OR 0.80; 95% CI: 0.64–0.99) were both associated with decreased mortality.

Conclusions

During the first COVID-19 wave, therapeutic anticoagulation and antiplatelet use were associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality in NHRs. Whether these potentially protective effects are maintained in vaccinated patients or patients with other COVID-19 variants, remains unknown.
Anatomical Insights on the Cervical Nerve for Contemporary Face and Neck Lifting: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Cakmak Ozcan , Buyuklu Fuat , Kaya Kerem Sami , Babakurban Seda Türkoglu , Bogari Ahmad , Tunalı Selçuk
Published: May 2024

Background

Despite the significant roles it plays in the functions of the platysma and lower lip, the cervical branch of the facial nerve is often overlooked compared to other branches, but its consideration is critical for ensuring the safety of neck surgeries.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to clarify the anatomical discrepancies associated with the cervical branch of the facial nerve to enhance surgical safety.

Methods

The study utilized 20 fresh-frozen hemiheads. A 2-stage surgical procedure was employed, beginning with an initial deep-plane facelift including extensive neck dissection, followed by a superficial parotidectomy on fresh-frozen cadavers. This approach allowed for a thorough exploration and mapping of the cervical nerve in relation to its surrounding anatomical structures.

Results

Upon exiting the parotid gland, the cervical nerve consistently traveled beneath the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia for a brief distance, traversing the deep fascia to travel within the areolar connective tissue before terminating anteriorly in the platysma muscle. A single branch was observed in 2 cases, while 2 branches were noted in 18 cases.

Conclusions

The cervical nerve's relatively deeper position below the mandible's angle facilitates a safer subplatysmal dissection via a lateral approach for the release of the cervical retaining ligaments. Due to the absence of a protective barrier, the nerve is more susceptible to injuries from direct trauma or thermal damage caused by electrocautery, especially during median approaches.
Complete Vision Recovery After Filler-Induced Blindness Using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Friedman Rebecca , Coombs Allison V , Stevens Shanlee , Lisman Richard D , Chiu Ernest S
Published: May 2024

Injecting soft-tissue fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, has become an extremely popular method of facial augmentation. Although rare, adverse effects, ranging from cosmetically dissatisfactory to dangerous, may occur. The most severe adverse effect of these is vascular occlusion of the central retinal artery, resulting in vision loss. Protocols for the treatment of filler-induced blindness have not been well established, but there is evidence to suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may aid in the therapeutic algorithm for filler-induced blindness. We present a clinical case of filler-induced blindness successfully treated with prompt administration of HBOT. A 38-year-old healthy female presented to the emergency room after immediate pain and complete vision loss following an at-home injection of mail-order filler into the left glabella and medial eyebrow. After treatment with hyaluronidase and ocular massage, neither of which relieved her symptoms, she received HBOT within 10 h of the injury, after which her vision improved significantly. After 2 additional sessions, the patient had complete vision recovery. This case report contributes to the very sparse literature documenting successful treatment of filler-induced blindness using HBOT, advocating for further study, and possible incorporation into the treatment algorithm for filler-induced blindness. Improper soft-tissue filler administration possesses a potential risk of severe adverse effects. It is crucial that the medical community is aware of treatments that offer the highest chance of visual recovery and sustained benefit for patients.

Level of Evidence: 5
gMCSpy: efficient and accurate computation of genetic minimal cut sets in Python
Authors: Rodriguez-Flores Carlos J , Barrena Naroa , Olaverri-Mendizabal Danel , Ochoa Idoia , Valcárcel Luis V , Planes Francisco J
Published: May 2024

Motivation

The identification of minimal genetic interventions that modulate metabolic processes constitutes one of the most relevant applications of genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs). The concept of Minimal Cut Sets (MCSs) and its extension at the gene level, genetic Minimal Cut Sets (gMCSs), have attracted increasing interest in the field of Systems Biology to address this task. Different computational tools have been developed to calculate MCSs and gMCSs using both commercial and open-source software.

Results

Here, we present gMCSpy, an efficient Python package to calculate gMCSs in GEMs using both commercial and non-commercial optimization solvers. We show that gMCSpy substantially overperforms our previous computational tool GMCS, which exclusively relied on commercial software. Moreover, we compared gMCSpy with recently published competing algorithms in the literature, finding significant improvements in both accuracy and computation time. All these advances make gMCSpy an attractive tool for researchers in the field of Systems Biology for different applications in health and biotechnology.

Availability and implementation

The Python package gMCSpy and the data underlying this manuscript can be accessed at: https://github.com/PlanesLab/gMCSpy.
Incidence and trends of first basal cell carcinomas in France between 1980 and 2019: a regional population-based registry study
Authors: Hammas Karima , Nardin Charlée , Boyer Séverine , Michel Catherine , Aubin François , Woronoff Anne-Sophie
Published: May 2024

Background

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent malignancy reported in populations with fair skin. In most countries, BCCs are only partially or not at all recorded, and incidence data are lacking.

Objectives

This study assessed the current incidence rates and trends in the only two French départements where BCCs have been recorded for several decades.

Methods

This regional population-based study thus used data from two French cancer registries (Doubs and Haut-Rhin) where first-time BCC diagnoses were recorded. The European age-standardized incidence rates (EASR) were calculated per 100 000 person-years (PY). The trends and the annual percentages of change were assessed using joinpoint analysis.

Results

In all, 48 989 patients were diagnosed with a first BCC in the study period. The median age at diagnosis was 69 years and the BCCs were mainly located on the head and neck (68.8%). In the Doubs area between 1980 and 2016, the EASR of BCC increased from 59.9 to 183.1 per 100 000 PY. The annual increase for men was 5.73% before 1999 and 1.49% thereafter, and among women 4.56% before 2001 and 1.31% thereafter. In the Haut-Rhin area, the EASR increased from 139.2 in 1991 to 182.8 per 100 000 PY in 2019. Among men, the EASR increased annually by 2.31% before 2000, and by 0.29% after 2000; among women, it increased by 0.95% over the entire period (1991–2019). In the most recent period and for these two départements, the age-specific incidence rates of BCC for men and women were close before the age of 60 years, except for the 40–49-year age group, where the rates were significantly higher among women. For patients aged 60 years and over, men had much higher rates of BCC.

Conclusions

BCC incidence has increased since 1980 and is still rising, particularly among men and the elderly. A slowing was observed from 2000, which could be explained by a shift in the management of BCCs and by the possible efficacy of prevention actions. This study provides insight into the BCC burden in France and highlights the need to maintain effective prevention strategies, as incidence is still increasing.
What is the optimum post treatment surveillance imaging protocol for low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms and pseudomyxoma peritoneii?
Authors: Dempsey Philip J , Power Jack W , Yates Andrew H , Martín-Román Lorena , Aird John J , Mulsow Jürgen , Fenlon Helen M , Cronin Carmel G
Published: May 2024

Appendiceal mucinous neoplasms are rare and can be associated with the development of disseminated peritoneal disease known as pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). Mucinous tumours identified on appendicectomy are therefore followed up to assess for recurrence and the development of PMP. In addition, individuals who initially present with PMP and are treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) are followed up to assess for recurrence. However, despite the concerted efforts of multiple expert groups, the optimal imaging follow-up protocol is yet to be established. The purpose of this article is to review the available evidence for imaging surveillance in these populations to identify the optimum post-resection imaging follow-up protocol.
Association between anaesthesia–surgery team sex diversity and major morbidity
Authors: Hallet Julie , Sutradhar Rinku , Flexman Alana , McIsaac Daniel I , Carrier François M , Turgeon Alexis F , McCartney Colin , Chan Wing C , Coburn Natalie , Eskander Antoine , Jerath Angela , Perez d’Empaire Pablo , Lorello Gianni
Published: May 2024

Background

Team diversity is recognized not only as an equity issue but also a catalyst for improved performance through diversity in knowledge and practices. However, team diversity data in healthcare are limited and it is not known whether it may affect outcomes in surgery. This study examined the association between anaesthesia–surgery team sex diversity and postoperative outcomes.

Methods

This was a population-based retrospective cohort study of adults undergoing major inpatient procedures between 2009 and 2019. The exposure was the hospital percentage of female anaesthetists and surgeons in the year of surgery. The outcome was 90-day major morbidity. Restricted cubic splines were used to identify a clinically meaningful dichotomization of team sex diversity, with over 35% female anaesthetists and surgeons representing higher diversity. The association with outcomes was examined using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of 709 899 index operations performed at 88 hospitals, 90-day major morbidity occurred in 14.4%. The median proportion of female anaesthetists and surgeons was 28 (interquartile range 25–31)% per hospital per year. Care in hospitals with higher sex diversity (over 35% female) was associated with reduced odds of 90-day major morbidity (OR 0.97, 95% c.i. 0.95 to 0.99; P = 0.02) after adjustment. The magnitude of this association was greater for patients treated by female anaesthetists (OR 0.92, 0.88 to 0.97; P = 0.002) and female surgeons (OR 0.83, 0.76 to 0.90; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Care in hospitals with greater anaesthesia–surgery team sex diversity was associated with better postoperative outcomes. Care in a hospital reaching a critical mass with over 35% female anaesthetists and surgeons, representing higher team sex-diversity, was associated with a 3% lower odds of 90-day major morbidity.
Operative management of primary hyperparathyroidism in Europe
Authors: Norén Erik , Nordenström Erik , Bergenfelz Anders O J
Published: May 2024

Background

Multicentre studies have previously reported on national outcomes of surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism, but not investigated whether management and outcome are uniform among countries. This study investigated whether there are differences among European countries in operative management and outcome of surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Methods

Using data from Eurocrine®, a pan-European registry for endocrine surgeries, a retrospective observational cross-sectional multicentre study with 99 participating centres in 14 European countries was performed. Data on age, sex, calcium levels, operative strategy, conversion rate and rate of failed exploration were analysed for patients who underwent initial surgery for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. Primary outcome measures were intention to perform limited parathyroidectomy and the rate of hypercalcaemia at first follow-up.

Results

A total of 9548 patients were registered between 2015 and 2020. There were 7642 (80%, range 74.5–93.2%) females. There was intention to perform limited parathyroidectomy in 7320 of 9548 (76.7%) operations, ranging from 498 of 1007 (49.5%) to 40 of 41 (97.6%) among countries. Hypercalcaemia at first follow-up (median time to follow-up 15 days) was found in 416 of 9548 (4.4%) operations, ranging from 0 of 119 (0%) to 3 of 38 (7.9%) among countries.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated large differences in the intention to perform limited parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism among European countries, as well as differences in the rate of postoperative hypercalcaemia. Future studies are needed to evaluate the impact of these different healthcare practices on patient outcomes.