bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual Semantics of Memes: (Re)Interpreting Memetic Content and Form for Information Studies
Authors: Smith Alexander O. , Tacheva Jasmina , Hemsley Jeff
Published: October 2022

Here we attempt to contextualize memetics for Information Studies by reinterpreting Internet Memetics. In doing so, we propose a way to empirically study semantics of informational content. This is done by collecting images from meme entries on KnowYourMeme, a digital meme repository, and clustering features found in those images. The features are found using Google Cloud Vision, Google's computer vision project. We suggest how informational meaning (semantics) is shaped between similarity (operating as the idea of the meme) and difference (features in the image). Early results show that memetic ideas may be referenced as the shape of information across image collections.
Importance measures for performance shaping factors of human reliability analysis
Authors: de Albuquerque Tob R. , Oliva José de Jesús R. , Saldanha Pedro L. C. , Garcia Pauli Adriano A.
Published: October 2022

The crew of a nuclear‐powered submarine under development in Brasil plays an important role in its safety. For this reason, crew members must be trained in procedures against undesired events. However, information that would help to accurately decrease human error probability (HEP) on board nuclear‐powered submarines is not available in the literature. Therefore, a methodology is required to obtain this information. This study introduces importance measures to evaluate the contribution of performance shaping factors (PSFs) and their levels to HEP. Importance measures Fussell‐Vesely, risk reduction worth, risk achievement worth, and Birnbaum importance, commonly used in probabilistic safety assessment, are introduced to identify PSFs and PSF levels that contribute the most to HEP. The proposed approach is focused on identifying HEP's main contributors, oriented toward decision‐making. The methodology uses the PSFs established in the Standardized Plant Analysis Risk‐Human Reliability Analysis method and a Bayesian network to quantify HEP. Moreover, the results of an application case demonstrate the method's effectiveness in integrating expert opinions into representative values of HEP and in identifying critical PSFs and PSF levels that should be the object of the decision‐making process to improve human performance.
Structural response assessment of ultra‐high performance concrete shear walls under cyclic lateral loads
Authors: Kulkarni Abhijit , Shafei Behrouz , Epackachi Siamak
Published: October 2022

Ultra‐high performance concrete (UHPC) is an emerging class of cementitious materials with the strength and durability characteristics that far exceed those of normal‐strength concrete (NSC). While the use of UHPC in bridge structures has significantly advanced, the same cannot be stated for building structures. Among possible building applications, this study focuses on the use of UHPC in shear walls, where a significant loading demand is anticipated from the lateral loads due to wind and/or earthquake events. Upon validating a set of finite‐element models with the experimental test results, a holistic investigation has been performed in the current study to evaluate a variety of UHPC shear walls. In particular, the main structural response measures, including initial stiffness, force‐displacement relationship, and strength loss under cyclic lateral loads, have been extracted and compared. The study has been then extended to systematically investigate the effects of key design variables, such as wall thickness, aspect ratio, axial force, steel reinforcement, presence of boundary elements, and strength of embedded steel bars. The outcome of this study provides the building sector with firsthand information regarding the possibility of replacing NSC with UHPC in shear walls. This will be an important step forward to improve the safety and performance of building structures, especially where they are exposed to a high risk of wind and/or earthquake hazards.
Den Patienten wirklich verstehen lernen: Real-world-Evidenz aus der „patient journey“
Authors: Zyumbileva Petya , Uebe Maria , Rudolph Stefanie , von Kalle Christof
Published: October 2022

Hintergrund

Die COVID-19-Pandemie („coronavirus disease 2019“) hat die Bedeutung von Real World Data (RWD) im klinischen Alltag unterstrichen und die fatalen Folgen von längst existierenden Problemen wie Lücken in der Primärdatenerfassung, Hürden bei der Auswertung von Patientendaten sowie erschwertem Patientendatenaustausch zwischen verschiedenen Einrichtungen nochmal deutlich gemacht. Darüber hinaus haben Entwicklungen weg von einem paternalistischen hin zu einem partnerschaftlichen Modell der Arzt-Patienten-Beziehung sowie die zunehmende Digitalisierung unser Verständnis von Gesundheitsversorgung geprägt, das Thema der Patientenautonomie und Selbstwirksamkeit in den Vordergrund gebracht und den Bedarf an innovativen, patientenzentrierten Lösungsansätzen verdeutlicht.

Methoden

Wir nutzen die „patient journey“ als theoretisches Konstrukt, entlang dessen wir die Sammlung von verschiedenen Typen von RWD, ihre Bedeutung und Umgang damit beschreiben.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Abbildung der „patient journey“ in Verbindung mit der Nutzung eines einheitlichen Datenstandards kann zur Erfassung von Primärdaten im Gesundheitswesen führen, die von allen medizinischen Behandlungseinrichtungen genutzt werden können. Dies wird den Austausch von Daten zwischen Einrichtungen erleichtern. Darüber hinaus könnte die fortlaufende Auswertung von patientenberichteten Ereignissen als Standard in der klinischen Routine die Patientenautonomie stärken und die Behandlung optimieren. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass der Behandlungserfolg, das Gesamtüberleben und das Wohlbefinden der Patienten durch die Schaffung einer gemeinsamen Datensprache und eines ganzheitlichen, menschenzentrierten Ansatzes verbessert werden können.
On Visuals and Selling the Promise of Sexual Plaisir and Pleasure in Abidjan
Authors: Diabate Naminata
Published: October 2022

Diabate examines images and news reports about rampant sexual permissiveness in Abidjan and its online environs. Attention to the visual dimension of this pleasure explosion highlights the presence of homines economici. Considering buyers of aphrodisiacs or butt/breast-enhancing products not as uninformed agents, but instead as rational actors who are sensitive to images leads makers and retailers to invest in branding and marketing. Thus, these images and products of pleasure have evolved in an economy of producing, promising, purchasing, and satisfying needs. Analyzing the entanglement of visuality and economic calculus enables a move beyond the moralizing tendency in discussions of pleasure.
Language, Skin Tone, and Attitudes toward Puerto Rico in the Aftermath of Hurricane Maria
Authors: RIVERA-BURGOS VIVIANA
Published: October 2022

Understanding the factors that lead Americans to racialize putatively race-neutral policies is increasingly important in a diversifying society. This paper focuses on the case of disaster relief for Puerto Ricans in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. I draw on a framework of racial and ethnic subordination with two dimensions: inferiority–superiority, operationalized by skin color, and foreignness–Americanness, operationalized by language. I conduct a nationally representative survey experiment that varies the skin tone (light or dark) and language (English or Spanish) of otherwise similar actors who portray hurricane victims. The results suggest that two stigmatized attributes, dark skin and foreign language, do not always render an individual “doubly stigmatized.” Instead, for an already racialized group like Puerto Ricans, perceived foreignness may offset Americans’ stereotypes about the cultural pathologies of a racial underclass. Therefore, this paper underscores the importance of a multidimensional and intersectional approach to the study of racial and ethnic politics.
Factors influencing menstrual regulation and its socioeconomic inequalities among ever-married women in Bangladesh: Findings from a nationwide cross-sectional survey
Authors: Kundu Satyajit
Published: October 2022

Despite a significant drop in maternal mortality in Bangladesh, unsafe abortion remains a critical maternal health issue that could be reduced by promoting menstrual regulation (MR). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of MR use among ever-married women as well as to identify the socioeconomic inequalities in MR use in Bangladesh. The latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18 data were used in this study. We used a sub-sample of 12,586 ever-married women aged 15 to 49 years for this study. To identify the determinants of MR, multilevel (mixed-effect) binary logistic regression analysis was used while accounting for potential between-clusters variations. The weighted prevalence of MR was 7.64% (95% CI: 7.19 - 8.12). Women of aged 20-29 years (AOR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.46, 4.30) and ≥ 30 years (AOR: 4.17, 95% CI: 2.39, 7.26), from urban areas (AOR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.47), having one or two children (AOR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.09) and ≥ 3 children (AOR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.40, 3.65), who used traditional contraceptive method (AOR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.73), and from Barishal division (AOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.93) were more likely to have MR. Women were less likely to have MR if they were from Chittagong (AOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.84) and Mymensingh (AOR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.73) divisions. MR use was found to be higher among higher socioeconomic status (SES) groups as the concentration index (CIX) value was positive and the Lorenz curve lay below the line of equality (CIX: 0.095, p<0.001). Health policy and intervention design should prioritize minimizing socioeconomic inequities concerning MR services.
Majority language vocabulary and nonword repetition skills in children attending minority language immersion education
Authors: Chondrogianni Vasiliki , Judge-Clayden Florence , Butcher Morna
Published: October 2022

The present study examined nonword repetition (NWR) and comprehension/production of single-word vocabulary in the majority language (English) in six- to eight-year-old English-Gaelic emergent bilingual children attending Gaelic-medium primary education (GMPE) (primary years 2 and 3). GMPE is an immersion education model found in Scotland where the minority language, Gaelic, is the language of instruction, whereas English is the majority community language, not supported in school in the first three years of primary schooling. All children spoke English as their first language (L1) and had varying exposure to the second language (L2) Gaelic outside the school setting. We investigated how individual factors, such as age and frequency of exposure, and psycholinguistic factors, such as task modality, word class (for vocabulary), frequency, length, and prosody (for NWR), influenced performance. Later exposure to Gaelic and higher nonverbal IQ were contributing predictors of performance for English vocabulary. For NWR, participants with earlier and longer exposure to Gaelic who also used both languages at home more performed significantly better on this task. These results suggest that minority language immersion education differentially affects majority language abilities; later L2 onset benefited L1 vocabulary learning, whereas earlier L2 onset boosted L1 NWR skills in these bilinguals.
Billion-Year Rewind Tracks Supercontinents and Mantle Structures
Authors: Tripathy-Lang Alka
Published: October 2022

Scientists have traced past pathways of tectonic plates back a billion years using computer models, with intriguing results. Incorporating geologic data as a check on model output, however, has proven tricky.
Climatology of Nighttime Medium‐Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances at Mid and Low Latitudes Observed by the DEMETER Satellite in the Topside Ionosphere During the Period 2005–2010
Authors: Nguyen C. T. , Berthelier J.‐J. , Petitdidier M. , Amory‐Mazaudier C. , Le Huy M.
Published: October 2022

Thermal ion measurements from the French Detection of Electro‐Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions micro‐satellite have been used to study the climatology of nighttime Medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) in the topside ionosphere at 650 km altitude during the 6 years of the satellite operation, from 2005 to 2010. This period encompasses the declining phase of solar cycle 23, the deep solar minimum of 2008–2009 and the early rise of solar cycle 24. MSTIDs were detected from the quasi‐periodic variations of the density of the dominant ionospheric O+ ions. Mostly present between ∼15° and ∼40° invariant latitudes with a small number of events in equatorial regions, the MSTIDs exhibit, on the average, larger occurrence rates in the Southern hemisphere with a peak in the Eastern Pacific‐South America longitude sector. The dependence of MSTID activity on solar activity appears more complex than the previously reported simple anti‐correlation. In addition to year‐to‐year variations, our study has, in particular, put in evidence a noticeable hemispheric asymmetry in the seasonal variations during the deep solar minimum of 2008–2009. These statistical observations provide a remarkable observational support to the key role of sporadic Es layers and the conjugate mapping of the associated electric fields. Yet, improved theoretical and numerical models, taking into account the actual inter‐hemispheric differences of the seasonal and solar activity variations of thermospheric and ionospheric processes, are needed for a better understanding of the highly complex MSTID phenomena.
A Computationally Efficient Method for Estimating Multi‐Model Process Sensitivity Index
Authors: Dai Heng , Zhang Fangqiang , Ye Ming , Guadagnini Alberto , Liu Qi , Hu Bill , Yuan Songhu
Published: October 2022

Identification of important processes of a hydrologic system is critical for improving process‐based hydrologic modeling. To identify important processes while jointly considering parametric and model uncertainty, Dai et al. (2017), https://doi.org/10.1002/2016WR019715, developed a multi‐model process sensitivity index. Numerical evaluation of the index using a brute force Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is computationally expensive, because it requires a nested structure of parameter sampling and the number of model simulations is on the order of (N being the number of parameter samples). To reduce computational cost, we develop a new method (here denoted as quasi‐MC for brevity) that uses triple sets of parameter samples (generated using quasi‐MC sequence) to remove the nested structure of parameter sampling in a theoretically rigorous way. The quasi‐MC method reduces the number of model simulations from the order of to 2N. The performance of the method is assessed against the brute force MC approach and the recent binning method developed by Dai et al. (2017), https://doi.org/10.1002/2016WR019715, through two synthetic cases of groundwater flow and solute transport modeling. Due to its rigorous theoretical foundation, the quasi‐MC method overcomes the limitations imposed by the inherently empirical nature of the binning method. We find that the quasi‐MC method outperforms both the brute force MC and the binning method in terms of computational requirements and theoretical aspects, thus strengthening its potential for the assessment of process sensitivity indices subject to various sources of uncertainty.
Transcriptional signatures of wheat inflorescence development
Authors: VanGessel Carl , Hamilton James , Tabbita Facundo , Dubcovsky Jorge , Pearce Stephen
Published: October 2022

In order to maintain global food security, it will be necessary to increase yields of the cereal crops that provide most of the calories and protein for the world’s population, which includes common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). An important wheat yield component is the number of grain-holding spikelets which form on the spike during inflorescence development. Characterizing the gene regulatory networks controlling the timing and rate of inflorescence development will facilitate the selection of natural and induced gene variants that contribute to increased spikelet number and yield. In the current study, co-expression and gene regulatory networks were assembled from a temporal wheat spike transcriptome dataset, revealing the dynamic expression profiles associated with the progression from vegetative meristem to terminal spikelet formation. Consensus co-expression networks revealed enrichment of several transcription factor families at specific developmental stages including the sequential activation of different classes of MIKC-MADS box genes. This gene regulatory network highlighted interactions among a small number of regulatory hub genes active during terminal spikelet formation. Finally, the CLAVATA and WUSCHEL gene families were investigated, revealing potential roles for TtCLE13, TtWOX2, and TtWOX7 in wheat meristem development. The hypotheses generated from these datasets and networks further our understanding of wheat inflorescence development.
Massive expansion of multiple clones in the mouse hematopoietic system long after whole-body X-irradiation
Authors: Yoshida Kengo , Satoh Yasunari , Uchimura Arikuni , Misumi Munechika , Kyoizumi Seishi , Taga Masataka , Matsuda Yukiko , Noda Asao , Kusunoki Yoichiro
Published: October 2022

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is prevalent in the elderly and associates with hematologic malignancy and cardiovascular disease. Although the risk of developing these diseases increases with radiation doses in atomic-bomb survivors, the causal relationship between radiation exposure and CH is unclear. This study investigated whether radiation exposure induces CH in mice 12–18 months after 3-Gy whole-body irradiation. We found radiation-associated increases in peripheral blood myeloid cells and red blood cell distribution width (RDW). Deep sequencing of bone marrow and non-hematopoietic tissue cells revealed recurrent somatic mutations specifically in the hematopoietic system in 11 of 12 irradiated mice but none in 6 non-irradiated mice. The irradiated mice possessed mutations with variant allele frequencies (VAFs) of > 0.02 on an average of 5.8 per mouse; mutations with VAFs of > 0.1 and/or deletion were prevalent. Examining hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in two irradiated mice revealed several mutations co-existing in the same clones and multiple independent clones that deliver 60–80% of bone marrow nuclear cells. Our results indicate development of massive CH due to radiation exposure. Moreover, we have characterized mutations in radiation-induced CH.
Contactless crystallization method of protein by a magnetic force booster
Authors: Maki Syou , Hagiwara Masayuki
Published: October 2022

We developed a new type of compact magnetic force booster by which we succeeded in crystallizing proteins (hen egg white lysozyme) while making them levitate in a solution without contacting the container. This technique is noteworthy in the practical merit that we could control the growth of crystals from the initial stage of nucleation in a magnetic field of merely a few Tesla. The shape of the booster was designed in accordance with the dynamical stability against external forces acting on the crystals. Under a stable condition, the crystals condensed spherically, and formed a “shellshaped” crystallization with a hollow interior. Our magnetic force booster has the potential for use in innovation, especially in the field of protein crystal engineering.
Gum Arabic protects the rat heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways
Authors: Gouda Eman , Babiker Fawzi
Published: October 2022

Gum Arabic (GA) is a plant exudate with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. GA has shown promise in protection from and treatment of kidney failure, however, its role in the protection of the heart from ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) has not been investigated. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Gum Arabic (GA) in the protection of the heart against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Langendorff-perfused Wistar rat hearts were divided into seven groups. One group which was subjected to I/R with no other treatment served as the control group. The second group was subjected to buffer perfusion with no ischemia (sham group). The third group was perfused with GA in the absence of ischemia (sham + GA). The rest of the hearts were isolated from rats that had been treated with GA for 4 or 2 weeks in the drinking water, or GA that had been infused intravenously 2 h before sacrifice or added to perfusion buffer at reperfusion. Hemodynamics data were digitally computed; infarct size was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and cardiomyocyte injury was assessed by quantifying creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes. The total oxidants (TOS) and antioxidants (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels were estimated by ELISA. GA treatment for 2 weeks, 4 weeks or 2 hours before sacrifice resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in cardiac hemodynamics and reduction in infarct size and cardiac enzyme levels compared to respective controls. However, GA administration at the time of reperfusion did not protect the hearts against I/R injury. Furthermore, GA treatment decreased the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. The levels of TOS in the effluent were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) and SOD levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by GA administration. GA protected the heart against I/R injury when administered for 2 or 4 weeks or when infused 2 hours before sacrifice. GA treatment decreased the total oxidants levels, the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 protein levels and increases SOD and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 protein levels.
Recognition of Interrupted Speech, Text, and Text-Supplemented Speech by Older Adults: Effect of Interruption Rate
Authors: Fogerty Daniel , Madorskiy Rachel , Vickery Blythe , Shafiro Valeriy
Published: October 2022

Purpose:

Studies of speech and text interruption indicate that the interruption rate influences the perceptual information available, from whole words at slow rates to subphonemic cues at faster interruptions rates. In young adults, the benefit obtained from text supplementation of speech may depend on the type of perceptual information available in either modality. Age commonly reduces temporal aspects of information processing, which may influence the benefit older adults obtain from text-supplemented speech across interruption rates.

Method:

Older adults were tested unimodally and multimodally with spoken and printed sentences that were interrupted by silence or white space at various rates.

Results:

Results demonstrate U-shaped performance-rate functions for all modality conditions, with minimal performance around interruption rates of 2–4 Hz. Comparison to previous studies with younger adults indicates overall poorer recognition for interrupted materials by the older adults. However, as a group, older adults can integrate information between the two modalities to a similar degree as younger adults. Individual differences in multimodal integration were noted.

Conclusion:

Overall, these results indicate that older adults, while demonstrating poorer overall performance in comparison to younger adults, successfully combine distributed partial information across speech and text modalities to facilitate sentence recognition.
Development of On-line Physical Education Teaching Mode Based on Computer Multimedia and Network System
Authors: Tang Yangcheng , Tang Jihong
Published: October 2022

Online physical education is an important way to promote the high-quality development of physical education in the environment of wisdom education. By giving full play to the advantages of the application of computer multimedia and network system and integrating all kinds of high-quality physical education teaching resources, we can provide students with rich content and vivid process in physical education teaching classes, promote students to better integrate into physical education teaching activities, the real realization of physical education goals of teaching. This paper analyzes the advantages of online physical education based on computer multimedia and network system, and discusses the online physical education teaching mode according to the requirements of Physical Education Innovation.
Design of English Teaching System Platform Based on Multimedia Network-Assisted Instruction
Authors: Zhu Dongmei
Published: October 2022

Multimedia network-assisted instruction (mcai) provides intelligent support for innovative English teaching. By giving full play to the advantages of multimedia network-assisted instruction (mcai), it presents a vivid and three-dimensional English classroom for students, it will improve the efficiency of English teaching in an all-round way and improve students' understanding and cognition. Based on the analysis of the design principles of the English teaching system platform based on the multimedia network-assisted instruction (mcai), this paper pforward a design scheme of the English teaching system platform based on the multimedia network-assisted instruction.
Research on the Construction of Cloud Accounting Framework Based on the Integration of Enterprise Financial Accounting and Management under the Background of "Internet +"
Authors: Duan Ruiyuan
Published: October 2022

Under the background of "Internet +", by taking advantage of the framework of cloud accounting, we will actively promote the deep integration of enterprise financial accounting and management accounting, to provide scientific and reasonable decision-making suggestions for the development of enterprise operation, and to improve the efficiency of enterprise operation. Based on the background of "Internet +", this paper puts forward some suggestions on the construction of cloud accounting framework, aiming at the problems existing in the integration of enterprise financial accounting and management.
A Study on the Cultivation System of Educational Informatization Ability of English Majors in Normal Schools under the Background of Information Technology
Authors: Wang Cuiying , Yu Xiaozhe
Published: October 2022

The educational informatization ability of English major normal school students is the endogenous variable that drives the reform of English education system, and it is also the key to drive the development of education modernization. Training and improving the educational informatization ability of English majors is a brand-new ability requirement under the information technology. In order to better adapt to the new teaching environment and improve the effectiveness of education, based on the characteristics of English major and the basis of students, the system of cultivating the educational informatization ability of English major normal school students should be constructed by integrating the information technology background. Based on the background of the application of information technology, this paper puts forward some strategies for the construction of the educational informatization competence training system for English majors.
The application of computer technology in the design of hospital exterior space environment
Authors: Mao Yandi , Meng Pei
Published: October 2022

The key point of hospital external space environment design is to keep the balance of hospital ecological environment system, by making rational use of natural, artificial landscape and other resources, according to the basic requirements of ecology, culture and publicity of hospital public environment, the integration of hospital building and external space environment is ensured to better meet the public service function of hospital. In order to improve and optimize the design quality of hospital exterior space environment in intelligent design environment, we should adhere to the concept of healthy landscape and give full play to the advantages of computer technology, to explore the design scheme of hospital external space environment based on computer technology.
Analysis of management information construction mode of state-owned enterprises in big data era
Authors: Gao Jing
Published: October 2022

Management Information Construction is an important part of modern enterprise construction, and it is also an inevitable choice to push state-owned enterprises to adapt to the trend of intelligent times. If state-owned enterprises want to gain a firm foothold in the market and achieve greater operating benefits, they must start from the "Internet +" environment and combine the management scale and operation concept of state-owned enterprises, actively set up the concept of modern development and steadily advance the construction of informatization. By analyzing the background of state-owned enterprise management informatization construction in big data era and combining the direction of state-owned enterprise management informatization construction, this paper puts forward the concrete construction strategies of informatization construction mode.
Experimental measurement of cooler pressure loss of Formula student car
Authors: Bajić Stefan , Pelikán Martin , Rostás Kateřina
Published: October 2022

To achieve the maximum performance of an engine while maintain safety of the race car, it is essential to cool it properly. Therefore, this article deals with the experimental measurement of the cooling modules pressure drop of the formula student car. Leading to the right choice of the fan behind the radiator. Series of measurements were taken at the UWB in the wind tunnel of the department of Power System Engineering.
Steam turbine flow path drainage system under different operating conditions
Authors: Hoznedl Michal , Bém Jindřich
Published: October 2022

One of the important elements of anti-erosion protection of the steam turbine last blades is the use of hollow stator blades. There are grooves on the blade surface that lead the steam mixture inside the blades. This mixture is blown to the diffuser area. However, the drain principle fails for low outputs of the turbine, during the so-called ventilation regimes. In the part of blade section the steam flow is reversed and the flow part drain stops working. It was confirmed using experiments of steam turbine carried out in a wide range of power outputs.
Preliminary Experimental Investigation of the Design-Overloaded Stage in Two-Stage Axial Turbine Test Rig
Authors: Jelínek Tomáš , Němec Martin , Milčák Petr , Fichtl Richard
Published: October 2022

The article deals with the issue of experimental research of the so-called design overloaded stage. A new experimental device enabling measurements on two-stage axial turbine is advantageously used in this research task. The experimental setup is designed so that a preparatory stage is included in front of the examined stage. The stage design introduces some aerodynamic overload already in the flow path design phase. This research program is focused primarily on the effect of leakage flows and their mixing with the mainstream. This paper describes the verification measurements on a newly introduced two-stage arrangement and reveals the first data obtained.
Effects of trace Mn and B on microstructure and memory properties of additive manufacturing Cu-Al-Fe alloy
Authors: Mao Jizhou , Wang Hongyu , Chen Sheng , Feng Jianchao , Zhu Changshun
Published: October 2022

In this paper, the Cu-13Al-4Fe alloy was selected as the object, and the powder core wire with the “skin coated powder” damage-resistant structure was selected as the material for additive manufacturing. Three kinds of alloys: Cu-13Al-4Fe, Cu-13Al-4Fe-0.6Mn, and Cu-13Al-4Fe-0.2B were prepared by wire arc additive manufacturing technology. An optical microscope observed the as-deposited and quenched microstructures of the alloys before and after adding trace fourth phase elements. Their shape recovery rates under different pre-strain amounts (4%, 6%, and 8%) were tested by the bending deformation method, and the results were obtained. The mechanism of action of the fourth phase elements is discussed. The results show that the addition of trace amounts of Mn and B not only refines the microstructure of additively manufactured Cu-Al-Fe alloys but also improves the memory properties of Cu-13Al-4Fe alloys. Especially the Cu-13Al-4Fe alloys with trace amounts of B added. the shape recovery rate is 100% under the pre-strain of 4% and 6%, and the shape recovery rate is still 98.39% under the pre-strain of 8%.
Weak cuspidality and the Howe correspondence
Authors: Epequin Jesua
Published: October 2022

We study the effect of the Howe correspondence on Harish-Chandra series for type I dual pairs over finite fields with odd characteristic. We define a bijection obtained from this correspondence, and enjoying the property of “having minimal unipotent support”. Finally, we examine the interaction between the Howe correspondence and weak cuspidality.
Use of a novel handheld ultrasound device with continuous-wave doppler capability for the assessment of valvular heart disease
Authors: Sachpekidis V , Papadopoulou S L , Kantartzi V , Styliadis I , Nihoyannopoulos P
Published: October 2022

Background/Introduction

Echocardiography is the primary non-invasive imaging method for the diagnosis and evaluation of valvular heart disease. Doppler echocardiography provides accurate non-invasive evaluation of valve hemodynamics. Recent technological advancements have enabled the acquisition of echocardiographic images at the point-of-care by using small handheld ultrasound devices (HUDs); their availability and relatively low cost compared to the high-end systems have made these devices attractive to use for rapid medical decision making. However, the inability to quantify flow velocity has been a major limitation for HUDs; the lack of spectral Doppler capability has so far hindered the comprehensive assessment of haemodynamic data and valve function.

Purpose

To evaluate for the first time the accuracy of a novel HUD with continuous-wave (CW) Doppler capability to measure flow velocity in valvular heart disease.

Methods

We prospectively included 56 consecutive patients who were referred to the echocardiography laboratory of a tertiary hospital. All patients were scanned with both the Kosmos HUD and the standard echocardiography cart-based system (reference standard) in a randomized order. CW Doppler measurements of maximum velocities (Vmax) were obtained from the apical five-chamber view for the aortic ejection and regurgitation and from the apical four-chamber view for the mitral and tricuspid regurgitation (presence assessed by colour Doppler), maintaining a parallel orientation between the ultrasound beam and the blood flow. All measurements were compared to assess inter-method agreement using linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis.

Results

The acquisition of CW Doppler signal using the HUD was feasible in 55 out of 56 patients (mean age 66±16 years old, 40% female). Among them, there were 31 cases of (at least mild) aortic stenosis and 23 cases of valvular regurgitation (4 aortic, 6 mitral and 13 tricuspid regurgitations). There was excellent correlation between the HUD and the cart-based system CW Doppler for the aortic Vmax measurements (r=0.99, p<0.001) and for the valvular regurgitation Vmax measurements (r=0.98, p<0.001). The corresponding Bland-Altman plots showed a small underestimation bias of −0.13 m/sec (p<0.001), with limits of agreement ±0.41 m/sec for the aortic Vmax and −0.21 m/sec (p=0.003), with limits of agreement ±0.57 m/sec for the valvular regurgitation Vmax measurements.

Conclusion

A novel HUD with CW Doppler spectral analysis was able to provide peak jet velocity measurements comparable to the standard cart-based echocardiography systems, in patients with valvular stenosis and regurgitation. Such expanded capabilities of HUDs show clinical potential and may lead to the improvement of the assessment of valvular pathology at the point-of-care.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.
Prevalence of non-infectious masses on intracardiac devices as incidental finding during transoesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Kuecken T , Jasaityte R J , Haase-Fielitz A H F , Butter C B
Published: October 2022

Background

Incidentally detected masses on the leads of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) present a clinical dilemma and often raise the question whether they should be treated as a device infection. Indeed, they are considered as one of the major Duke criteria for the diagnosis of infectious device endocarditis. However, rather often incidental lead masses are detected in a routine transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in patients without any signs of infection. Data on the prevalence of such findings are scarce and outdated.

Purpose

In this study, we aimed to determine the current prevalence and predisposing clinical factors of incidental non-infectious lead masses.

Methods

In this retrospective single center study, we analyzed all TOE examinations performed between 2020 and 2021 for the indications other than suspected infectious endocarditis. Patients with nonsuspicious leads and the ones with incidental non-infectious lead masses were compared with regard to clinical characteristics, presence of anticoagulation and indication for TOE.

Results

In total, 1361 TOE examinations were performed within the study period. From those 141 patients with CIED were selected. Thirty-nine patients (27.6%) presented with non-infectious CIED masses. The clinical characteristics of study patients and the TOE indications are listed in Table 1. Patients with incidental CIED mass showed a higher prevalence of dilated cardiomyopathy (38.5%) compared to patients with no CIED mass (16.7%), p=0.004 Table 1. The presence of laboratory sings of infection and cardiovascular risk factors, such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease did not differ significantly between both groups (Table 1). Also, incidental lead masses were less prevalent in patients with oral anticoagulation (Odds ratio 0.33, 95% CI: 0.11–1.00; p=0.048; Figure 1), whereas the distribution of CHA2DS2-VASc Scores did not show any differences.

Conclusion

The prevalence of incidental non-infectious CIED lead masses in TOE in our study was 27,6%, which is higher, than previously reported 5–10%. We did not observe any association between the incidental CIED lead masses and cardiovascular comorbidities. The absence of the oral anticoagulation seems to be the only clinical risk factor for such findings in our study, suggesting possible thrombogenic genesis. The high prevalence of incidental non-infectious lead masses should be kept in mind in order to avoid the overdiagnosis of CIED infection and unnecessary lead extraction.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s).
The predictive value of carotid artery strain and strain-rate in assessing the 3-year risk for stroke and acute coronary syndrome in patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Arnautu D A , Vacarescu C , Arnautu S F , Gaita L , Cozma D , Gaita D
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The goal of this study is to see if carotid strain and strain rate can predict major cardio-vascular events (MACE) in people who have metabolic syndrome (MS) over a 3-year period of time.

Methods

In this prospective observational research, we enrolled 220 adult MS patients (60.7±7.5 years old, 53% male). Bilateral 2D common carotid carotid artery (CCA) speckle-tracking ultrasound was used to determine the peak circumferential strain (CS) and the peak circumferential strain rate (CSR). Clinical outcomes were assessed throughout a three-year follow-up period.

Results

After a 3-year follow-up period follow-up, 14 (7%) experienced MACE: Eight (4%) suffered an atherothrombotic ischemic stroke, four (2%) had acute coronary syndrome, and two (1%) were hospitalized for heart failure. Univariate regression analysis of the clinical and echocardiographic features of the MS patients found that age, systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and the CCA circumferential strain and strain rate were significantly associated with the risk of MACE. Multivariate logistic regression identified two independent predictors of MACE in patients with MS, namely the CCA-related CS (%) and CSR (1/s), P<0.01. The ROC curve analyses of these independent predictors of MACE indicated appropriate sensitivities and specificities. CS (AUC = 0.806, sensitivity = 82.6%, specificity = 79.2%, P<0.0001); CSR (AUC = 0.779, sensitivity = 82.6%, specificity = 72.4%, P<0.0001). The cut-off values were ≤2.9% for carotid CS and ≤0.35 s–1 for carotid CSR. Using these cut-off values, we obtained Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and these showed that MACE, ischemic stroke, and ACS-free survival was significantly lower among the MS patients with lower carotid CS and CSR (P<0.0001).

Conclusion

Carotid CS and CSR were independent predictors of major cardio- and cerebrovascular events in prospectively monitored MS patients without established cardiovascular disease. Carotid deformation could be valuable as an early prognostic indicator for the cardiovascular risk in this population group.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.
The relative importance of left atria reservoir strain compared with components of HFA-PEFF diagnostic algorithm
Authors: Kim M , Jung I H , Bae S
Published: October 2022

Background/Introduction

The relative importance of the left atrial reservoir strain (LARS) compared to the parameters constituting the HFA-PEFF score developed as a diagnostic tool for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is not well known.

Purpose

We aimed to identify the relative importance of LARS compared with variables associated with HFpEF and HFA-PEFF score including echocardiographic parameters, demographic data, and NT-proBNP.

Methods

From August 2021 to March 2022, we obtained data retrospectively from the participants visiting our clinic in a single cardiovascular center. The 1,252 participants with sinus rhythm and ejection fraction more than 50% were enrolled in the present study (61.8±16.6 years and 55% female). Multivariable regression analysis using backward elimination and random forest analysis, supervised learning algorithm, were performed to identify the relative importance of LARS on the HFA-PEFF score.

Results

The median HFA-PEFF score was 3 points (interquartile range 2 to 4 points). Two hundred forty-one subjects (19.2%) had more than 5 points. LARS showed a moderate correlation with the HFA-PEFF score (r=−0.632, p<0.001). In multivariable regression analysis, LARS was independent variable affecting HFA-PEFF score with female sex, left atrial volume index (LAVI), septal e', E over e' (septal), the maximal tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TR-Vmax), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS), NT-proBNP, interventricular septal wall thickness (standardized β=−0.106; P<0.001). In random forest analysis, LARS was a more relatively important variable than TR-Vmax, NT-proBNP, septal E/e', septal e', the major echocardiographic components of HFA-PEFF score estimating more than 5 points of HFA-PEFF score.

Conclusions

LA reservoir strain is one of the important factors with components of the HFA-PEFF score which is a useful tool to assess the patients with HFpEF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.
Cardiac structure and function in veteran recreational endurance athletes
Authors: Sorensen E , Myrstad M , Oie E , Solberg M G , Tveit A , Aaronaes M
Published: October 2022

Background

Even though physical activity is inversely associated with cardiovascular disease, long-term endurance exercise increases the risk of AF in middle-aged and older men, and has been linked to cardiac structural changes mimicking arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy on susceptible individuals. Healthy younger athletes adapt to the increased demands of exercise with symmetric enlargement of the cardiac chambers with preserved functional properties. Data describing cardiac structure and function in older veteran athletes after decades of performing endurance exercise are scarce and add essential information when wanting to discern physiological from pathological remodeling in this group.

Purpose

To investigate cardiac structural and functional remodeling in relation to long-term endurance exercise in veteran athletes.

Methods

To cover the entire range of physical activity in the population, the study comprised two independent cohorts; Veteran male athletes who had participated in the annual 54 km Birkebeiner cross-country ski race and men who had participated in a population-based health survey. Individuals with a history of cardiac arrhythmias were excluded. Regular endurance exercise was defined as exercise for ≥30 minutes at least three times weekly with the purpose of increasing physical endurance capacity and self-reported as categories of years of regular endurance exercise. All participants underwent a resting echocardiographic examination. A One-way ANOVA with polynomial contrasts was conducted to explore the effect of years of endurance exercise on cardiac size and function.

Results

178 men with a mean age of 70.9±6.5 years were included in the study, 89 veteran athletes, who had practiced regular endurance exercise for an average of 40–50 years, and completed an average of 19 annual Birkebeiner ski races and 89 individuals from the general population. Fifty-seven had never performed regular endurance exercise, 29 1–20 years of exercise, 25 20–40 years of exercise, and 67 >40 years of endurance exercise.

Left atrial, left ventricular, right atrial, and right ventricular dimensions increased with cumulative years of exercise (p<0.001), while function remained similar in all cardiac chambers.

Conclusion

Atrial and ventricular dimensions increased with cumulative years of endurance exercise. Atrial and ventricular function assessed by strain, however, seemed to be unaffected by long-term exposure to exercise. These results suggest recreational endurance athletes preserve normal cardiac function despite athletic remodeling.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): A Ph.D. grant from the DAM foundationA grant from the Raagholt foundation
The prognostic value of right ventricular free wall and global longitudinal strain in the general population
Authors: Espersen C , Hauser R , Skaarup K G , Lassen M C H , Johansen N D , Olsen F J , Jensen G , Schnohr P , Moegelvang R , Biering-Soerensen T
Published: October 2022

Background

Right ventricular free wall (RVFWLS) and global longitudinal strain (RV4CLS) have been shown to be prognostic of adverse events in various patient groups including patients with heart failure (HF).

Purpose

We sought to investigate the prognostic value of RVFWLS and RV4CLS for the development of incident HF in participants from the general population.

Methods

Participants from the echocardiographic substudy of the 5th Copenhagen City Heart Study (2011–2015) without chronic ischemic heart disease or heart failure at baseline were included. RVFWLS and RV4CLS were obtained using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography from the RV-focused apical 4-chamber view. The primary endpoint was incident HF.

Results

Among 2,804 participants (mean age 55, 42% male), 45 (1.6%) developed HF during a median follow-up of 5.4 years (IQR 4.5–6.3). Both RVFWLS and RV4CLS were associated with increased risk of HF in univariable cox regression analysis (HR 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.12, p=0.003, and HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11–1.31, p<0.001, respectively). Upon adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes and body mass index (BMI), both RVFWLS and RV4CLS remained associated with increased risk of incident HF (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00–1.11, p=0.038 and HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04–1.22, p=0.004, respectively).

Conclusion

RVFWLS and RV4CLS were associated with an increased risk of incident HF in participants from the general population independent of age, sex, hypertension, diabetes and BMI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.