bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of Existing Literature Data on the Biomass Combustion Behavior in Industrial Grate-Fired Boilers
Authors: Silva João Pedro , Teixeira Senhorinha , Peters Bernhard , Teixeira José Carlos
Published: January 2022

In the last two decades, the interest in the use of solid biomass as a fuel for power generation, together with the continuous tightening of regulations, has motivated the improvement of accurate design techniques which are required to optimize the combustion process, new technologies, and simultaneously control pollutant emissions to the environment. The present review presents an overview of the existing CFD methodologies to model the entire interaction in a grate-fired boiler. This is an important task that delivers a meaningful and trustworthy conclusion that will benefit the community of researchers and engineers.

To date, several studies have been conducted experimentally and numerically. However, although it is difficult to draw a general conclusion about which strategy or models are the most appropriate to the combustion simulation inside a biomass grate-fired boiler, in general, numerical studies have been contributed to a better understanding of the development of this phenomenon, its analysis, and its optimization. Nonetheless, in the last years, a growing trend for integrated bed models inside the CFD models was observed. This approach has become popular due to the rapid advances in computational power and the requirement to obtain more detailed information on the phenomenon. This work is essential to the next task related to the development of a numerical model of biomass combustion grate-fired boiler. It will contribute to the results of industry-academic collaboration applying scientific research to understand and improve the combustion process inside an industrial boiler.
Numerical Simulation of the Flow Inside a Horizontal Closed Refrigerated Display Cabinet
Authors: Silva João , Guedes Vitor , Teixeira Senhorinha , Lobarinhas Pedro , Teixeira José Carlos , Rodrigues Nelson
Published: January 2022

A refrigerated display cabinet is a device often used to preserve the products contained inside while enabling the costumer to have a view to the products stored. The main objective of this work was to investigate, using the ANSYS Fluent software, the airflow in a horizontal closed refrigerated display cabinet to better understand the fluid flow behavior in its interior. The turbulent airflow and non-isothermal heat transfer process were computed in a 2D transient state mathematical model where the basic equations governing the transport phenomena inside of the refrigerated display cabinet were solved. Regarding the turbulence model, this was modeled with the three-equation model since it can address the boundary-layer transition regions within the cabinet. After a complete understanding of the fluid flow behavior inside the cabinet, the influence of the door opening was analyzed.

Results of the CFD simulations allowed to achieve a detailed mapping of the cooling process inside the equipment. Generally, stabilizing the interior temperature for an empty cabinet is rapidly achieved with minimal heat losses. The inclusion of products that are at a higher temperature than the cooling air creates a zone of high thermal inertia and makes the temperature stabilization a longer process. Even though specific equipment is used, the results provide standard information on the phenomena occurring inside the cabinet and contribute to the industry and academic society to understand and improve industrial products and obtain more information that is very reduced in the literature.
Analytical Impact Analysis of the Brain Motion in Low-Velocity Head Impacts Using Concentric Viscoelastic Bodies
Authors: Thapa Pradip , Mansoor Baghaei Shahab , Sadegh Ali M.
Published: January 2022

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and concussion could occur in vehicular accidents, contact sports, or other physical traumas when the head is subjected to high linear or angular acceleration. Understanding the physiology and dynamics of such events has attracted many researchers’ attention. Due to the hidden risks in such events, it is very important to understand the cause and effect of the relative motion between the brain and skull and the implications of normal and shear stresses in the meningeal region.

Since the early 70’s to date wide variations of experimental, analytical, and numerical models has been developed to analyze multilayer spherical head impact model to quantify the dynamic response of the human head due to blunt impact and explain the process and likely cause of mild traumatic brain injuries. There are many high-fidelity finite element models and research studies of the various head models, but very limited analytical models to date for parametric studies. Analytical models of head impact play a vital role in predicting relative displacement between skull and brain, transmitted forces, post-impact velocity, and acceleration of the head system. However, to define a reliable mathematical model which can illustrate the mechanisms of motion and deformation of the brain within the skull requires knowledge of dynamics of a multibody system, material properties, boundary conditions at the brain–skull interface, and experimental data or FEM simulation for validation.

In this paper, a mathematical model of the brain and meningeal layers, as two separate viscoelastic materials that are modeled using a Kelvin–Voigt model, have been investigated and the motion of the brain relative to the skull during blunt head impacts have been analyzed. Specifically, the model consists of three concentric spherical mediums including a spherical shell (skull), a thin spherical layer (meningeal layer), and a spherical mass (brain). The interface between these spherical mediums consists of springs and dashpots representing stiffness and viscoelasticity of the skull, meningeal layer, and the brain. This model of the head is initially at rest and subjected to an impulse load. The equations of motion for this multi-body system were obtained, solved, and validated by performing a lumped mechanical model and the multibody dynamics finite element analysis simulation. Multiple parametric studies were performed to determine the maximum amplitude of impact force for which there is a contact between the skull and the brain.
Assessment of Interlaminar Stress Components in Laminated Composites Manufactured by Ply-Drop Technique
Authors: Suresh Babu Sandeep , Mourad Abdel-Hamid I.
Published: January 2022

Tapered composites have found applications in a wide spectrum of areas, mainly owing to its weight savings and ’tailoring’ options possible for its mechanical properties. This calls for a thorough analysis required to predict the response of the tapered laminates, which are formed by dropping some part of the plies at certain fixed locations. The present study is a linear elastic finite element study of a three-dimensional rectangular laminate made of an orthotopic material T300/5208 graphite-epoxy unidirectional tape, and its response when exposed to an axial or extensional load. Delamination is the major source of failure in laminates with ply drop-offs. Therefore, only the major interlaminar stresses affects the behavior of the laminate and all other stresses which do not directly contribute to the interlaminar failure can be neglected. Based on the above observations, a two-dimensional model (2D) of a particular symmetric ply-configuration of the body, subjected to a tensile load is analyzed on a commercial package, ANSYS 16.2 and the results obtained are compared against established results. It is shown that stress concentration is high near the drop-off and becomes comparatively insignificant at further locations. This analysis can provide insight into the parameters affecting the strength and endurance of the structure to external load conditions and obtaining an ideal configuration extending scope of maximum performance.
Effects of Personal Protective Equipment on Spinal Column Loads From Underbody Blast Loading
Authors: Umale Sagar , Humm John R. , Yoganandan Narayan
Published: January 2022

Combat-related spine injuries from improvised explosive devices are attributed to vertical loading transmitted from the seat to the pelvis to the torso and head-neck regions. The presence of personal protective equipment (PPE) adds to the weight of the torso, influencing the load transmission within the vertebral column. In this study, a detailed mid-size male finite element model from the Global Human Body Models Consortium was used to investigate the effect of PPE on spine kinematics, forces, and moments along the vertebral column. The model was positioned on a rigid seat, such that the posture represented an upright seated soldier. Once positioned, the model was updated with PPE. The models, with and without PPE were simulated under two high acceleration vertical loading pulses and the spine accelerations, forces and moments were investigated. The PPE increased the spinal loads, with reduced time to peak. The presence of PPE increased forces in the cervical and thoracic spines up to 14% and 9%, while it decreased the lumbar spine forces up to 7%. PPE increased cervical spine extension moment up to 104%, thoracic spine flexion moment up to 14%, and decreased the lumbar spine flexion moment up to 11%. The increase in thoracic spine compressive forces and flexion moments due to PPE suggest increased risk of injury in compression-flexion, such as anterior or burst fractures of the thoracic vertebrae with or without the distraction of posterior elements/ligaments. Whereas, the PPE may be effective in reducing the injury in lumbar spine, with reduced forces and moments. The pulse variation showed that the seat velocity along with the acceleration influence the spine kinematics and further parametric studies are needed to understand the effectiveness of PPE for varying seat velocities/accelerations. Spinal accelerations peaked earlier with PPE; however, their peak and morphologies were unchanged. This study delineates the kinetics of the spine injury during underbody blast loading and the role of PPE on potential injuries and injury mechanisms based on forces and moments.
The Influence of Cooling Rate and Mold Temperature on Polymers Crystallization Kinetics in Injection Molding
Authors: Alzahrani Faisal J. , Duhduh Alaauldeen A. , Gao Peng , Coulter John P.
Published: January 2022

Crystallinity plays a significant role in determining the quality of molded polymeric products. Higher crystallinity yields higher impact strength, while lower crystallinity yields higher water absorption and faster degradation. Therefore, the crystallinity level within a product should be tuned based on the desired outcome. The degree of crystallinity is determined by the crystallization rate, which is influenced by many processing factors such as cooling rate and mold temperature in injection molding. Moreover, there is not much research conducted to numerically investigate crystal size that develops locally in injection molded products and its relation to cooling rate and mold temperature. In this regard, the cooling rate and mold temperature influence in injection molding is investigated numerically to understand their local effect on crystallization rate and crystal size. Cooling rate and mold temperature were found to play a significant role in influencing crystallization kinetics and crystal size. Moreover, crystallinity was found to vary within one product based on the design and the distance between the investigated sample and the gate. The minor crystallinity point was found to be near the gate, and the largest crystal size was found to be at the furthest point away from the gate.
Agile Tasking of Robotic Kitting
Authors: Michaloski John , Aksu Murat , Schlenoff Craig , Cardoso Rafael C. , Fisher Michael
Published: January 2022

Manufacturers are looking for intelligent solutions to increase quality and productivity. Smart manufacturing envisions production empowered by autonomous robots that can complete tasks intelligently, with the focus on adaptability, flexibility, and versatility. In such systems, agile tasking plays an important role, as it is critical for robots to be quickly tasked to perform an operation. However, task agility is not limited to the speed of tasking robots, but also includes other features such as handling task failure, planning for new goals, interchangeability of data and task plans between different robots, and adapting to dynamic environments. Because robot task agility requires sophisticated dynamic and continuous planning and replanning, the Gwendolen agent programming language was chosen to evaluate as the agile robot planner. In this paper, we develop a manufacturing kitting case study and provide a list of kitting performance metrics to evaluate performance. The case study uses Gwendolen, Canonical Robot Command Language (CRCL), Robot Operating System (ROS) and Gazebo software components in combination to simulate and evaluate kitting. We explore the strengths of Gwendolen agile tasking to assess the operation against the kitting performance metrics.
Deep Neural Network Real-Time Control of a Motorized Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycle With an Uncertain Time-Varying Electromechanical Delay
Authors: Sweatland Hannah M. , Allen Brendon C. , Greene Max L. , Dixon Warren E.
Published: January 2022

Closed-loop functional electrical stimulation (FES) control methods are developed to facilitate motor-assisted cycling as a rehabilitative strategy for individuals with neurological disorders. One challenge for this type of control design is accounting for an input delay called the electromechanical delay (EMD) that exists between stimulation and the resultant muscle force. The EMD can cause an otherwise stable system to become unstable. A real-time deep neural network (DNN)-based motor control architecture is used to estimate the nonlinear and uncertain dynamics of each leg of the cycle-rider system. The DNN estimate of the system’s dynamics updates in real-time and is used as a feedforward term in the motor controller allowing the cycle crank to meet position and cadence tracking objectives. The nonsmooth Lyapunov-based stability analysis proves semiglobal asymptotic tracking.
Fault Diagnosis With Deep Learning for Standard and Asymmetric Involute Spur Gears
Authors: Karpat Fatih , Dirik Ahmet Emir , Kalay Onur Can , Yüce Celalettin , Doğan Oğuz , Korcuklu Burak
Published: January 2022

Gears are critical power transmission elements used in various industries. However, varying working speeds and sudden load changes may cause root cracks, pitting, or missing tooth failures. The asymmetric tooth profile offers higher load-carrying capacity, long life, and the ability to lessen vibration than the standard (symmetric) profile spur gears. Gearbox faults that cannot be detected early may lead the entire system to stop or serious damage to the machine. In this regard, Deep Learning (DL) algorithms have started to be utilized for gear early fault diagnosis. This study aims to determine the root crack for both symmetric and asymmetric involute spur gears with a DL-based approach. To this end, single tooth stiffness of the gears was obtained with ANSYS software for healthy and cracked gears (50–100%), and then the time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS) was calculated. A six-degrees-offreedom dynamic model was developed by deriving the equations of motion of a single-stage spur gear mechanism. The vibration responses were collected for the healthy state, 50% and 100% crack degrees for both symmetric and asymmetric tooth profiles. Furthermore, the white Gaussian noise was added to the vibration data to complicate the early crack diagnosis task. The main contribution of this paper is that it adapts the DL-based approaches used for early fault diagnosis in standard profile involute spur gears to the asymmetric tooth concept for the first time. The proposed method can eliminate the need for large amounts of training data from costly physical experiments. Therefore, maintenance strategies can be improved by early crack detection.
Techno-Economics of Using Concentrate of Membrane Processes As a Low-Cost Thermal Energy Storage Medium
Authors: Camey Brian C. , Kiriakos Joseph , Mhamunkar Gauri , Delagah Saied , Sharbat Ali , Mandell Aaron , Baghaei Lakeh Reza
Published: January 2022

Membrane processes are used for water treatment techniques to desalinate seawater and surface water into potable water. The undesired byproduct of these processes is a high concentrate salt. In this project, the repurposed concentrate salt was studied as a storage medium for grid-scale Thermal Energy Storage (TES). The Department of Energy’s (DOE) goal is to reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy of TES for concentrated solar power to be under 15 $/kWh by 2030. In this work, a techno-economic assessment was performed to estimate the cost of TES using concentrate salt. The total cost of TES was estimated by considering costs associated with transportation of brine, evaporation of remaining water, grinding the salt content, additives added, and containment costs while considering a positive financial gain from obtaining the concentrate from water treatment facilities. It was observed that the concentrate salt that went through solid to liquid phase change provides an increase in energy density and a reduction in TES cost. The results show a financial benefit using concentrate salt as a storage medium for heat making it a feasible material to meet the Sunshot Initiative goals for TES. Depending on the source of the brine, zero liquid discharge method, and operating temperature we can observe costs as low as (−$11.10), i.e., positive revenue. The occurrence of phase change within the operating temperature of the application significantly increases the energy storage density and reduces the cost of the TES which is seen in the results for the melting scenarios.
Effect of Weather on the Performance of Autonomous Vehicle LiDAR Sensors
Authors: Abdo Jamil , Hamblin Spencer , Chen Genshe
Published: January 2022

Given the significant technological advances over the past few years, autonomous vehicles are gradually entering the industrialization stage. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors are seeing increased use in autonomous vehicles. However, the final implementation of the technology remains undetermined because major automotive manufacturers have just started selecting providers for data-collection units that can be introduced in commercial vehicles. Autonomous driving tests are, up to now, handled mostly in sunny environments, such as California or Texas. However, the quality of the detection under fog, rain and snow, especially if they are extreme, becomes severely degraded, especially regarding range. In this work the performance of LiDAR sensors under adverse weather conditions and the effects of LiDAR channels on object detection were investigated. Results showed that fog severely affected LiDAR performance. Rain also had a slight effect on performance, but snow did not affect LiDAR performance. Results also showed that both dense fog and heavy rain affected object and operating range detection by LiDAR sensors.
Design of Air-Jet Flow Frame to Control Bug’s Flight Path to Prevent Collision on LIDAR Covers
Authors: Sadeghizadeh Zahra , Romero Edwar , Carbajal Gerardo
Published: January 2022

Environmental factors such as vibration, high air temperature, rain, haze conditions, or insects’ debris on the sensor may negatively impact the performance of light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor. For instance, at high velocity, especially on summer nights, the bugs strike on the LIDAR cover surface and accumulate over time, blocking the sensor visibility. As a result, the sensor measurement becomes obscured by insects splashing on the LIDAR cover, resulting in a critical loss of performance in LIDAR sensor readings. One approach to resolve this problem is to keep insects away from hitting the sensor cover. To change the insects’ flight path, it is possible to implement a non-invasive method such as applying high momentum air-jet adjacent to the LIDAR cover to deflect the bugs away from the surface. This non-invasive mechanism can control the airflow near the front surface of the sensor to prevent insect collision on the surface. This study designed and fabricated a custom-made air-jet to modify the airflow trajectory on the sensor’s front surface and used nylon pellets as insects. With this design, it is possible to control the resultant upstream airflow before impacting the LIDAR surface, consequently preventing insects or other particles from colliding the sensor cover. The resulting upstream flow depends on the air-jet flow and free stream velocity ahead of the sensor. Highspeed imaging studies have been applied to determine the effectiveness of the air-jet design in altering the nylon pellets’ flight. High-speed imaging shows how different operating conditions affect the nylon pellets path on LIDAR cover. The controlling parameters in this experimental study are free stream air velocity and orientation of air-jet velocity.
Simulation of Wave Propagation in Biomimetic Porous Scaffold Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Hodaei Mohammad , Maghoul Pooneh
Published: January 2022

The study of wave propagation in biomimetic porous scaffold requires the inclusion of some complex physics such as the interaction of the ultrasonic wave with pore fluid, solid phase, and porous material. Also, due to viscous interactions between the pore fluid and skeletal frame, the dynamic tortuosity as a fractional function of frequency in the clinically relevant ultrasound frequency range is considered. The bone scaffold here is simulated using a porous slab whose two dimensions are infinite. The Biot-JKD theory used for wave propagation in porous media is conditioned with many physical parameters. Solving such governing equations for complex multi-physics problems is computationally expensive. Therefore, developing efficient tools and numerical methods to address multi-physics problems is appealing. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) can efficiently solve convoluted-parametric problems. The purpose of this research is to propose a physics-aware ANN to simulate wave propagation in bone scaffold filled with a viscous fluid. A set of data including porosity, viscosity, tortuosity, viscous characteristics length, Poisson’s ratio, and elastic modulus which are sensitive to the transmission and reflection signals are applied to the ANN as inputs and the reflection and transmission signals are obtained as outputs. The reflected and transmitted waves for different porosities are considered and the results show an excellent agreement with the proposed analytical theory and experimental data found in the literature.
Association Between Long-Term Regular Exercise and Gut Microbiota Among Middle-Aged and Older Urban Chinese
Authors: Shi Jiajun , Yu Danxia , Yang Yaohua , Cai Hui , Wu Jie , Cai Qiuyin , Long Jirong , Zheng Wei , Xu Wanghong , Shu Xiao-Ou
Published: January 2022

Increasing evidence has suggested that physical activity may modulate gut microbiome composition. We investigated associations of long-term regular exercise with gut microbiota among middle-aged and older urban Chinese individuals. Gut microbiota was assessed using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene sequencing of stool samples from 2,151 participants from the Shanghai Women’s Health Study and Shanghai Men’s Health Study. Participants were free of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases at the time of stool sample collection. Physical activity was assessed in repeat surveys between 1996 and 2015 using validated questionnaires. Regular exercise was defined as any type of leisure-time physical activity with a standard metabolic equivalent score >3.0. Stool samples were collected using the 95% ethanol method between 2015 and 2018 with an average of 3.0 years (SD = 0.9) after the latest exposure assessment. General linear regression and permutational multivariate analysis of variance were carried out to evaluate associations of microbial α- and β-diversity with regular exercise participation. Logistic regression and linear regression models were used to evaluate the prevalence and relative abundance of individual taxa in association with regular exercise. Regular exercise was significantly associated with β-diversity (Bray–Curtis and Jaccard dissimilarities, both false discovery rates = 0.03%, 0.12% and 0.09% variance explained, respectively) but not with α-diversity. Relative abundance of genus Ruminococcus was significantly lower among regular exercisers compared with nonexercisers (median relative abundance: 0.64% vs. 0.81%, false discovery rate <0.10). Further studies are needed to validate the findings from this study and evaluate health benefits of regular exercise on gut microbiota.
Tennis Service Performance in Beginners: The Effect of Instructional Self-Talk Combined With Motor Imagery
Authors: Robin Nicolas , Carien Robbin , Dominique Laurent
Published: January 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of motor imagery (MI) combined with instructional self-talk on service performance in young novice tennis players. The participants were assigned to one of three groups: control, MI, or MI + self-talk. They performed a pretest (10 serves), participated in 5 days of intervention sessions, and finally performed a posttest similar to the pretest. During the intervention sessions, the participants performed 20 serves. The control group was not given any instructions other than verbal instructions on the steps of the serve. Before each serve, the MI group was instructed to imagine performing a successful serve towards the “correct” service box. The MI + self-talk group had to repeat the instructions during MI before serving. The results of this original study revealed that only the participants in the MI and MI + self-talk groups increased their service percentage of success and technical quality scores from pre- to posttest. In addition, at posttest, the participants of the MI + self-talk group had higher serve speeds and technical quality scores than the participants of the control and MI groups. The beneficial effect of using MI and/or self-talk during short tennis interventions and the practical applications are discussed.
Vaccination before or after SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to robust humoral response and antibodies that effectively neutralize variants
Authors: Bates Timothy A. , McBride Savannah K. , Leier Hans C. , Guzman Gaelen , Lyski Zoe L. , Schoen Devin , Winders Bradie , Lee Joon-Yong , Lee David Xthona , Messer William B. , Curlin Marcel E. , Tafesse Fikadu G.
Published: January 2022

Current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines effectively reduce overall morbidity and mortality and are vitally important to controlling the pandemic. Individuals who previously recovered from COVID-19 have enhanced immune responses after vaccination (hybrid immunity) compared with their naïve-vaccinated peers; however, the effects of post-vaccination breakthrough infections on humoral immune response remain to be determined. Here, we measure neutralizing antibody responses from 104 vaccinated individuals, including those with breakthrough infections, hybrid immunity, and no infection history. We find that human immune sera after breakthrough infection and vaccination after natural infection broadly neutralize SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2) variants to a similar degree. Although age negatively correlates with antibody response after vaccination alone, no correlation with age was found in breakthrough or hybrid immune groups. Together, our data suggest that the additional antigen exposure from natural infection substantially boosts the quantity, quality, and breadth of humoral immune response regardless of whether it occurs before or after vaccination.
The adaptor SH2B1 and the phosphatase PTP4A1 regulate the phosphorylation of cytohesin-2 in myelinating Schwann cells in mice
Authors: Miyamoto Yuki , Torii Tomohiro , Homma Keiichi , Oizumi Hiroaki , Ohbuchi Katsuya , Mizoguchi Kazushige , Takashima Shou , Yamauchi Junji
Published: January 2022

Mature myelin sheaths insulate axons to increase nerve conduction velocity and protect nerve fibers from stress and physical injury. In the peripheral nervous system, the myelin sheath is produced by Schwann cells. The guanine-nucleotide exchange factor cytohesin-2 activates the protein Arf6 to promote Schwann cell myelination. Here, we investigated the regulation of cytohesin-2 and found that the phosphorylation status of Tyr
381
in cytohesin-2 is central to Schwann cell myelination. Knockin mice with a nonphosphorylatable Y381F mutation in cytohesin-2 exhibited reduced myelin thickness and decreased Arf6 activity in sciatic nerve tissue. In HEK293T cells, cytohesin-2 was dephosphorylated at Tyr
381
by the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP4A1, whereas phosphorylation at this site was maintained by interaction with the adaptor protein SH2B1. Schwann cell–specific knockdown of PTP4A1 in mice increased cytohesin-2 phosphorylation and myelin thickness. Conversely, Schwann cell–specific loss of SH2B1 resulted in reduced myelin thickness and decreased cytohesin-2 phosphorylation. Thus, a signaling unit centered on cytohesin-2—with SH2B1 as a positive regulator and PTP4A1 as a negative regulator—controls Schwann cell myelination in the peripheral nervous system.
Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Temperate Escherichia coli Bacteriophage, Kapi1, Which Modifies the O-Antigen and Contributes to the Competitiveness of Its Host during Colonization of the Murine Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Pick Kat , Ju Tingting , Willing Benjamin P. , Raivio Tracy L.
Published: January 2022

Although research exploring the microbiome has exploded in recent years, our understanding of the viral component of the microbiome is lagging far behind our understanding of the bacterial component. The vast majority of intestinal bacteria carry prophages integrated into their chromosomes, but most of these bacteriophages remain uncharacterized and unexplored.
Mitochondria and Viral Infection: Advances and Emerging Battlefronts
Authors: Sorouri Mahsa , Chang Tyron , Hancks Dustin C.
Published: January 2022

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles vital for energy production with now appreciated roles in immune defense. During microbial infection, mitochondria serve as signaling hubs to induce immune responses to counteract invading pathogens like viruses.
GNP2
Encodes a High-Specificity Proline Permease in Candida albicans
Authors: Garbe Enrico , Miramón Pedro , Gerwien Franziska , Ueberschaar Nico , Hansske-Braun Louisa , Brandt Philipp , Böttcher Bettina , Lorenz Michael , Vylkova Slavena
Published: January 2022

The utilization of various nutrients is of paramount importance for the ability of
Candida albicans
to successfully colonize and infect diverse host niches. In this context, amino acids are of special interest due to their ubiquitous availability, relevance for fungal growth, and direct influence on virulence traits like filamentation.
Great Expectations of COVID-19 Herd Immunity
Authors: Giurgea Luca T. , Morens David M.
Published: January 2022

There is a common preconception that reaching an estimated herd immunity threshold through vaccination will end the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the mathematical models underpinning this estimate make numerous assumptions that may not be met in the real world.
Limited Evidence for Microbial Transmission in the Phylosymbiosis between Hawaiian Spiders and Their Microbiota
Authors: Perez-Lamarque Benoît , Krehenwinkel Henrik , Gillespie Rosemary G. , Morlon Hélène
Published: January 2022

How host-associated microbiotas assemble and evolve is one of the outstanding questions of microbial ecology. Studies aiming at answering this question have repeatedly found a pattern of “phylosymbiosis,” that is, a phylogenetic signal in the composition of host-associated microbiotas.
Functioning metastasis from adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Cunha Clara , Donato Sara , Silva Tiago , Leite Valeriano
Published: January 2022

Recurrence of Cushing’s syndrome due to functional metastasis from adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) after adrenalectomy is extremely rare. We describe a case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with Cushing’s syndrome due to an ACC. Abdominal CT showed a heterogeneous left adrenal tumour of 8 cm as well as a right adrenal nodule with 3 cm. An 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-CT (18F-FDG/CT PET) revealed an increased uptake of both adrenal lesions (maximum standardised uptake values, 17.7 and 10.4 for left and right adrenal lesions, respectively). Patient underwent bilateral adrenalectomy with R0 resection. Pathological examination revealed a left ACC with a Weiss’ score of 7, Ki67 10%, stage II European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours and a right adrenal adenoma. After surgery, clinical improvement was noted. Two months later, she noticed recurrence of hypercortisolism and multiple liver and lung metastasis were demonstrable, without evidence of local recurrence on the 18F-FDG/CT PET and abdominal MRI.
Strategies to reduce fractures in older people are not effective
Authors: Saul Helen , Gursul Deniz
Published: January 2022

The study

This NIHR Alert is based on: Lamb S, Bruce J, Hossain A. Screening and intervention to prevent falls and fractures in older people.N Engl J Med2020;383:19.

To read the full Alert, go to:https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/strategies-to-reduce-fractures-are-not-effective/
Mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on HIV treatment and care in Lusaka, Zambia: a before–after cohort study using mixed effects regression
Authors: Pry Jake M , Sikombe Kombatende , Mody Aaloke , Iyer Shilpa , Mutale Jacob , Vlahakis Natalie , Savory Theodora , Wa Mwanza Mwanza , Mweebo Keith , Mwila Annie , Mwale Consity , Mukumbwa-Mwenechanya Mpande , Kerkhoff Andrew D , Sikazwe Izukanji , Bolton Moore Carolyn , Mwamba Daniel , Geng Elvin H , Herce Michael E
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The Zambian Ministry of Health (MoH) issued COVID-19 mitigation guidance for HIV care immediately after the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Zambia on 18 March 2020. The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia implemented MoH guidance by: 1) extending antiretroviral therapy (ART) refill duration to 6 multi-month dispensation (6MMD) and 2) task-shifting communication and mobilisation of those in HIV care to collect their next ART refill early. We assessed the impact of COVID-19 mitigation guidance on HIV care 3 months before and after guidance implementation.

Methods

We reviewed all ART pharmacy visit data in the national HIV medical record for PLHIV in care having ≥1 visit between 1 January—30 June 2020 at 59 HIV care facilities in Lusaka Province, Zambia. We undertook a before–after evaluation using mixed-effects Poisson regression to examine predictors and marginal probability of early clinic return (pharmacy visit >7 days before next appointment), proportion of late visit (>7 days late for next appointment) and probability of receiving a 6MMD ART refill.

Results

A total of 101 371 individuals (64% female, median age 39) with 130 486 pharmacy visits were included in the analysis. We observed a significant increase in the adjusted prevalence ratio (4.63; 95% CI 4.45 to 4.82) of early return before compared with after guidance implementation. Receipt of 6MMD increased from a weekly mean of 47.9% (95% CI 46.6% to 49.2%) before to 73.4% (95% CI 72.0% to 74.9%) after guidance implementation. The proportion of late visits (8–89 days late) was significantly higher before (18.8%, 95% CI17.2%to20.2%) compared with after (15.1%, 95% CI13.8%to16.4%) guidance implementation .

Conclusions

Timely issuance and implementation of COVID-19 mitigation guidance involving task-shifted patient communication and mobilisation alongside 6MMD significantly increased early return to ART clinic, potentially reducing interruptions in HIV care during a global public health emergency.
Preventive Antenatal Educational Program on Allergic Diseases (PAEPAD) versus standard antenatal care for prevention of atopic dermatitis: study protocol for a single-centre, investigator-blinded randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Mutong , Liang Yuan , Song Fengli , Ma Lili , Wang Ying , Gao Wanli , Tian Jing , Ying Xiangji , Shen Chunping , Wang Shan , Jiao Lei , Wang Yang , Sun Xiaoyan , Ma Lin , Ma Xiuhua
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Patient education serves an essential purpose in the long-term management of allergic diseases as a secondary prevention approach. However, evidence on using education for primary prevention is limited. This study aims to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention, that is, the Preventive Antenatal Educational Program on Allergic Diseases (PAEPAD), on infantile allergic disease incidences compared with the standard care.

Methods and analysis

This is a single-centre randomised controlled trial of expecting mother–children dyads in Daxing Teaching Hospital of Beijing, China. A total of 2266 expecting mothers will be recruited. Expecting mothers enlisted in the birth registry of Daxing Teaching Hospital of Capital Medical University and intend to give birth at this location will be screened for eligibility. Women aged≥18 years with less than 14+6 weeks of pregnancy who intends to remain resident in Daxing district for at least 2 years postpartum will be entered into the run-in phase. Randomisation will take place at 30 weeks of gestation. Women at high risk for miscarriage or intend to have abortions will be excluded. The participants will be allocated into two groups (ie, the PAEPAD and the standard care group) by random allocation (1:1). The PAEPAD group will receive a multidisciplinary education of neonatal care, including standard education as the control group and additional information on skincare of infants, sun protection, topical corticosteroids and an overview of atopic dermatitis (AD), whereas the standard care group will receive the standard neonatal care education carried out by obstetricians. Participants will be followed for 2 years. The primary outcome will be infantile AD cumulative incidence at 2 years postpartum. Secondary outcomes will include other AD outcomes, atopic march outcomes, knowledge outcomes and other maternal and neonatal outcomes. Data collection will be carried out using both electronic and paper questionnaires. Biological samples will also be collected longitudinally.

Ethics and dissemination

The study design was approved by the ethical committee of Capital Medical University Daxing Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China. The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR registry (Trial ID: ChiCTR2000040463).
Why did COVID-19 not further harm the mental health of poor mothers? A mixed-method study on low-income families in Singapore
Authors: Goh Esther Chor Leng , Wen Daniel John Rongwei , Ang Rachel Chai Yun
Published: January 2022

Objectives

This paper examines the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on a disadvantaged group of financially poor mothers’ mental health conditions in Singapore during the phase of acute COVID-19 infection.

Design

A mixed-method design is used. We conducted five focus group discussions with interviewers (n=39) who administered a third wave of survey questionnaire to 424 mothers from low-income families between June and September 2020. The focus group discussions gleaned observations by the interviewers on the risk and stress levels of the mothers during the period leading up to the height of COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, survey data from two time points—pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 pandemic height, measuring the relationship of mother’s job loss, income earner loss, marital status, number of children and, permanency of employment and mother’s hope levels with mother’s depression and anxiety were used to triangulate the observations from the focus group discussions.

Results

Majority of the interviewers did not observe any marked increase in stress levels. Correspondingly the quantitative data did not show any significant increase in depression and anxiety scores between wave 2 and 3 results. Qualitative data showed that numerous mothers were able to report different strategies in coping with the financial distress. The government COVID-19 support grants were cited by many as helpful in cushioning the financial stress. Comparing the quantitative measurements, the relationship between loss of income earner and mother’s depression and anxiety was moderated by marital status. In addition, the relationship between mother’s job loss and mother’s depression, as well as loss of income earner and mother’s anxiety, was moderated by mother’s hope.

Conclusion

We speculate the relatively stable level of mental health state of financially poor mothers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to their internal (psychological traits) resilience which is facilitated by the availability of resources in the social milieu through the COVID-19 support grants.
Study protocol for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection and its determinants in Catalonia (Spain): an observational and participatory research approach in a Sentinel Network of Schools
Authors: Bordas Anna , Soriano-Arandes Antoni , Subirana Maria , Malagrida Rosina , Reyes-Urueña Juliana Maria , Folch Cinta , Soler-Palacin Pere , Gascón Mireia , Sunyer Jordi , Anton Andres , Blanco Ignacio , Fernández-Morales Jessica , Colom-Cadena Andreu , Sentís Alexis , Pumarola Tomas , Basora Josep , Casabona Jordi
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Since the SARS-CoV-2 became of concern in January 2020, many preventive measures have been adopted in educational settings to ensure the control of COVID-19 pandemic among children and staff in schools. This study aims to set up a school sentinel surveillance network with the purpose of monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection, seroprevalence as well as to analyse the impact of preventive interventions of SARS-CoV-2 in school settings. Additionally, we will assess diverse screening strategies in a cohort of students and school staff to monitor the screening acceptance and its potential impact. Altogether, we hope this study will enable the design of more effective strategies for the prevention of COVID-19 spread.

Methods and analysis

The sentinel schools’ study is a cross-sectional, school-based project including 26 participating sentinel schools in Catalonia (Spain). Children, adolescents and staff at the schools will be invited to participate. This project will be carried out from January 2021 to June 2022 as follows: (1) twice yearly serological testing and molecular SARS-CoV-2 detection and questionnaires covering SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, tests, health, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours; (2) an environmental evaluation carried out in different classrooms; (3) SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics and the impact of different variants among confirmed cases and classmates; (4) a participatory process by which the participants are invited to act as coinvestigators to evaluate prevention strategies and provide recommendations to improve COVID-19 prevention in schools. Descriptive analysis will be performed for the main variables collected. The incidence and seroprevalence will be calculated and the association with sociodemographic factors and school characteristics will be determined using multivariate logistic regression.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the IDIAPJGol and the Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron ethics committees. A report will be generated quarterly. Findings will be disseminated at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.
Medical assistance in dying in hospice: A qualitative study
Authors: Mellett James , Macdonald Mary Ellen
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The modern hospice movement has historically opposed assisted dying. The 2016 legalisation of medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Canada has created a new reality for Canadian hospices. There have been few studies examining how the legalisation of MAID has affected Canadian hospices. Our objective was to identify the challenges and opportunities hospice workers think MAID brings to a hospice.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive study included four focus groups and four semistructured interviews with Canadian hospice workers at two hospices, one which allowed MAID on site, and one which did not. Thematic analysis was used to understand and report these challenges and opportunities.

Results

We constructed five themes. These themes detailed participants’ beliefs in the abilities of hospice care, and how they felt MAID challenged these abilities. Further, participants felt that MAID itself created challenging situations for patients and families, and that local policies and practices led to additional institutional challenges. Some participants also felt that allowing MAID in hospice provided opportunities for more extensive end-of-life options.

Conclusions

The legalisation of MAID in Canada has created both challenges and opportunities for Canadian hospices. A balancing of these challenges and opportunities may provide a path for Canadian hospices to navigate their new reality. Increasing demand for MAID means that hospices are likely to continue to encounter requests for MAID, and should enact supports to ensure staff are able to manage these challenges and make best use of the opportunities.
Patient–caregiver dyads advance care plan value discussions: randomised controlled cancer trial of video decision support tool
Authors: Michael Natasha G , Georgousopoulou Ekavi , Hepworth Graham , Melia Adelaide , Tuohy Roisin , Sulistio Merlina , Kissane David
Published: January 2022

Objective

Uptake of advance care planning (ACP) in cancer remains low. An emphasis on personal value discussions and adoption of novel interventions may serve as the catalyst to increase engagement. This study examined the effectiveness of a video decision support tool (VDST) modelling values conversations in cancer ACP.

Methods

This single site, open-label, randomised controlled trial allocated patient–caregiver dyads on a 1:1 ratio to VDST or usual care (UC). Previously used written vignettes were converted to video vignettes using standard methodology. We evaluated ACP document completion rates, understanding and perspectives on ACP, congruence in communication and preparation for decision-making.

Results

Participants numbered 113 (60.4% response rate). The VDST did not improve overall ACP document completion (37.7% VDST; 36.7% UC). However, the VDST improved ACP document completion in older patients (≥70) compared with younger counterparts (<70) (OR=0.308, 95% CI 0.096 to 0.982, p=0.047), elicited greater distress in patients (p=0.015) and improved patients and caregivers ratings for opportunities to discuss ACP with health professionals. ACP improved concordance in communication (VDST p=0.006; UC p=0.045), more so with the VDST (effect size: VDST 0.7; UC 0.54). Concordance in communication also improved in both arms with age.

Conclusion

The VDST failed to improve ACP document completion rates but highlighted that exploring core patient values may improve concordance in patient–caregiver communication. Striving towards a more rigorous design of the VDST intervention, incorporating clinical outcome scenarios with values conversations may be the catalyst needed to progress ACP towards a more fulfilling process for those who partake in it.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12620001035910.