bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Difference of immune cell infiltration between stable and unstable carotid artery atherosclerosis
Authors: Gao Jia , Shi Licheng , Gu Jianhua , Zhang Dandan , Wang Wenjun , Zhu Xuanfeng , Liu Jiannan
Published: November 2021

Atherosclerotic plaque instability contributes to ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarction. This study is to compare the abundance and difference of immune cell subtypes within unstable atherosclerotic tissues. CIBERSORT was used to speculate the proportions of 22 immune cell types based on a microarray of atherosclerotic carotid artery samples. R software was utilized to illustrate the bar plot, heat map and vioplot. The immune cell landscape in atherosclerosis was diverse, dominated by M2 macrophages, M0 macrophages, resting CD4 memory T cells and CD8 T cells. There was a significant difference in resting CD4 memory T cells (p = 0.032), T cells follicular helper (p = 0.033), M0 (p = 0.047) and M2 macrophages (p = 0.012) between stable and unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Compared with stable atherosclerotic plaques, unstable atherosclerotic plaques had a higher percentage of M2 macrophages. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated that the percentage of naïve CD4 T cells was strongly correlated with that of gamma delta T cells (r = 0.93, p < 0.001), while memory B cells were correlated with plasma cells (r = 0.85, p < 0.001). In summary, our study explored the abundance and difference of specific immune cell subgroups at unstable plaques, which would aid new immunotherapies for atherosclerosis.
Titanium Nitride Coated Implant Abutments: From Technical Aspects And Soft tissue Biocompatibility to Clinical Applications. A Literature Review
Authors: del Castillo Rafael , Chochlidakis Konstantinos , Galindo‐Moreno Pablo , Ercoli Carlo
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To review the most up to date scientific evidence concerning the technical implications, soft tissue biocompatibility, and clinical applications derived from the use of titanium nitride hard thin film coatings on titanium alloy implant abutments.

Materials and Methods

A review was performed to answer the following focused question: “What is the clinical reliability of nitride coated titanium alloy abutments?”. A MEDLINE search between 1980 and 2021 was performed for investigations pertaining to the clinical use of nitride coated titanium alloy implant abutments (TiN) in case reports, case series, and short‐ and long‐term non/randomized controlled clinical trials. Literature analysis led to addition evaluation of research related to the technical and biological aspects, as well as the physicochemical characteristics of TiN hard thin film coatings and their impact on titanium abutment biocompatibility, mechanical properties, macroscopic surface topography, and optical properties. Therefore, preclinical data from biomechanical and in vitro investigations were also considered as inclusion criteria.

Results

The limited number of clinical investigations published made a systematic review and meta‐analysis not possible, therefore a narrative review was conducted. TiN coatings have been applied to dental materials and instruments to improve their clinical longevity. Implant abutments are coated with titanium nitride to mask the titanium oxide surface and enhance its surface characteristics providing the TiN abutment surface with a low friction coefficient and a very high chemical inertness. TiN coating is suggested to reduce early bacterial colonization and biofilm formation and enhance fibroblast cell proliferation, attachment and adhesion when compared to Ti controls. Additionally, studies indicate that hard thin film coatings enhance the mechanical properties (hardness and wear resistance) of titanium alloy and appears as a yellow color when deposited on the titanium alloy substrate. To date, clinical investigations show that nitride coated titanium abutments provide promising short‐term clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Published research on nitride‐coated abutments is still limited, however, the available biomedical research, mechanical engineering tests, in vitro investigations, and short‐term clinical trials have, to date, reported promising mechanical, biological, and esthetic outcomes.
Phylogenetic analyses and cross‐infection studies of Phytophthora species infecting cacao and durian in South‐Central Mindanao, Philippines
Authors: Solpot Tamie C. , Cumagun Christian Joseph R.
Published: November 2021

Phytophthora pathogens have contributed largely to the production losses of plantation crops such as cacao and durian. Correct identification and knowledge of the diversity of the pathogen is a requisite in the formulation of effective management strategies. Fifty‐eight putative Phytophthora isolates were collected from cacao and durian orchards in South‐Central Mindanao, Philippines, with 43 from cacao and 15 from durian. Molecular identification of isolates based on DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial β‐tubulin (β‐tub) and mitochondrial gene (cox2+spacer) regions combined with morphocultural characterization identified 57 Phytophthora palmivora isolates from cacao and durian typically showing variations in colony morphology and sporangial shape. However, these variations were not phylogenetically informative. One Phytophthora meadii (CDDS‐P3) causing pod rot of cacao was phylogenetically isolated from P. palmivora. Phylogenetic analysis of isolates using combined ITS, β‐tubulin (β‐tub) and mitochondrial (cox2+spacer) DNA regions showed an intraspecific variation within P. palmivora. Representative isolates of P. palmivora used for cross‐inoculation showed more aggressiveness on its original host with higher lesion diameter and less aggressiveness on its potential hosts with smaller lesion diameter on artificially inoculated detached plant part. All Phytophthora isolates were tested pathogenic to cacao, durian and its potential hosts (rubber and coconut); therefore, cross‐infection in the field is possible in an intercrop system. Implementation of combined control strategies should be done against highly diverse pathogens such as P. palmivora and the potentially destructive pathogen P. meadii, which was tested pathogenic and virulent to its original (cacao) and potential hosts (coconut, durian and rubber).
Do the ends justify the means? Impact of drought progression rate on stress response and recovery in Vitis vinifera
Authors: Morabito Cristina , Orozco Jessica , Tonel Giulia , Cavalletto Silvia , Meloni Giovanna Roberta , Schubert Andrea , Gullino Maria Lodovica , Zwieniecki Maciej Andrzej , Secchi Francesca
Published: November 2021

Plants are frequently exposed to prolonged and intense drought events. To survive, species must implement strategies to overcome progressive drought while maintaining sufficient resources to sustain the recovery of functions. Our objective was to understand how stress rate development modulates energy reserves and affects the recovery process. Grenache Vitis vinifera cultivar was exposed to either fast‐developing drought (within few days; FDD), typical of pot experiments, or slow‐developing drought (few weeks, SDD), more typical for natural conditions. FDD was characterized by fast (2–3 days) stomatal closure in response to increased stress level, high abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation in xylem sap (>400 μg L−1) without the substantial changes associated with stem priming for recovery (no accumulation of sugar or drop in xylem sap pH). In contrast, SDD was characterized by gradual stomatal closure, low ABA accumulation (<100 μg L−1) and changes that primed the stem for recovery (xylem sap acidification from 6 to 5.5 pH and sugar accumulation from 1 to 3 g L−1). Despite FDD and SDD demonstrating similar trends over time in the recovery of stomatal conductance, they differed in their sensitivity to xylem ABA. Grenache showed near‐isohydric and near‐anisohydric behavior depending on the rate of drought progression, gauging the risk between hydraulic integrity and photosynthetic gain. The isohydry observed during FDD could potentially provide protection from large sudden swings in tension, while transitioning to anisohydry during SDD could prioritize the maintenance of photosynthetic activity over hydraulic security.
Offshore aquaculture of finfish: Big expectations at sea
Authors: Morro Bernat , Davidson Keith , Adams Thomas P. , Falconer Lynne , Holloway Max , Dale Andrew , Aleynik Dmitry , Thies Philipp R. , Khalid Faryal , Hardwick Jon , Smith Helen , Gillibrand Philip A. , Rey‐Planellas Sonia
Published: November 2021

Offshore aquaculture has gained momentum in recent years, and the production of an increasing number of marine fish species is being relocated offshore. Initially, predictions of the advantages that offshore aquaculture would present over nearshore farming were made without enough science‐based evidence. Now, with more scientific knowledge, this review revisits past predictions and expectations of offshore aquaculture. We analysed and explained the oceanographic features that define offshore and nearshore sites. Using Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) as a case study, we focussed on sea lice, amoebic gill disease, and the risk of harmful algal blooms, as well as the direct effects of the oceanography on the health and physiology of fish. The operational and licencing challenges and advantages of offshore aquaculture are also considered. The lack of space in increasingly saturated sheltered areas will push new farms out to offshore locations and, if appropriate steps are followed, offshore aquaculture can be successful. Firstly, the physical capabilities of the farmed fish species and infrastructure must be fully understood. Secondly, the oceanography of potential sites must be carefully studied to confirm that they are compatible with the species‐specific capabilities. And, thirdly, an economic plan considering the operational costs and licencing limitations of the site must be developed. This review will serve as a guide and a compilation of information for researchers and stakeholders.
A new HLA‐B allele, HLA‐B*07:422
Authors: Battarra Mariarosa , Di Luzio Andrea , Bianculli Antonio Giuseppe , Pinto Rita Maria , Andreani Marco
Published: November 2021

The novel allele HLA‐B*07:422 differs from HLA‐B*07:02:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in exon 4.
Quantifying Uncertainty of Damage in Composites Using a Quasi Monte Carlo Technique
Authors: Pitz Emil J. , Pochiraju Kishore V.
Published: November 2021

Property variations in a structure strongly impact the macroscopic mechanical performance as regions with lower strength will be prone to damage initiation or acceleration. Consideration of the variability in material property is critical for high-resolution simulations of damage initiation and propagation. While the recent progressive damage analyses consider randomness in property fields, accurately quantifying the uncertainty in damage measures remains computationally expensive. Stochastic damage analyses require extensive sampling of random property fields and numerous replications of the underlying nonlinear deterministic simulations. This paper demonstrates that a Quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) method, which uses a multidimensional low discrepancy sobol sequence, is a computationally economical way to obtain the mean and standard deviations in cracks evolving in composites. An extended finite element method (XFEM) method with spatially random strength fields simulates the damage initiation and evolution in a model composite. We compared the number of simulations required for Monte Carlo (MC) and QMC techniques to measure the influence of input variability on the mean crack-length in an open-hole angle-ply tensile test. We conclude that the low discrepancy sampling and QMC technique converges substantially faster than traditional MC methods.
Topology Optimization and Experimental Validation of an Additively Manufactured U-Bend Channel
Authors: Ghosh Shinjan , Wardell Ryan , Mondal Sudeepta , Fernandez Erik , Ray Asok , Kapat Jayanta
Published: November 2021

Serpentine channels are a common feature seen in heat ex-changer geometries. For example, they are present in midchord regions of gas turbine blades to prevent material failure at high turbine inlet temperatures. Due to their serpentine nature, these channels contain 180 deg turns or U-bends. These U-bends are responsible for nearly 20% of the pressure drop in such channels (Verstraete et al., 2013, “Optimization of a U-Bend for Minimal Pressure Loss in Internal Cooling Channels-Part I: Numerical Method,” ASME J. Turbomach., 135(5), p. 051015). A topology optimization (TO) method has been used in this study to optimize the shape of a baseline U-bend for minimum pressure drop, at a Reynolds number of 17,000. TO uses a variable permeability approach to design an optimum flow-path by manipulation of solid blockage distribution in the flow-path. The pressure drop across the channel was lowered by 50% when compared to a standard U-bend channel profile from literature. Postprocessing was performed to extract the flow-path and run a forward simulation in star-ccm+ after remeshing with wall refinement. A 3D printed model of the TO shape and benchmark U-bend was created using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene as the printing material, to confirm the results of the turbulent fluid TO, which is a relatively untouched topic in current TO literature. Experimental results showed deviation from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) by about 5%. Comparison of the TO optimum was carried out with an in-house parametric shape optimization using surrogate model-based Bayesian optimization (BO) and a similar shape optimization study from literature. A higher reduction in pressure drop was seen in the case of the TO geometry when compared to the benchmark and the BO cases.
Bridging the gap: Perspectives of nanofabrication technologies for application-oriented research
Authors: Baum Mario , Meinecke Christoph , Blaudeck Thomas , Helke Christian , Reuter Danny , Hiller Karla , Hermann Sascha , Schulz Stefan E. , Kuhn Harald
Published: November 2021

Next to powders, inks, and microelectronics, many technologies that carry the attribute nano in their name are still waiting for their breakthrough and wide acceptance in engineering and industry. At least nanofabrication technologies are the subject of a vivid track in research and development in a variety of scientific fields but yet most of them are mainly invisible in everyday products. This paper aims to describe three inspiring examples of research work in the area of nanopatterning and systems integration at the micro-nano interface to motivate applications with new and unprecedented functionalities. The application examples comprise the fields of bio-inspired computing, optoelectronic sensing, and spectral imaging. First, network-based biocomputing uses biological agents in a nanopatterned fluidic channel system and opens horizons for energy-efficient solutions to complex mathematical problems. Second, nanoelectronic devices based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged because of the outstanding mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of the CNTs. The adaptivity of nanostructures to the world of biological molecules and other nanoscopic building blocks such as quantum dots and nanoparticles enables novel, even personalized, devices and technical solutions. Third, early-on “nano” fame has been devoted to optical effects—the authors here discuss an advanced integrated micro-opto-mechanical system on a micromirror plate forming a Fabry–Pérot Interferometer.
Contrastive stress production by children with cochlear implants: Accuracy and acoustic characteristics
Authors: Mahshie James J. , Larsen Michael D.
Published: November 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the abilities of eight early-implanted children with cochlear implants (mean age 7.1 years) to produce contrastive stress and to compare their use of amplitude, duration, and fundamental frequency, to an age-matched group of children with typical hearing (mean age 6.11 years). A set of 16 utterances were elicited in which the child was required to stress either an adjective or noun in a short phrase. Although both groups of children produced similar proportions of utterances with stress patterns perceived by hearing listeners as accurate, they employed different strategies for achieving contrastive stress.
Zika Virus Infection in the Ovary Induces a Continuously Elevated Progesterone Level and Compromises Conception in Interferon Alpha/Beta Receptor-Deficient Mice
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Sheng Ziyang , Gao Na , Wu Na , Wang Peigang , Fan Dongying , Zhou Deshan , Cheng Gong , An Jing
Published: November 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV), a flavivirus, is primarily transmitted by mosquito bites. But it can also be transmitted vertically and sexually.
Bloom Helicase Along with Recombinase Rad51 Repairs the Mitochondrial Genome of the Malaria Parasite
Authors: Jha Payal , Gahlawat Abhilasha , Bhattacharyya Sunanda , Dey Sandeep , Kumar Kota Arun , Bhattacharyya Mrinal Kanti
Published: November 2021

The impact of malaria on global public health and the world economy continues to surge despite decades of vaccine research and drug development efforts. An alarming rise in resistance toward all the commercially available antimalarial drugs and the lack of an effective malaria vaccine brings us to the urge to identify novel intervention strategies for curbing malaria.
Alternative Pathway for 3-Cyanoalanine Assimilation in Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes CECT5344 under Noncyanotrophic Conditions
Authors: Pérez María D. , Olaya-Abril Alfonso , Cabello Purificación , Sáez Lara P. , Roldán M. Dolores , Moreno-Vivián Conrado , Luque-Almagro Víctor M.
Published: November 2021

Nitriles are organic cyanides with important industrial applications, but they are also found in nature. 3-Cyanoalanine is synthesized by plants and some bacteria to detoxify cyanide from endogenous or exogenous sources, but this nitrile may be also involved in other processes such as stress tolerance, nitrogen and sulfur metabolism, and signaling. The cyanide-degrading bacterium
Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes
CECT5344 grows with 3-cyanoalanine as the sole nitrogen source, but it does not use this nitrile as an intermediate in the cyanide assimilation pathway.
A Markerless CRISPR-Mediated System for Genome Editing in Candida auris Reveals a Conserved Role for Cas5 in the Caspofungin Response
Authors: Ennis Craig L. , Hernday Aaron D. , Nobile Clarissa J.
Published: November 2021

Candida auris
is a recently emerged multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen capable of causing life-threatening systemic infections in humans. Few tools are available for genome editing in
C. auris
.
Secular incidence trends and effect of population aging on mortality due to type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in China from 1990 to 2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Li Yongze , Guo Chenxi , Cao Yanli
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Diabetes and population aging have become public health issues of global concern. The secular incidence trends and the impact of population aging on mortality due to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China remain unclear.

Research design and methods

The incidence and mortality rates of T1DM and T2DM from 1990 to 2019 were abstracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 database. Joinpoint regression and age–period–cohort models were used to calculate the average annual percentage change and relative risk (RR), respectively. A decomposition method was used to attribute changes in total deaths to population growth, population aging, and the mortality rate change from 1990 to 2019.

Results

From 1990 to 2019, the T1DM age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) increased by 2.01% (95% CI 1.78% to 2.23%) in males and 1.70% (1.61% to 1.80%) in females, and the T1DM age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) decreased by 1.96% (−2.22% to −1.71%) in males and 4.02% (−4.48% to −3.57%) in females. The T2DM ASIR increased by 0.81% (0.62% to 0.99%) in males and 0.37% (0.16% to 0.58%) in females, and the T2DM ASMR increased by 1.06% (0.87% to 1.25%) in males and decreased by 0.24% (−0.54% to 0.07%) in females. Compared with 1990, the proportions of deaths attributed to population aging ranged from 18.85% (T1DM) to 148.21% (T2DM) for males and 29.80% (T1DM) to 118.82% (T2DM) for females in 2019.

Conclusions

The T1DM and T2DM incidence rates continually increased in China, particularly among young individuals. T1DM-related mortality decreased, while T2DM-related mortality increased in males. Population aging might be associated with a substantial change in the number of deaths from 1990 to 2019. To address the increase in T2DM-related deaths due to population aging, policymakers should promote aging-related health research and implement proven, cost-effective T2DM interventions.
Effect of preoperative duloxetine treatment on postoperative chronic residual pain after total hip or knee arthroplasty: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rienstra Wietske , Blikman Tim , Dijkstra Baukje , Stewart Roy , Zijlstra Wierd , van Raaij Tom , ten Hagen Anita , Bulstra Sjoerd , Stevens Martin , van den Akker-Scheek Inge
Published: November 2021

Objectives

A key predictor for developing chronic residual pain after total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA) is sensitisation. Sensitisation can be defined as an ‘increased responsiveness of nociceptive neurons in the nervous system’. Aim of this study is to investigate the effects of preoperative treatment with duloxetine in sensitised knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) patients on postoperative chronic residual pain up to 1 year after arthroplasty.

Setting

A multicentre, pragmatic, prospective, randomised clinical trial was conducted in three secondary care hospitals in the Netherlands.

Participants

Patients with primary knee/hip OA who were planned for TKA/THA were screened using the modified painDETECT Questionnaire. Patients whose painDETECT score indicated that sensitisation may be present were eligible for participation. 111 participants were included and randomly assigned 1:1 to an intervention or control group. The intervention group received additional duloxetine treatment, the control group did not receive any additional treatment but was allowed to continue with any pain medication they were already taking.

Interventions

Preoperative oral treatment for 7 weeks with 60 mg/day of duloxetine was compared with usual care.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcome measure was pain at 6 months after arthroplasty, assessed with the Pain Subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) or the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) with a 0–100 scale. Secondary outcome measures were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and neuropathic-like pain measured using the modified PainDETECT Questionnaire. Longitudinal data collection included time points directly after duloxetine treatment, 1-day preoperatively, and 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months postoperatively.

Results

Mean improvement in the KOOS/HOOS pain subscale at 6 months postoperatively was 37 (SD 28.1) in the intervention group and 43 (SD 26.5) in the control group. No statistically significant difference was found in change score 6 months postoperatively between the two groups (p=0.280). 12 patients from the intervention group (21%) discontinued duloxetine due to adverse effects.

Conclusions

Preoperative targeted treatment with duloxetine in end-stage knee and hip OA patients with sensitisation does not influence postoperative chronic residual pain after TKA/THA.

Trial registration number

NTR4744.
Associations between maternal characteristics and pharmaceutical treatment of gestational diabetes: an analysis of the UK Born in Bradford (BiB) cohort study
Authors: Martine-Edith Gilberte , Johnson William , Hunsicker Eugenie , Hamer Mark , Petherick Emily S
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To identify the maternal characteristics associated with pharmaceutical treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Design

Prospective birth cohort study.

Setting

Bradford, UK.

Participants

762 women from the Born in Bradford (BiB) cohort who were treated for GDM in a singleton pregnancy. BiB cohort participants were recruited from 2007 to 2010. All women booked for delivery were screened for GDM between 26 and 28 weeks of gestation using a 75 g 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Outcome measure

GDM treatment type: lifestyle changes advice (lifestyle changes), lifestyle changes advice with supplementary insulin (insulin) and lifestyle changes advice with supplementary metformin (metformin).

Results

244 (32%) women were prescribed lifestyle changes advice alone while 518 (68%) were offered supplemental pharmaceutical treatment. The odds of receiving pharmaceutical treatment relative to lifestyle changes advice alone were increased for mothers who were obese (OR 4.6, 95% CI 2.8 to 7.5), those who smoked (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.5) and had higher fasting glucose levels at OGTT (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.6 to 2.7). The odds of being prescribed pharmaceutical treatment rather than lifestyle changes advice were lower for Pakistani women (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.0)) than White British women. Relative to insulin treatment, metformin was more likely to be offered to obese women than normal weight women (relative risk ratio, RRR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 7.8) and less likely to be prescribed to women with higher fasting glucose concentrations at OGTT (RRR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2 to 0.6).

Conclusions

In the BiB cohort, GDM pharmaceutical treatment tended to be prescribed to women who were obese, White British, who smoked and had more severe hyperglycaemia. The characteristics of metformin-treated mothers differed from those of insulin-treated mothers as they were more likely to be obese but had lower glucose concentrations at diagnosis.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on sickness absence for mental ill health in National Health Service staff
Authors: van der Plaat Diana A , Edge Rhiannon , Coggon David , van Tongeren Martie , Muiry Rupert , Parsons Vaughan , Cullinan Paul , Madan Ira
Published: November 2021

Objective

To explore the patterns of sickness absence in National Health Service (NHS) staff attributable to mental ill health during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in March–July 2020.

Design

Case-referent analysis of a secondary dataset.

Setting

NHS Trusts in England.

Participants

Pseudonymised data on 959 356 employees who were continuously employed by NHS trusts during 1 January 2019 to 31 July 2020.

Main outcome measures

Trends in the burden of sickness absence due to mental ill health from 2019 to 2020 according to demographic, regional and occupational characteristics.

Results

Over the study period, 164 202 new sickness absence episodes for mental ill health were recorded in 12.5% (119 525) of the study sample. There was a spike of sickness absence for mental ill health in March–April 2020 (899 730 days lost) compared with 519 807 days in March–April 2019; the surge was driven by an increase in new episodes of long-term absence and had diminished by May/June 2020. The increase was greatest in those aged >60 years (227%) and among employees of Asian and Black ethnic origin (109%–136%). Among doctors and dentists, the number of days absent declined by 12.7%. The biggest increase was in London (122%) and the smallest in the East Midlands (43.7%); the variation between regions reflected the rates of COVID-19 sickness absence during the same period.

Conclusion

Although the COVID-19 epidemic led to an increase in sickness absence attributed to mental ill health in NHS staff, this had substantially declined by May/June 2020, corresponding with the decrease in pressures at work as the first wave of the epidemic subsided.
Does knowledge of liver fibrosis affect high-risk drinking behaviour (KLIFAD)? protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Authors: Subhani Mohsan , Jones Katy A , Sprange Kirsty , Rennick-Egglestone Stefan , Knight Holly , Morling Joanne R , Enki Doyo G , Wragg Andrew , Ryder Stephen D
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Heavy drinkers in contact with alcohol services do not routinely have access to testing to establish the severity of potential liver disease. Transient elastography by FibroScan can provide this information. A recent systematic review suggested providing feedback to patients based on markers of liver injury can be an effective way to reduce harmful alcohol intake. This randomised control trial (RCT) aims to establish the feasibility of conducting a larger national trial to test the effectiveness of FibroScan advice and Alcohol Recovery Video Stories (ARVS) in changing high-risk drinking behaviour in community alcohol services common to UK practice.

Methods and analysis

This feasibility trial consists of three work packages (WP).WP1: To draft a standardised script for FibroScan operators to deliver liver disease-specific advice to eligible participants having FibroScan.WP2: To create a video library of ARVS for use in the feasibility RCT (WP3).WP3: To test the feasibility of the trial design, including the FibroScan script and video stories developed in WP1 and WP2 in a one-to-one individual randomised trial in community alcohol services. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted at 6 months follow-up for qualitative evaluation. Outcomes will be measures of the feasibility of conducting a larger RCT. These outcomes will relate to: participant recruitment and follow-up, intervention delivery, including the use of the Knowledge of LIver Fibrosis Affects Drinking trial FibroScan scripts and videos, clinical outcomes, and the acceptability and experience of the intervention and trial-related procedures. Data analysis will primarily be descriptive to address the feasibility aims of the trial. All proposed analyses will be documented in a Statistical Analysis Plan.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial received favourable ethical approval from the West of Scotland Research Ethics Service (WoSRES) on 20 January 2021, REC reference: 20/WS/0179. Results will be submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN16922410.
Generating labour cost budget for a construction-oriented fabrication facility: simulation-based resource scheduling approach
Authors: Zahedi Leila , Lu Ming
Published: November 2021

A novel labour-hour budgeting method is proposed by integrating productivity concepts in project scheduling and budgeting to enhance the accuracy of labour cost budgeting for planning labour-intensive projects. The proposed method applies discrete event simulation approach to represent crew formation, labour resource utilization, and labour resource flowing between consecutive activities, which allows for quantitatively characterizing the impact of labour semi-productive time on labour cost budgeting as a time-dependent variable. Simulation-based assessment of variations in crew sizes and labour allocations is conducive to reducing semi-productive time and thus enhancing the cost performance of the whole project. The proposed method is then applied in a real-world case study for planning steel girder fabrication projects in construction of highway bridges. Not limited to budgeting for labour resources in construction-oriented fabrication facility, the research contributions are also significant to other construction planning settings where limited resources are shared and utilized among different activities.
Model of electromagnetic interactions with spin-1/2 neutral particles
Authors: Bruce Stanley A.
Published: November 2021

We address the bound-state dynamics of relativistic spin-1/2 neutral particles (in this paper, Dirac neutrinos) with anomalous magnetic dipole moment in the presence of an electromagnetic (EM) field described by a generalized Dirac–Pauli equation. This equation of motion is derived including appropriate couplings between Lorentz scalar and pseudoscalar fields with the EM field in the Lagrangian of the system. Specifically, we exactly solve the bound-state problem of neutrinos in the presence of a homogeneous magnetic field in cylindrical coordinates. We comment on the relevance of this approach to study Dirac neutrino self-interactions.
Evolvability: A Quantitative-Genetics Perspective
Authors: Hansen Thomas F. , Pélabon Christophe
Published: November 2021

The concept of evolvability emerged in the early 1990s and soon became fashionable as a label for different streams of research in evolutionary biology. In evolutionary quantitative genetics, evolvability is defined as the ability of a population to respond to directional selection. This differs from other fields by treating evolvability as a property of populations rather than organisms or lineages and in being focused on quantification and short-term prediction rather than on macroevolution. While the term evolvability is new to quantitative genetics, many of the associated ideas and research questions have been with the field from its inception as biometry. Recent research on evolvability is more than a relabeling of old questions, however. New operational measures of evolvability have opened possibilities for understanding adaptation to rapid environmental change, assessing genetic constraints, and linking micro- and macroevolution.
First-Principles Studies on the Formation of Oxygen Vacancies in Li2CoSiO4
Authors: Chen X. Y. , Zhang L. H. , Wang Y. P. , Wu S. Q. , Hou Z. F. , Zhu Z. Z.
Published: November 2021

The existence of oxygen vacancy has a significant effect on the structural and electronic properties of Li2CoSiO4. Herein, the formation energy of an oxygen vacancy (V
O) in Li2CoSiO4 in different oxidation environments is calculated by using a first-principles method. The increased temperature, decreased oxygen partial pressure, and the increased charge state of O vacancy reduce the formation energy of the oxygen vacancy. The presence of V
O is accompanied by a distinct redistribution of the electronic charge densities only around the Co and Si ions next to the O-vacancy site, which shows a very local influence on the host material arising from V
O. Furthermore, the existence of vacancy defects (

V

L
i
1

,

V

L
i
2

,

V

C
o

and

V

S
i

) in the vicinity of the O vacancy are found to be beneficial to the formation of the O vacancy. The substitutional defects,

M

n

C
o

and

N

i

C
o

,

near the O vacancy are found to increase the formation energy of the oxygen vacancy, however,

F

e

C
o

decreases the formation energy of the O vacancy.
Ionically Crosslinked Composite Membranes from Polybenzimidazole and Sulfonated Poly (fluorenyl ether ketone) for High-Temperature PEM Fuel Cells
Authors: Bai Yu , Xiao Min , Huang Zhiheng , Han Dongmei , Wang Chengxin , Wang Shuanjin , Meng Yuezhong
Published: November 2021

A series of composite polymer membranes composed of poly [2,2″-(p-oxydiphenylene)-5,5″-benzimidazole] (OPBI) and sulfonated poly (fluorenyl ether ketone) (SPFEK) were developed with enhanced mechanical integrity and superior oxidative stability. The phosphonic acid (PA) doped OPBI-SPFEK membranes were then fabricated for the high temperature-proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) application. It is suggested that an ionically crosslinked structure can be formed by the intense interaction among the protonated benzimidazolium, sulfonate groups, and PA molecules. With lower acid content and swelling ratio, the composite membranes afforded satisfactory proton conductivity and much higher tensile strength than the pristine OPBI. A maximum conductivity of 0.050 S cm−1 was reached by OPBI-SPFEK-10% at 180 °C, with tensile strength as high as 24.7 MPa. The single fuel cell from the optimized OPBI-SPFEK-10% exhibited the highest peak power density of 727 mW cm−2 at 160 °C, which was 21% higher than that from the pristine OPBI.
Characterization of Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice Based on the Specific Recruitment of Leukocytes to the Hypertrophic Myocardium and the Aorta Ascendens
Authors: Kleiner Jan Lukas , Köpke Odilia , Faron Anton , Zhang Yunyang , Cornelssen Jan , Coburn Mark , Frede Stilla , Eichhorn Lars , Weisheit Christina Katharina
Published: November 2021

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) is a model that mimics pressure overload-induced left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in mice. Alterations in immune cell functionality can promote cardiac and vascular remodeling. In the present study, we characterized the time course in innate immune cell dynamics in response to TAC in the different tissues of mice. It was determined whether TAC induces a characteristic leukocyte-driven immune response in the myocardium, aorta ascendens and descendens, spleen, blood, and draining lymph nodes supported by cytokine-driven chemotaxis in mice at 3, 6, and 21 days following surgery. We used complex flow cytometry staining combinations to characterize the various innate immune cell subsets and a multiplex array to determine cytokine concentrations in the serum. The results of the current study indicated that leukocytes accumulate in the myocardium and aorta ascendens in response to TAC. The leukocyte dynamics in the myocardium were dominated by the Ly6Clow macrophages with an early accumulation, whereas the response in the aorta ascendens was characterized by a long-lasting proinflammatory phenotype driven by Ly6Chigh macrophages, neutrophils, and activated DCs. In contrast to the high-pressure environment of the aorta ascendens, the tissue of the aorta descendens did not react to TAC with any leukocyte increase. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood were elevated in response to TAC, indicating a systemic reaction. Moreover, our findings strongly suggest that cardiac macrophages could origin from splenic pools and reach the site of the inflammation via the blood. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that the high-pressure conditions in the aorta ascendens cause a characteristic immune response, dominated by the accumulation of leukocytes and the activation of DCs that varies in comparison to the immune cell dynamics in the myocardium and the aorta descendens.
[Retracted] miR‐1226‐3p Promotes eNOS Expression of Pulmonary Arterial Endothelial Cells to Mitigate Hypertension in Rats via Targeting Profilin‐1
Authors: Jian Jie , Xia Liang
Published: November 2021

In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), microRNAs (miRNAs) are related with dysfunction of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. miR‐1226‐3p was found to be downregulated in the serum of PAH patients, while few studies have illustrated the regulation mechanism of miR‐1226‐3p on PAH. In this study, we aimed to systematically investigate the role of miR‐1226‐3p in PAH. Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were treated with monocrotaline (MCT) to establish the PAH models. The right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), ratio of the right ventricle to the left ventricle with septum (RV/(LV+S) ratio), and nitric oxide (NO) content were used to reflect the symptom of the rats. The rat models were used to observe the regulation mechanism of miR‐1226‐3p on PAH, and dual‐luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the binding effect of miR‐1226‐3p to Pfn1. Besides, the qRT‐PCR and western blot were used to measure the expression levels of miR‐1226‐3p and some keys proteins such as eNOS and Pfn1, respectively. The results showed that the PAH models were established successfully. The RVSP levels and the RV/(LV+S) ratio of the PAH rats were higher than those indexes in normal rats, while the NO content showed the opposite trends. Besides, the decreased miR‐1226‐3p and eNOS were, respectively, found in the PAH rats and rPAECs, and overexpressed miR‐1226‐3p could reverse the disadvantages of the PAH rats including increased RVSP, high RV/(LV+S) ratio, and decreased NO content. Furthermore, miR‐1226‐3p could directly target the 3 ′‐UTR of Profilin‐1 (Pfn1). Overexpressed Pfn1 led to decreased eNOS, while miR‐1226‐3p could partly inhibit the expression of Pfn1 and increase the expression level of eNOS in rPAECs. In summary, this study suggests miR‐1226‐3p as a protector to increase eNOS, improve NO content in rPAECs of the PAH rats via targeting Pfn, and finally protect the rats from the injury induced by PAH.
Application of Deep Learning in Financial Management Evaluation
Authors: Shi Wenlei , Xu Lei , Peng Dongli
Published: November 2021

The competition among enterprises is becoming increasingly fierce. The research on the financial management evaluation model is helpful for enterprises to find possible risks as soon as possible. This paper constructs the financial management evaluation model based on the deep belief network and applies the analytic hierarchy process to determine the weight of financial management evaluation indicators, which is compared with other classical deep learning evaluation methods, such as KNN, SVM-RBF, and SVM linear. It has achieved an accuracy of more than 81%, showing a satisfactory prediction effect, which is of great significance to formulate corresponding countermeasures, strengthen financial management, improve the capital market system, and promote high-quality economic development. In addition, aiming at the problem of abnormal financial data, this paper uses the new sample dataset obtained by principal component analysis for convolution neural network model learning, which enhances the prediction accuracy of the model and fully shows that deep learning is feasible in the research of financial management prediction, and there is still a lot of space to explore.
Hybrid Resource Modeling and Scheduling Platform Based on Multisource Cooperation for Cyber-Physical-Human System
Authors: Zhu Jianyong , Wang Yang , Yu Xiaoqiang
Published: November 2021

Cyber-Physical-Human System (CPHS) is receiving increasing attention as an interrelated system that integrates computing, physical, and human resources. Different from existing computing paradigms, CPHS generally comprises heterogeneous software and hardware resources from multiple resource providers and allows interaction among them. The existing research on resource scheduling either focuses on traditional computing resources without consideration of physical environmental factors or is limited to specific application fields, making it difficult to promote and apply across domains. In this paper, we design and implement an application-independent CPHS resource scheduling platform based on a self-defined hybrid resource model. The platform provides a complete instantiation environment for all kinds of CPHS resources and their interactions and supports flexible customization of various resource scheduling strategies. We have injected several different resource scheduling policies into this platform, and the execution results are in line with expectations. The platform is extended to be implemented based on mainstream technologies that have been widely practiced, and the code is open source.
Dynamic Response and Parametric Studies of Elliptical Blast‐Resistant Door with the Combined Structure for Large Vacuum Explosion Containers
Authors: Cheng Saiwei , Li Xiaojie , Wang Yang , Wang Yuxin , Yan Honghao
Published: November 2021

In recent years, with the improvement of environmental protection requirements year by year and the continuous expansion of explosive working scale, higher standards have been put forward for explosive working. It is hoped that the sphere of influence of the explosion can be limited to a minimal range. The explosion vessel is driven by such demand. As the explosion vessel’s key component, studying the blast‐resistant door in depth is of great significance. This paper introduces a new elliptical blast‐resistant door with the combined structure (EBD), mainly welded with an elliptical panel, arc support plate, and triangle support plate. The finite element program AUTODYN was used to calculate the explosion load, and LS‐DYNA was used to calculate the blast‐resistant door’s dynamic response. The calculation results show that the newly proposed EBD’s blast‐resistance capacity is better than that of the traditional structure. To further study the factors that affect the dynamic response of the EBD, a parametric study was carried out on the EBD, mainly analyzing the influence of the vacuum degree in the explosion vessel, the number of explosives, and the diameter ratio of the EBD. The parametric calculation results show that reducing the vacuum degree in the explosion vessel and the number of explosives during explosion working can improve the blast‐resistance capacity of the EBD. Based on the analysis of the dynamic response of four kinds of EBD with different diameter ratios under 0.2 atm explosion load, the optimal diameter ratio of the EBD is given.
Simultaneous Determination of Amphenicols and Metabolites in Animal-Derived Foods Using Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wu Xinyi , Shen Xixi , Cao Xiangyue , Nie Rongrong , Zhang Haonan , Tang Changbo , Wang Wei
Published: November 2021

Amphenicols are widely used to prevent and treat animal diseases. However, amphenicol residues accumulate in livestock and poultry and harm consumers. We hypothesized that one can combine solid-phase extraction (SPE) with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to simultaneously determine amphenicols and metabolites in pork, beef, lamb, chicken, and their products and meet government regulations for maximum residue limits. We extracted crude samples with ethyl acetate and ammonia water (98:2, v/v), purified the samples with a CNW Si SPE column, defatted the samples with acetonitrile-saturated n-hexane, and then determined the resulting analytes by UHPLC-MS/MS. The limit of detection of the analytes in livestock and poultry meat was 0.03–1.50 μg/kg, and the limit of quantification was 0.05–5.00 μg/kg. Measured chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, and florfenicol concentrations were linear over the range 0.50–50 μg/kg; and the florfenicol amine concentration was linear over the range 5.00–200 μg/kg (all with correlation coefficients >0.9990). The recovery of the spiked samples was between 72% and 120%. The intraday relative standard deviation (RSD) ranged from 1% to 9%, and the interday RSD ranged from 1% to 12%. Based on the above results, the current method is sensitive, accurate, and reproducible with the detection limits being well below the maximum residue limits as per Chinese standard GB 31650-2019, and thus, our research hypothesis could be confirmed.
Spatial-Temporal Patterns and Inflammatory Factors of Bone Matrix Remodeling
Authors: Wang Jiechen , Guo Fengyuan , Chen Guangjin , Sun Jiwei , Tang Qingming , Chen Lili
Published: November 2021

The bone extracellular matrix (ECM) contains organic and mineral constituents. The establishment and degradation processes of ECM connect with spatial and temporal patterns, especially circadian rhythms in ECM. These patterns are responsible for the physical and biological characteristics of bone. The disturbances of the patterns disrupt bone matrix remodeling and cause diverse bone diseases, such as osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and bone fracture. In addition, the main regulatory factors and inflammatory factors also follow circadian rhythms. Studies show that the circadian oscillations of these factors in bone ECM potentially influence the interactions between immune responses and bone formation. More importantly, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within the specific microenvironments provide the regenerative potential for tissue remodeling. In this review, we summarize the advanced ECM spatial characteristics and the periodic patterns of bone ECM. Importantly, we focus on the intrinsic connections between the immunoinflammatory system and bone formation according to circadian rhythms of regulatory factors in bone ECM. And our research group emphasizes the multipotency of MSCs with their microenvironments. The advanced understandings of bone ECM formation patterns and MSCs contribute to providing optimal prevention and treatment strategies.