bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing pregnancy outcomes between natural cycles and artificial cycles following frozen‐thaw embryo transfers
Authors: Pakes Cassandra , Volovsky Michelle , Rozen Genia , Agresta Franca , Gardner David K. , Polyakov Alex
Published: July 2020

Background

Frozen embryo transfer (FET) is increasing in prevalence. In contrast to the amount of research performed on the actual cryopreservation procedure, there are limited data with respect to optimal endometrial preparation in FET cycles. Increasingly artificial cycle (AC) preparation is being adopted over the natural cycle (NC) to facilitate greater access to FET. However, there remains a paucity of data comparing pregnancy outcomes between these two commonly used cycle types.

Aims

To examine the efficacy of AC vs NC following FET, by comparing pregnancy outcomes including biochemical, clinical and live birth rates, along with miscarriage rates.

Materials and Method

This is a large single‐centre retrospective analysis, examining a standardised data set from January 2015 to July 2018. It included 3030 cycles (NC = 2033, AC = 997). Main outcomes were biochemical pregnancy (beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin > 5 IU), ultrasound‐diagnosed clinical pregnancy, and live births. Using the χ2 test, the above pregnancy outcomes were compared between AC and NC. A multivariate logistic regression, controlling for factors such as age, embryo quality, and day of blastocyst freeze was further utilised to assess for confounding variables.

Results

No difference was observed between biochemical pregnancy rates (NC = 39.45% vs AC = 37.71%, P = 0.357); statistically significant differences were observed between clinical pregnancy (30.84% vs 26.08%, P = 0.007), and live birth rates (24.40% vs 18.86% P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that NC produces superior pregnancy outcomes when controlling for confounding variables.

Conclusion

This analysis demonstrates the non‐inferiority of NC thaw compared to AC, on continuing pregnancy rates. Taken together with patient acceptability and possibly increased obstetric risks with AC, these findings support the use of NC when medically possible.
Diabetes‐related outcomes after pancreatic surgery
Authors: Lee Cynthia Ying Chian , Depczynski Barbara , Poynten Ann , Haghighi Koroush S.
Published: July 2020

Background

The development of pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus (PDM) is a common complication post‐pancreatectomy; however, its prevalence has not been described in Australia. We aimed to describe the glycaemic status pre‐ and post‐pancreatectomy, compare patients' clinical characteristics, group according to pre‐ and post‐pancreatectomy diabetes mellitus (DM) status and identify predictors of post‐operative PDM.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients admitted for pancreatic resection at a single institution from 2011 to 2017. Post‐operative DM status was determined at the time of discharge or at 30 days post‐operation. Longer term DM onset was as documented in medical record subsequent to admission for pancreatic surgery.

Results

A total of 137 cases were analysed; 13.3% and 24.8% of patients developed post‐operative PDM within 30 days and at median of 1 year (range 1–4 years) follow‐up, respectively. All patients with pre‐existing DM continued to have DM post‐operatively. Patients with pre‐existing DM were older (P = 0.004) and had a family history of DM (P = 0.020); 8.3% of patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy versus 17.1% of patients who had undergone distal pancreatectomy developed PDM (P = 0.318). A lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.033) was significantly associated with post‐operative PDM development. No independent predictors for post‐operative PDM were identified.

Conclusions

The new development of DM within 30 days post‐pancreatectomy occurs in approximately one in seven persons. No patients with pre‐existing DM demonstrated a remission of DM post‐pancreatectomy. These findings suggest that all patients should be screened for DM pre‐operatively and followed up post‐operatively, particularly those with pre‐existing impaired renal function.
The representation of future generations in newspaper coverage of climate change: A study of the UK press
Authors: Graham Hilary , de Bell Siân
Published: July 2020

Climate change will rob future generations—today's children and those yet to be born—of the stable climate that previous generations have enjoyed. The article explores how future generations are represented in climate change coverage in the UK national press. We examine the ‘popular’ (Mail, Mirror) and ‘quality’ (Guardian, Telegraph) press from 2010 to March 2019. We found that little attention was given to future generations; young people rarely spoke and, along with those yet to be born, were represented in ways that obscured the temporal and social inequalities that are built into climate change.
Early developmental milestones in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: van Dommelen Paula , van Dijk Oisín , de Wilde Jeroen A , Verkerk Paul H
Published: July 2020

Aim

To investigate the differences in attainment of developmental milestones between young males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and young males from the general population.

Method

As part of the case–control 4D‐DMD study (Detection by Developmental Delay in Dutch boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy), data on developmental milestones for 76 young males with DMD and 12 414 young males from a control group were extracted from the health care records of youth health care services. The characteristics of DMD were acquired from questionnaires completed by parents. Logistic regression analyses were performed with milestone attainment (yes/no) as the dependent variable and DMD (yes/no) as the independent variable, with and without adjustment for age at visit.

Results

The mean number of available milestones was 43 (standard deviation [SD]=13, range: 1–59) in the DMD group and 40 (SD=15, range: 1–60) in the control group. The presence of developmental delay was evident at 2 to 3 months of age, with a higher proportion of young males with DMD failing to attain milestones of gross/fine motor activity, adaptive behaviour, personal/social behaviour, and communication (range age‐adjusted odds ratios [ORs]=2.3–4.0, p<0.01). Between 12 and 36 months of age, differences in the attainment of developmental milestones concerning gross motor activity increased with age (range age‐adjusted ORs=10.3–532, p<0.001). We also found differences in developmental milestones concerning fine motor activity, adaptive behaviour, personal/social behaviour, and communication between 12 and 48 months of age (range age‐adjusted ORs=2.5–9.7, p<0.01).

Interpretation

We found delays in the attainment of motor and non‐motor milestones in young males with DMD compared to the control group. Such delays were already evident a few months after birth. Developmental milestones that show a delay in attainment have the potential to aid the earlier diagnosis of DMD.
Effects of canagliflozin on initiation of insulin and other antihyperglycaemic agents in the CANVAS Program
Authors: Matthews David R. , Wysham Carol , Davies Melanie , Slee April , Alba Maria , Lee Mary , Perkovic Vlado , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Neal Bruce
Published: July 2020

This study compared initiation of insulin and other antihyperglycaemic agents (AHAs) with canagliflozin versus placebo for participants with type 2 diabetes and a history/high risk of cardiovascular disease in the CANagliflozin cardioVascular Assessment Study (CANVAS) Program. After 1 year, fewer participants treated with canagliflozin versus placebo initiated any AHA (7% vs. 16%), insulin (3% vs. 9%) or any non‐insulin AHA (5% vs. 12%) (P < .001 for all); overall AHA initiation rates increased over time but were consistently lower with canagliflozin compared with placebo. During the study, the likelihood of initiating insulin was 2.7 times lower for participants treated with canagliflozin compared with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.43; P < .001). The time difference between 10% of patients in the canagliflozin and placebo groups being initiated on insulin from the beginning of the trial was about 2 years. Time to initiation of other AHAs, including metformin, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and sulphonylureas, was also delayed for canagliflozin versus placebo (P < .001 for each). Compared with placebo, canagliflozin delayed the need for initiation of other AHAs and delayed time to insulin therapy, an outcome that is important to many people with diabetes.
Putting power and politics central in Nepal’s water governance
Authors: Suhardiman Diana , Karki Emma , Bastakoti Ram C.
Published: July 2020

Motivation

Power relations, and the politics shaping and reshaping them, are key to determining influence and outcomes in water governance. But current discourse on water governance tends to present decision‐making as neutral and technical, unaffected by political influences.

Purpose

Taking the case of Nepal, this article examines the close interlinkages between bureaucratic and political competition that indirectly influence decisions and outcomes on water governance, while placing this within the context of state transformation.

Approach and Methods

An in‐depth case study examines the interactions of politicians and bureaucrats shaping decisions on water governance. It draws on semi‐structured interviews and power mapping to reveal insights from key stakeholders with decision‐making power in national management of water resources.

Findings

Political competition drives the country’s development agenda and planning, resulting in fragmented development planning. It works in tandem with the prevailing bureaucratic competition in water resources management. It highlights the need to link the discourse and analysis water governance with processes of state transformation. The current fragmented development planning processes could serve as entry points for civil society groups and the wider society to convey their voice and exert their influence.

Policy implications

Following federalism, the political transfer of power and decision‐making to achieve political representation and social justice rests with locally elected governing bodies. This coincides with the government’s push to manage water resources through river basin planning. There is a need for greater participation from the local governing bodies and understanding of how politics and power shape water governance.
The effects of a single‐session cathodal transcranial pulsed current stimulation on corticospinal excitability: A randomized sham‐controlled double‐blinded study
Authors: Dissanayaka Thusharika , Zoghi Maryam , Farrell Michael , Egan Gary , Jaberzadeh Shapour
Published: July 2020

Transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) of the human motor cortex has received much attention in recent years. Although the effect of anodal tPCS with different frequencies has been investigated, the effect of cathodal tPCS (c‐tPCS) has not been explored yet. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of c‐tPCS at 4 and 75 Hz frequencies on corticospinal excitability (CSE) and motor performance. In a randomized sham‐controlled crossover design, fifteen healthy participants attended three experimental sessions and received either c‐tPCS at 75 Hz, 4 Hz or sham with 1.5 mA for 15 min. Transcranial magnetic stimulation and grooved pegboard test were performed before, immediately after and 30 min after the completion of stimulation at rest. The findings indicate that c‐tPCS at both 4 and 75 Hz significantly increased CSE compared to sham. Both c‐tPCS at 75 and 4 Hz showed a significant increase in intracortical facilitation compared to sham, whereas the effect on short‐interval intracortical inhibition was not significant. The c‐tPCS at 4 Hz but not 75 Hz induced modulation of intracortical facilitation correlated with the CSE. Motor performance did not show any significant changes. These results suggest that, compared with sham stimulation, c‐tPCS at both 4 and 75 Hz induces an increase in CSE.
Loss of histone H3 trimethylation on lysine 27 and nuclear expression of transducin‐like enhancer 1 in primary intracranial sarcoma, DICER1‐mutant
Authors: Alexandrescu Sanda , Meredith David M , Lidov Hart G , Alaggio Rita , Novello Mariangela , Ligon Keith L , Vargas Sara O
Published: July 2020

Aims

Primary intracranial sarcoma, DICER1‐mutant is a recently described central nervous system tumour with specific genomic and DNA‐methylation profiles. Although some of its histological features (focal spindle‐cell morphology, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic granules, and focal heterologous differentiation) are common across most reported cases, the presence of significant histological variability and the lack of differentiation pose diagnostic challenges. We aim to further define the immunoprofile of this tumor.

Methods and results

We reviewed the clinical history and performed immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein, oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2, SOX2, SOX10, S100, histone H3 trimethylated on lysine 27 (H3K27me3), desmin, myogenin, CD99, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and transducin‐like enhancer of split 1 (TLE1) on six primary intracranial sarcomas, DICER1‐mutant, with appropriate controls. Targeted exome sequencing was performed on all cases. The sarcomas showed diffuse (n = 4), mosaic (n = 1) or minimal (≤5%, n = 1) loss of H3K27 trimethylation and nuclear TLE1 expression (n = 6). Four had immunohistochemical evidence of myogenic differentiation. SOX2, SOX10, S100 and EMA were negative; CD99 expression ranged from focal cytoplasmic (n = 4) to crisp diffuse membranous (n = 2). One tumour had focal cartilaginous differentiation. Similar immunohistochemical findings were observed in a pleuropulmonary blastoma (albeit with focal TLE1 expression), a DICER1‐related pineoblastoma, and an embryonal tumour with a multilayered rosette‐like DICER1‐related cerebellar tumour. Targeted exome sequencing confirmed the presence of pathogenic biallelic DICER1 mutations in all tumours included in this study.

Conclusion

We conclude that H3K27me3 and TLE1 immunostains, when utilised in combination, can be helpful diagnostic markers for primary intracranial sarcoma, DICER1‐mutant.
“Change my selfie”: Relationships between self‐objectification and selfie‐behavior in young Italian women
Authors: Caso Daniela , Schettino Giovanni , Fabbricatore Rosa , Conner Mark
Published: July 2020

Self‐objectification is a pervasive phenomenon, related to specific socio‐cultural context, that can lead to many psychological and interpersonal consequences. With the present study, we investigated the correlates of self‐objectification in young Italian women analyzing both its traditional antecedents and its consequences for self‐presentation on social network sites (SNS). A total of 676 Italian university female students completed a self‐reported questionnaire on self‐objectification, internalization of a thin‐ideal and related influences, internalized sexism, self‐esteem, SNS use, selfie‐posting on SNS and selfies’ manipulation. Results indicated that media and peers, but not family pressures, were positively associated with thin‐ideal internalization, which, in turn, was positively associated with self‐objectification. Moreover, both sexism and self‐esteem were significantly associated with self‐objectification. Regarding self‐objectification consequences for SNS usage, results revealed that self‐objectification was positively associated with time spent on SNS, frequency of selfie‐posting and selfie‐editing. It was concluded that objectification theory can be extended into the context of image‐related behaviors on SNS. Results suggest that young women with low self‐esteem, traditional attitudes toward gender roles and high levels of internalization of thin‐ideal may report high levels of self‐objectification which, in turn, may be related to specific self‐promotion behaviors on social media. The limitations of the present study, particularly in terms of sampling and implications for future research on selfie‐behavior are discussed.
Internal Fixation versus Hemiarthroplasty in the Treatment of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Tu Dong‐peng , Liu Zheng , Yu Yi‐kang , Xu Chao , Shi Xiao‐lin
Published: July 2020

Objective

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of internal fixation versus hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly.

Methods

A search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to April 2020. The present study compared internal fixation and hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly. RevMan5.3 software provided by the International Cochrane Group was used for the meta‐analysis. To compare the differences in the operation time, intraoperative bleeding, length of hospital stay, superficial infection, Harris hip score, mortality within 1 year, mortality within 2 years, reoperation, incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), partial weight‐bearing time, non‐union, and implant‐related complications between an internal fixation group and an hemiarthroplasty group.

Results

A total of 1300 patients were included in nine studies. The results showed that the operation time (MD = −18.09, 95% CI: −27.85–−8.34, P = 0.0003), intraoperative bleeding (MD = −195.31, 95% CI: −244.8–−147.74, P < 0.0001), implant‐related complications (MD = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.74–8.45, P = 0.0008), and partial weight‐bearing time (MD = 17.21, 95% CI: 1.63–32.79, P = 0.03) have statistical significance. However, there is not statistical significance for the Harris hip joint function scale (HHS) (MD = 5.60, 95% CI: −1.13–12.33, P = 0.10), DVT (MD = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.45–2.27, P = 0.97), length of hospital stay (MD = ‐1.08, 95% CI: −2.82–0.66, P = 0.22), superficial Infection (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.43–1.98, P = 0.89), mortality within 1 year (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.61–1.48, P = 0.81), mortality within 2 years (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.61–1.43, P = 0.75), reoperation (MD = 1.80, 95% CI: 0.64–5.04, P = 0.26), and non‐union (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.48–3.03, P = 0.70). The result of the subgroup analysis showed no significant differences between the less than 2 years follow‐up and the 2 years or more follow‐up group. The only difference was for the Harris hip score: the internal fixation group was superior to the hemiarthroplasty group in the less than 2 years subgroup analysis, while there was no difference between the internal fixation group hemiarthroplasty group in the 2 years or more subgroup analysis.

Conclusion

Compared with the internal fixation group, those in the hemiarthroplasty group could carry out weight‐bearing training early and implant‐related complications were reduced, but it requires longer operation time and there is greater intraoperative blood loss. There is no difference in mortality, the incidence of DVT, non‐union, HHS, reoperation, length of hospital stay, and superficial infection. Hemiarthroplasty may be a better choice for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly.
Nitric oxide is essential for cadmium‐induced peroxule formation and peroxisome proliferation
Authors: Terrón‐Camero Laura C. , Rodríguez‐Serrano María , Sandalio Luisa M. , Romero‐Puertas María C.
Published: July 2020

Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrosylated derivatives are produced in peroxisomes, but the impact of NO metabolism on organelle functions remains largely uncharacterised. Double and triple NO‐related mutants expressing cyan florescent protein (CFP)‐SKL (nox1 × px‐ck and nia1 nia2 × px‐ck) were generated to determine whether NO regulates peroxisomal dynamics in response to cadmium (Cd) stress using confocal microscopy. Peroxule production was compromised in the nia1 nia2 mutants, which had lower NO levels than the wild‐type plants. These findings show that NO is produced early in the response to Cd stress and was involved in peroxule production. Cd‐induced peroxisomal proliferation was analysed using electron microscopy and by the accumulation of the peroxisomal marker PEX14. Peroxisomal proliferation was inhibited in the nia1 nia2 mutants. However, the phenotype was recovered by exogenous NO treatment. The number of peroxisomes and oxidative metabolism were changed in the NO‐related mutant cells. Furthermore, the pattern of oxidative modification and S‐nitrosylation of the catalase (CAT) protein was changed in the NO‐related mutants in both the absence and presence of Cd stress. Peroxisome‐dependent signalling was also affected in the NO‐related mutants. Taken together, these results show that NO metabolism plays an important role in peroxisome functions and signalling.
Dermoscopy of plaque psoriasis differs with plaque location, its duration, and patient's sex
Authors: Golińska Joanna , Sar‐Pomian Marta , Rudnicka Lidia
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Literature data on dermoscopic features of psoriasis vulgaris are inconsistent. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether dermoscopic features of psoriatic plaques differ with anatomic location or any clinical characteristics.

Materials and Methods

Clinical evaluation and videodermoscopy of psoriatic plaques located on the face, chest, abdomen, forearms, lower legs, back, and scalp were performed in 50 patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Results

A total of 306 plaques were evaluated. Videodermoscopy with a 20‐fold magnification revealed red dots and globules in 306/306 (100%) plaques, arranged in diffuse (170/306, 56%), patchy (117/306, 38%), or polygonal (19/306, 6%) pattern. A 70 fold magnification of these vessels revealed the presence of bushy vessels (213/306, 70%) and twisted loops (107/306, 35%), with the latter occurring more commonly on the scalp and face (P < .001). In lesions lasting less or equal 5 weeks on forearms and scalp, patchy distribution of the scale predominated, whereas in older lesions—diffuse type (forearm P = .005, scalp P = .017). Diffuse distribution of the scale in lesions located on the face was more common in women, than men (P = .003).

Conclusions

Videodermoscopic picture of psoriatic plaques may differ with the anatomic location and duration of the psoriatic plaque and with patient's sex.
Thermal and Manufacturing Design Considerations for Silicon-Based Embedded Microchannel-3D Manifold Coolers (EMMCs): Part 1—Experimental Study of Single-Phase Cooling Performance With R-245fa
Authors: Jung Ki Wook , Cho Eunho , Lee Hyoungsoon , Kharangate Chirag , Zhou Feng , Asheghi Mehdi , Dede Ercan M. , Goodson Kenneth E.
Published: July 2020

High performance and economically viable cooling solutions must be developed to reduce weight and volume, allowing for a wide-spread utilization of hybrid electric vehicles. The traditional embedded microchannel cooling heat sinks suffer from high pressure drop due to small channel dimensions and long flow paths in two-dimensional (2D) plane. Utilizing direct “embedded cooling” strategy in combination with top access three-dimensional (3D) manifold strategy reduces the pressure drop by nearly an order of magnitude. In addition, it provides more temperature uniformity across large area chips and it is less prone to flow instability in two-phase boiling heat transfer. This study presents the experimental results for single-phase thermofluidic performance of an embedded silicon microchannel cold plate (CP) bonded to a 3D manifold for heat fluxes up to 300 W/cm2 using single-phase R-245fa. The heat exchanger consists of a 5 × 5 mm2 heated area with 25 parallel 75 × 150 μm2 microchannels, where the fluid is distributed by a 3D-manifold with four microconduits of 700 × 250 μm2. Heat is applied to the silicon heat sink using electrical Joule-heating in a metal serpentine bridge and the heated surface temperature is monitored in real-time by infrared (IR) camera and electrical resistance thermometry. The maximum and average temperatures of the chip, pressure drop, thermal resistance, and average heat transfer coefficient (HTC) are reported for flow rates of 0.1, 0.2. 0.3, and 0.37 L/min and heat fluxes from 25 to 300 W/cm2. The proposed embedded microchannels-3D manifold cooler, or EMMC, device is capable of removing 300 W/cm2 at maximum temperature 80 °C with pressure drop of less than 30 kPa, where the flow rate, inlet temperature, and pressures are 0.37 L/min, 25 °C and 350 kPa, respectively. The experimental uncertainties of the test results are estimated, and the uncertainties are the highest for heat fluxes < 50 W/cm2 due to difficulty in precisely measuring the fluid temperature at the inlet and outlet of the microcooler.
Internal Geometry and External Wall Effects on Fluidic Oscillator Behavior
Authors: Claus Gabrielle C. , Hatton Andrew , Bohan Brian T. , Polanka Marc D.
Published: July 2020

This study quantified the correlation of internal geometry (including Coanda effects) and external walls on oscillation frequency for a fluidic oscillator that was tested for a variety of mass flow rates using CO2 gas. The oscillator designs were modified by altering the aspect ratio (AR) with respect to the exit nozzle and changing the cross-sectional area ratio (MR) between the exit throat and power nozzle. The AR and cross-sectional MR were shown to be correlated with frequency. External walls parallel to each other and perpendicular to the oscillator exit throat were added at varying separation distances to observe how they affected the jet oscillation angle and frequency. By increasing the convexity of the exit throat, Coanda effects were about three times more effective in increasing the oscillation angle compared to wall effects. The internal geometry effects were combined by nondimensional analysis to find a function for predicting the frequency of an oscillator in terms of aspect and area ratios. The function showed that the oscillators converged to a single Strouhal number of 0.016.
Artificial Intelligence in Advanced Manufacturing: Current Status and Future Outlook
Authors: Arinez Jorge F. , Chang Qing , Gao Robert X. , Xu Chengying , Zhang Jianjing
Published: July 2020

Today’s manufacturing systems are becoming increasingly complex, dynamic, and connected. The factory operations face challenges of highly nonlinear and stochastic activity due to the countless uncertainties and interdependencies that exist. Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI), especially Machine Learning (ML) have shown great potential to transform the manufacturing domain through advanced analytics tools for processing the vast amounts of manufacturing data generated, known as Big Data. The focus of this paper is threefold: (1) review the state-of-the-art applications of AI to representative manufacturing problems, (2) provide a systematic view for analyzing data and process dependencies at multiple levels that AI must comprehend, and (3) identify challenges and opportunities to not only further leverage AI for manufacturing, but also influence the future development of AI to better meet the needs of manufacturing. To satisfy these objectives, the paper adopts the hierarchical organization widely practiced in manufacturing plants in examining the interdependencies from the overall system level to the more detailed granular level of incoming material process streams. In doing so, the paper considers a wide range of topics from throughput and quality, supervisory control in human–robotic collaboration, process monitoring, diagnosis, and prognosis, finally to advances in materials engineering to achieve desired material property in process modeling and control.
Graphical Design Methodology of Multi-Degrees-of-Freedom Tuned Mass Damper for Suppressing Multiple Modes
Authors: Ma Wenshuo , Yu Jingjun , Yang Yiqing
Published: July 2020

The multi-degrees-of-freedom (MDOF) tuned mass damper (TMD) has proven its ability to suppress multiple modes of interest, and it possesses less mounting space than multiple single degree-of-freedom TMDs of equal damping mass. However, it is challenging to implement the exact design of MDOF TMDs having expected vibration modes. The conceptual design of MDOF TMD containing visualized DOFs is first presented by the graphical approach, and the visualization of the quantitative relationship between the freedoms and constraints of TMD is attained. Then, dynamics modeling is analytically formulated by incorporating experimental data, and optimization of MDOF TMD considering background modes is performed. Two scenarios of MDOF TMD (i.e., 2DOFs TMD and 3DOFs TMD) are simulated. Vibration suppression of single dominant mode and multiple modes are achieved, corresponding to the case when the primary structure is subjected to wide and narrow band harmonic excitations, respectively. Afterward, a TMD with one rotational and two translational (1R2 T) DOFs is designed by embodying the geometric constraint patterns by flexible beams, and changeable elastic elements are incorporated. Experiments show that the first, second, and third bending modes of the cantilever beam are suppressed by 80.0%, 67.5%, and 61.2%, respectively, by the 3DOFs TMD for multiple modes suppression.
Effect of In-Plane Load and Thermal Environment on Buckling and Vibration Behavior of Two-Dimensional Functionally Graded Tapered Timoshenko Nanobeam
Authors: Lal Roshan , Dangi Chinika
Published: July 2020

In this work, buckling and vibration characteristics of two-dimensional functionally graded (FG) nanobeam of nonuniform thickness subjected to in-plane and thermal loads have been analyzed within the frame work of Timoshenko beam theory. The beam is tapered by linear variation in thickness along the length. The temperature-dependent material properties of the beam are varying along thickness and length as per a power-law distribution and exponential function, respectively. The analysis has been presented using Eringen’s nonlocal theory to incorporate the size effect. Hamilton’s energy principle has been used to formulate the governing equations of motion. These resulting equations have been solved via generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) for three combinations of clamped and simply supported boundary conditions. The effect of in-plane load together with temperature variation, nonuniformity parameter, gradient indices, nonlocal parameter, and slenderness ratio on the natural frequencies is illustrated for the first three modes of vibration. The critical buckling loads in compression have been computed by putting the frequencies equal to zero. A significant contribution of in-plane load on mechanical behavior of two-directional functionally graded nanobeam with nonuniform cross section has been noticed. Results are in good accordance.
Extending the metal-induced gap state model of Schottky barriers
Authors: Robertson John , Guo Yuzheng , Zhang Zhaofu , Li Hongfei
Published: July 2020

Fermi level pinning at Schottky barriers strongly limits the minimization of contact resistances in devices and thereby limits the scaling of modern Si electronic devices, so it is useful to understand the full range of behaviors of Schottky barriers. The authors find that some semiconductor interfaces with compound metals like silicides have apparently weaker Fermi level pinning. This occurs as these metals have an underlying covalent skeleton, whose interfaces with semiconductors lead to miscoordinated defect sites that create additional localized interface states that go beyond the standard metal-induced gap states (MIGSs) model of Schottky barriers. This causes a stronger dependence of Schottky barrier height on the metal and on interface orientation. These states are argued to be an additional component needed to extend the MIGS model.
Dietary cholesterol drives fatty liver-associated liver cancer by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Coker Olabisi Oluwabukola , Chu Eagle SH , Fu Kaili , Lau Harry C H , Wang Yi-Xiang , Chan Anthony W H , Wei Hong , Yang Xiaoyong , Sung Joseph J Y , Yu Jun
Published: July 2020

Objective

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an increasing healthcare burden worldwide. We examined the role of dietary cholesterol in driving NAFLD–HCC through modulating gut microbiota and its metabolites.

Design

High-fat/high-cholesterol (HFHC), high-fat/low-cholesterol or normal chow diet was fed to C57BL/6 male littermates for 14 months. Cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin was administered to HFHC-fed mice. Germ-free mice were transplanted with stools from mice fed different diets to determine the direct role of cholesterol modulated-microbiota in NAFLD–HCC. Gut microbiota was analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing and serum metabolites by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) metabolomic analysis. Faecal microbial compositions were examined in 59 hypercholesterolemia patients and 39 healthy controls.

Results

High dietary cholesterol led to the sequential progression of steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and eventually HCC in mice, concomitant with insulin resistance. Cholesterol-induced NAFLD–HCC formation was associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. The microbiota composition clustered distinctly along stages of steatosis, steatohepatitis and HCC. Mucispirillum, Desulfovibrio, Anaerotruncus and Desulfovibrionaceae increased sequentially; while Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides were depleted in HFHC-fed mice, which was corroborated in human hypercholesteremia patients. Dietary cholesterol induced gut bacterial metabolites alteration including increased taurocholic acid and decreased 3-indolepropionic acid. Germ-free mice gavaged with stools from mice fed HFHC manifested hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation and cell proliferation. Moreover, atorvastatin restored cholesterol-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and completely prevented NAFLD–HCC development.

Conclusions

Dietary cholesterol drives NAFLD–HCC formation by inducing alteration of gut microbiota and metabolites in mice. Cholesterol inhibitory therapy and gut microbiota manipulation may be effective strategies for NAFLD–HCC prevention.
Effect of random deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with diabetes and stable ischaemic heart disease
Authors: Williams Conor , Brown David L
Published: July 2020

Background

In stable ischaemic heart disease (SIHD), measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) to guide selection of lesions for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces death and myocardial infarction (MI) compared with angiographic guidance. However, it is unknown if the improved outcomes are due to avoidance of stenting of physiologically insignificant lesions or are a by-product of placing fewer stents.

Methods

We developed a Monte Carlo simulation using the PCI strata of the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes study to investigate how random deferral of PCI impacts outcomes. To simulate deferral, a randomly selected group of patients randomised to PCI were removed and replaced by an equal number of randomly selected patients randomised to intensive medical therapy (IMT) using a random number generator in Python’s NumPy module. The primary endpoint was the rate of death or non-fatal MI at 1 year.

Results

Death/MI at 1 year occurred in 8.3% of 798 patients in the PCI group and 5.1% of 807 patients in the IMT control group (p=0.02). Following 10 000 iterations of random replacement of 10%, 20%, 30% or 40% of PCI patients with randomly selected IMT patients, the rate of death/MI at 1 year progressively declined from 8.3% to 8.0%, 7.6%, 7.3% and 7.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

In this simulation model, random deferral of PCI procedures in SIHD progressively reduced death/MI as the percentage of procedures deferred increases. FFR-guided deferral of PCI may improve outcomes as a result of placing fewer stents and be unrelated to the haemodynamic severity of lesions.
Let’s make it a priority to improve injury data
Authors: Hemenway David
Published: July 2020

While injury researchers often complain about the lack of quality data, we don’t do nearly enough to create and improve data systems.
Acutely ruptured basilar artery bifurcation aneurysm, treated with simultaneous Cascade and Comaneci temporary-assisted coiling
Authors: Sirakov Alexander , Raychev Radoslav , Bhogal Pervinder , Sirakov Stanimir
Published: July 2020

Temporary stent-assisted coiling is an eligible approach for the treatment of acutely ruptured complex cerebral aneurysms. Improved material properties and industrial advances in braiding technology have led to the introduction of new stent-like devices to augment endovascular coil embolization. Such technology includes the Cascade and Comaneci neck-bridging devices. Both devices are manually controlled, non-occlusive and fully retrievable neck-bridging temporary implants. The braided nature and the ultra-thin wire, compliant structure of their bridging meshes helps maintain target vessel patency during coil embolization. In this video (video 1) we demonstrate the straightforward combination of two temporary neck-bridging devices for the embolization of an acutely ruptured aneurysm of the basilar artery. Technical success and complete embolization of the aneurysm were recorded at the final angiography. In this technical video we discuss the technical nuances of the Comaneci and Cascade coil embolization.

Video 1
Methane and carbon dioxide emissions and grazed forage intake from pregnant beef heifers previously classified for residual feed intake under drylot conditions
Authors: Manafiazar G. , Flesch T.K. , Baron V.S. , McKeown L. , Byron B. , Block H. , Ominski K. , Plastow G. , Basarab J.A.
Published: July 2020

The objectives of this study were to quantify the effect of post-weaning residual feed intake (RFI) on subsequent grazed forage intake, methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Beef heifers classified for RFI adjusted for off-test backfat (RFIfat; 55 high and 56 low) at 9 mo of age were monitored 7 mo later for CH4 and CO2 emissions using the GreenFeed Emissions Monitoring system. About 56 of these heifers were also monitored as high and low RFIfat groups using open-path Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR). Heifers were dosed with 1 kg of C32-labelled pellets once daily for 15 d, with twice daily fecal sampling the last 8 d to determine individual grazed forage intake using the n-alkane method. Low RFIfat pregnant heifers consumed less forage (10.25 vs. 10.81 kg dry matter d−1; P < 0.001), and emitted less daily CH4 (238.7 vs. 250.7 g d−1; P = 0.009) and CO2 (7578 vs. 8041 g d−1; P < 0.001) compared with high RFIfat animals. Results from the OP-FTIR further confirmed that low RFIfat heifers emitted 6.3% less (g d−1; P = 0.006) CH4 compared with their high RFIfat cohorts. Thus, selection for low RFIfat will decrease daily CH4 and CO2 emissions from beef cattle.
Structural evaluation of invert-cut circular and arch shape corrugated steel pipes through laboratory testing
Authors: Darabnoush Tehrani Amin , Kohankar Kouchesfehani Zahra , Chimauriya Hiramani Raj , Raut Samrat , Najafi Mohammad , Yu Xinbao
Published: July 2020

Culverts are important components of highway infrastructure. They are structurally designed to support earth and live traffic loads. Corrugated steel pipes (CSPs) are widely used as culverts in North America in different geometries. However, due to the corrosive nature of the stormwater passing through the culverts, it is common to find CSPs with partially or entirely lost inverts. Dependent on site, depth of cover and embedment conditions, invert deterioration would not necessarily result in culvert failure. This paper presents the results of a laboratory testing campaign that evaluates the structural capacity of two circular CSPs and their equivalent arch CSP through the application of a vertical static loading. The circular pipe samples had a length of 6 ft (1.82 m) and a diameter of 60 in. (1.52 m). The same length arch pipe sample had a span of 71 in. (1.8 m) and a rise of 47 in. (1.19 m). The invert of the arch and one of the circular CSPs were cut to simulate heavily corroded culverts in service. The pipe samples were embedded under two feet (0.6 m) of cover using one foot (0.3 m) of sand and one foot (0.3 m) of coarse aggregates on top, simulating a base course layer of pavement. The results of testing showed that the invert-cut circular CSP was highly dependent on its ring stiffness. While, the invert-cut arch CSP took advantage of its arch geometry and was able to resist the applied load without significant loss in the sample pipe’s horizontal dimension.
Evidence of rapid non-targeted effects of cycloheximide on soil bacteria using 13C-PLFA analysis
Authors: Swallow Mathew J.B. , Quideau Sylvie A.
Published: July 2020

Stable isotope probing of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA-SIP) is useful when studying bacterial contributions to soil processes, and it is an effective way to separate fungal and bacterial activity by linking 13C enrichment to specific PLFAs. Distinguishing bacterial contributions to soil processes often employs selective inhibitors; however, studies demonstrating their efficacy when using PLFA-SIP are less common. Here, we determined the effect of the fungal inhibitor cycloheximide (4.8 mg g−1 dry soil) and the bacterial inhibitor bronopol (0.48 mg g−1 dry soil) on microbial communities white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] forest floor by measuring the uptake of 13C-enriched glucose (2 mg g−1 dry soil) in microbial PLFAs. We targeted [13C]glucose uptake by the bacterial community conditioned to a stable soil environment of 23 °C for over 2 wk rather than new bacteria generated from active colony growth caused by glucose addition. Nearly all bacterial PLFAs exhibited pronounced inhibition of 13C enrichment in the presence of bronopol. Limited inhibition of 13C enrichment in the presence of cycloheximide was observed as bacterial PLFA affected by cycloheximide had roughly one third less 13C enrichment than samples emended with [13C]glucose alone. Inhibitory effects only reduced 13C enrichment and did not affect total PLFA concentrations, implying that the inhibitors in the concentrations applied were impeding bacterial activity without causing cell death. Based on this work, we conclude that bronopol is an effective inhibitor for bacteria. Additionally, non-targeted effects of cycloheximide on soil bacteria must be accounted for when it is used in soil incubations.
Adsorption of Phthalocyanines on Stoichiometric and Reduced Rutile TiO2 (110)
Authors: Kilinc Necmettin , Ozturk Zafer Ziya , Berber Savas
Published: July 2020

We report ab initio density functional theory calculations for the metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) molecules adsorbed on rutile titania TiO2 (110) stoichiometric and reduced surface. The hybrid nanostructures that combine titania surfaces with organic molecules help to improve the applications for both the titania surface and the organic molecule. We determine the atomic structures for all possible adsorption sites through total energy calculations and atomic structure optimizations. We find that the surface oxygen atoms play a crucial role in determining the best adsorption position and adsorption energies. Charge transfer occurs from the phthalocyanine to the surface. The electronic structure of the hybrid system indicates the appearance of surface states in the energy gap of the bare surface. We univocally determined that these new states involve N atoms and are originated only from the surface atoms with no bulk contribution.
Neurocognitive Function, Psychosocial Outcome, and Health-Related Quality of Life of the First-Generation Metastatic Melanoma Survivors Treated with Ipilimumab
Authors: Rogiers Anne , Leys Christophe , Lauwyck Justine , Schembri Adrian , Awada Gil , Schwarze Julia Katharina , De Cremer Jennifer , Theuns Peter , Maruff Paul , De Ridder Mark , Bernheim Jan L. , Neyns Bart
Published: July 2020

Purpose. To assess neurocognitive function (NCF), psychosocial outcome, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and long-term effects of immune-related adverse events (irAE) on metastatic melanoma survivors treated with ipilimumab (IPI). Methods. Melanoma survivors were identified within two study populations (N=104), at a single-center university hospital, and defined as patients who were disease-free for at least 2 years after initiating IPI. Data were collected using 4 patient-reported outcome measures, computerized NCF testing, and a semistructured interview at the start and 1-year follow-up. Results. Out of 18 eligible survivors, 17 were recruited (5F/12M); median age is 57 years (range 33-86); and median time since initiating IPI was 5.6 years (range 2.1-9.3). The clinical interview revealed that survivors suffered from cancer-related emotional distress such as fear of recurrence (N=8), existential problems (N=2), survivor guilt (N=2), and posttraumatic stress disorder (N=6). The mean EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Score was not significantly different from the European mean of the healthy population. Nine survivors reported anxiety and/or depression (Hospitalization Depression Scale) during the survey. Seven survivors (41%) reported fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale). Seven patients (41%) had impairment in NCF; only three out of seven survivors had impairment in subjective cognition (Cognitive Failure Questionnaire). Anxiety, depression, fatigue, and neurocognitive symptoms remained stable at the 1-year follow-up. All cases of skin toxicity (N=8), hepatitis (N=1), colitis (N=3), and sarcoidosis (N=1) resolved without impact on HRQoL. Three survivors experienced hypophysitis; all suffered from persistent fatigue and cognitive complaints 5 years after onset. One survivor who experienced a Guillain-Barré-like syndrome suffered from persisting depression, fatigue, and impairment in NCF. Conclusion. A majority of melanoma survivors treated with IPI continue to suffer from emotional distress and impairment in NCF. Timely detection in order to offer tailored care is imperative, with special attention for survivors with a history of neuroendocrine or neurological irAE. The trial is registered with B.U.N. 143201421920.
Utilising Smartphone Light Sensors to Measure Egg White Ovalbumin Concentration in Eggs Collected from Yinchuan City, China
Authors: Liu Linlin , Bi Hualin
Published: July 2020

Cost-effective, portable, and rapid smartphone sensors will play a critical role in bringing chemical detection technologies from central laboratories to simple laboratories, such as those of schools in less-developed area. In this work, we study whether eggs in Yinchuan have a higher concentration of ovalbumin than that in ordinary eggs. We summarise previous research on sensors built inside smartphones, as well as some developments in the current literature, and develop a simple experimental procedure that utilises the light sensor of a smartphone to analyse light intensity and thereby determine the ovalbumin content of egg white cheaply and quickly. Most of the materials required for conducting this experiment can be easily found in simple school laboratories, and it allows solution concentrations to be quickly assessed by high school students in the data collection and analysis phase. Indeed, the data collected using smartphone light sensors were similar to those obtained using a spectrometer. It was concluded that egg white ovalbumin concentration in eggs collected from Yinchuan is higher than that in ordinary eggs.