bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite Element Modeling and Simulation of Inflatable Tubular Structure Airbag
Authors: Omar Tarek A. , Rehm Wolfgang , Bedewi Nabih E. , Al-Fraiji Ali
Published: November 2021

The Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS) airbag is a potentially life-saving device that has been implemented recently in some luxury passenger vehicles. When deployed, the ITS-airbag provides primarily protection of the front seat occupant’s head and face against upper side-interior car components. In the current research, a nonlinear Finite Element (FE) model for ITS-airbag system was proposed, developed, and tested in a side impact using dummy-head and neck FE model. The modeling technique of the unique behavior of the outer layer of the ITS-airbag is explained in details. Modeling such a complicated behavior of the ITS (axial shrinkage and radial expansion) was successfully performed by using a combination of diagonal truss elements combined with an isotropic fabric material.

Nonlinear FE side-impact simulations for a Hybrid-III dummy-head and neck model impacting a vehicle’s side glassing, roof-rail, and B-pillar using the ITS airbag system were conducted using the explicit FE code LS-DYNA. The developed ITS model has reduced the Head Injury Criteria (HIC) and the peak-acceleration of the dummy-head significantly. The results indicated the ability of the developed finite element model to represent the real ITS airbag system and therefore provide a reliable nonlinear FE simulation results that could be used to test, improve, and validate the implementation of the ITS airbag systems in more vehicles.
Dynamic Model and Control Law for a Low Storage Requirement Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Authors: Cikanek Susan R. , Baraszu Robert C. , Bailey Kathleen E. , Sureshbabu N. , Brackx Matt
Published: November 2021

This paper describes mathematical modeling, analysis, simulation, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) results of a Low Storage Requirement Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain and control system. The hybrid powertrain is synthesized using a conventional spark-ignited internal combustion engine, an alternating current induction traction motor, a converterless automatic transmission, and a differential and halfshafts that drive front wheels. Component models are summarized and a complete powertrain model is presented. An operating strategy is also discussed together with HIL simulation results that demonstrate system performance.
Automatic Engine Modeling for Failure Detection
Authors: Schrempf A. , Re L. del , Groißböck W. , Lughofer E. , Klement E. P. , Frizberg G.
Published: November 2021

Fast detection of abnormal plant operation is critical for many applications. Fault detection requires some kind of comparison between actual and “normal” behavior, which implies the use of models. Exact modeling of engine systems is probably impossible and even middle-complexity models are very time-consuming. In some few cases, as for on board diagnostics, the very limited amount of cases to be treated and the usually large production volumes allow to develop models suitable to detect an abnormal behavior, but, in general, however, this approach cannot be followed. As fast detection of abnormal plant operation is often critical, alternative low-effort approaches are required. This paper presents a procedure suitable for engine fault detection based on parallel automatic modeling. It is shown that this approach yields a flexible and reliable tool for automatic modeling for this goal, while keeping the effort for the operator rather low.
Adaptive Iterative Learning Control for Systems With Non-Smooth Nonlinearities
Authors: Zheng Danian , Alleyne Andrew
Published: November 2021

This paper presents preliminary investigations into a novel approach to circumventing a classic tradeoff between robustness and performance in Iterative Learning Control. The tradeoff is usually performed by designing an appropriate filtering mechanism to compensate for non-perfect resetting and noise. Time-Frequency analysis is used to examine the frequency content of error signals over the compact time support of the reference signal. This then allows the filter to effectively change its bandwidth as a function of time thereby allowing high frequency system dynamics to enter into the learning process at the appropriate time instants. At the same time, robustness is maintained by reducing the bandwidth of the filter when the system dynamics do not exhibit high frequency characteristics so as to attenuate the effect of noise on the learning stability. This Adaptive Iterative Learning controller is needed for systems that have non-smooth nonlinearities and the advantages are demonstrated here in simulation and experiment.
Robust Machining Force Control With Process Compensation
Authors: Kim Sung I. , Landers Robert G. , Ulsoy A. Galip
Published: November 2021

Force control is an effective means of improving the quality and productivity of machining operations. Force process models are difficult to accurately generate and, thus, there are large variations in the model parameters. This has lead to investigations into robust control techniques; however, these approaches have not directly accounted for process effects. A robust force controller is developed in this paper based on Quantitative Feedback Theory. This controller is novel in that it accounts for the inherent force-feed nonlinearity in metal cutting processes and it explicitly compensates for process effects. The controller is verified via simulations and experiments, and the results demonstrate that process compensation allows for tighter performance bounds to be achieved and greatly reduced performance variation as process parameters vary.
Optimal Trajectories With Respect to a Sthenic Criterion for Three Quadruped Walking Gaits
Authors: Muraro A. , Chevallereau C. , Aoustin Y.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, optimal cyclic reference trajectories are designed for three walking gaits of a quadruped robot, the curvet, the amble, the trot, taking into account the actuators characteristics and for a given motion robot velocity. The objectives of this study are multiple:

• Automatic design of admissible reference trajectories,

• Definition of the maximal speed of the robot for given actuators,

• Study of the evolution of the torque cost for various motion velocities,

• Comparison of three different gaits with respect to a sthenic criterion.

For the gaits studied, during some phases the system is underactuated. The design of the cyclic gaits takes this fact into account. The optimization problem is solved with an algebraic optimization technique. The actuated joint evolution is chosen as a polynomial function of time. The coefficients of the polynomial functions are optimization parameters. The evolution of the passive joint is defined using the dynamic model to have admissible trajectory. During the optimization process, the constraints on the ground reactions, the validity of impact, the torques, the joints velocities of the robot are taken into account. Simulation results are presented for the three gaits. All motions are realistics. Curvet is the less efficient gait with respect to the criterion studied. For slow motion, trot is the more efficient gait. But amble permits the fastest motion with the same actuators.
Silicon Carbide Wafer Polishing With Gas Cluster Ion Beams
Authors: DiFilippo V. , Bennett J. A. , Fenner D. B. , Hirvonen J. K. , Feldman L. C. , Saigal A.
Published: November 2021

A novel technology utilizing energetic ionized gas cluster ion beams (GCIB) has been successfully used to reduce the surface roughness of SiC for electronic applications. In GCIB, a high-pressure gas, such as argon, is supersonically expanded through a nozzle into vacuum. This adiabatic expansion results in the condensation of clusters consisting of tens to thousands of gas atoms weakly held together by Van der Waals forces. These clusters are then ionized and accelerated towards the target substrate. Upon impact, they create a strong lateral sputtering effect resulting in a net smoothing of the surface. The surfaces of commercial, single-crystal, research grade SiC wafers were exposed to a series of Ar and O2 gas cluster ion treatments of varying doses and energies. After processing, atomic force microscope measurements indicated a reduction of surface roughness and removal of pre-existing CMP polishing scratches. Enhanced GCIB smoothing was achieved by using sequential doses of gas clusters with different energies, and in some cases different gases. Higher cluster energies removed scratches but added a high spatial-frequency roughness component, which could be in turn reduced by lower energy clusters. It was found that oxygen clusters produced a greater degree of smoothing than argon clusters. RBS ion channeling measurements were also conducted, and showed that processing with lower energy clusters as the final step of a series of doses minimized the creation of defects near the surface.
Heat Loss Analysis of Flamelets in Near-Limit Spread Over Solid Fuel Surfaces
Authors: Vance Robert , Wichman Indrek S.
Published: November 2021

The profile of a spreading flamelet is analyzed by examining the heat losses to surrounding surfaces. The study addresses the reasons why flamelets have shapes ranging from round hemispherical “caps” to flat “coin-like” discs. A parabolic shape profile is used for the thin flame sheet, which provides both flame length and flame curvature. A third parameter specifies the height of the flame from the surface beneath it. Radiation and conduction heat losses from the flame sheet are calculated for various flame shapes. Overall heat losses as well as heat losses to the surface beneath the flamelet are examined. Some of the heat “losses” are misnamed because they produce the necessary surface decomposition for subsequent gaseous flame fuel vapors. Strictly, then, “losses” do not contribute appreciably to the maintenance of the flame. Physical arguments are made to explain observed flame spread behavior and flame shapes in response to prevailing flow and environmental conditions.
Solution of Three-Dimensional Transient Heat Transfer During Polymer Injection Molding
Authors: Ilinca Florin , Hétu Jean-François
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a three-dimensional transient finite element analysis code for solving the flow and heat transfer during polymer injection molding. The problems of interest present important challenges for both the physical modeling and the solution algorithm. The free surface flow of molten polymer moving inside the filling cavity has to be computed as well as the heat transfer between the polymer and the mold. During filling, heat transfer occurs at high Prandtl numbers because of the low material conductivity, resulting in sharp temperature gradients close to the walls. In this work the momentum, energy and front tracking equations are solved in a segregated manner. The energy equation is solved in an operator splitting approach. The methodology is robust and effective in solving three-dimensional industrial parts.
A Numerical Investigation of the Free Surface Flow During Optical Fiber Coating Process
Authors: Liu C. S. L. , Lee S. H.-K.
Published: November 2021

Optical fiber has increasingly played a crucial role in the information transmission area nowadays. The elevated demand makes it necessary to manufacture high quality light-guide fibers that have proper mechanical properties to endure the stresses induced during installations and operations. Optical fiber coating process provides a protection layer to shield the fiber from surface abrasion and also to increase the fiber’s tensile strength. However, there are problems encountered during this process which reduce the coating quality. One of the major problems is air entrainment, which may lead to eccentrical or incomplete coating. Apparently, it is of great interest to study this problem to improve the coating quality. Many experimental studies have been performed on the dynamic contact angle, air entrainment velocity and their correlation with various parameters, such as the viscosity and the surface tension of coating materials, fiber drawing speed, etc. Nevertheless, how the coating flow affects the upper meniscus (directly related with dynamic contact angle and air entrainment) has not been intensively studied. Understanding of the effects is essential to improve the coating quality. To fulfill this requirement, the present work focused on investigating the relation of upper meniscus and fiber drawing speed. This is just the first part of the serial study on the optical fiber coating process. Firstly, a numerical code was developed with finite volume formulation. The results showed that the code had the capacity to deal with this free surface fluid flow problem. The simulated free surface shape was validated with experimental data available. The trend of the upper meniscus shape and dynamic contact angle developments at high drawing velocity was simulated. The results showed, as expected, that the dynamic contact angle would approach 180° with the increase of the fiber-drawing speed.
Experimentation and Modeling for the Investigation of Fast Remotely Actuated Channeling in the VARTM Process
Authors: Mathur Roopesh , Heider Dirk , Advani Suresh G. , Walsh Shawn , Rigas Elias J. , Tackitt Kirk , Allende Mel , Fink Bruce K. , Gillespie John W.
Published: November 2021

The Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding Process is a composite manufacturing process that is widely used for the manufacture of large and complex three-dimensional composite structures such as bridges, ground vehicles, hull structures and ship sections. Fast remotely actuated channeling (FASTRAC) uses a unique double-vacuum bag, which creates distribution channels for optimal resin flow during impregnation. By controlling the application of the second vacuum bag it is possible to control the surface resin flow and the impregnation of the preform thus allows a significant reduction in labor and waste Process modeling and simulation are necessary in order to optimize this novel process for large-scale applications. Experiments were conducted using a VARTM test-bed for single channel injection and the resin flow was measured using sensors. An analytical model was developed for the flow of resin in the FASTRAC process. The results of the experiments and analytical model are presented in this paper.
Thermal Effects on Flow Injection Under Microgravity Condition
Authors: Li C. T. , Lai F. C.
Published: November 2021

Numerical results for non-isothermal flow injection under microgravity condition are reported in this paper. The numerical method, which combines the finite element method with a predictor/corrector scheme, is used to determine the transient flow field. The effects of surface tension are also considered in this study. The numerical simulations have covered a wide range of the governing parameters (i.e., 1 ≤ Pe ≤ 50, 0 ≤ St ≤ 10, and Ca = 1 and ∞). From the results obtained, it shows that gravitation has an important effect on the development of the flow front and required injection pressure. Although the surface tension effects may be insignificant for isothermal flow injection at Ca > 10, the effects become more important for non-isothermal flow injection at a higher Peclet number.
Using Textile Topography to Analyze X-Ray CT Data of Composite Microstructure
Authors: Parnas Richard S. , Wevers Martine , Verpoest Ignaas
Published: November 2021

The 3-dimensional yam architecture in a 2-dimensional woven fabric reinforced composite is nonuniform. Many structural features appear that are not obvious from consideration only of the yarn architecture in the single layer textile fabric. A complete set of 3-dimensional image data was acquired for a representative volume of the composite using X-ray micro-computed tomography. Extensive image analysis was, however, necessary to reveal the yarn architecture due to relatively low signal-to-noise ratio and contrast levels relative to optical microscopy of polished cross sections.
Preliminary Study of Vascular Endothelial Ca2+ Response to Elevated Temperature
Authors: Schen Aaron , Chen Baoguo , Xu Lisa X.
Published: November 2021

Local hyperthermia has been the subject of much research because of its great potential for therapeutic and clinic applications. It has been long recognized that a major factor, which affects tissue temperature elevation and heterogeneity during hyperthermia, is the augmentation of blood flow concomitant with the heating. The heat-induced change in local blood flow can be attributed to sympathetically mediated re-distribution of cardiac output and change in local flow resistance resulting from thermally stimulated regulation in diameters of arterioles. It has been found that the vascular endothelium significantly affects the dynamic response of the vessel diameter to thermal stimuli. Endothelial cells play key regulatory roles by producing several potent vasoactive agents and regulating coagulation states, i.e. endothelium derived relaxing factors (EDRFs). Most endothelial functions depend to various extents on changes in intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i. A new approach to studying vascular thermo-regulation during hyperthermia has been developed in this research to quantitatively measure the dynamic response of vascular endothelial Ca2+ to temperature elevations using confocal fluorescence ratio imaging. The cell membrane permeable fluorescence dye Fura-2/AM esters were loaded into the vascular endothelial cells and ratio imaging of the fluorescent endothelial cell were taken under the excitation of 334 and 380nm wavelengths. The signal intensities were calibrated with the endothelial calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) and temperatures ranged from 37°C to 44°C. This calibration will provide a means to quantitatively measure the vascular endothelial [Ca2+]i transients in in vivo tissue when subjected to temperature elevations from 38°C to 44°C, and thus to further understand the role of endothelium in thermally induced vascular regulation under hyperthermic conditions in the near future.
Minimization of Stress at Metal-Ceramic Interfaces Using Functionally Graded Materials
Authors: Bruck Hugh A. , Surendranath Harishbabu
Published: November 2021

There is a great deal interest in minimizing thermal and residual stresses at the interfaces of metals and ceramics. These stresses develop because of the large mismatch in thermally induced strains that exists between these two materials. The differences are significant enough to cause premature component failure in a variety of applications, including thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for turbine blades and ceramic coatings for cutting tools. One approach to minimizing these stresses involves functionally grading the material distribution at the metal-ceramic interface. A significant amount of effort has been focused on the development of functionally graded nickel-alumina composites as a model system to determine the architectural features of the material gradient that will minimize these stresses. This effort has led to the development of an experimentally verified modeling approach based on thermomechanical, elastoplastic finite element analysis that can be used to predict the stress distributions in functionally graded metal-ceramic composite materials. This approach has been coupled with a mathematical optimization technique, known as a Genetic Algorithm (GA), to determine the optimal architecture for minimizing thermal and residual stresses at metal-ceramic interfaces.
Supporting Mental Health in Youth Sport: Introducing a Toolkit for Coaches, Clubs, and Organisations
Authors: Walton Courtney C. , Carberry Serena , Wilson Michael , Purcell Rosemary , Olive Lisa , Vella Stewart , Rice Simon
Published: November 2021

The mental health of young people is of increasing concern, and early intervention prevention strategies are required. Youth sports are potentially effective environments within which to situate interventions due to high participation rates, familiarity to young participants, and the typically positive relationships held with adults within such spaces. However, coaches identify that they require more knowledge to better respond to mental health concerns that may be present among players. Here, we describe a research translation process in which an open-access, evidence-informed resource was developed to support coaches and sports clubs to better respond to athletes in need as well as to create environments that may protect against mental ill-health and promote well-being. The resource includes a toolkit—with an associated checklist—for recreational sport clubs to follow, a guide to responding to young people in need, and a short educational video. We suggest that these practical and applied resources, which can be immediately implemented, may assist in the provision of targeted and structured guidance for coaches’ first response intervention with vulnerable young people. Furthermore, these resources can support future efforts by being specifically tailored for the unique locations and cultures that vary among youth sport environments.
Dr. Richard C. Nelson: A Facilitator and Door Opener
Authors: Nigg Benno M.
Published: November 2021

Dr. Richard Nelson contributed to the development of sport biomechanics by being an international facilitator. Together with Dr. Jürg Wartenweiler, he contributed the necessary support and input that allowed the field of Movement and Sports Biomechanics to develop and flourish.
Performance-limiting formation dynamics in mixed-halide perovskites
Authors: Huang Tianyi , Tan Shaun , Nuryyeva Selbi , Yavuz Ilhan , Babbe Finn , Zhao Yepin , Abdelsamie Maged , Weber Marc H. , Wang Rui , Houk Kendall N. , Sutter-Fella Carolin M. , Yang Yang
Published: November 2021

Bromide inclusion altered the formation dynamics and defect physics of wide-bandgap perovskite compositions.
A decade retrospective of medical robotics research from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Dupont Pierre E. , Nelson Bradley J. , Goldfarb Michael , Hannaford Blake , Menciassi Arianna , O’Malley Marcia K. , Simaan Nabil , Valdastri Pietro , Yang Guang-Zhong
Published: November 2021

Eighty percent of medical robotics papers have been published in the past decade—What has been accomplished?
Proteolytic Processing of Plant Proteins by Potyvirus NIa Proteases
Authors: Xiao Huogen , Lord Etienne , Sanfaçon Hélène
Published: November 2021

Viruses are highly adaptive and use multiple molecular mechanisms to highjack or modify the cellular resources to their advantage. They must also counteract or evade host defense responses.
Validation of Selective Agars for Detection and Quantification of Escherichia coli Strains Resistant to Critically Important Antimicrobials
Authors: Lee Zheng Z. , Abraham Rebecca , O’Dea Mark , Harb Ali , Hunt Kelly , Lee Terence , Abraham Sam , Jordan David
Published: November 2021

Established models of surveillance for AMR in livestock typically have a low sampling intensity, which creates a tremendous barrier to understanding the variation of resistance among animal and food enterprises. However, developments in laboratory robotics now make it possible to rapidly and affordably process large volumes of samples.
Early Adoption of Longitudinal Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 among Staff in Long-Term Care Facilities: Prevalence, Virologic and Sequence Analysis
Authors: Gallichotte Emily N. , Quicke Kendra M. , Sexton Nicole R. , Fitzmeyer Emily , Young Michael C. , Janich Ashley J. , Dobos Karen , Pabilonia Kristy L. , Gahm Gregory , Carlton Elizabeth J. , Ebel Gregory D. , Ehrhart Nicole
Published: November 2021

Our work comprises unique data on the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics among staff working at LTCFs in the early months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic prior to mandated staff surveillance testing. During this time period, LTCF residents were largely sheltering-in-place.
Fecal Carriage and Molecular Characterization of Carbapenemase-Producing
Enterobacterales
in the Pediatric Population in Qatar
Authors: Pérez-López Andrés , Sundararaju Sathyavathi , Tsui Kin Ming , Al-Mana Hassan , Hasan Mohammad Rubayet , Suleiman Mohammed , Al Maslamani Eman , Imam Omar , Roscoe Diane , Tang Patrick
Published: November 2021

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the molecular characteristics of CPE in a pediatric population in Qatar using whole-genome sequencing. Since several countries in the Arabian Peninsula share relatively similar demographic patterns and international links, it is plausible that the molecular characteristics of CPE in children, at least in the middle and eastern parts of the region, are similar to those observed in our study.
Apatite fingerprints on the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of the Daheishan giant porphyry Mo deposit, NE China
Authors: Qu Pan , Yang Wubin , Niu Hecai , Li Ningbo , Wu Dan
Published: November 2021

Porphyry deposits are the main source for global Cu and Mo production. The generation of hydrous silicate magmas and subsequent separation of volatile-rich magmatic fluids with hydrothermal alteration are significant processes leading to the formation of porphyry deposits. However, a specific understanding of these processes has been limited by a lack of direct mineralogical records in the evolving magmatic-hydrothermal system. In this paper, we present an integrated textural and geochemical investigation on apatite from the giant Daheishan porphyry Mo deposit in NE China, illustrating that apatite can be a potential recorder of the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of porphyry systems. Apatite from the ore-forming porphyry displays distinctive core-rim textures, with melt inclusions in the resorption cores (Type-A1) and co-existing of melt and fluid inclusions in the euhedral rims (Type-A2), indicating a magmatic-hydrothermal origin of apatite. This is also supported by both chemical and isotopic compositions obtained by in situ analyses using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and LA-multi collector-ICP-MS. The late Type-A2 apatite is relatively enriched in incompatible elements, such as rare earth elements (REE) and Th, but slightly depleted in fluid-mobile elements such as Na and S, compared to the early Type-A1 apatite. Relatively homogeneous (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios (0.70436–0.70504) of the Type-A1 and Type-A2 apatites indicate that they were formed in a relatively closed system without detectable contamination. Meanwhile, some apatite in the wall rock (biotite granodiorite) shows characteristics of secondary altered textures, resulting from the intensive alteration by hydrothermal fluids exsolved from the porphyry system. Apatite trapped in mineral phenocrysts of the wall rock is usually unaltered (Type-B1 apatite), with clear oscillatory growth zones in cathodoluminescence (CL) images. In contrast, the intergranular apatite is commonly altered (Type-B2 apatite), with chaotic zoning in CL images, abundant micro-fractures and secondary fluid inclusions. Compositionally, the Type-B2 apatite shows notable tetrad REE patterns, relatively lower light-REE and S contents, and elevated 147Sm/144Nd ratios compared to the Type-B1 apatite. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating yields a lower intercept age of 171.4 ± 2.3 Ma for Type-B2, which is consistent with the age of 171.5 ± 2.4 Ma for Type-A2, but is notably younger than the Type-B1 apatite (175.5 ± 1.3 Ma). It is suggested that the Type-B2 apatite has been significantly reset by hydrothermal fluids exsolved from the porphyry system. Therefore, we conclude that the textures and geochemistry of apatite in porphyry systems can be used as a potential proxy for recording fluid exsolution and hydrothermal alteration processes.
Major reorganization of the Snake River modulated by passage of the Yellowstone Hotspot
Authors: Staisch Lydia M. , O’Connor Jim E. , Cannon Charles M. , Holm-Denoma Chris , Link Paul K. , Lasher John , Alexander Jeremy A.
Published: November 2021

The details and mechanisms for Neogene river reorganization in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains have been debated for over a century with key implications for how tectonic and volcanic systems modulate topographic development. To evaluate paleo-drainage networks, we produced an expansive data set and provenance analysis of detrital zircon U-Pb ages from Miocene to Pleistocene fluvial strata along proposed proto-Snake and Columbia River pathways. Statistical comparisons of Miocene-Pliocene detrital zircon spectra do not support previously hypothesized drainage routes of the Snake River. We use detrital zircon unmixing models to test prior Snake River routes against a newly hypothesized route, in which the Snake River circumnavigated the northern Rocky Mountains and entered the Columbia Basin from the northeast prior to incision of Hells Canyon. Our proposed ancestral Snake River route best matches detrital zircon age spectra throughout the region. Furthermore, this northerly Snake River route satisfies and provides context for shifts in the sedimentology and fish faunal assemblages of the western Snake River Plain and Columbia Basin through Miocene–Pliocene time. We posit that eastward migration of the Yellowstone Hotspot and its effect on thermally induced buoyancy and topographic uplift, coupled with volcanic densification of the eastern Snake River Plain lithosphere, are the primary mechanisms for drainage reorganization and that the eastern and western Snake River Plain were isolated from one another until the early Pliocene. Following this basin integration, the substantial increase in drainage area to the western Snake River Plain likely overtopped a bedrock threshold that previously contained Lake Idaho, which led to incision of Hells Canyon and establishment of the modern Snake and Columbia River drainage network.
Impact of COVID-19 on corneal esthesiometry
Authors: Tochetto Lucas Baldissera , de Freitas Santoro Dalton , Hirai Flavio , Conte Danielle Dias , Höfling-Lima Ana Luisa , Sousa Luciene B , Bellei Nancy Cristina Junqueira , De Freitas Denise , de Oliveira Lauro Augusto
Published: November 2021

Individuals with suspected COVID-19 symptoms (n=202) were tested using nasopharyngeal RT-qPCR. All individuals underwent corneal esthesiometry measurements using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer during their first visit; 50 participants underwent an additional measurement at a mean interval of 32.5 (17.8) days. COVID-19 was confirmed in 101 subjects (50%) using nasopharyngeal PCR. The mean time from symptom onset to disease diagnosis and corneal esthesiometry was 4.2 (2.1) days. Mean corneal esthesiometry findings based on the positive and negative PCR status indicated no statistical difference. This study demonstrated that COVID-19 had no effect on corneal esthesiometry in individuals with acute-phase COVID-19.
Improving mesothelioma follow-up care in the UK: a qualitative study to build a multidisciplinary pyramid of care approach
Authors: Davey Zoe , Henshall Catherine
Published: November 2021

Objectives

The findings reported in this manuscript are part of a wider study that aimed to explore mesothelioma patients’ experiences of follow-up care. The aim of this phase of the study was to co-produce recommendations for policy and practice and to propose a revised, patient-focused, mesothelioma follow-up care service.

Design

The consultation phase was qualitative and consisted of three group discussions with separate stakeholder groups allowing for different priorities and needs for follow-up care to be compared. An implicit approach to consensus was adopted and data were analysed iteratively using the framework method.

Setting

The study was conducted in three National Health Service Trusts in the South of England. Two were secondary care settings and the third was a tertiary centre.

Participants

The consultation exercise comprised three group discussions with key stakeholders (n=35): mesothelioma specialist nurses (n=9), mesothelioma patients and carers (n=11) and local clinical commissioning group members (n=15).

Results

Recommendations for mesothelioma follow-up care were developed using a co-production approach and highlighted the importance of continuity of care, the provision of timely information and the central role played by mesothelioma specialist nurses, supported by the wider multidisciplinary team. Recommendations were produced together with two bespoke infographics to maximise impact and facilitate patient and public engagement with the study.

Conclusions

The recommendations developed are the first that specifically examine best practice for the follow-up care pathway for mesothelioma patients. Co-production and public engagement are crucial to priority setting develop and optimising patient-centred care. Combining the recommendations produced with a targeted dissemination strategy and well-designed, patient-focused infographics will maximise opportunities for impact at a regional and national level.
Use of environmental scans in health services delivery research: a scoping review
Authors: Charlton Patricia , Kean Terri , Liu Rebecca H , Nagel Daniel A , Azar Rima , Doucet Shelley , Luke Alison , Montelpare William , Mears Kim , Boulos Leah
Published: November 2021

Objective

To examine the extent and nature of evidence on the use of the environmental scan (ES) in the health services delivery literature.

Design

Scoping review.

Methods

This scoping review followed the five-stage scoping review methodology outlined by Khalilet al. A Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies was completed. Seven electronic databases and the grey literature were searched. Pairs of researchers independently performed two levels of screening and data extraction. Data were analysed using qualitative content and thematic analysis.

Results

Ninety-six studies were included in the scoping review. Researchers conducted ESs for many purposes, the most common being to examine the current state of programmes, services or policies. Recommendations were informed by ESs in 20% of studies. Most common data collection methods were literature review (71%), key informant or semistructured interviews (46%) and surveys (35%). Over half (53%) of the studies used a combination of passive (looking at information eg, literature, policies, guidelines) and active (looking for information eg, surveys, interviews) approaches to data collection. Person sources of data (eg, healthcare stakeholders, community representatives) and non-person sources of data (eg, documents, electronic databases, the web) were drawn on to a similar extent. The thematic analysis of the definitions/descriptions yielded several themes including instrument of discovery, knowledge synthesis, forward-looking and decision making. Research gaps identified included absence of a standard definition, inconsistencies in terminology and lack of guiding frameworks in the health services delivery context.

Conclusion

ESs were conducted to gather evidence and to help inform decision making on a range of policy and health services delivery issues across the continuum of care. Consistency in terminology, a consensus definition and more guidance on ES design may help provide structure for researchers and other stakeholders, and ultimately advance ES as a methodological approach. A working definition of ES in a health services delivery context is presented.
Effects of age and gender on the relationship between alcohol use disorder and somatic diseases: a national register study in Norway
Authors: Abebe Dawit Shawel , Lien Lars , Bramness Jørgen Gustav
Published: November 2021

Objective

This study aimed to examine how age and gender moderate the associations between alcohol use disorders (AUD) and several somatic diseases.

Design and setting

We performed a retrospective, register-based cohort study with 6-year follow-up of patients with AUD and the general population. Data were acquired from the Norwegian Patient Registry. Cox regressions were used to estimate HRs of somatic diseases.

Participants

Patients with AUD (17 023; 0.4%) were compared with the population without AUD (4 271 559; 99.6%), with adults aged 18 years or older who were registered residents of Norway on 1 January 2008.

Main outcomes

Dichotomous variables of 12 specific somatic diseases (cardiovascular diseases, endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases) were assessed. Diagnoses were set in specialist healthcare services.

Results

Patients with AUD, compared with a population without AUD, experienced a significantly greater burden of all studied somatic diseases. Middle-aged adults with AUD had increased risks (p<0.05) for hypertension; ischaemic diseases; pulmonary diseases; cerebrovascular diseases; malnutrition; metabolic disorders; cancer; and influenza and pneumonia than younger and older adults with AUD. For most somatic diseases, we found no differences between younger versus older adults with AUD, and between females versus males with AUD (p>0.05). Males with AUD had significantly higher risks for pulmonary heart diseases (HR=3.9, 95% CI 3.3 to 4.6) and metabolic disorders (HR 4.7, 95% CI 4.5 to 5.0), while females with AUD had a significantly higher risk for viral hepatitis (HR=4.4, 95% CI 3.8 to 5.1).

Conclusions

Age moderated the associations between AUD and most somatic diseases, with middle-aged adults with AUD having a greater increased risk of somatic diseases compared with younger and older adults with AUD. Gender only moderated associations between AUD and pulmonary heart diseases, metabolic disorders and viral hepatitis. This has implications for the prioritisation of somatic resources among patients with AUD.
Is sarcopenia associated with anxiety symptoms and disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: West Emma C , Williams Lana J , Corney Kayla B , Pasco Julie A
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle disorder characterised by a progressive decline in muscle mass and function (strength and performance). Sarcopenia is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes and has recently been linked to neurological and psychiatric disorders, including dementia and depression. Whether sarcopenia is related to other common psychiatric illnesses, such as anxiety, is unclear. We aim to systematically identify and review the extant literature regarding the association between sarcopenia and anxiety symptomatology and/or disorders (anxiety) in adults.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic search across four online databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE Complete and PsycINFO) from inception to September 2021. Two reviewers will independently confirm study selection and assess methodological quality of included studies. If possible, a meta-analysis will be performed to determine pooled OR for the relationship between sarcopenia and anxiety. If meta-analysis is not possible due to methodological heterogeneity a ‘best evidence synthesis’ will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

This review will use published data only, thus, ethical approval will not be required. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020209420.
Polarization control in spin-transparent hadron colliders by weak-field navigators involving lattice enhancement effect
Authors: Filatov Yu. N. , Kondratenko A. M. , Kondratenko M. A. , Derbenev Ya. S. , Morozov V. S. , Butenko A. V. , Syresin E. M. , Tsyplakov E. D.
Published: November 2021

Hadron polarization control schemes for Spin Transparent (ST) synchrotrons are analyzed. The spin dynamics and beam polarization in such synchrotrons are controlled by spin navigators (SN) which are special small insertions of weak magnetic fields. An SN stabilizes the beam polarization and allows for setting any desirable spin orientation at an interaction point in the operational regime, including a frequent spin flip. We present a general approach to design of SNs. We distinguish different types of SNs, namely, those not causing closed orbit perturbation as well as those producing local and global orbit distortions. In the second case, the concept of the spin response function in an ST synchrotron is applied and expanded to reveal the effect of the SN strength enhancement by magnetic lattice of the synchrotron. We provide conceptual schemes for SN designs using longitudinal and transverse magnetic fields allowing for polarization control at low as well as high energies. We also develop the ST concept for ultra-high energies. This development may enable and stimulate interest in polarized beam experiments in possible polarized collider projects such as Large Hadron Collider (LHC), Future Circular Collider (FCC) and Super Proton Proton Collider (SPPC).
Analytical study of light ray trajectories in Kerr spacetime in the presence of an inhomogeneous anisotropic plasma
Authors: Fathi Mohsen , Olivares Marco , Villanueva J. R.
Published: November 2021

We calculate the exact solutions to the equations of motion that govern the light ray trajectories as they travel in a Kerr black hole’s exterior that is considered to be filled with an inhomogeneous and anisotropic plasmic medium. This is approached by characterizing the plasma through conceiving a radial and an angular structure function, which are let to be constant. The description of the motion is carried out by using the Hamilton–Jacobi method, that allows defining two effective potentials, characterizing the evolution of the polar coordinates. The elliptic integrals of motion are then solved analytically, and the evolution of coordinates is expressed in terms of the Mino time. This way, the three-dimensional demonstrations of the light ray trajectories are given respectively.
The lattice and semigroup structure of multipermutations
Authors: Carvalho Catarina , Martin Barnaby
Published: November 2021

We study the algebraic properties of binary relations whose underlying digraph is smooth, that is, has no source or sink. Such objects have been studied as surjective hyper-operations (shops) on the corresponding vertex set, and as binary relations that are defined everywhere and whose inverse is also defined everywhere. In the latter formulation, they have been called multipermutations.

We study the lattice structure of sets (monoids) of multipermutations over an [Formula: see text]-element domain. Through a Galois connection, these monoids form the algebraic counterparts to sets of relations closed under definability in positive first-order logic without equality. We show one side of this Galois connection, and give a simple dichotomy theorem for the evaluation problem of positive first-order logic without equality on the class of structures whose preserving multipermutations form a monoid closed under inverse. These problems turn out either to be in [Formula: see text] or to be [Formula: see text]-complete. We go on to study the monoid of all multipermutations on an [Formula: see text]-element domain, under usual composition of relations. We characterize its Green relations, regular elements and show that it does not admit a generating set that is polynomial on [Formula: see text].
Time-varying sensitivity analysis of an influenza model with interventions
Authors: Pedro S. A. , Rwezaura H. , Tchuenche J. M.
Published: November 2021

We formulate an influenza model with treatment and vaccination. Both time invariant and time-dependent uncertainty analyses and sensitivity analysis of the model parameter values are carried out to understand the dependence of the reproduction numbers and model state variables on their components. Results show that the relationship between treatment and epidemic size is nonlinear and that there exists a critical threshold treatment rate under which treatment is beneficial. Sensitivity analysis suggests that the most significant parameters are those related to infection transmission, infectiousness, duration of infectiousness and waning immunity. Further, there are important instances when the relationship between some parameters and model outputs changes behavior from negatively to positively correlated or vice versa because all sensitivity indices, except [Formula: see text] are functions of other parameters and thus will change with the change in parameter values. For example, treatment helps to lower the epidemic size, but may then become a “source” of infection likely due to resistance de novo. This knowledge is critical for proper public health planning and guidance of control strategies.
Combined control of the fibroblast contractile program by YAP and TAZ
Authors: Link Patrick A. , Choi Kyoung Moo , Diaz Espinosa Ana M. , Jones Dakota L. , Gao Ashley Y. , Haak Andrew J. , Tschumperlin Daniel J.
Published: November 2021

Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are transcription cofactors implicated in the contractile and profibrotic activation of fibroblasts. Fibroblast contractile function is important in alveologenesis and in lung wound healing and fibrosis. As paralogs, YAP and TAZ may have independent or redundant roles in regulating transcriptional programs and contractile function. Using IMR-90 lung fibroblasts, microarray analysis, and traction microscopy, we tested whether independent YAP or TAZ knockdown alone was sufficient to limit transcriptional activation and contraction in vitro. Our results demonstrate limited effects of knockdown of either YAP or TAZ alone, with more robust transcriptional and functional effects observed with combined knockdown, consistent with cooperation or redundancy of YAP and TAZ in transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1)-induced fibroblast activation and contractile force generation. The transcriptional responses to combined YAP/TAZ knockdown were focused on a relatively small subset of genes with prominent overrepresentation of genes implicated in contraction and migration. To explore potential disease relevance of our findings, we tested primary human lung fibroblasts isolated from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and confirmed that YAP and TAZ combined knockdown reduced the expression of three cytoskeletal genes, ACTA2, CNN1, and TAGLN. We then compared the contribution of these genes, along with YAP and TAZ, to contractile function. Combined knockdown targeting YAP/TAZ was more effective than targeting any of the individual cytoskeletal genes in reducing contractile function. Together, our results demonstrate that YAP and TAZ combine to regulate a multigene program that is essential to fibroblast contractile function.