bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The symbiotic effect of osteoinductive extracellular vesicles and mineralized microenvironment on osteogenesis
Authors: Holkar Ketki , Kale Vaijayanti , Pethe Prasad , Ingavle Ganesh
Published: September 2023

The increasing prevalence of bone‐related diseases has raised concern about the need for an osteoinductive and mechanically stronger scaffold‐based bone tissue engineering (BTE) alternative. A mineralized microenvironment, similar to the native bone microenvironment, is required in the scaffold to recruit and differentiate local mesenchymal stem cells at the bone defect site. Further, extracellular vesicles (EVs), pre‐osteoblasts' secretome, contain osteoinductive cargo and have recently been exploited in bone regeneration. This work developed a cell‐free and mechanically strong interpenetrating network‐based scaffold for BTE by combining the action of osteoinductive EVs with a mineralized microenvironment. The MC3T3 (a pre‐osteoblast cell line) is used as a source of EVs and as the target population. The optimal concentration of MC3T3‐EVs was first determined to induce osteogenesis in target cells. The osteoinductive potential of the scaffold was estimated in vitro by osteogenesis‐related markers like the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme and calcium content. The MC3T3‐EVs cargo was also studied for osteoinductive signals such as ALP, calcium, and mRNA. The findings of this work indicated that MC3T3‐EVs at a 90 μg/mL dose had significantly higher ALP activity than 0 μg/mL (1.47‐fold), 10 μg/mL (1.41‐fold), and 30 μg/mL (1.39‐fold) EV‐concentration on day 14. Further combination of the optimum dose of EVs with a mineralized microenvironment significantly enhanced ALP activity (1.5‐fold) and mineralization (3.36‐fold) as compared to the control group on day 7. EV cargo analysis revealed the presence of calcium, the ALP enzyme, and the mRNAs necessary for osteogenesis and angiogenesis. ALP activity was significantly boosted in the EV‐containing target cells as early as day 1, and mineralization began on day 7 because MC3T3‐EVs carry ALP enzymes and calcium as cargo. When osteoinductive EVs were combined with an osteoconductive mineralized microenvironment, osteogenesis was significantly enhanced in target cells at early time points. The interaction between osteoinductive EVs and the mineralized milieu facilitates the process of osteogenesis in the target cells and suggests a potential cell‐free strategy for in vivo bone repair.
Vasomotion in human arteries and their regulations based on ion channel regulations: 10 years study
Authors: Kim Dae Hoon , Choi Jin Young , Kim Su Mi , Son Seung‐Myoung , Choi Song‐Yi , Koo Beommo , Rah Cheong‐Sil , Nam Ji Hyun , Ju Moon Jin , Lee Jong Sung , You Ra Young , Hong Seung Hwa , Lee Junyoung , Bae Jang‐Whan , Kim Chan Hyung , Choi Woong , Kim Hun Sik , Xu Wen‐Xie , Lee Sang Jin , Kim Young Chul , Yun Hyo‐Yung
Published: September 2023

Vasomotion is the oscillation of vascular tone which gives rise to flow motion of blood into an organ. As is well known, spontaneous contractile organs such as heart, GI, and genitourinary tract produce rhythmic contraction. It imposes or removes pressure on their vessels alternatively for exchange of many substances. It was first described over 150 years ago, however the physiological mechanism and pathophysiological implications are not well understood. This study aimed to elucidate underlying mechanisms and physiological function of vasomotion in human arteries. Conventional contractile force measurement, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis were employed to study human left gastric artery (HLGA) and uterine arteries (HUA). RESULTS: Circular muscle of HLGA and/or HUA produced sustained tonic contraction by high K+ (50 mM) which was blocked by 2 µM nifedipine. Stepwise stretch and high K+ produced nerve‐independent spontaneous contraction (vasomotion) (around 45% of tested tissues). Vasomotion was also produced by application of BayK 8644, 5‐HT, prostagrandins, oxytocin. It was blocked by nifedipine (2 µM) and blockers of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Inhibitors of Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels (DIDS and/or niflumic acid) and ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) channels inhibited vasomotion reversibly. Metabolic inhibition by sodium cyanide (NaCN) and several neuropeptides also regulated vasomotion in KATP channel‐sensitive and ‐insensitive manner. Finally, we identified TMEM16A Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels and subunits of KATP channels (Kir 6.1/6.2 and sulfonylurea receptor 2B [SUR2B]), and c‐Kit positivity by Western blot analysis. We conclude that vasomotion is sensitive to TMEM16A Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels and metabolic changes in human gastric and uterine arteries. Vasomotion might play an important role in the regulation of microcirculation dynamics even in pacemaker‐related autonomic contractile organs in humans.
Partial denitrification in domestic sewage and nitrate wastewater: study of the initiation, influencing factors and operational performance
Authors: Ma Yanhong , Qin Yanrong , Chen Yongzhi , Liu Hong , Wu Xinbo , LÜ Xintao , Yuan Zhongling , Li Weiwei
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Practical application of the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process has been limited by the difficulty of obtaining a stable supply of NO2−–N. In this study, partial denitrification was utilized as a novel approach to obtain nitrite for anammox, investigating the initiation, influencing factors and performance of partial denitrification in the simultaneous treatment of domestic sewage and nitrate wastewater.

RESULTS

When the influent concentration of NO3−–N was 40 mg L−1 and the chemical oxygen demand to nitrate (COD/NO3−–N) ratio was 2.7, the NO2−–N accumulation rate exceeded 80%, with an effluent NO2−–N concentration of 35.64 mg L−1. Furthermore, the partial denitrification performance was good. When the volume ratio of domestic sewage and nitrate wastewater was adjusted to 2:3 and sodium acetate was added to form a COD/NO3−–N ratio of 3.6, the effluent NO2−–N/NH4+–N ratio was 1.24 and the effluent NO2−–N concentration and average NO2−–N accumulation rate reached >31.24 mg L−1 and 83.38%, respectively, effectively ensuring influent requirements for anammox.

CONCLUSION

The NO3−–N reduction rate, NO3−–N removal rate and NO2−–N accumulation rate were positively correlated with the influent nitrate concentration when ranging between 15 and 40 mg L−1. An appropriate increase in the influent COD/NO3−–N ratio was conducive to a reduction in the time required for maximum levels of NO2−–N accumulation to occur, with an influent NO3−–N concentration of 40 mg L−1. The partial denitrification system could simultaneously treat domestic sewage and nitrate wastewater, effectively ensuring that the generated effluent met the influent requirements for subsequent anammox. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging‐Based Classification Systems for Informing Better Outcomes of Adenomyosis After Ultrasound‐Guided High‐Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablating Surgery
Authors: Tang Ying , Hu Wen‐hao , Wang Hang , Wu Jia , Wen Ming‐bo , Su Bin , Jiang Zhi‐jun , Jiang Xiao , Zhu Li‐juan , Ding Na , Yang Ming‐tao , Yin Shu , Hu Hui‐quan , Xu Fan , Li Jun , Shi Qiuling
Published: September 2023

Background

A referenced MRI‐based classification associated with focused ultrasound ablation surgery (FUAS) outcomes is lacking in adenomyosis.

Purpose

To identify an MRI‐based classification system for informing the FUAS outcomes.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

Patients with FUAS for adenomyosis, were divided into a training set (N = 643; 355 with post‐FUAS gonadotropin‐releasing hormone/levonorgestrel, 288 without post‐FUAS therapy) and an external validation set (N = 135; all without post‐FUAS therapy).

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5 T, turbo spin‐echo T2‐weighted imaging and single‐shot echo‐planar diffusion‐weighted imaging sequences.

Assessment

Five MRI‐based adenomyosis classifications: classification 1 (C1) (diffuse, focal, and mild), C2 (intrinsic, extrinsic, intramural, and indeterminate), C3 (internal, adenomyomas, and external), C4 (six subtypes on areas [internal or external] and volumes [<1/3 or ≥2/3]), and C5 (internal [asymmetric or symmetric], external, intramural, full thickness [asymmetric or symmetric]) for FUAS outcomes (symptom relief and recurrence).

Statistical Tests

The optimal classification was significantly associated with the most subtypes of FUAS outcomes. Relating to the timing of recurrence was measured using Cox regression analysis and median recurrence time was estimated by a Kaplan–Meier curve. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Dysmenorrhea relief and recurrence were only associated with C2 in training patients undergoing FUAS alone. Compared with other subtypes, the extrinsic subtype of C2 was significantly associated with dysmenorrhea recurrence in the FUAS group. Besides, the median dysmenorrhea recurrence time of extrinsic subtype was significantly shorter than that of other subtypes (42.0 months vs. 50.3 months). In the validation cohort, C2 was confirmed as the optimal system and its extrinsic subtype was confirmed to have a significantly shorter dysmenorrhea recurrence time than other subtypes.

Data Conclusion

Classification 2 can inform dysmenorrhea relief and recurrence in patients with adenomyosis undergoing FAUS only. Itsextrinsic subtype was associated with an earlier onset of dysmenorrhea recurrence after treatment.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 5
Probabilistic estimates of future changes in evaporation from the Caspian Sea based on multimodel ensembles of CMIP6 projections
Authors: Hoseini S. Mahya , Zolfaghari Mohammad R. , Soltanpour Mohsen
Published: September 2023

The Caspian Sea level (CSL) is strongly sensitive to climate‐induced changes in its water balance components, especially evaporation from its surface as the main expenditure component of the Caspian Sea's (CS) water budget. Projecting evaporation and determining associated uncertainties obtained from such studies are critical for reliably predicting future CSL fluctuations and developing mitigation and adaptation strategies. This paper studies the projected changes in evaporation from the CS using 18 global climate models (GCMs) from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) and Meyer's semi‐empirical formula. Future evaporation projections are constructed employing a weighted combination of the top‐ranked GCMs, including all ensemble members of selected individual models in a probabilistic framework. This study estimates late 21st century median evaporation of 945, 1016, 1105 and 1173 mm under the low‐emission, medium‐emission, medium‐to‐high emission and high‐emission scenarios, respectively. The weighted multimodel ensemble suggests CS's annual mean evaporation is projected to substantially increase by 3.9%, 13.2%, 20% and 27.9% under SSP1‐2.6, SSP2‐4.5, SSP3‐7.0 and SSP5‐8.5, respectively, for the late 21st century against the reference period. According to the spatial distribution of evaporation, arid eastern regions of CS experience higher evaporation than semi‐arid western and southwestern temperate regions. Additionally, the northwestern continental regions experience the least evaporation over the CS.
The efficacy of tropical and extratropical predictors for long‐lead El Niño‐Southern Oscillation prediction: A study using a machine learning algorithm
Authors: Song Wan‐Jiao , Yu Jin‐Yi , Lian Tao
Published: September 2023

This study illustrates the considerable improvement in accuracy achievable for long‐lead forecasts (18 months) of the Ocean Niño Index (ONI) through the utilization of a long short‐term memory (LSTM) machine learning algorithm. The research assesses the predictive potential of eight predictors from both tropical and extratropical regions constructed based on sea surface temperature, outgoing longwave radiation, sea surface height and zonal and meridional wind anomalies. In comparison to linear regression model forecasts, the LSTM model outperforms them for both the tropical and extratropical predictor sets. Among all the predictors, the western North Pacific (WNP) index demonstrates the highest prediction skill in ONI forecasts, followed by the North Tropical Atlantic (NTA) index and then the sea surface height index. While other predictors help the LSTM model to forecast either the phase variation of the amplitude variation of the observed ONI, the extratropical WNP predictor enables the LSTM model to forecast both variations. This superiority can be attributed to the involvement of SST anomalies in the WNP region in both tropical and extratropical El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) dynamics, allowing for the utilization of predictive potential from both components of ENSO dynamics. The study also concludes that the extratropical ENSO dynamics provide a robust source of predictability for long‐lead ENSO forecasts, which can be effectively harnessed using the LSTM model.
Behavioral multi‐lever decision‐making: A study of consumer return policy, price, and inventory decisions
Authors: Oh Han Kyul , Abdulla Huseyn , Oliva Rogelio
Published: September 2023

Consumer return policies have been long recognized and studied by operations management scholars as an important managerial lever in a retail environment. Yet, the behavioral aspects of return policy decision‐making and interaction of return policy decisions with other common operational decisions have not been investigated to date. We present a behavioral analysis of return policy decision‐making in a retail environment with aggregate demand and individual product valuation uncertainties. Leveraging a generalized newsvendor context, we conduct a randomized behavioral experiment to understand how individuals make each of the three key retail decisions—refund amount, price, and order quantity—and the causal effect of salvage value on these decisions. We find that decision‐makers exhibit behavioral regularities in making decisions across the three levers and they react to changes in the operating conditions in a boundedly rational manner, suggesting the use of heuristics. Based on behavioral regularities that we observe in our data—that is, responses, time‐dependent effects, and decision dependencies—we develop a process theory based on behavioral decision‐making tenets that offers a new direction with testable hypotheses for future research. The process theory describes a conditional decision‐making heuristic that leads to a propagation of decision errors across different levers as well as lever‐specific decision biases.
A mapping exercise using automated techniques to develop a search strategy to identify systematic review tools
Authors: Sutton Anthea , O'Keefe Hannah , Johnson Eugenie Evelynne , Marshall Christopher
Published: September 2023

The Systematic Review Toolbox aims provide a web‐based catalogue of tools that support various tasks within the systematic review and wider evidence synthesis process. Identifying publications surrounding specific systematic review tools is currently challenging, leading to a high screening burden for few eligible records. We aimed to develop a search strategy that could be regularly and automatically run to identify eligible records for the SR Toolbox, thus reducing time on task and burden for those involved. We undertook a mapping exercise to identify the PubMed IDs of papers indexed within the SR Toolbox. We then used the Yale MeSH Analyser and Visualisation of Similarities (VOS) Viewer text‐mining software to identify the most commonly used MeSH terms and text words within the eligible records. These MeSH terms and text words were combined using Boolean Operators into a search strategy for Ovid MEDLINE. Prior to the mapping exercise and search strategy development, 81 software tools and 55 ‘Other’ tools were included within the SR Toolbox. Since implementation of the search strategy, 146 tools have been added. There has been an increase in tools added to the toolbox since the search was developed and its corresponding auto‐alert in MEDLINE was originally set up. Developing a search strategy based on a mapping exercise is an effective way of identifying new tools to support the systematic review process. Further research could be conducted to help prioritise records for screening to reduce reviewer burden further and to adapt the strategy for disciplines beyond healthcare.
The American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey largely conforms to the phenology of male woodcock migration
Authors: Blomberg Erik J. , Fish Alexander C. , Berigan Liam A. , Roth Amber M. , Rau Rebecca , Clements Sarah J. , Balkcom Greg , Carpenter Bobbi , Costanzo Gary , Duguay Jeffrey , Graham Clayton L. , Harvey William , Hook Michael , Howell Douglas L. , Maddox Seth , McWilliams Scott , Meyer Shawn W. , Nichols Theodore C. , Pollard J. Bruce , Roy Christian , Slezak Colby , Stiller Josh , Tetreault Mathieu , Williams Lisa
Published: September 2023

American woodcock (Scolopax minor; woodcock) are monitored, in part, by counts of displaying male woodcock collected via the American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey (SGS), which suggests long‐term, range‐wide declines in woodcock populations. Data from the SGS have been used extensively to develop conservation plans, direct management actions, and understand causes of decline. To avoid bias, the SGS should be timed to avoid spring migration, and the distribution of survey routes should coincide with woodcock breeding distribution. Our objectives for this research were to evaluate SGS timing with the phenology of male woodcock migration, relate the spatial coverage of the SGS to male woodcock breeding distributions, and explore other sources of variation in woodcock migration timing. We marked 133 male woodcock captured throughout eastern North America with global positioning system (GPS) transmitters during 2019–2022, and compared the timing of their spring migration with the spatiotemporal stratification of the SGS. Most woodcock (74%) completed migration prior to the onset of the SGS. In the northernmost SGS zone, a greater percentage of males (34%) continued migration during the survey window; however, the influence of this mismatch is offset because SGS routes were run more frequently during the second half of the window. Young woodcock completing their first spring migration took 8.6 days longer to do so, on average, compared to adults, and so were more likely to migrate during the SGS window. We found little evidence that timing of migration varied among years. Existing SGS routes cover the majority of male woodcock post‐migratory breeding distribution, with 90% of male woodcock establishing final breeding sites within the spatial coverage of the SGS. Our results confirm the SGS includes some migrating males, with the proportion relative to resident breeding males increasing in more northern survey strata. Our data suggests these errors are unlikely to bias trend estimates at large scales (e.g., within woodcock management regions), but there may be potential for bias at more local scales (e.g., state or provincial population indices).
Understanding the drivers of organizational business performance from the human capital perspective
Authors: Serenko Alexander , Abubakar A. Mohammed , Bontis Nick
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study is to understand the drivers of organizational business performance from the perspective of human capital. Data were collected from 691 employees working in 15 North American credit unions. The model was developed and tested by means of the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling technique. This study illuminates an underexplored mechanism driving the association between transformational leadership and business performance based on several theoretical frameworks such as leader–member exchange theory, the conservation of resources theory, the heuristic model of employee turnover, equity theory, and capital‐based view. The findings indicate that transformational leaders provide their subordinates with constructive feedback and offer training and development (T&D) opportunities, which are the key factors driving employee job satisfaction. Employee job satisfaction curtails turnover intention, which, in turn, reduces human capital outflow and, consequently, increases business performance. Managers should always act as true transformational leaders and provide their subordinates with relevant performance feedback and ample T&D opportunities. Workers who undergo T&D at the expense of their organization become more loyal and are less likely to leave even though they become more marketable. Organizations are recommended to administer periodic employee satisfaction surveys and prevent the exodus of human capital, which may be difficult to replenish.
Reconstruction of Vocal Fold Medial Surface 3D Trajectories: Effects of Neuromuscular Stimulation and Airflow
Authors: Schlegel Patrick , Chung Hye Rhyn , Döllinger Michael , Chhetri Dinesh K.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Analysis of medial surface dynamics of the vocal folds (VF) is critical to understanding voice production and treatment of voice disorders. We analyzed VF medial surface vibratory dynamics, evaluating the effects of airflow and nerve stimulation using 3D reconstruction and empirical eigenfunctions (EEF).

Study Design

In vivo canine hemilarynx phonation.

Methods

An in vivo canine hemilarynx was phonated while graded stimulation of the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves (RLN and SLN) was performed. For each phonatory condition, vibratory cycles were 3D reconstructed from tattooed landmarks on the VF medial surface at low, medium, and high airflows. Parameters describing medial surface trajectory shape were calculated, and underlying patterns were emphasized using EEFs. Fundamental frequency and smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) were calculated from acoustic data.

Results

Convex‐hull area of landmark trajectories increased with increasing flow and decreasing nerve activation level. Trajectory shapes observed included circular, ellipsoid, bent, and figure‐eight. They were more circular on the superior and anterior VF, and more elliptical and line‐like on the inferior and posterior VF. The EEFs capturing synchronal opening and closing (EEF1) and alternating convergent/divergent (EEF2) glottis shapes were mostly unaffected by flow and nerve stimulation levels. CPPS increased with higher airflow except for low RLN activation and very dominant SLN stimulation.

Conclusion

We analyzed VF vibration as a function of neuromuscular stimulation and airflow levels. Oscillation patterns such as figure‐eight and bent trajectories were linked to high nerve activation and flow. Further studies investigating longer sections of 3D reconstructed oscillations are needed.

Level of Evidence

N/A, Basic Science Laryngoscope, 134:1249–1257, 2024
A Meta‐analysis of the effects of ground‐based extraction technologies on fine roots in forest soils
Authors: Latterini Francesco , Dyderski Marcin K. , Horodecki Paweł , Rawlik Mateusz , Stefanoni Walter , Högbom Lars , Venanzi Rachele , Picchio Rodolfo , Jagodziński Andrzej M.
Published: September 2023

Fine roots are an important component of forest soil as they play a key role in fundamental processes like plant nutrition and water supply. As with all the features of forest soil, the compaction related to the forest operations and, in particular, to the wood extraction via ground‐based technologies could lead to a significant impact on the presence of fine roots in the soil affected by the passage of the machines. Considering the lack of a review, we used a meta‐analytic approach to synthesise effect sizes of ground‐based extraction technologies affecting the presence of fine roots in the soil, using a multivariate mixed‐effects meta‐analytic model. The obtained results revealed that the presence of fine roots in the soil affected by the passage of the machines was significantly reduced by both skidding (g = −1.23, 95%CI ‐1.87, −0.60) and forwarding (g = −1.37, 95%CI ‐2.01, −0.74). Due to the higher soil compaction caused by forwarding, this method had a marginally but statistically significant greater impact than skidding. We further confirmed the hypothesis that soil compaction and the presence of fine roots were strongly correlated, with the latter being greatly reduced in compacted soils characterised by higher bulk density. What is more, even more than 20 years after a harvesting intervention, the presence of fine roots was significantly lower in both strip roads (forwarding) and skid trails (skidding) as compared to areas which were not impacted by the machine passage. This shows that fine roots are particularly vulnerable to forest operations. On the other hand, the majority of the trails in the database used for the meta‐analysis were created in countries that favour the creation of a small number of widely used trails. Therefore, it would be scientifically valuable to do a comparative evaluation in various forestry contexts, such as in the Mediterranean area, where the development of the forest trails network is oriented on creating a large number of trails with low traffic volumes. Because machinery‐induced soil compaction is the major driver of the decrease in fine roots in skid trails and strip roads, both the application of best management practices as well as of a smarter planning of the trail network to limit soil compaction are strongly recommended. Both applications are highly recommended to be used in the planning phase and in the practical implementation of logging activities.
The action and resistance mechanisms of Lenvatinib in liver cancer
Authors: Buttell Anna , Qiu Wei
Published: September 2023

Lenvatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that prevents the formation of new blood vessels namely by inhibiting tyrosine kinase enzymes as the name suggests. Specifically, Lenvatinib acts on vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1−3 (VEGFR1−3), fibroblast growth factor receptors 1−4 (FGFR1−4), platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐alpha (PDGFRα), tyrosine‐kinase receptor (KIT), and rearranged during transfection receptor (RET). Inhibition of these receptors works to inhibit tumor proliferation. It is through these inhibition mechanisms that Lenvatinib was tested to be noninferior to Sorafenib. However, resistance to Lenvatinib is common, making the positive effects of Lenvatinib on a patient's survival null after resistance is acquired. Therefore, it is crucial to understand mechanisms related to Lenvatinib resistance. This review aims to piece together various mechanisms involved in Lenvatinib resistance and summarizes the research done so far investigating it.
The Global Burden of Disease Attributable to Diet High in Red Meat in 204 Countries and Territories, 1999–2019: An updated Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study
Authors: Wu Zenghong , Wang Weijun , Zhang Kun , Fan Mengke , Lin Rong
Published: September 2023

Scope

The study aims to estimates of the deaths and disability‐adjusted life year rates (DALYs) of a diet high in red meat from 1999 to 2019.

Methods and results

The deaths and disability‐adjusted life year rates (DALYs) attributable to diet high in red meat were analyzed by sex, age, and geographical location and by Socio‐demographic Index (SDI) from 1999 to 2019.

Results

Globally, deaths and DALYs attributable to diets high in red meat have steadily increased between 1999 and 2019. The global deaths attributable to diet high in red meat have increased from 319,338 (95% UI 190,418 to 441,406) in 1999 to 411,066 (95% UI 250,993 to 573,864) in 2019 for females, and have increased from 335,711 (95% UI 183,491 to 472,091) in 1999 to 484,608 (95% UI 282,347 to 686,919) in 2019 for males. The global DALYs attributable to diet high in red meat have increased from 7,763,803 (95% UI 5,023,428 to 10,370,477) in 1999 to 10,164,451 (95% UI 6,816,205 to 13,348,860) in 2019 for females, and have increased from 9,564,377 (95% UI 5,528,491 to 13,231,311) in 1999 to 13,696,622 (95% UI 8,669,245 to 18,725,223) in 2019 for males.

Conclusion

Globally, since 1999, deaths and DALYs caused by diets high in red meat have steadily increased.
Automatic view plane prescription for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging via supervision by spatial relationship between views
Authors: Wei Dong , Huang Yawen , Lu Donghuan , Li Yuexiang , Zheng Yefeng
Published: September 2023

Background

View planning for the acquisition of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging remains a demanding task in clinical practice.

Purpose

Existing approaches to its automation relied either on an additional volumetric image not typically acquired in clinic routine, or on laborious manual annotations of cardiac structural landmarks. This work presents a clinic‐compatible, annotation‐free system for automatic CMR view planning.

Methods

The system mines the spatial relationship—more specifically, locates the intersecting lines—between the target planes and source views, and trains U‐Net‐based deep networks to regress heatmaps defined by distances from the intersecting lines. On the one hand, the intersection lines are the prescription lines prescribed by the technologists at the time of image acquisition using cardiac landmarks, and retrospectively identified from the spatial relationship. On the other hand, as the spatial relationship is self‐contained in properly stored data, for example, in the DICOM format, the need for additional manual annotation is eliminated. In addition, the interplay of the multiple target planes predicted in a source view is utilized in a stacked hourglass architecture consisting of repeated U‐Net‐style building blocks to gradually improve the regression. Then, a multiview planning strategy is proposed to aggregate information from the predicted heatmaps for all the source views of a target plane, for a globally optimal prescription, mimicking the similar strategy practiced by skilled human prescribers. For performance evaluation, the retrospectively identified planes prescribed by the technologists are used as the ground truth, and the plane angle differences and localization distances between the planes prescribed by our system and the ground truth are compared.

Results

The retrospective experiments include 181 clinical CMR exams, which are randomly split into training, validation, and test sets in the ratio of 64:16:20. Our system yields the mean angular difference and point‐to‐plane distance of 5.68 and 3.12 mm, respectively, on the held‐out test set. It not only achieves superior accuracy to existing approaches including conventional atlas‐based and newer deep‐learning‐based in prescribing the four standard CMR planes but also demonstrates prescription of the first cardiac‐anatomy‐oriented plane(s) from the body‐oriented scout.

Conclusions

The proposed system demonstrates accurate automatic CMR view plane prescription based on deep learning on properly archived data, without the need for further manual annotation. This work opens a new direction for automatic view planning of anatomy‐oriented medical imaging beyond CMR.
Experimental validation of a 4D dynamic dose calculation model for proton pencil beam scanning without spot time stamp considering free‐breathing motion
Authors: Tominaga Yuki , Oita Masataka , Miyata Junya , Kato Takahiro
Published: September 2023

Purpose

We developed a 4‐dimensional dynamic dose (4DDD) calculation model for proton pencil beam scanning (PBS). This model incorporates the spill start time for all energies and uses the remaining irradiated spot time model instead of irradiated spot time logs. This study aimed to validate the calculation accuracy of a log file‐based 4DDD model by comparing it with dose measurements performed under free‐breathing conditions, thereby serving as an alternative approach to the conventional log file‐based system.

Methods

Three cubic verification plans were created using a heterogeneous block phantom; these plans were created using 10 phase 4D‐CT datasets of the phantom. The CIRS dynamic platform was used to simulate motion with amplitudes of 2.5, 3.75, and 5.0 mm. These plans consisted of eight‐ and two‐layered rescanning techniques. The lateral profiles were measured using a 2D ionization chamber array (2D‐array) and EBT3 Gafchromic films at four starting phases, including three sinusoidal curves (periods of 3, 4, and 6 s) and a representative patient curve during actual treatment. 4DDDs were calculated using in‐house scripting that assigned a time stamp to each spot and performed dose accumulation using deformable image registration. Furthermore, to evaluate the impact of parameter selection on our 4DDD model calculations, simulations were performed assuming a ±10% change in irradiation time stamp (0.8 ± 0.08 s) and spot scan speed. We evaluated the 2D gamma index and the absolute point doses between the calculated values and the measurements.

Results

The 2D‐array measurements revealed that the gamma scores for the static plans (no motion) and 4DDD plans exceeded 97.5% and 93.9% at 3%/3 mm, respectively. The average gamma score of the 4DDD plans was at least 96.1%. When using EBT3 films, the gamma scores of the 4DDD model exceeded 92.4% and 98.7% at 2%/2 mm and 3%/3 mm, respectively. Regarding the 4DDD point dose differences, more than 95% of the dose regions exhibited discrepancies within ±5.0% for 97.7% of the total points across all plans. The spot time assignment accuracy of our 4DDD model was acceptable even with ±10% sensitivity. However, the accuracy of the scan speed, when varied within ±10% sensitivity, was not acceptable (minimum gamma scores of 82.6% and maximum dose difference of 12.9%).

Conclusions

Our 4DDD calculations under free‐breathing conditions using amplitudes of less than 5.0 mm were in good agreement with the measurements regardless of the starting phases, breathing curve patterns (between 3 and 6 s periods), and varying numbers of layered rescanning. The proposed system allows us to evaluate actual irradiated doses in various breathing periods, amplitudes, and starting phases, even on PBS machines without the ability to record spot logs.
Multi‐fidelity data fusion through parameter space reduction with applications to automotive engineering
Authors: Romor Francesco , Tezzele Marco , Mrosek Markus , Othmer Carsten , Rozza Gianluigi
Published: September 2023

Multi‐fidelity models are of great importance due to their capability of fusing information coming from different numerical simulations, surrogates, and sensors. We focus on the approximation of high‐dimensional scalar functions with low intrinsic dimensionality. By introducing a low dimensional bias we can fight the curse of dimensionality affecting these quantities of interest, especially for many‐query applications. We seek a gradient‐based reduction of the parameter space through linear active subspaces or a nonlinear transformation of the input space. Then we build a low‐fidelity response surface based on such reduction, thus enabling nonlinear autoregressive multi‐fidelity Gaussian process regression without the need of running new simulations with simplified physical models. This has a great potential in the data scarcity regime affecting many engineering applications. In this work we present a new multi‐fidelity approach that involves active subspaces and the nonlinear level‐set learning method, starting from the preliminary analysis previously conducted (Romor F, Tezzele M, Rozza G. Proceedings in Applied Mathematics & Mechanics. Wiley Online Library; 2021). The proposed framework is tested on two high‐dimensional benchmark functions, and on a more complex car aerodynamics problem. We show how a low intrinsic dimensionality bias can increase the accuracy of Gaussian process response surfaces.
Inside job: Evidence from the Chinese housing market
Authors: Chu Yongqiang , Kuang Weida , Zhao Daxuan , Zhou Xiaoxia
Published: September 2023

Using a comprehensive data set of housing transactions in Beijing, China, we find that government officials are more likely than non‐officials to buy housing units before the government‐imposed housing purchase restriction policy. We also find that officials use their power to speed up the loan application process and pay higher prices to complete the transactions before the policy. Overall, the results suggest that officials trade on private information gained during the policymaking process.
Numerical investigation of mixed convection flow over a heated horizontal plate of finite length
Authors: Babor Lukas
Published: September 2023

The present numerical study concerns the steady two‐dimensional laminar mixed convection flow of Newtonian fluid over a heated horizontal plate of finite length at a zero angle of attack for large Peclet and small Prandtl and Richardson numbers. The plate is located in a horizontal channel of finite height. Buoyancy induces a uniform hydrostatic pressure jump at the trailing edge and across the thermal wake, which is compensated by a perturbation of the outer potential flow according to the Kutta condition. Counter‐intuitively, the total lift force acting on the plate points in the opposite direction compared to the buoyancy force. The numerical solution obtained with the Finite Element solver FEniCS is compared to an analytical boundary‐layer solution from the literature. For small values of the Richardson number (Ri), an excellent agreement between the numerical and analytical solutions is observed. When Ri exceeds a certain threshold, the flow separates near the leading edge at the lower side of the plate. For some narrow intervals of Ri, three co‐existing solutions of the governing equations are found, which differ by the size of the separation bubble. The flow separation can be suppressed by bending the leading edge.
Fluid–structure interaction of a dynamic seal with a 3D‐printed surface
Authors: Graf Matthias , Lankenau Tobias , Ottink Kathrin , Ebel Thomas
Published: September 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) methods are finding more and more applications in the manufacturing of machine parts. One consequence of this method is that generated surface qualities are typically lower than in other processes. This becomes especially relevant when the surface quality is critical for the mechanical function: This is the case in dynamic sealing technologies, for example, in seals between a moving rod and a hydraulic cylinder. Between the seal lip and the polished rod, a thin lubrication film is established with the goal of minimal leakage. How well this goal is reached depends on the surface quality of the seal. For spare part production of seals, we investigate AM methods, which have a surface defined by layers from fused filament fabrication (FFF). We apply a coupled model for fluid–structure interaction of the elastic seal and the film flow. This model provides information on flow field and pressure distribution. Results change when the ‘ideal’ seal lip is replaced by the seal lip geometry from FFF. The continuous loss of solid body contact is replaced by a stepwise loss of contact for the FFF surface.
Efficient Newton‐multigrid FEM solver for multifield nonlinear coupled problems applied to thixoviscoplastic flows
Authors: Begum Naheed , Ouazzi Abderrahim , Turek Stefan
Published: September 2023

This note is concerned with efficient Newton‐multigrid finite element method (FEM) solver for multifield nonlinear flow problems. In our approach, for efficient FEM solver, we advantageously use the delicate symbiosis aspects of the problem settings for FEM approximations, and the algorithmic tools to obtain the numerical solutions. We concretize our ideas on thixoviscoplastic flow problems. It is a two‐field coupled nonlinear problem. And beside the integrated nonlinearity within momentum and microstructure equations, thixoviscoplastic problems induce a nonlinear two‐way coupling. As far as FEM numerical solutions are concerned, we set the problem in a suitable variational form to use the corresponding wellposedness analysis to develop FEM techniques for the solver. Indeed, the wellposedness study is not an intellectual exercise, rather it is the foundation for the approximate thixoviscoplastic problem as well as for the development of an efficient solver. We base our investigations for the solver on our wellposedness and error analysis results of thixoviscoplastic flow problems published in Proc. Appl. Math. Mech. We continue our series, and proceed to develop a monolithic Newton‐multigrid thixoviscoplastic solver. The solver is based on Newton's method and geometric multigrid techniques to treat the coupling of the problem. So, we use Local Pressure Schur Complement (LPSC) concept to solve the coupled problem on mesh's elements, and proceed with outer blocks Gauss‐Seidel iteration to update the global solutions. Furthermore, we handle the nonlinearity of the problem with the combined adaptive discrete Newton's and multigrid methods. The adaptivity within discrete Newton's method is based on the adaptive step‐length control for the discrete differencing in the Jacobian calculations, while the convergence of linear multigrid solver is made to match the convergence requirement of nonlinear solver, accordingly. And the solver's update parameters are solely dependent on the actual convergence rate of the nonlinear problem. We provide the numerical results of solver performance for thixoviscoplastic lid‐driven cavity flow.
Effect of graphene oxide loading on the performance of melanized corn oil based polymeric nanocomposite coatings
Authors: Alam Manawwer , Ahmed Mukhtar , Altaf Mohammad
Published: September 2023

In this work, melanized corn oil (CO)‐based polymer was synthesized and was further engineered using three different ratios of graphene oxide (GO). The polymer nanocomposite thus formed was evaluated using various standard techniques to check the efficacy of GO nanosheets on the overall coating performance. Fourier transform infrared and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques helped in structural elucidation of the prepared resins. The thermal stability of melanized CO based dihydroxy compound (CmDHC) was found to enhance up to 315°C on the incorporation of 0.5 wt% GO nanosheets. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy results revealed that incorporation of GO improved the surface roughness of CmDHC@GO2 nanocomposite coatings. This amplified surface roughness resulted in increased hydrophobicity with contact angle value of 78° as well as excellent corrosion resistance of 29.5 × 106 Ω cm2. The overall results suggest that dispersion of GO nanosheets into the polymer matrix helped to improve the mechanical, thermal as well as corrosion resistance performance of these coatings and 0.5 wt% was the optimum amount required for the same.

Highlights

GO nanosheets were dispersed in melanized CO‐based polymer matrix.

Incorporation of GO nanoparticles in CmDHC polymer matrix enhanced the coating resistance almost 30 times.

GO inhibited the corrosive ions effectively that resulted in excellent corrosion resistive performance.

0.5 wt% GO was the optimum amount to produce torturous path for corrosive ions.

Overall CmDHC@GO2 nanocomposite exhibited excellent coating performance.
Effect of hybridization on mechanical and water absorption properties of short palmyra palm leaf stalk/carbon fibers reinforced polyester composites
Authors: K. Madhan Muthu Ganesh , G. Rajeshkumar , P. Ravikumar
Published: September 2023

Recently, there has been interest in the development of hybrid composites for diverse industrial applications. In this aspect, this paper explores the mechanical (tensile, flexural, impact, and dynamic mechanical analysis) and water (distilled and seawater) absorption properties of palmyra palm leaf stalk/carbon fiber‐based composites. Hybrid composites with various reinforcement weight ratios were manufactured for the experiment employing the compression molding procedure. To analyze the hybridization effect, composites with a single reinforcement were also produced and evaluated. The results demonstrated that adding carbon fiber to palmyra fiber in the matrix enhances the composites' overall mechanical properties. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was used to assess the broken surface of mechanically tested composites to better comprehend the failure causes. The findings of the moisture absorption test have shown that using carbon fiber in composites reduces moisture absorption due to their hydrophobic behavior. In addition, the specimens dipped in seawater absorbed more water due to the higher pH value of seawater and gained more weight due to salt deposition. The results of this study indicate that the hybrid composite formulation P25C75 exhibits a balance between its mechanical properties and environmental resilience, making it a possible lightweight material for structural applications.

Highlights

Various properties of palmyra palm/carbon hybrid composites were investigated.

Addition of carbon fibers to palmyra palm composites enhanced their properties.

Hybrid composites exhibit better‐damping property.

Performance, environmental effect, and cost are balanced in hybrid composites.
(Re‐)use and (re‐)analysis of publicly available metabolomics data
Authors: Witting Michael
Published: September 2023

Metabolomics, the systematic measurement of small molecules (<1000 Da) in a given biological sample, is a fast‐growing field with many different applications. In contrast to transcriptomics and proteomics, sharing of data is not as widespread in metabolomics, though more scientists are sharing their data nowadays. However, to improve data analysis tools and develop new data analytical approaches and to improve metabolite annotation and identification, sharing of reference data is crucial. Here, different possibilities to share (metabolomics) data are reviewed and some recent approaches and applications regarding the (re‐)use and (re‐)analysis are highlighted.
Mechanisms of ventilatory limitation to maximum exercise in children and adolescents with chronic airway diseases
Authors: Donadio Márcio Vinícius Fagundes , Amor‐Barbosa Marta , Vendrusculo Fernanda Maria , Ramirez Tamara Iturriaga , Santana‐Sosa Elena , Sanz‐Santiago Veronica , Perez‐Ruiz Margarita
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Exercise intolerance is common in chronic airway diseases (CAD), but its mechanisms are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate exercise capacity and its association with lung function, ventilatory limitation, and ventilatory efficiency in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) and asthma when compared to healthy controls.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study including patients with mild‐to‐moderate asthma, CF and healthy children and adolescents. Anthropometric data, lung function (spirometry) and exercise capacity (cardiopulmonary exercise testing) were evaluated. Primary outcomes were peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), breathing reserve (BR), ventilatory equivalent for oxygen consumption (VE/VO2) and for carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2), both at the ventilatory threshold (VT1) and peak exercise.

Results

Mean age of 147 patients included was 11.8 ± 3.0 years. There were differences between asthmatics and CF children when compared to their healthy peers for anthropometric and lung function measurements. Asthmatics showed lower VO2peak when compared to both healthy and CF subjects, although no differences were found between healthy and CF patients. A lower BR was found when CF patients were compared to both healthy and asthmatic. Both CF and asthmatic patients presented higher values for VE/VO2 and VE/VCO2 at VT1 when compared to healthy individuals. For both VE/VO2 and VE/VCO2 at peak exercise CF patients presented higher values when compared to their healthy peers.

Conclusion

Patients with CF achieved good exercise capacity despite low ventilatory efficiency, low BR, and reduced lung function. However, asthmatics reported reduced cardiorespiratory capacity and normal ventilatory efficiency at peak exercise. These results demonstrate differences in the mechanisms of ventilatory limitation to maximum exercise testing in children and adolescents with CAD.