bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing EEG to Explore the Mental States Involved in the Occurrence of Different Levels Design Fixation
Authors: Cao Juan , Zhao Wu , Guo Xin , Wu Tingting
Published: November 2021

Design fixation, which is a form of cognitive bias, is commonly reported to unconsciously occur when designers take the path of least resistance during the fulfillment of a design task. It’s thought to be easy and effortless. Nonetheless, the mental states such as mental effort and mental fatigue that accompany the occurrence of different levels of design fixation are still unknown. In the present study, an experiment using electroencephalography (EEG) was conducted to examine the mental effort and mental fatigue involved in the occurrence of different levels of design fixation during creative idea generation. Fluency, flexibility, the degree of copying, and the time spent generating ideas were used to evaluate the design performance and fixation level of each participant, and the task-related power changes of theta, alpha, and beta bands of participants with higher and lower levels of fixation during creative idea generation process were compared and analyzed separately. The comparison results revealed that participants with higher levels of design fixation made the less mental effort and showed higher levels of mental fatigue during the ideation process compared to those with lower levels of design fixation. These results provide additional evidence for the mental states involved in the occurrence of design fixation and could contribute to a deeper understanding of design fixation from the neuroscience perspective.
Fatigue Detection for Human Aware Adaptation in Human-Robot Collaboration
Authors: Kumar Rakesh Suresh , Jujjavarapu Sri Sadhan , Lee Lung Hao , Esfahani Ehsan T.
Published: November 2021

Knowledge about human cognitive and physical state is a key factor in physical Human-robot collaboration (pHRC). Such information benefits the robot in planning an adaptive control strategy to prevent or mitigate human fatigue. In this paper, we present a method to detect upper limb muscle fatigue during pHRC using a low-cost myoelectric sensor. We used Riemann geometry to extract robust features from the time-series data and designed a classifier to detect the binary state of human fatigue i.e. fatigued vs not fatigued. We evaluated the method using a fine-motor coordination task for the human to guide an industrial robot along a virtual path for sometime followed by a muscle curl exercise until it induces fatigue in the muscles, and then repeat the robot experiment. We recruited nine participants for the study and recorded muscle activity from their dominant upper limb using the myoelectric sensor and used the data to develop a classifier. We compared the accuracy and robustness of the classifier against conventional time-domain and wavelet-based features and showed that Riemann geometry-based features yield higher classification accuracy (∼ 91%) compared to conventional features and require less computational effort. Such classifier can be used in real-time to develop a human-aware adaptation strategy to prevent fatigue.
Understanding Resilience Optimization Architectures With an Optimization Problem Repository
Authors: Hulse Daniel , Zhang Hongyang , Hoyle Christopher
Published: November 2021

Optimizing a system’s resilience can be challenging, especially when it involves considering both the inherent resilience of a robust design and the active resilience of a health management system to a set of computationally-expensive hazard simulations. While prior work has developed specialized architectures to effectively and efficiently solve combined design and resilience optimization problems, the comparison of these architectures has been limited to a single case study. To further study resilience optimization formulations, this work develops a problem repository which includes previously-developed resilience optimization problems and additional problems presented in this work: a notional system resilience model, a pandemic response model, and a cooling tank hazard prevention model. This work then uses models in the repository at large to understand the characteristics of resilience optimization problems and study the applicability of optimization architectures and decomposition strategies. Based on the comparisons in the repository, applying an optimization architecture effectively requires understanding the alignment and coupling relationships between the design and resilience models, as well as the efficiency characteristics of the algorithms. While alignment determines the necessity of a surrogate of resilience cost in the upper-level design problem, coupling determines the overall applicability of a sequential, alternating, or bilevel structure. Additionally, the application of decomposition strategies is dependent on there being limited interactions between variable sets, which often does not hold when a resilience policy is parameterized in terms of actions to take in hazardous model states rather than specific given scenarios.
Coupled Electromagnetic and Thermoelastic Response of Conductive Materials Under Mechanical Loading and High Current Pulse Conditions
Authors: Michopoulos J. G. , Iliopoulos A. P. , Steuben J. C. , Apetre N. A. , Douglass S. , Lynn A. G. , Cairns R. L.
Published: November 2021

Understanding, modeling and simulating the behavior of thermally and electrically conductive materials under simultaneous high electric current pulse and mechanical preload conditions has long been a topic of interest for various applications involving electromechanical systems. To this end, the present work describes a computational framework that enables the fully coupled electromagnetic and thermoelastic analysis of such systems. The partial differential equations (PDEs) representing the electrodynamic and thermodynamic conservation laws are utilized and encapsulated in a computational environment enabling their numerical solution. A specific contribution of the framework is that it is capable of solving the non-linear forms of the relevant PDEs that are formed due to the dependence of the material properties on state variables such as temperature. The proposed framework is applied for a specific high-current testing apparatus under construction in our laboratory. A high current pulse is conducted through a mechanically pretensioned specimen and generates Joule heating activating thermo-elastic strains in conjunction with Lorentz body forces influencing the associated dynamic thermo-structural response of specimens of interest. Application of the developed framework enables the generation of field predictions for the quantities of interest. Selective simulation results are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed framework followed by discussion and conclusions.
Co-Evolution of Communication and System Performance in Engineering Systems Design: A Stochastic Network-Behavior Dynamics Model
Authors: Chaudhari Ashish M. , Gralla Erica L. , Szajnfarber Zoe , Panchal Jitesh H.
Published: November 2021

The socio-technical perspective on engineering system design emphasizes the mutual dynamics between interdisciplinary interactions and system design outcomes. How different disciplines interact with each other depends on technical factors such as design interdependence and system performance. On the other hand, the design outcomes are influenced by social factors such as the frequency of interactions and their distribution. Understanding this co-evolution can lead to not only better behavioral insights, but also efficient communication pathways. In this context, we investigate how to quantify the temporal influences of social and technical factors on interdisciplinary interactions and their influence on system performance. We present a stochastic network-behavior dynamics model that quantifies the design interdependence, discipline-specific interaction decisions, the evolution of system performance, as well as their mutual dynamics. We employ two datasets, one of student subjects designing an automotive engine and the other of NASA engineers designing a spacecraft. Then, we apply statistical Bayesian inference to estimate model parameters and compare insights across the two datasets. The results indicate that design interdependence and social network statistics both have strong positive effects on interdisciplinary interactions for the expert and student subjects alike. For the student subjects, an additional modulating effect of system performance on interactions is observed. Inversely, the total number of interactions, irrespective of their discipline-wise distribution, has a weak but statistically significant positive effect on system performance in both cases. However, excessive interactions mirrored with design interdependence and inflexible design space exploration reduce system performance. These insights support the case for open organizational boundaries as a way for increasing interactions and improving system performance.
Co-Design Optimization of a Combined Heat and Power Hybrid Energy System
Authors: Li Dongze , Wu Jiaxin , Zhang Jie , Wang Pingfeng
Published: November 2021

As an energy efficient technology that generates electricity and captures the heat that would otherwise be wasted to provide useful thermal energy, combined heat and power (CHP) hybrid energy systems have been widely used in the U.S. In the presented study, a two-stage co-design optimization model for CHP-based hybrid energy systems is developed. By applying a mixed integer programming (MIP) method, the optimization is performed from the operational and design perspectives. Six components: CHP, boiler, heat recover unit (HRU), thermal storage system (TS), power storage system (ES), and photovoltaic (PV) are considered in the CHP-based microgrids. During the optimization process, the cost-based optimal component design solutions are firstly obtained by minimizing the total installation costs of the components. The optimal operational strategy is further attained based on the component design by minimizing the costs from production, operation and maintenance, startup, and unsatisfied load. In the end, non-disruptive and disruptive scenarios are considered in the case study to testify to the model’s effectiveness in co-design and reliability improvement.
Spatial Mechanism-Environment Contact Geometric Models
Authors: Robson Nina , Lee Aaron
Published: November 2021

This work proposes a theoretical foundation for a general spatial geometric mechanism-environment contact model. In the proposed model the curvature of the environment in the vicinity of the contact is approximated by a number of spherical surfaces with known radii of curvature that constrain/define the movement of the body. We show how the modeled body-environment contact and curvature constraints can be transformed into conditions on spatial velocity and acceleration (i.e. first and second order effects) of certain points of the moving body that can be incorporated in the kinematic task for designing spatial mechanisms. Further, we explore the exact synthesis of a spatial six degrees-of-freedom TPS kinematic chain which end-effector maintains contact with objects in the environment and varies orientation in the vicinity of a contact location. It is discussed how the higher order motion constraints allow for the introduction of kinematic task variations in the vicinity of a contact, resulting in different behaviors of the designed spatial mechanism. The theoretical foundation presented in this paper is crucial in gaining understanding of the constraints in describing mechanism-environment interactions in the vicinity of a contact and is a new contribution.
Design Experiences as Pathways for Embracing Failure
Authors: Das Madhurima , Yang Maria C.
Published: November 2021

There is a growing movement in engineering and industry for students and practitioners to learn to embrace failure and develop resilience. The design process is naturally full of iteration and failures that can inherently be leveraged as learning opportunities for students. This study establishes a set of failure-related interventions implemented in an introductory design course, and then examines potential links to students’ experiences and attitudes towards failure. These interventions included a failure-themed “speaker seminar” series, a virtual gallery of design mistakes (“mistake museum”), and the introduction of a prototype logger for students to intentionally reflect on each iteration of their own design projects, including what went wrong and what was learned from the iteration. Students found these interventions to be effective in gaining perspective on failure and learning to embrace it. Students’ perceptions of the openness to failure of the class, perceptions of the field of design’s openness to failure, and perceptions of their major’s openness to failure all changed significantly, while their perceptions of their own openness to failure and their academic institution’s openness to failure were unchanged over the duration of the design course. Students also self-reported that the reflective processes of logging prototypes made them feel more comfortable with failure.
Safe Collaboration Between Human and Robot in a Context of Intermittent Haptique Interface
Authors: Mugisha Stanley , Zoppi Matteo , Molfino Rezia , Guda Vamsi , Chevallereau Christine , Chablat Damien
Published: November 2021

In the list of interfaces used to make virtual reality, haptic interfaces allow users to touch a virtual world with their hands. Traditionally, the user’s hand touches the end effector of a robotic arm. When there is no contact, the robotic arm is passive; when there is contact, the arm suppresses mobility to the user’s hand in certain directions. Unfortunately, the passive mode is never completely seamless to the user. Haptic interfaces with intermittent contacts are interfaces using industrial robots that move towards the user when contact needs to be made. As the user is immersed via a virtual reality Head Mounted Display (HMD), he cannot perceive the danger of a collision when he changes his area of interest in the virtual environment. The objective of this article is to describe movement strategies for the robot to be as fast as possible on the contact zone while guaranteeing safety. This work uses the concept of predicting the position of the user through his gaze direction and the position of his dominant hand (the one touching the object). A motion generation algorithm is proposed and then applied to a UR5 robot with an HTC vive tracker system for an industrial application involving the analysis of materials in the interior of a car.
Mastering Manufacturing: Exploring the Influence of Engineering Designers’ Prior Experience When Using Design for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Prabhu Rohan , Simpson Timothy W. , Miller Scarlett R. , Meisel Nicholas A.
Published: November 2021

Additive manufacturing (AM) processes present designers with unique capabilities while imposing several process limitations. Designers must leverage the capabilities of AM — through opportunistic design for AM (DfAM) — and accommodate AM limitations — through restrictive DfAM — to successfully employ AM in engineering design. These opportunistic and restrictive DfAM techniques starkly contrast the traditional, limitation-based design for manufacturing techniques — the current standard for design for manufacturing (DfM). Therefore, designers must transition from a restrictive DfM mindset towards a ‘dual’ design mindset — using opportunistic and restrictive DfAM concepts. Designers’ prior experience, especially with a partial set of DfM and DfAM techniques could inhibit their ability to transition towards a dual DfAM approach. On the other hand, experienced designers’ auxiliary skills (e.g., with computer-aided design) could help them successfully use DfAM in their solutions. Researchers have investigated the influence of prior experience on designers’ use of DfAM tools in design; however, a majority of this work focuses on early-stage ideation. Little research has studied the influence of prior experience on designers’ DfAM use in the later design stages, especially in formal DfAM educational interventions, and we aim to explore this research gap. From our results, we see that experienced designers report higher baseline self-efficacy with restrictive DfAM but not with opportunistic DfAM. We also see that experienced designers demonstrate a greater use of certain DfAM concepts (e.g., part and assembly complexity) in their designs. These findings suggest that introducing designers to opportunistic DfAM early could help develop a dual design mindset; however, having more engineering experience might be necessary for them to implement this knowledge into their designs.
Getting Beyond the Hairy House: Using Structure-Function-Mechanism to Advance Biologically Inspired Design Pedagogy
Authors: Helms Michael E. , Ehsan Hoda , Kim Euisun , Moore Roxanne , Alemdar Meltem , Cappelli Christopher J. , Rosen Jeff , Weissburg Marc
Published: November 2021

In this case study we report on the use of a Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-aligned form of Structure-Behavior-Function, called Structure-Function-Mechanism (SFM), to teach four high school engineering teachers an approach for Biologically Inspired Design (BID). Functional theories of design describe a natural way in which designers solve design problems. They provide support for case-based and analogical-based reasoning systems and have been used successfully to teach BID to undergraduate students. We found that teachers instructed on BID practice and pedagogy using our modified theory were able to grasp the structural concepts and looked for clear markers separating mechanism (behavior) and function. Because of the systems-of-systems nature of most biological entities, these boundaries were often subjective, presenting unique challenge to teachers. As high school engineering teachers look for methods to enhance their pedagogy and to understand multidisciplinary content, these findings will inform future curriculum development and professional learning approaches for engineering education.
Design of a Planar Cable-Driven Parallel Crane Without Parasitic Tilt
Authors: Etienne Lionel , Cardou Philippe , Métillon Marceau , Caro Stéphane
Published: November 2021

Cable-Driven Parallel Robots (CDPRs) offer high payload capacities, large translational workspace and high dynamics performances. Their rotational workspace is generally far more limited, however, which can be resolved by using cable loops, as was shown in previous research. In the case of fully-constrained CDPRs, cable loops can induce unwanted torques on the moving-platform, causing it to tilt and move away from its intended position, which we call parasitic tilt. Hence, the orientation accuracy of such robots is usually limited. This paper deals with the design, modelling and prototyping of a planar CDPR with infinite rotations, without parasitic tilt and without an additional motor. This robot, which we call a Cable-Driven Parallel Crane (CDPC), is composed of a mobile platform (MP) with an embedded mechanism and a transmission module. The MP is linked with the frame by a parallelogram of three cables to constrain its orientation, including a cable loop, as well as a fourth cable. The two-degree-of-freedom (dof) motions of the moving-platform of the CDPC and the internal dof of its embedded mechanism are actuated by a total of three actuators, which are fixed to the frame. As a consequence, the overall system is fully-actuated, its total mass and inertia in motion is reduced and it is free of parasitic tilts.
Exploring the Effects of Individual Differences in Function Structure Modeling Behaviors
Authors: Patel Apurva , Summers Joshua D.
Published: November 2021

This paper presents an exploratory study conducted to understand the role of individual differences between designers in the function modeling process and with respect to final models. An input-process-output framework of function modeling is proposed to systematically approach this theory building and discovery research study. Four measures of individual differences are identified of interest. These include the systemizing quotient, goal orientation, risk propensity, and concept design thinking style. Each metric is composed of multiple items that can be assessed through survey instruments. A previously developed protocol study is used to capture function modeling behaviors and a final function structure model. Data collected from the survey instruments and protocol study is processed to generate input, process, and output measures. A regression-based analysis is used to identify correlations in three groups: input-process, input-output, and process-output. Potential correlations of interest are identified within each group. Implications of these correlations are discussed from a function structure modeling perspective and hypotheses for future research are identified based on the patterns observed in this study. Three testable hypotheses are proposed for future investigation: (1) Goal orientation has no effect on activity distribution in the function modeling process, (2) Thinking style has no effect on the function modeling process, and (3) Risk propensity has no effect on element distribution in the function modeling process. Finally, an anticipated experiment is outlined to investigate one of the potential relationships discovered in this study.
Connecting Design Actions, Reasoning, and Outcomes in Concept-Selection
Authors: Mirabito Yakira , Goucher-Lambert Kosa
Published: November 2021

Final concepts are often not the most creative or innovative design within the solution space. The purpose of this research is to gain insight into the decisions made in concept selection. In particular, we studied how designers link multiple decision-making elements together, including: actions (what people do), reasoning (why they do it), and design outcomes (an objective measure of engineering performance). Fifty-seven participants were tasked with solving a design challenge relating to a robotic gripper by selecting a design within a predefined design space. Each design had a corresponding measure (termed “success rate”) which enabled each designer’s performance to be quantified and compared against other designers. The task was hosted on an interactive interface in which design actions were collected. A post-task survey probed for the reasoning behind design actions. Characterization of decision-making behavior and reasoning was rooted in prior design literature. Design actions were quantified concerning the degree of design space explored and the decision-making strategies employed. Key results include design strategies such as manipulation techniques, the impact of maximum observed success rates, and a willingness to submit an alternative solution which influenced design outcomes. Although designer preferences validated the design strategies identified, there was no correlation between the decision factors considered and improved outcomes. The methods and findings from this work assessed the underlying dynamics when engineers selected less innovative or creative solutions and recommended decision-making strategies that should be considered to improve design outcomes.
Aligning Human and Computational Evaluations of Functional Design Similarity
Authors: Nandy Ananya , Goucher-Lambert Kosa
Published: November 2021

Function drives many early design considerations in product development. Therefore, finding functionally similar examples is important when searching for sources of inspiration or evaluating designs against existing technology. However, it is difficult to capture what people consider to be functionally similar and therefore, if measures that compare function directly from the products themselves are meaningful. In this work, we compare human evaluations of similarity to computationally determined values, shedding light on how quantitative measures align with human perceptions of functional similarity. Human perception of functional similarity is considered at two levels of abstraction: (1) the high-level purpose of a product, and (2) a detailed view of how the product works. Human evaluations of similarity are quantified by crowdsourcing 1360 triplet ratings at each functional abstraction, and then compared to similarity that is computed between functional models. We demonstrate how different levels of abstraction and the fuzzy line between what is considered “similar” and “similar enough” may impact how these similarity measures are utilized, finding that different measures better align with human evaluations along each dimension. The results inform how product similarity can be leveraged by designers. Therefore, applications lie in creativity support tools, such as those used for design-by-analogy, or future computational methods in design that incorporate product function in addition to form.
Lessons Learned About Product Redesign for Evolvability Using Reflective Entries
Authors: Jacobson Lindsey , Ferguson Scott
Published: November 2021

The operating conditions for, and requirements of, a product may change in unexpected ways while it is in service. Products incapable of meetings these new requirements lose value. This reduction in value diminishes the user experience or product replacement occurs. Previous studies in the literature have investigated principles of design flexibility, modularity, excess, and margins as they apply to the redesign of an existing product as a means of keeping it in service. Design tools, such as Design Structure Matrices (DSMs) and change propagation techniques, give the engineer insight into managing the redesign process. However, there is limited data about perceptions of the redesign process and the challenges that arise. This paper explores the redesign of a single system with particular focus on the design objective, the utility offered by existing design tools, and the perception of excess. A pod-based coffee maker is redesigned as the pod carrying the coffee grounds has been discontinued. Three conceptual redesign solutions are generated by the co-author who also wrote reflections discussing her perspectives and experiences throughout the redesign process. The reflections from the co-author highlight questions about how designers identify valuable system attributes when redesigning a system (already in service) to meet new requirements. The co-author’s experience also provides evidence that (1) there is a relationship between design tool and redesign strategy, (2) that it was easier to conceptualize redesign work with excess around functional requirements than spatial interfaces, and (3) that the perceived amount of excess in a system influences the chosen design strategy.
Wildfire response to changing daily temperature extremes in California’s Sierra Nevada
Authors: Gutierrez Aurora A. , Hantson Stijn , Langenbrunner Baird , Chen Bin , Jin Yufang , Goulden Michael L. , Randerson James T.
Published: November 2021

High temperature extremes cause fire occurrence and burned area to increase nonlinearly in California’s Sierra Nevada.
Patient similarity network of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma identifies patient subgroups with distinct genetic features and clinical implications
Authors: Bhalla Sherry , Melnekoff David T. , Aleman Adolfo , Leshchenko Violetta , Restrepo Paula , Keats Jonathan , Onel Kenan , Sawyer Jeffrey R. , Madduri Deepu , Richter Joshua , Richard Shambavi , Chari Ajai , Cho Hearn Jay , Dudley Joel T. , Jagannath Sundar , Laganà Alessandro , Parekh Samir
Published: November 2021

Integrative multiomics analysis of myeloma identifies 12 disease subtypes defined by specific patterns of genetic alterations.
Tracking the ATP-binding response in adenylate kinase in real time
Authors: Orädd Fredrik , Ravishankar Harsha , Goodman Jack , Rogne Per , Backman Lars , Duelli Annette , Nors Pedersen Martin , Levantino Matteo , Wulff Michael , Wolf-Watz Magnus , Andersson Magnus
Published: November 2021

Time-resolved x-ray solution scattering identifies cooperative structural dynamics in the adenylate kinase enzymatic reaction.
Genomic transformation and social organization during the Copper Age–Bronze Age transition in southern Iberia
Authors: Villalba-Mouco Vanessa , Oliart Camila , Rihuete-Herrada Cristina , Childebayeva Ainash , Rohrlach Adam B. , Fregeiro María Inés , Celdrán Beltrán Eva , Velasco-Felipe Carlos , Aron Franziska , Himmel Marie , Freund Caecilia , Alt Kurt W. , Salazar-García Domingo C. , García Atiénzar Gabriel , de Miguel Ibáñez Ma. Paz , Hernández Pérez Mauro S. , Barciela Virginia , Romero Alejandro , Ponce Juana , Martínez Andrés , Lomba Joaquín , Soler Jorge , Martínez Ana Pujante , Avilés Fernández Azucena , Haber-Uriarte María , Roca de Togores Muñoz Consuelo , Olalde Iñigo , Lalueza-Fox Carles , Reich David , Krause Johannes , García Sanjuán Leonardo , Lull Vicente , Micó Rafael , Risch Roberto , Haak Wolfgang
Published: November 2021

Ancient human DNA from southern Iberia reveals social and genomic changes during the emergence of the Bronze Age in Europe.
mRNA vaccination induces tick resistance and prevents transmission of the Lyme disease agent
Authors: Sajid Andaleeb , Matias Jaqueline , Arora Gunjan , Kurokawa Cheyne , DePonte Kathleen , Tang Xiaotian , Lynn Geoffrey , Wu Ming-Jie , Pal Utpal , Strank Norma Olivares , Pardi Norbert , Narasimhan Sukanya , Weissman Drew , Fikrig Erol
Published: November 2021

An
Ixodes scapularis
saliva mRNA vaccine induces tick resistance and prevents
Borrelia burgdorferi
infection in guinea pigs.
Insights into the Antibacterial Mechanism of Action of Chelating Agents by Selective Deprivation of Iron, Manganese, and Zinc
Authors: Paterson Joy R. , Beecroft Marikka S. , Mulla Raminder S. , Osman Deenah , Reeder Nancy L. , Caserta Justin A. , Young Tessa R. , Pettigrew Charles A. , Davies Gareth E. , Williams J. A. Gareth , Sharples Gary J.
Published: November 2021

Chelating agents are widely used in industry and consumer goods to control metal availability, with bacterial growth restriction as a secondary benefit for preservation. However, the antibacterial mechanism of action of chelants is largely unknown, particularly with respect to the impact on cellular metal concentrations.
The Clinical Utility of Two High-Throughput 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Workflows for Taxonomic Assignment of Unidentifiable Bacterial Pathogens in Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lao Hiu-Yin , Ng Timothy Ting-Leung , Wong Ryan Yik-Lam , Wong Celia Sze-Ting , Lee Lam-Kwong , Wong Denise Sze-Hang , Chan Chloe Toi-Mei , Jim Stephanie Hoi-Ching , Leung Jake Siu-Lun , Lo Hazel Wing-Hei , Wong Ivan Tak-Fai , Yau Miranda Chong-Yee , Lam Jimmy Yiu-Wing , Wu Alan Ka-Lun , Siu Gilman Kit-Hang
Published: November 2021

Bacterial pathogens that cannot be identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) are occasionally encountered in clinical laboratories. The 16S rRNA gene is often used for sequence-based analysis to identify these bacterial species.
Structure of Rift Valley Fever Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
Authors: Wang Xue , Hu Cuixia , Ye Wei , Wang Jia , Dong Xiaofei , Xu Jie , Li Xiaorong , Zhang Manfeng , Lu Hongyun , Zhang Fanglin , Wu Wei , Dai Shaodong , Wang Hong-Wei , Chen Zhongzhou
Published: November 2021

The zoonosis RVF virus (RVFV) is one of the most serious arbovirus threats to both human and animal health. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a multifunctional enzyme catalyzing genome replication as well as viral transcription, so the RdRp is essential for studying the virus and has multiple drug targets.
Characterization of the Type I Restriction Modification System Broadly Conserved among Group A Streptococci
Authors: DebRoy Sruti , Shropshire William C. , Tran Chau Nguyen , Hao Haiping , Gohel Marc , Galloway-Peña Jessica , Hanson Blake , Flores Anthony R. , Shelburne Samuel A.
Published: November 2021

The advent of whole-genome approaches capable of detecting DNA methylation has markedly expanded appreciation of the diverse roles of epigenetic modification in prokaryotic physiology. For example, recent studies have suggested that DNA methylation impacts gene expression in some streptococci.
Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Positivity in Immunocompetent Patients: Virus Isolation, Genomic Integrity, and Transmission Risk
Authors: Leitão Isabela de Carvalho , Calil Pedro Telles , Galliez Rafael Mello , Moreira Filipe Romero Rebello , Mariani Diana , Castiñeiras Anna Carla Pinto , da Silva Gustavo Peixoto Duarte , Maia Richard Araújo , Corrêa Isadora Alonso , Monteiro Fábio Luís Lima , de Souza Marcos Romário Matos , Gonçalves Cássia Cristina Alves , Higa Luiza Mendonça , de Jesus Ribeiro Liane , Fonseca Vinicius Wakoff Pereira , Bastos Victoria Cortes , Voloch Carolina Moreira , Faffe Débora Souza , da Costa Ferreira Orlando , Tanuri Amilcar , Castiñeiras Terezinha Marta Pereira Pinto , da Costa Luciana Jesus
Published: November 2021

In this study, we evaluated mildly symptomatic immunocompetent patients with long-lasting positive rRT-PCR results for SARS-CoV-2. Infectious viruses were successfully isolated in cell cultures from nasopharynx samples obtained 14 days or longer after symptom onset.
A Highly Sensitive and Specific SARS-CoV-2 Spike- and Nucleoprotein-Based Fluorescent Multiplex Immunoassay (FMIA) to Measure IgG, IgA, and IgM Class Antibodies
Authors: Solastie Anna , Virta Camilla , Haveri Anu , Ekström Nina , Kantele Anu , Miettinen Simo , Lempainen Johanna , Jalkanen Pinja , Kakkola Laura , Dub Timothée , Julkunen Ilkka , Melin Merit
Published: November 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serological assays with excellent clinical performance are essential for reliable estimation of the persistence of immunity after infection or vaccination. In this paper we present a thoroughly validated SARS-CoV-2 serological assay with excellent clinical performance and good comparability to neutralizing antibody titers.
Phylogenetic Distribution of
csp1
Types in Aspergillus fumigatus and Their Correlates to Azole Antifungal Drug Resistance
Authors: Bader Oliver
Published: November 2021

Aspergillus fumigatus
is a ubiquitously distributed saprophytic mold and a leading cause of invasive aspergillosis in human hosts. Pandemic azole-resistant strains have emerged on a global scale, which are thought to be propagated through use of azole-based fungicides in agriculture.
Impact of maternal obesity on neonatal heart rate and cardiac size
Authors: Groves Alan M , Price Anthony N , Russell-Webster Tamarind , Jhaveri Simone , Yang Yang , Battersby Ellie E , Shahid Shiffa , Costa Vieira Matais , Hughes Emer , Miller Faith , Briley Annette L , Singh Claire , Seed Paul T , Chowienczyk Phillip J , Stern Kenan W D , Cohen Jennifer , Pasupathy Dharmintra , Edwards A David , Poston Lucilla , Taylor Paul D
Published: November 2021

Background

Maternal obesity may increase offspring risk of cardiovascular disease. We assessed the impact of maternal obesity on cardiac structure and function in newborns as a marker of fetal cardiac growth.

Methods

Neonates born to mothers of healthy weight (body mass index (BMI) 20–25 kg/m2, n=56) and to mothers who were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2, n=31) underwent 25-minute continuous ECG recording and non-sedated, free-breathing cardiac MRI within 72 hours of birth.

Results

Mean (SD) heart rate during sleep was higher in infants born to mothers who were versus were not obese (123 (12.6) vs 114 (9.8) beats/min, p=0.002). Heart rate variability during sleep was lower in infants born to mothers who were versus were not obese (SD of normal-to-normal R-R interval 34.6 (16.8) vs 43.9 (16.5) ms, p=0.05). Similar heart rate changes were seen during wakefulness. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (2.35 (0.14) vs 2.54 (0.29) mL/kg, p=0.03) and stroke volume (1.50 (0.09) vs 1.60 (0.14), p=0.04) were decreased in infants born to mothers who were versus were not obese. There were no differences in left ventricular end-systolic volume, ejection fraction, output or myocardial mass between the groups.

Conclusion

Maternal obesity was associated with increased heart rate, decreased heart rate variability and decreased left ventricular volumes in newborns. If persistent, these changes may provide a causal mechanism for the increased cardiovascular risk in adult offspring of mothers with obesity. In turn, modifying antenatal and perinatal maternal health may have the potential to optimise long-term cardiovascular health in offspring.
Concomitant malignancies in the neck: follicular dendritic cell sarcoma; a rare tumour presenting as a right-sided neck nodal mass and papillary carcinoma thyroid
Authors: Umakanth Suhas , Lakshminarayana Badareesh , Kudva Ranjini
Published: November 2021

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is a rare low-grade sarcoma of mesenchymal origin. It involves the lymph nodes more commonly and rarely extranodal sites. The most common lymph node is cervical and usually presents as a painless asymptomatic mass. More often, it is a misdiagnosis, and there is a delay in treatment. It is rarely associated with Castleman disease, myasthenia gravis. Diagnosis of this condition is by histopathology and immunochemistry. Surgery is the primary modality of treatment, and adjuvant therapy has been tried with no definite trials due to the rarity of the disease. Here, we report a case of concomitant follicular dendritic sarcoma of the right cervical lymph node and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid managed in our institute. There was a line of investigations approaching towards a diagnosis, and she underwent total thyroidectomy and right modified radical neck dissection.
Delayed gastric perforation following nasogastric tube insertion: the pitfalls of radiographic confirmation
Authors: Wallbridge Thomas , Eddula Mahesh , Vadukul Prakash , Bleasdale John
Published: November 2021

A man in his 70s, admitted to intensive care unit following an out of hospital cardiac arrest, had a nasogastric (NG) tube inserted on admission. Correct placement of the NG tube had been confirmed using National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) criteria and was used for feeding without incident. He remained intubated and ventilated throughout his stay. On day 9 his oxygen requirements increased with subsequent chest imaging revealing an incidental gastric perforation secondary to NG tube migration. The NG tube was removed intact and undamaged. The patient appeared to improve without sequelae from the perforation or signs of abdominal sepsis. Unfortunately his condition deteriorated due to a large right atrial thrombus and life sustaining treatments were withdrawn.
Dermal nipple-areola complex flap method in female to male gender affirming surgery
Authors: Bøkset Mari Irgens , Carstensen Lena Felicia , Jensen Jesper Poul Næsted
Published: November 2021

Subcutaneous mastectomy plays a major role in female to male (FtM) gender affirming surgery, and obtaining a flattering chest contour remains a challenge to the surgeon. We present an operative method using a dermal nipple-areola complex (NAC) flap, with the aim to create a naturally masculine appearance, while reducing the risk of NAC complications by maintaining sufficient neurovascularisation. This case report describes how the novel approach may potentially be applied as an alternative to the traditionally performed free nipple graft technique in FtM gender confirming surgery. The technique is simple, provides an aesthetically appealing outcome and presumably poses a low risk of NAC complications. Intraoperatively, it allows for good exposure and a uniform removal of breast tissue, as well as repositioning and/or resizing of the NAC where required.
PandAcuity in paediatrics: a novel clinical measure of visual function based on the panda illusion
Authors: Kelbsch Carina , Spieth Bettina , Zrenner Eberhart , Besch Dorothea , Straßer Torsten
Published: November 2021

Background/aims

To evaluate the PandAcuity test for visual function testing in a paediatric cohort and to examine its agreement with conventional visual acuity (VA) testing.

Methods

PandAcuity scores were determined in 152 children (77 males) aged between 3 and 15 years after VA testing (LEATM-test, E-chart, Landolt-C-rings or numbers). The PandAcuity test consisted of illusions made up from silhouettes of animals ‘hidden’ within zig-zag-patterns of decreasing spatial frequencies. Correlation analyses between PandAcuity score and VA were performed.

Results

150 children completed the test in at least one eye, 148 in both eyes. The PandAcuity test demonstrated good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.89) between two runs. VA and PandAcuity score showed a medium to large correlation (Spearman’s ρ=0.52, p<0.0001). 93% of the children’s visual impairment was classified in the same range by both test types. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of predicted visual impairment showed an excellent agreement with the classification based on VA testing (AUC=0.84).

Conclusion

The PandAcuity test is rapid, simple and well accepted, rendering it a suitable supplement for the clinical assessment of VA in children. Because of its counterintuitive application (a higher number of correctly identified images means worse VA), it can be used to cross-validate conventional acuity tests to assure children’s compliance.
Barriers to decolonising educational partnerships in global health
Authors: Kulesa John , Brantuo Nana Afua
Published: November 2021

Global health partnerships between high-income countries and low/middle-income countries can mirror colonial relationships. The growing call to advance global health equity therefore involves decolonising global health partnerships and outreach. Through decolonisation, local and international global health partners recognise non-western forms of knowledge and authority, acknowledge discrimination and disrupt colonial structures and legacies that influence access to healthcare.

Despite these well-described aims, the ideal implementation process for decolonising global health remains ill-defined. This ambiguity exists, in part, because partners face barriers to adopting a decolonised perspective. Such barriers include overemphasis on intercountry relationships, implicit hierarchies perpetuated by educational interventions and ethical dilemmas in global health work.

In this article, we explore the historical entanglement of education, health and colonialism. We then use this history as context to identify barriers that arise when decolonising contemporary educational global health partnerships. Finally, we offer global health partners strategies to address these challenges.
Self-thermophoresis of laser-heated spherical Janus particles
Authors: Avital E. J. , Miloh T.
Published: November 2021

An analytic framework is presented for calculating the self-induced thermophoretic velocity of a laser-heated Janus metamaterial micro-particle, consisting of two conducting hemispheres of different thermal and electric conductivities. The spherical Janus is embedded in a quiescent fluid of infinite expanse and is exposed to a continuous light irradiation by a defocused laser beam. The analysis is carried under the electrostatic (Rayleigh) approximation (radius small compared to wavelength). The linear scheme for evaluating the temperature field in the three phases is based on employing a Fourier–Legendre approach, which renders rather simple semi-analytic expressions in terms of the relevant physical parameters of the titled symmetry-breaking problem. In addition to an explicit solution for the self-thermophoretic mobility of the heated Janus, we also provide analytic expressions for the slip-induced Joule heating streamlines and vorticity field in the surrounding fluid, for a non-uniform (surface dependent) Soret coefficient. For a ‘symmetric’ (homogeneous) spherical particle, the surface temperature gradient vanishes and thus there is no self-induced thermophoretic velocity field. The ‘inner’ temperature field in this case reduces to the well-known solution for a laser-heated spherical conducting colloid. In the case of a constant Soret phoretic mobility, the analysis is compared against numerical simulations, based on a tailored collocation method for some selected values of the physical parameters. Also presented are some typical temperature field contours and heat flux vectors prevailing in the two-phase Janus as well as light-induced velocity and vorticity fields in the ambient solute and a new practical estimate for the self-propelling velocity.

Graphic abstract
Real-Time Human Action Recognition Using Deep Learning Architecture
Authors: Kahlouche Souhila , Belhocine Mahmoud , Menouar Abdallah
Published: November 2021

In this work, efficient human activity recognition (HAR) algorithm based on deep learning architecture is proposed to classify activities into seven different classes. In order to learn spatial and temporal features from only 3D skeleton data captured from a “Microsoft Kinect” camera, the proposed algorithm combines both convolution neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) architectures. This combination allows taking advantage of LSTM in modeling temporal data and of CNN in modeling spatial data. The captured skeleton sequences are used to create a specific dataset of interactive activities; these data are then transformed according to a view invariant and a symmetry criterion. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed algorithm, it has been tested on several public datasets and it has achieved and sometimes has overcome state-of-the-art performance. In order to verify the uncertainty of the proposed algorithm, some tools are provided and discussed to ensure its efficiency for continuous human action recognition in real time.
Model Transformation Development Using Automated Requirements Analysis, Metamodel Matching, and Transformation by Example
Authors: Lano K. , Kolahdouz-Rahimi S. , Fang S.
Published: November 2021

In this article, we address how the production of model transformations (MT) can be accelerated by automation of transformation synthesis from requirements, examples, and metamodels. We introduce a synthesis process based on metamodel matching, correspondence patterns between metamodels, and completeness and consistency analysis of matches. We describe how the limitations of metamodel matching can be addressed by combining matching with automated requirements analysis and model transformation by example (MTBE) techniques.

We show that in practical examples a large percentage of required transformation functionality can usually be constructed automatically, thus potentially reducing development effort. We also evaluate the efficiency of synthesised transformations.

Our novel contributions are:

The concept of correspondence patterns between metamodels of a transformation.

Requirements analysis of transformations using natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML).

Symbolic MTBE using “predictive specification” to infer transformations from examples.

Transformation generation in multiple MT languages and in Java, from an abstract intermediate language.