bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fault-tolerant control against actuator faults based on extended state observer for quadrotor UAV
Authors: Liu Jiali , Li Qing
Published: June 2024

A model predictive control (MPC) strategy is devised to handle the issue of multi-actuators partial failure faults of quadrotor vehicles. Firstly, considering a quadrotor system with actuator partial failure faults and unknown disturbances, the quadrotor dynamics model is analyzed and established. Then, the MPC attitude fault-tolerant controller is devised to transform the issue of controlling the attitude angle of a quadrotor into a quadratic programming solution problem, and the extended state observer (ESO) is devised to evaluate the faults and perturbations, which highly and greatly improves the system’s suppression capability against disturbances. Finally, numerical simulation experiments demonstrate the scheme’s fault-tolerance to actuator faults and its ability to suppress unknown perturbations, while the results of semi-physical simulation experiments also prove that the method is effective and feasible.
Adaptive control strategy for grid-based energy storage converter under frequency disturbance
Authors: Wang Zhenghui , Yue Chao , Ma Xinyi , Yang Li , Ma Junli
Published: June 2024

The grid-based energy storage converter is regarded as vital equipment for constructing a new power system because of its ability to sort out new energy consumption and improve the system’s moment of inertia. Currently, most of the adaptive control strategies of Grid-configured energy storage are optimized for the dynamic virtual synchronous generator technology (VSG) process. More research is needed on the steady-state deviation of VSG under grid frequency disturbance. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an adaptive control strategy for grid-based energy storage converters. First, this essay examines the control approach used by VSG. Subsequently, the damping and inertia of VSG with fixed parameters are replaced by the inertia, and damping is calculated using the adaptive algorithm to optimize the dynamic and steady-state performance. Finally, Simulations utilizing MATLAB/Simulink are employed to confirm the efficacy of the adaptive VSG network-building control approach.
The effect of RF sputtering power on structural, nanomechanical and tribological properties of single layered TaN coatings
Authors: Singh Vivek , Sharma Rajesh Kumar , Sehgal Rakesh , Wani M F
Published: June 2024

Single-layered TaN thin coatings were deposited on Ti6Al7Nb alloy substrates using reactive radiofrequency magnetron sputtering, with variations in target power. To assess the crystalline structure, chemical composition, and surface topography of these coatings, Grazing Incidence x-ray Diffraction (GIXRD), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) were employed, respectively. The study revealed that deposition power impacts the structure and composition of TaN coatings. Further analysis using x-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the TaN coatings predominantly consisted of Ta and N, with trace amounts of oxygen (O 1s). Additionally, nanomechanical testing was conducted to evaluate hardness (H), modulus (E), and scratch properties. Results suggested that multiphase hex-TaN coatings exhibited superior H, E, and scratch properties compared to other cubic-structured TaN coatings. Friction and wear properties against steel balls under dry sliding conditions were determined using a ball-on-disk nanotribometer. The findings showed that mix-phase TaN coating exhibited a minimum coefficient of friction of 0.054 and a wear rate of 2.14 × 10−6 mm3/N.m. Abrasion, ploughing and oxidation were identified as the primary wear mechanism responsible for the wear of the TaN coatings.
Corrosion behavior analysis and characterization of AA7178 matrix alloy reinforced with nano TiO2 particles
Authors: Bharat Nikhil , Bose P S C , Trivedi Nandini , Sumesh C K , Krishna Katika Hari
Published: June 2024

The objective of this study is to assess how AA7178 matrix-based nanocomposites’ microstructure and corrosion properties are affected by the addition of nano TiO2 particles. The AA7178 alloy reinforced TiO2 composites were manufactured via stir-casting, with the TiO2 reinforcement levels ranging from 0% to 3% by 1% increments. A uniform distribution of TiO2 nanoparticles(2 wt%) over the Al matrix was shown by scanning electron microscopy analysis. The electrochemical behaviour of the base alloy matrix and surface composites was thoroughly investigated in a solution containing 3.5% sodium chloride utilizing open-circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Research using polarization and EIS showed that the nanocomposites were more resistant to corrosion than the matrix alloy. Subsequent examination indicated that the increased resistance to corrosion observed in the composites containing TiO2 particles might be a result of electrochemical decoupling between the AA7178 matrix alloy and the TiO2 particles. In order to stop the corrosion from spreading, this decoupling action is vital since it protects the TiO2 particles from the matrix alloy. The composite material AA7178/2 wt% TiO2 showed the best corrosion resistance, with ideal values for potential corrosion (−0.20622 V) and current density corrosion (0.00344 mA cm−2). The main causes of corrosion were shown to be pitting and cracking by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study, highlighting the usefulness of TiO2 in reducing these negative impacts. This work illuminates the corrosion behaviour of AA7178/TiO2 nanocomposites and emphasizes the importance of electrochemical decoupling in improving the corrosion resistance of advanced materials.
Wavefunction collapse driven by non-Hermitian disturbance
Authors: Romeral Jorge Martínez , Foa Torres Luis E F , Roche Stephan
Published: June 2024

In the context of the measurement problem, we propose to model the interaction between a quantum particle and an ‘apparatus’ through a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian term. We simulate the time evolution of a normalized quantum state split into two spin components (via a Stern–Gerlach experiment) and that undergoes a wavefunction collapse driven by a non-Hermitian Hatano-Nelson Hamiltonian. We further analyze how the strength and other parameters of the non-Hermitian perturbation influence the time-to-collapse of the wave function obtained under a Schödinger-type evolution. We finally discuss a thought experiment where manipulation of the apparatus could challenge standard quantum mechanics predictions.
Extraction of building footprint using MASK-RCNN for high resolution aerial imagery
Authors: Vincent M Jenila , P Varalakshmi
Published: June 2024

Extracting individual buildings from satellite images is crucial for various urban applications, including population estimation, urban planning, and other related fields. However, Extracting building footprints from remote sensing data is a challenging task because of scale differences, complex structures and different types of building. Addressing these issues, an approach that can efficiently detect buildings in images by generating a segmentation mask for each instance is proposed in this paper. This approach incorporates the Regional Convolutional Neural Network (MASK-RCNN), which combines Faster R-CNN for object mask prediction and boundary box recognition and was evaluated against other models like YOLOv5, YOLOv7 and YOLOv8 in a comparative study to assess its effectiveness. The findings of this study reveals that our proposed method achieved the highest accuracy in building extraction. Furthermore, we performed experiments on well-established datasets like WHU and INRIA, and our method consistently outperformed other existing methods, producing reliable results.
A DFT insight of the electronic, thermodynamic, and thermoelectric properties of RuO2
Authors: Maskar E , Fakhim Lamrani A , Zosiamliana R , Rai D P
Published: June 2024

In this study, we explore the structural, electronic, thermodynamic, and thermoelectric properties of RuO2 using density functional theory. The derived equilibrium structural parameters agree with other theoretical and experimental results. The widely used modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ-GGA) potential is adopted for accurate electronic band gap estimation. To incorporate the effect of the extended orbital of the Ru atom, spin-orbit coupling has been used in combination with the mBJ potential. The investigation of electronic properties revealed an indirect semi-conducting nature with a band gap along the W-L symmetry. The calculated band gaps are 1.685 and 1.658 eV from mBJ and mBJ + SOC, respectively. The dynamical stability is tested and verified by calculating the phonon dispersion curve. We have employed the quasiharmonic approximation-based Gibbs2 package to determine the pressure and temperature-dependent thermodynamical parameters, such as cell volume, Debye temperature, heat capacity, entropy, and thermal expansion coefficient. This study uses the BoltzTraP simulation algorithm to determine the thermoelectric parameters such as the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity.
Sign uncertainty principles and low-degree polynomials
Authors: Cohn Henry , Dong Dingding , Gonçalves Felipe
Published: June 2024

We prove an asymptotically sharp version of the Bourgain–Clozel–Kahane and Cohn–Gonçalves sign uncertainty principles for polynomials of sublinear degree times a Gaussian, as the dimension tends to infinity. In particular, we show that polynomials whose degree is sublinear in the dimension cannot improve asymptotically on those of degree at most three. This question arises naturally in the study of both linear programming bounds for sphere packing and the spinless modular bootstrap bound for free bosons.
Hypergeometric expressions for type I Jacobi–Piñeiro orthogonal polynomials with arbitrary number of weights
Authors: Branquinho Amílcar , Díaz Juan , Foulquié-Moreno Ana , Mañas Manuel
Published: June 2024

For a general numberp≥2p\geq 2of measures, we provide explicit expressions for the Jacobi–Piñeiro and Laguerre of the first kind multiple orthogonal polynomials of type I, presented in terms of generalized hypergeometric functions.
Strong completeness of a class of 𝐿²(𝑇)-type Riesz spaces
Authors: Kalauch Anke , Kuo Wen-Chi , Watson Bruce
Published: June 2024

The

L

p

,
1
≤
p
≤
∞

L^{p}, 1\le p\le \infty

, spaces have been generalized to the setting of Riesz spaces as

L

p

(
T
)

{L}^{p}(T)

spaces, on which there are

R
(
T
)

R(T)

-valued norms. The strong sequential completeness of the space

L

1

(
T
)

{L}^{1}(T)

and the strong completeness of

L

∞

(
T
)

{L}^{\infty }(T)

with resepct to their respective

R
(
T
)

R(T)

-valued norms were established by Kuo, Rodda, and Watson. In the current work, the

T
T

-strong completeness of

L

2

(
T
)

{L}^{2}(T)

is established via the Riesz–Fischer type theorem given by Kalauch, Kuo, and Watson. It is also shown that the conditional expectation operator

T
T

is a weak order unit for the

T
T

-strong dual.
Identification of physically demanding work tasks among cleaners: field study using electromyography
Authors: Man Hao , Rueda Javier , Vega Jesús , Vinstrup Jonas , Andersen Lars L , Navarro Enrique
Published: June 2024

While chronic forearm pain is a common and debilitating condition among cleaners, the most physically demanding tasks remain unidentified. The present field study examines forearm muscle activity during 9 common cleaning tasks in a real working environment. Seven healthy cleaners participated in this study (age: 35.17 ± 9.62 yr; height: 168.17 ± 8.06 cm; weight: 77.14 ± 13.78 kg; experience: 5.60 ± 3.29 yr). Surface wireless electromyography (EMG) was recorded from 2 muscles on both sides of the upper limb, flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), and extensor carpi radialis (ECR), and normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC). Top-3 demanding high-force tasks (90th percentile EMG) were the rough floor, dirty rough floor, and office floor mopping for the FCU, and mopping high walls, ceiling mopping, and baize cleaning for the ECR. Top-3 static work tasks (10th percentile EMG) were mopping low walls, ceiling mopping, and dirty rough floors mopping for the FCU and mopping of high walls, low walls, and ceiling for the ECR. The study identified the forearm muscles’ most physically demanding work tasks during cleaning tasks. The development of better working tools is recommended to avoid high-force overload as well as prolonged static overload of these muscles in cleaners.
ADMET-AI: a machine learning ADMET platform for evaluation of large-scale chemical libraries
Authors: Swanson Kyle , Walther Parker , Leitz Jeremy , Mukherjee Souhrid , Wu Joseph C , Shivnaraine Rabindra V , Zou James
Published: June 2024

Motivation

The emergence of large chemical repositories and combinatorial chemical spaces, coupled with high-throughput docking and generative AI, have greatly expanded the chemical diversity of small molecules for drug discovery. Selecting compounds for experimental validation requires filtering these molecules based on favourable druglike properties, such as Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET).

Results

We developed ADMET-AI, a machine learning platform that provides fast and accurate ADMET predictions both as a website and as a Python package. ADMET-AI has the highest average rank on the TDC ADMET Leaderboard, and it is currently the fastest web-based ADMET predictor, with a 45% reduction in time compared to the next fastest public ADMET web server. ADMET-AI can also be run locally with predictions for one million molecules taking just 3.1 h.

Availability and implementation

The ADMET-AI platform is freely available both as a web server at admet.ai.greenstonebio.com and as an open-source Python package for local batch prediction at github.com/swansonk14/admet_ai (also archived on Zenodo at doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10372930). All data and models are archived on Zenodo at doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10372418.
Feasibility of robotic-assisted surgery in advanced rectal cancer: a multicentre prospective phase II study (VITRUVIANO trial)
Authors: Hamabe Atsushi , Takemasa Ichiro , Kotake Masanori , Nakano Daisuke , Hasegawa Suguru , Shiomi Akio , Numata Masakatsu , Sakamoto Kazuhiro , Kimura Kei , Hanai Tsunekazu , Naitoh Takeshi , Fukunaga Yosuke , Kinugasa Yusuke , Watanabe Jun , Kawamura Junichiro , Ozawa Mayumi , Okabayashi Koji , Matoba Shuichiro , Takano Yoshinao , Uemura Mamoru , Kanemitsu Yukihide , Sakai Yoshiharu , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: June 2024

Background

The potential benefits of robotic-assisted compared with laparoscopic surgery for locally advanced cancer have not been sufficiently proven by prospective studies. One factor is speculated to be the lack of strict surgeon criteria. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes for robotic surgery in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer with strict surgeon experience criteria.

Methods

A criterion was set requiring surgeons to have performed more than 40 robotically assisted operations for rectal cancer. Between March 2020 and May 2022, patients with rectal cancer (distance from the anal verge of 12 cm or less, cT2–T4a, cN0–N3, cM0, or cT1–T4a, cN1–N3, cM0) were registered. The primary endpoint was the rate positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) from the pathological specimen. Secondary endpoints were surgical outcomes, pathological results, postoperative complications, and longterm outcomes.

Results

Of the 321 registered patients, 303 were analysed, excluding 18 that were ineligible. At diagnosis: stage I (n = 68), stage II (n = 84) and stage III (n = 151). Neoadjuvant therapy was used in 56 patients. There were no conversions to open surgery. The median console time to rectal resection was 170 min, and the median blood loss was 5 ml. Fourteen patients had a positive CRM (4.6%). Grade III-IV postoperative complications were observed in 13 patients (4.3%).

Conclusion

Robotic-assisted surgery is feasible for locally advanced rectal cancer when strict surgeon criteria are used.
My mouth is on fire: a patient’s perspective of oral pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Boyle Aoife , McDonald Ian , Galvin Sheila
Published: June 2024

This article provides a patient’s perspective on living with oral pemphigus vulgaris and the significant impact on her quality of life.
Glymphatic dysfunction mediates the influence of choroid plexus enlargement on information processing speed in patients with white matter hyperintensities
Authors: Xu Yanan , Wang Mengxue , Li Xiaoli , Lu Tong , Wang Yanjuan , Zhang Xuezi , Wang Zan , Yan Fuling
Published: June 2024

Glymphatic dysfunction has been correlated with cognitive decline, with a higher choroid plexus volume (CPV) being linked to a slower glymphatic clearance rate. Nevertheless, the interplay between CPV, glymphatic function, and cognitive impairment in white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) has not yet been investigated. In this study, we performed neuropsychological assessment, T1-weighted three-dimensional (3D-T1) images, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in a cohort of 206 WMHs subjects and 43 healthy controls (HCs) to further explore the relationship. The DTI analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index, as a measure of glymphatic function, was calculated based on DTI. Severe WMHs performed significantly worse in information processing speed (IPS) than other three groups, as well as in executive function than HCs and mild WMHs. Additionally, severe WMHs demonstrated lower DTI-ALPS index and higher CPV than HCs and mild WMHs. Moderate WMHs displayed higher CPV than HCs and mild WMHs. Mini-Mental State Examination, IPS, and executive function correlated negatively with CPV but positively with DTI-ALPS index in WMHs patients. Glymphatic function partially mediated the association between CPV and IPS, indicating a potential mechanism for WMHs-related cognitive impairment. CPV may act as a valuable prognostic marker and glymphatic system as a promising therapeutic target for WMHs-related cognitive impairment.
High-pressure X-ray study of NbON oxynitride: direct transition from baddeleyite to cotunnite structure
Authors: Kozaki Shumma , Yuan Yao , Ubukata Hiroki , Wei Zefeng , Tsumori Tatsuya , Asano Shuto , Niwa Ken , Hasegawa Masashi , Kageyama Hiroshi
Published: June 2024

The structural properties of NbON oxynitride under high pressure were investigated through in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) up to 43 GPa. It was found that the bulk modulus of baddeleyite NbON (290 GPa) is larger than that of ZrO2 (150 GPa), indicating that the introduction of highly covalent nitrogen imparts greater stiffness. Furthermore, SXRD patterns reveal the emergence of a peak signaling a new crystalline phase above around 20 GPa. This is in contrast to TaON, where diffraction patterns only show an increase in background beyond 33 GPa. First-principle calculations suggest that the high-pressure phase adopts an orthorhombic cotunnite-type structure, distinguishing it from the oxide counterparts, wherein the ambient pressure phase transforms to a cotunnite structure via an orthorhombic-I structure.
Parametric mapping using cardiovascular magnetic resonance for the differentiation of light chain amyloidosis and transthyretin-related amyloidosis
Authors: Kravchenko Dmitrij , Isaak Alexander , Zimmer Sebastian , Öztürk Can , Mesropyan Narine , Bischoff Leon M , Voigt Marilia , Ginzburg Daniel , Attenberger Ulrike , Pieper Claus C , Kuetting Daniel , Luetkens Julian A
Published: June 2024

Aims

To evaluate different cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters for the differentiation of light chain amyloidosis (AL) and transthyretin-related amyloidosis (ATTR).

Methods and results

In total, 75 patients, 53 with cardiac amyloidosis {20 patients with AL [66 ± 12 years, 14 males (70%)] and 33 patients with ATTR [78 ± 5 years, 28 males (88%)]} were retrospectively analysed regarding CMR parameters such as T1 and T2 mapping, extracellular volume (ECV), late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) distribution patterns, and myocardial strain, and compared to a control cohort with other causes of left ventricular hypertrophy {LVH; 22 patients [53 ± 16 years, 17 males (85%)]}. One-way ANOVA and receiver operating characteristic analysis were used for statistical analysis. ECV was the single best parameter to differentiate between cardiac amyloidosis and controls [area under the curve (AUC): 0.97, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.89–0.99, P < 0.0001, cut-off: >30%]. T2 mapping was the best single parameter to differentiate between AL and ATTR amyloidosis (AL: 63 ± 4 ms, ATTR: 58 ± 2 ms, P < 0.001, AUC: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.74–0.94, cut-off: >61 ms). Subendocardial LGE was predominantly observed in AL patients (10/20 [50%] vs. 5/33 [15%]; P = 0.002). Transmural LGE was predominantly observed in ATTR patients (23/33 [70%] vs. 2/20 [10%]; P < 0.001). The diagnostic performance of T2 mapping to differentiate between AL and ATTR amyloidosis was further increased with the inclusion of LGE patterns [AUC: 0.96, 95% CI: (0.86–0.99); P = 0.05].

Conclusion

ECV differentiates cardiac amyloidosis from other causes of LVH. T2 mapping combined with LGE differentiates AL from ATTR amyloidosis with high accuracy on a patient level.
Recovery of cardiovascular diagnostic testing in Italy 1 year after coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak compared with other countries in Europe and worldwide: results from the International Atomic Energy Agency INCAPS COVID 2 survey
Authors: Pontone Gianluca , Bremner Luca , Del Torto Alberico , Albano Domenico , Baritussio Anna , Bauckneht Matteo , Cuocolo Alberto , Frantellizzi Viviana , Gatti Marco , Gimelli Alessia , Guglielmo Marco , Leccisotti Lucia , Marcassa Claudio , Russo Vincenzo , Sciagrà Roberto , Williams Michelle C , Better Nathan , Cerci Rodrigo , Choi Andrew D , Dorbala Sharmila , Hirschfeld Cole B , Karthikeyan Ganesan , Pascual Thomas N B , Shaw Leslee J , Villines Todd C , Vitola Joao , Cohen Yosef , Malkovskiy Eli , Randazzo Michael , Pynda Yaroslav , Dondi Maurizio , Einstein Andrew J , Paez Diana
Published: June 2024

Aims

Recovery of cardiovascular diagnostic testing in Italy after the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not been quantified. The study aims to describe cardiac diagnostic procedure volumes, centres practice and protocols, and staff members’ well-being 1 year after COVID-19 outbreak in Italy.

Methods and results

A global survey was conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency to evaluate changes in cardiac diagnostic procedure volumes in April 2021. Evaluated procedures were transoesophageal echocardiogram, coronary computed tomography angiography, coronary artery calcium scanning, nuclear medicine infection studies, invasive coronary angiography, rest and stress transthoracic echocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance, single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography, and stress electrocardiogram. Data were compared with April 2020 and March 2019. Forty-two Italian centres took part in the survey. In April 2020, there was a 72% decrease of median volumes of cardiac diagnostic procedures compared with March 2019. In April 2021, volumes of cardiac diagnostic procedures remained decreased by 3% when compared with March 2019. Stress electrocardiogram, coronary computed tomography angiography, and stress cardiac magnetic resonance volumes increased in April 2021 compared with baseline (29%, 6%, and 16%, respectively). The majority of centres had adopted physical distancing measures (93%), COVID-19 screening through questionnaires (76%), or temperature checks (93%). Twenty-five per cent of physicians at Italian responding sites reported excessive levels of psychological stress.

Conclusion

In April 2021, volumes of cardiac diagnostic procedures at Italian responding sites were still recovering. Centres had implemented several adaptations to ensure the provision of care to their patients. Even 1 year after the pandemic, a substantial minority of Italian healthcare providers were still experiencing excessive psychological stress.
Topical or oral antibiotics in childhood acute otitis media and ear discharge: a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial
Authors: Hullegie Saskia , Damoiseaux Roger A M J , Hay Alastair D , Zuithoff Nicolaas P A , van Dongen Thijs M A , Little Paul , Schilder Anne G M , Venekamp Roderick P
Published: June 2024

Background

Current guidance suggests oral antibiotics can be considered for children with acute otitis media (AOM) and ear discharge, but there is an absence of evidence regarding the relative effectiveness of antibiotic-corticosteroid eardrops.

Aim

To establish whether antibiotic-corticosteroid eardrops are non-inferior to oral antibiotics in children with AOM and ear discharge.

Design and setting

Open randomized controlled non-inferiority trial set in Dutch primary care.

Methods

Children were randomized to hydrocortisone-bacitracin-colistin eardrops (five drops, three times per day in the discharging ear(s)) or amoxicillin suspension (50 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, divided over three doses administered orally) for 7 days. The primary outcome was the proportion of children with resolution of ear pain and fever at day 3.

Results

Between December 2017 and March 2023, 58 of the planned 350 children were recruited due to slow accrual for various reasons. Children assigned to eardrops (n = 26) had lower resolution rates of ear pain and fever at 3 days compared to those receiving oral antibiotics (n = 31): 42% vs 65%; adjusted risk difference 20.3%, 95% confidence interval −5.3% to 41.9%), longer parent-reported ear discharge (6 vs 3 days; P = .04), and slightly higher mean ear pain scores (Likert scale 0–6) over days 1–3 (2.1 vs 1.4, P = .02), but received fewer oral antibiotic courses in 3months (11 for 25 children vs 33 for 30 children), and had less GI upset and rash (12% vs 32% and 8% vs 16%, respectively).

Conclusion

Early termination stopped us from determining non-inferiority of antibiotic-corticosteroid eardrops. Our limited data, requiring confirmation, suggest that oral antibiotics may be more effective than antibiotic-corticosteroid eardrops in resolving symptoms and shortening the duration of ear discharge.
Osteocyte gene expression analysis in mouse bone: optimization of a laser-assisted microdissection protocol
Authors: Palmier Mathilde , Maître Marlène , Doat Hélène , Lesté-Lasserre Thierry , Maurel Delphine B , Boiziau Claudine
Published: June 2024

Among bone cells, osteocytes are the most abundant, but also the most challenging to study because they are located inside a dense mineralized matrix. Due to their involvement in bone homeostasis, diverse tools are needed to understand their roles in bone physiology and pathology. This work was aimed at establishing a laser-assisted microdissection protocol to isolate osteocytes and analyze their gene expressions. The goal was to overcome the limitations of the technique currently most used: RNA extraction from the whole bone. To perform laser microdissection and subsequent gene expression analysis, the five main steps of the protocol have been adapted for the bone tissue. After testing many parameters, we found that the best options were (1) take unfixed snap-frozen tissue, (2) cryosection with a supported tape system to improve the tissue morphology if necessary, (3) microdissect regions of interest, and (4) recover the bone pieces by catapulting, if feasible, or by gravity. Finally, RNA extraction (5) was the most efficient with a precipitation method and allowed quantifying the expression of well described osteocyte genes (Gja1/Cx43, Phex, Pdpn, Dmp1, Sost). This work describes two protocols optimized for femur and calvaria and gives an overview of the many optimization options that one could try when facing difficulties with laser microdissection.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of five primary constituents in Huai-hua powder: a study on normal rats and rats with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Shi Yiwei , Zhong Guoyue , Huang Huilian , Li Nazhi , Zeng Jinxiang , Zhu Jixiao , Yuan Jinbin , Liang Jian
Published: June 2024

Objectives

The goal of this research was to develop a fast, reliable, and sensitive method to simultaneously quantify five key components of Huai-hua Powder (HHP) in rat plasma with genistein served as the internal standard. Furthermore, the established method was used to perform a comparative evaluation of the pharmacokinetic properties of HHP in normal rats and rats with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods

Chromatographic separation was conducted using an ACQUITY HSS T3 column held at a constant temperature of 35°C, with acetonitrile and a 0.1% formic acid solution in water employed as the mobile phases. Multiple-reaction monitoring facilitated MS operation in positive-negative-ion-switching mode. The method’s validation demonstrated exceptional linearity (with a correlation coefficient of r ≥ 0.9970), and the validation tests, encompassing precision within and between days, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect, and stability; all met the predefined acceptable criteria.

Key findings

The results revealed significant variations in the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the five components between normal and UC rats, suggesting altered drug metabolism rates and extents in the latter group.

Conclusions

These findings offer crucial scientific insights into the potential clinical application of HHP, particularly in the context of treating UC.
An Analysis of the Association of Arrival Hemoglobin With Overtransfusion at 24 Hours in a Trauma Population
Authors: Lahvic Nicholas K , Schauer Steven G , Higgins Sophie S , Johannigman Jay A , Grathwohl Kurt W
Published: June 2024

Background

Hemorrhage control and resuscitative concepts have evolved in recent years, leading to aggressive use of blood products in trauma patients. There is subsequently a potential risk for overtransfusion, adverse effects, and waste associated with unnecessary transfusion. Methods for conserving blood products are of particular importance in future large-scale combat operations where supply chains are likely to be strained. This study examined the association of emergency department (ED) arrival hemoglobin (HGB) with overtransfusion among survivors at 24 hours after major trauma at a military trauma center.

Materials and Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who had a “major trauma” activation and received any red blood cells. Overtransfusion was defined as a HGB level ≥11.0 g/dL at 24 hours (outcome variable). Multivariable logistic regression statistics were used to compare groups and adjust for confounders (injury severity score, arrival modified shock index, injury type, age, and gender). A receiver operating characteristic was constructed with overtransfusion at 24 hours as the outcome (binary) and arrival HGB (continuous) as the independent variable.

Results

A total of 382 patients met inclusion criteria. Overtransfusion occurred in 30.4% (n = 116) of patients, with mean ED HGB levels of 13.2 g/dL (12.9 to 13.6) versus 11.6 g/dL (11.3 to 11.8, P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that ED HGB was highly sensitive (0.931) for predicting 24-hour overtransfusion. In our multivariable logistic regression analysis, when adjusting for injury severity score, arrival modified shock index, injury type, age, and gender, we found that the ED HGB value had a per-unit odds ratio of 1.60 (95% CI, 1.38 to 1.86) for 24-hour overtransfusion. Hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, mechanical ventilator days, and mortality did not increase.

Conclusion

We found that the arrival HGB value was associated with overtransfusion among 24-hour survivors in a civilian trauma setting. Our findings will inform future prospective studies that investigate blood sparing clinical practice guidelines.
Increased Metabolic Demand During Nighttime Walking in Hilly Forest Terrain While Wearing Night Vision Goggles
Authors: Norrbrand Lena , Johannesson Björn , Grönkvist Mikael
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Foot-borne soldiers sometimes carry out nighttime operations. It has previously been reported an elevated metabolic demand and impaired walking economy during outdoor walking on a gravel road in darkness wearing night vision goggles (NVG), compared with wearing a headlamp. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of wearing NVG while walking in a hilly forest terrain and compare the results between experienced and inexperienced NVG users.

Materials and Methods

At nighttime, two different groups, inexperienced (five men and six women) and experienced (nine men) NVG users, walked 1.1 km at a self-selected comfortable pace in a hilly forest. Part I was mainly uphill, and Part II was mainly downhill. Walks were performed wearing a headlamp (light), monocular NVG (mono), binocular NVG (bino), or mono with a 25 kg extra weight (backpack). Walking economy calculated from oxygen uptake in relation to body mass and covered distance (V̇O2 (mL/[kg · km])), heart rate, gait, and walking speed were measured.

Results

In both groups, walking economy was deteriorated in all three conditions with limited vision (mono, bino, and backpack) compared to the light condition, both during Part I (mono/bino, experienced: +26/+25%, inexperienced: +34/+28%) and Part II (mono/bino, experienced: +44/+46%, inexperienced: +63/+49%). In the backpack condition, the relative change of walking economy was greater for the inexperienced group than the experienced group: Part I (experienced: +46%, inexperienced: +70%), Part II (experienced: +71%, inexperienced: +111%). Concurrently, the step length was shorter in all three conditions with limited vision during Part I (mono/bino/backpack, experienced: −7/−7/−15%, inexperienced: −12/−12/−19%) and Part II (mono/bino/backpack; experienced: −8/−8/−14%, inexperienced: −17/−15/−24%) than in the light condition. The experienced NVG users walked faster during all conditions, but there was no difference in heart rate between groups.

Conclusions

Despite that foveal vision using NVG is adequate, it appears that the mechanical efficiency during nighttime walking in hilly terrain was markedly lower while wearing NVG than with full vision, regardless of whether the soldier was an experienced or inexperienced NVG user. Moreover, the walking economy was even more affected when adding the 25-kg extra weight. It is probable that the deteriorated mechanical efficiency was partly due to the shorter step length in all three conditions with limited vision.
Long-term Mortality and Hospital Readmissions Among Survivors of Sepsis in Sweden: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Inghammar Malin , Linder Adam , Lengquist Maria , Frigyesi Attila , Wetterberg Hanna , Sundén-Cullberg Jonas , Nilsson Anton
Published: June 2024

Background

Survivors of sepsis may experience long-term risk of increased morbidity and mortality, but estimations of cause-specific effects beyond 1 year after a sepsis episode are lacking.

Method

This nationwide population-based cohort study linked data from national registers to compare patients aged ≥18 years in Sweden admitted to an intensive care unit from 2008 to 2019 with severe community-acquired sepsis. Patients were identified through the Swedish Intensive Care Registry, and randomly selected population controls were matched for age, sex, calendar year, and county of residence. Confounding from comorbidities, health care use, and socioeconomic and demographic factors was accounted for by using entropy-balancing methods. Long-term mortality and readmission rates, total and cause specific, were compared for 20 313 patients with sepsis and 396 976 controls via Cox regression.

Results

During the total follow-up period, 56% of patients with sepsis died, as opposed to 26% of the weighted controls. The hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was attenuated with time but remained elevated in all periods: 3.0 (95% CI, 2.8–3.2) at 2 to 12 months after admission, 1.8 to 1.9 between 1 and 5 years, and 1.6 (95% CI, 1.5–1.8) at >5 years. The major causes of death and readmission among the sepsis cases were infectious diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. The hazard ratios were larger among those without underlying comorbidities.

Conclusions

Severe community-acquired sepsis was associated with substantial long-term effects beyond 1 year, as measured by mortality and rehospitalization. The cause-specific rates indicate the importance of underlying or undetected comorbidities while suggesting that survivors of sepsis may face increased long-term mortality and morbidity not explained by underlying health factors.
Coronary Artery Outcomes in Kawasaki Disease by Treatment Day Within 10 Days of Fever Onset
Authors: Karandikar Vedika M , Khan Huthaifah , Kim Kwang-Youn A , Kociolek Larry K , Jhaveri Ravi , Shulman Stanford T , Rowley Anne H
Published: June 2024

Background

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness of childhood that can lead to coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) and myocardial infarction. Intravenous immunoglobulin reduces the prevalence of CAA when given to patients with KD within 10 days of fever onset. Children with KD may undergo evaluation for other diagnoses before treatment, particularly those with incomplete KD criteria. If KD outcomes are improved with early treatment, a delay in treatment while evaluating for other causes might place these patients at risk.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of children treated for KD within the first 10 days of illness at our KD center from 2014 to 2021 to determine the prevalence of CAA by day of treatment.

Results

A total of 290 patients met the study criteria. No statistically significant difference was found in the odds of developing a maximum z score ≥2.5 for each day of delayed treatment within 10 days of fever onset (adjusted odds ratio, 0.87; 95% CI, .72–1.05; P = .13). Subgroup analyses by age, sex, and year of treatment did not reveal a significant association between treatment day and maximum z score ≥2.5, although the number of patients <6 months of age was small.

Conclusions

Our study supports current recommendations. We found similar odds of developing adverse coronary outcomes regardless of treatment day within 10 days from fever onset.
Ludomusical Autobiography and the Indie Composer-Developer
Authors: Gibbons William
Published: June 2024

William Gibbons focuses on music in the development of independent (indie) video games, especially games created by a single developer, to uncover how audio can factor into game design when the composer is also the person developing and structuring all other elements of the game. In particular, the chapter deals with how indie creators can use solo-developed games to present autobiographical narratives, and how elements of the creator’s identity can be revealed or reflected through musical choices. Through case studies of Jason Rohrer’s Gravitation (2008), Melos Han-Tani’s All Our Asias (2018), and Tamara Duplantis’s Atchafalaya Arcade (2017), Gibbons explores how, and if, music plays a role in the construction of “ludomusical autobiography.”
Video Game Sound Design and the Fetish of Realism
Authors: Grimshaw-Aagaard Mark
Published: June 2024

An attack on the fetish of realism in video game sound design is the topic of Mark Grimshaw-Aagaard’s chapter. In addition to discussing the lure of appeals to realism as an historical tool for marketing various forms of media—something still used today to market video games—he also differentiates realism from the related terms “fidelity,” “authenticity,” and “verisimilitude.” Establishing the distinct notions of realism of form and realism of content, Grimshaw-Aagaard argues that, in contrast to fidelity to, and authenticity of, sound source, it is the former that is most important for persuading a player of the game world’s verisimilitude.
Indigenous-Designed Pixels, Circuits, and Game Music and Sound
Authors: Galloway Kate
Published: June 2024

Kate Galloway tackles the topic of Indigenous video games and the newly important debates surrounding the use of audio and representation of Indigenous timbres and instrumentation in such games. Galloway uncovers a number of issues, such as the mislabeling of some games as Indigenous and the use of stereotypical sound design, which reinforce problematic and factually inaccurate perceptions of “primitive cultures disconnected from contemporary society.” The chapter focuses on a number of recent Indigenous-made video games, and, in doing so, illustrates how Indigenous game designers use sound and music to re-present their histories more accurately, promoting and preserving Indigenous language and culture, while also presenting more equitable and speculative future scenarios.
Listening to the Gerudo and the Desert in The Legend of Zelda Series
Authors: Park Hyeonjin
Published: June 2024

Hyeonjin Park tackles the problem of Otherness in video game music through the lens of Orientalism. Specifically, the chapter analyzes received notions of authenticity and other discourses surrounding perceptions of the Gerudo—a race consisting almost entirely of women—and the desert in four titles from The Legend of Zelda series: Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, Ocarina of Time, and Breath of the Wild. Park considers sources including fan reception in conjunction with music analysis to elucidate the interconnected nature between the Gerudo women and the desert. Ultimately, the use of “exotic” music informs a relationship between the game world and the “real” that seeks to illuminate “conversations about appropriation and (in)authenticity.”
Sound, Extended Reality, and the Cinematic-Interactive Dichotomy
Authors: Garner Tom A.
Published: June 2024

In his chapter, Tom A. Garner tracks the close association between video game sound design and effect and film sound. His particular focus is the new affordances of extended reality (XR) and what they offer game sound designers. Garner discusses the concepts “cinematic” and “cinematic sound” with regard to video games and highlights what he terms the “cinematic-interactive dichotomy” by asking how video games can be both cinematic and interactive. The chapter’s argument is that XR technologies, in particular, biosensing and the use of environmental data, offer both cinematic and interactive affordances to game sound designers, and thus game sound design using these technologies must perforce be integrative, not only within the cinematic-interactive dichotomy but also across other aspects of game production.
Video Game Musicology in Practice
Authors: Summers Tim
Published: June 2024

Within the context of the development over the past decades of a new musicology that shifts the focus away from the autonomous work of art, Tim Summers proposes fifteen “awkward questions” for video game music scholars within the new field. Summers poses the questions rhetorically as a means for self-reflection. The questions are presented in seven thematic sections: sources for studying game music, value and canon, issues connected with linear histories, analytical approaches, conceptualizations of the listener/the player, culture and context, and, finally, audiences and education. He highlights several questions and challenges of methodology within the new musicology that must be grappled with by video game music scholars.
A Creative System in Action
Authors: McIntyre Phillip , Velikovsky J. T.
Published: June 2024

Phillip McIntyre and J. T. Velikovsky propose a systems-based approach to understanding creative practice in the production of music and sound in the video games industry. McIntyre and Velikovsky base their approach not on the Romantic view of creativity springing mysteriously from inspiration but on an evidence-based, rationalist view, traceable to Aristotle: creativity derives from a discoverable set of pre-existing conditions. Creative work in music and sound for video games arises from the interplay of three factors: structured knowledge of games and audio providing a symbol system to the agent; a judgment-based social organization; and the choice-making composer or sound designer as agent.
Physiological movements during sleep in healthy adults across all ages: a video-polysomnographic analysis of non-codified movements reveals sex differences and distinct motor patterns
Authors: Montini Angelica , Loddo Giuseppe , Zenesini Corrado , Mainieri Greta , Baldelli Luca , Mignani Francesco , Mondini Susanna , Provini Federica
Published: June 2024

Study Objectives

To define sleep-related movements in healthy adults according to sex and age.

Methods

Sleep-related movements from 50 video-polysomnography (vPSG) recordings of 27 men and 23 women, from 20 to 70 years old, were classified according to International classification of sleep disorders (ICSD-3-TR) and American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) criteria (codified movements); the remaining movements (non-codified movements) were described according to type (elementary movements-EMs or complex movements-CMs), topography (focal, segmental, multifocal or generalized) and, if present, were assigned to motor patterns (MPs).

Results

Of 4057 movements analyzed, 54.6% (2216/4057) were non-codified (1861 CMs, 355 EMs) and 1841 were codified. CMs were mainly generalized (70%) while EMs were multifocal (40%) or focal (30%). The median movement index (MI; movement/hour) was 11 and the median duration was 4 seconds. MI decreased from stages N1/REM > N2 > N3; men showed a higher MI. An MP was assigned to 2204 codified and non-codified movements, mainly stretching (50%) and scratching (30%). Stretching increased in REM sleep while food-carrying behaviors increased in N2. Men showed more food-carrying behaviors, changes of body positions, and comfort movements while stretching was more common in women. Younger participants exhibited more food-carrying behaviors, while scratching and stretching were more prevalent in the middle-aged group. Older participants showed more changes in body positions and comfort movements.

Conclusions

In total, 54.6% of sleep-related movements in healthy participants were non-codified and characterized by motor sequences that can configure MPs. Our comprehensive classification method allows a detailed description of the physiological movements underlying differential motor control during sleep stages influenced by age and sex.
Naloxone Use During Pregnancy—Data From 26 US Jurisdictions, 2019–2020
Authors: Board Amy , D'Angelo Denise V. , Miele Kathryn , Asher Alice , Salvesen von Essen Beatriz , Denny Clark H. , Terplan Mishka , Dunkley Janae , Kim Shin Y.
Published: June 2024

Objectives

We aimed to determine the prevalence of self-reported naloxone use during pregnancy among people in the United States with a recent live birth. A secondary objective was to characterize people at increased risk of overdose who did and did not use naloxone.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System from 26 US jurisdictions that conducted an opioid supplement survey from 2019 to 2020. Respondents with increased risk of experiencing an opioid overdose were identified based on self-reported use of illicit amphetamines, heroin, cocaine, or receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) during pregnancy. Weighted prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for reported naloxone use at any point during pregnancy among people with an increased risk of overdose.

Results

Naloxone use during pregnancy was reported by <1% of the overall study population (unweighted N = 88/34,528). Prevalence of naloxone use was 5.0% (95% CI: 0.0–10.6) among respondents who reported illicit amphetamine use, 15.2% (1.8–28.6) among those who reported heroin use, and 17.6% (0.0–38.1) among those who reported cocaine use. Naloxone use was 14.5% (8.4–20.6) among those who reported taking MOUD. Among people with increased risk of overdose, no significant differences in naloxone use were observed by age, race/ethnicity, education level, residential metropolitan status, or insurance status.

Conclusions

Prevalence of naloxone use among people with an increased risk of overdose during pregnancy ranged from 5.0% to 17.6%. Access to naloxone, overdose prevention education, and treatment for substance use disorders may help reduce morbidity and mortality.