bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of 461 Consecutive Patients’ Donor Site Morbidity following Abdominal Tissue‐Based Breast Reconstruction without Fascia Reinforcement Graft
Authors: Kim Seong Ae , Kim Daheui , Oh Deuk Young , Lee Jung Ho
Published: February 2022

Despite the popularity of breast reconstruction with abdominal flap, the integrity of the abdominal wall gets compromised after the operation. To decrease donor site morbidity, researchers have developed various inlay or onlay graft materials. However, the indications of use are unclear and dependent on the subjective decision of the surgeons. In this study, we have investigated donor site morbidities in breast reconstruction with free abdominal flap surgery in which graft materials were not used. We reviewed 461 consecutive cases for the preoperative characteristics of patients, intraoperative details, and postoperative donor site complications from May 2013 to March 2019. While 386 patients underwent deep inferior epigastric perforators (83.7%), muscle sparing type 2 transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps were performed in 75 patients (16.3%). Bilateral dissection of the pedicle was performed in 162 patients, compared to unilateral dissection in 299 patients. The mean follow‐up duration was 22.7 months. The overall complication rate in the donor site was 7.2%. The flap height was significantly associated with the overall complication. While majority of them were delayed wound healing (n = 28, 6.1%), there were four cases of hematoma (0.9%). There were two cases of bulging (0.4%), which occurred in patients receiving bipedicle dissection; however, there was no case of hernia. Conclusions. Breast reconstruction with an abdominal free flap can be safely performed without fascia reinforcement graft even with bilateral dissection of the pedicle. With complete preservation of fascia and zigzag fascial incision, a low incidence of abdominal bulging can be obtained even with bilateral harvesting of the flap.
Fully Integrated Chen Chaotic Oscillation System
Authors: Ouyang Ziyi , Jin Jie , Yu Fei , Chen Long , Ding Lei
Published: February 2022

A fully integrated Chen chaotic oscillation system using operational amplifiers (OAs) and multipliers is designed and verified in this paper. Unlike the conventional breadboard‐based Chen chaotic system using off‐the‐shelf discrete components, the fully integrated Chen chaotic oscillation circuit presented in this paper is realized using GlobalFoundries’ 0.18 μm CMOS 1P6M process, and all the circuit components are integrated in a chip. The fully integrated Chen chaotic oscillation system is verified using Cadence IC Design Tools, and the post‐layout simulation results indicate that the presented integrated Chen chaotic oscillation system only consumes 148 mW from ± 2.5 V supply voltage, and its chip area is 6.15 mm2.
Renoprotective Effect of Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine in Renal Transplantation
Authors: Liu Zhenzhen , Jin Yanwu , Feng Chang , Liu Ge , Wang Yinghui , Zhao Xin , Liu Gang
Published: February 2022

Background. Renal dysfunction after kidney transplantation may be influenced by many reasons. This study was designed to evaluate whether the administration of dexmedetomidine (Dex) could ameliorate renal function and prognosis after kidney transplantation. Methods. A total of 65 patients were divided into Dex group (

n
=
33

) and Con group (Con,

n
=
32

). Dex group intravenously received an initial loading dose of 0.6 μg/kg Dex for 15 min before anaesthesia induction, followed by a rate of 0.4 μg/kg/h until 30 min after kidney reperfusion. By contrast, Con group received saline. The concentration of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea, urine output, β2 microglobulin (β2-MG), Cystatin C (CysC), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was recorded and compared between two groups during the course of the hospitalization or follow-up. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), vasoactive drugs, and anaesthetics were recorded during the operation. Pain degree was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) after operation. Delayed graft function (DGF), graft loss, length of hospital stay, and mortality were compared between groups. Results. The concentration of KIM-1 in Dex group was lower than Con group at 2 h (

P
=
0.018

), 24 h (

P
=
0.013

), 48 h (

P
<
0.01

), and 72 h (

P
<
0.01

) after reperfusion. MAP of Dex group after tracheal intubation (

P
=
0.012

) and incision (

P
=
0.018

) and HR after intubation (

P
=
0.021

) were lower than that of Con group. The dosage of sufentanil during operation in Dex group was less than Con group (

P
=
0.039

). Patients that used atropine in Dex group were more than Con group (

P
=
0.027

). Patients who received Dex presented with lower VAS scores at 6 h (

P
=
0.01

) and 12 h (

P
=
0.002

) after operation. Concentration of serum Cr and blood urea had no significant differences between groups before operation and on postoperative day 1 to 6. Urine output was recorded for 6 days after operation and had no differences between groups. Also, no differences were identified between two groups in urea, Cr, β2-MG, CysC, and eGFR in the first 3 months after operation. Incidence of DGF after operation was detected no difference between groups, while length of hospital stay in Dex group was less than Con group (

P
=
0.012

). Conclusion. Dex can decrease kidney injury marker level, attenuate perioperative stress, relieve the dosage of sufentanil and postoperative pain, and reduce length of hospital stay. However, Dex is not associated with changes in prognosis in the first 3 months after transplantation.
Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Tolle Leslie B.
Published: February 2022

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are heterogeneous in their clinical presentation. Making a differential diagnosis of ILD requires a thorough medical history, clinical examination, serologies, high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan, and, in some cases, bronchoalveolar lavage or surgical lung biopsy. Multidisciplinary discussion is recommended to improve diagnostic confidence. ILDs have a variable and unpredictable clinical course. Patients should be closely monitored to ensure that progression of ILD is detected promptly. This involves regular assessment of symptoms, lung function, and, where appropriate, high-resolution CT. Patients with some fibrosing ILDs may respond well to immunosuppressants, but even patients who respond well to immunosuppressants initially may later show deterioration despite appropriate management. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib has been approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, other chronic fibrosing ILDs with a progressive phenotype, and systemic sclerosis-associated ILD. The three case studies described in this article illustrate the challenges in the diagnosis and management of patients with fibrosing ILDs and the importance of taking a multidisciplinary and individualized approach to care, including regular monitoring and consideration of whether a patient’s drug regimen needs to be changed when there is evidence of disease progression.
Right Tegmental Hemorrhage with Urinary Retention: A Case Report
Authors: Tish Margaret M. , Boes Aaron D. , Geerling Joel C.
Published: February 2022

The upper brainstem tegmentum is dense and complex, making it difficult to localize functions to specific subregions. In particular, the precise location and possible laterality of subregions supporting basic functions like consciousness and urinary continence remain unclear. Here, we describe a patient who presented with a right pontine tegmental syndrome caused by intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Despite hemorrhage extension into the fourth ventricle and expansion of both hemorrhage and edema into a large region of the caudal midbrain and right-sided pontine tegmentum, this patient did not lose consciousness. Instead, he developed new and total urinary retention, with residual bladder volumes of more than 1,000 mL. We conclude that injury to the right pontine tegmentum is sufficient to disrupt the micturition reflex pathway.
Association between Opisthorchis viverrini Infection and Glomerular Disease in Thailand
Authors: Tonsawan Pantipa , Intarak Sompote , Sripa Banchob , Puapairoj Anucha , Sripa Manop , Sithithaworn Paiboon , Anutrakulchai Sirirat
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) is a major cause of infection in Southeast Asia. Previous studies in mouse models have shown that OV infection can contribute to immune-complex glomerulonephritis (GN). However, OV infection in human kidney tissue has never been demonstrated. Herein, we evaluated the association of OV infection with biopsy-proven glomerular disease. Methods: This study was performed in adult patients who underwent kidney biopsy between July 2016 and February 2017. All kidney tissue samples were processed using the standard techniques for renal pathological diagnoses and immunohistochemistry techniques to detect OV antigen. Pre-implanted donor kidney tissue samples were used as controls. The participants were also assessed for OV infection by serum OV immunoglobulin G antibody (Ab) levels and/or presence of OV eggs in stool. Results: Forty-three renal tissue samples from glomerular disease patients and 50 from transplant donors were included in the study. Mean age in the GN group was 41.7 ± 15.9 years, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 70.65 ± 36.61 mL/min/1.73 m2, and median proteinuria was 3.17 (1.70–4.95) g/day. Lupus nephritis (LN) was the most common diagnosis (32.6%), followed by IgA nephropathy (23.3%), IgM nephropathy (18.6%), and primary membranous nephropathy (MN; 7%). The OV antigen was observed in kidney tissue from patients with IgA nephropathy, LN, primary MN, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and IgM nephropathy. By contrast, no OV antigen was detected in tissue samples from the control group. The presence of OV antigens was observed in glomerular endothelial cells, mesangial cells, tubular cells, and peritubular capillaries. The odds ratio of positive serum OV Ab to predict the presence of OV antigen in kidney tissues was 4.47 (p = 0.057), and there was a negative correlation between levels of serum OV Ab and eGFR (r = −0.31, p = 0.04). Discussion/Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate the presence of OV antigen in human kidney tissue, which indicates that OV infection may be associated with biopsy-proven glomerular diseases.
Frontotemporal Brain Sagging Syndrome as a Treatable Cause Mimicking Frontotemporal Dementia: A Case Report
Authors: Sugiyama Atsuhiko , Tamiya Ado , Yokota Hajime , Mukai Hiroki , Otani Ryo , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: February 2022

Frontotemporal brain sagging syndrome (FBSS) is a progressive disorder characterized by symptoms similar to the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), with a sagging appearance of the brain on imaging similar to that observed in spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). The onset of behavioral and cognitive symptoms of FBSS is insidious and progressive, similar to those of FTD. Here, we report a case involving a 53-year-old man with progressive hypersomnolence, apathy, forgetfulness, and personality changes but without headache or auditory symptoms. The combination of frontotemporal dysfunction, hypersomnolence, and the appearance of a sagging brain on magnetic resonance imaging suggested a diagnosis of FBSS. Although a definite site of cerebrospinal fluid leakage could not be identified in our case, clinical symptoms and imaging findings were improved after an epidural blood patch. Considering FBSS as a differential diagnosis of FTD is important even in the absence of typical SIH symptoms, such as headache or auditory symptoms.
Migration of Polyphosphate Granules in Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Frank Celina , Pfeiffer Daniel , Aktas Meriyem , Jendrossek Dieter
Published: February 2022

Agrobacterium tumefaciens has two polyphosphate (polyP) kinases, one of which (PPK1AT) is responsible for the formation of polyP granules, while the other (PPK2AT) is used for replenishing the NTP pools by using polyP as a phosphate donor to phosphorylate nucleoside diphosphates. Fusions of eYFP with PPK2AT or of the polyP granule-associated phosin PptA from Ralstonia eutropha always co-localized with polyP granules in A. tumefaciens and allowed the tracking of polyP granules in time-lapse microscopy experiments without the necessity to label the cells with the toxic dye DAPI. Fusions of PPK1AT with mCherry formed fluorescent signals often attached to, but not completely co-localizing with, polyP granules in wild-type cells. Time-lapse microscopy revealed that polyP granules in about one-third of a cell population migrated from the old pole to the new cell pole shortly before or during cell division. Many cells de novo formed a second (nonmigrating) polyP granule at the opposite cell pole before cell division was completed, resulting in two daughter cells each having a polyP granule at the old pole after septum formation. Migration of polyP granules was disordered in mitomycin C-treated or in PopZ-depleted cells, suggesting that polyP granules can associate with DNA or with other molecules that are segregated during the cell cycle.
Large Intraneural Ganglion Cyst in the Peroneal Nerve
Authors: Pemmari Antti , Mäkelä Katri , Niemi Jimi , Kiekara Tommi , Himanen Sari-Leena
Published: February 2022

A 23-year-old previously healthy male was referred to the clinical neurophysiology unit due to a relatively fast-onset paralysis of muscles of the anterior right leg. Electroneuromyography (ENMG) revealed a total denervation of the muscles innervated by the deep peroneal nerve, diminished sensory response of the superficial peroneal nerve, and partial denervation of the peroneus longus muscle. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large fluid collection inside the common peroneal nerve, primarily suspected to be an intraneural ganglion cyst. The cyst was surgically excised, and the function of the muscles innervated by the peroneal nerve was recovering at the control ENMG 6 months later. We describe a case of a large intraneural ganglion cyst of the peroneal nerve in an otherwise healthy young male, diagnosis by ENMG, ultrasound, and MRI, as well as subsequent operative treatment. This report demonstrates the utility of nerve ultrasound in differentiating between different causes of peroneal nerve dysfunction.
Prevalence of Intrauterine Adhesions after Myomectomy: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study
Authors: Laganà Antonio Simone , Garzon Simone , Dababou Susan , Uccella Stefano , Medvediev Mykhailo , Pokrovenko Darya , Babunashvili Evgenia Leonidovna , Buyanova Svetlana Nikolaevna , Schukina Natalya Alekseevna , Shcherbatykh Kaschchuk Marina Gennadievna , Kosmas Ioannis , Licchelli Martina , Panese Gaetano , Tinelli Andrea
Published: February 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate intrauterine adhesion formation after laparoscopic and laparotomic myomectomy. Design: This is a prospective, multicenter, observational study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04030273). Methods: We included patients after laparotomic and laparoscopic myomectomy. All patients underwent postsurgical diagnostic hysteroscopy, after 3 months. The intrauterine adhesion rate and associated factors were investigated. Results: Between January 2020 and December 2020, 38 and 24 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic and laparotomic myomectomy, respectively. All diagnostic hysteroscopies were performed in the office setting without complications. Intrauterine adhesions were identified in 19.4% of women (95% CI: of 9–29%). Factors univariately associated (p < 0.2) with the presence of intrauterine adhesions after myomectomy were previous uterine surgery, the surgical approach (laparoscopic or laparotomic), the number of removed fibroids, the type and diameter of the largest myoma, and the opening of the uterine cavity. In the multivariable analysis, only the opening of the uterine cavity (odds ratio [OR] 51.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.53–596.28) and the laparotomic approach (OR, 16.19; 95% CI: 1.66–158.35) were independently associated with the identification of intrauterine adhesions after myomectomy. Limitations: One of the main limitations of our study is that we used uterine manipulator only in the laparoscopic group; in addition, we did not perform a preoperative hysteroscopy to evaluate the rate of intrauterine adhesions potentially present even before the myomectomy. Conclusions: The prevalence of intrauterine adhesions after 3 months from surgery was significantly associated with the opening of the uterine cavity and the laparotomic approach.
Prognostic Neurobiomarkers in Neonatal Encephalopathy
Authors: Wassink Guido , Harrison Steven , Dhillon Simerdeep , Bennet Laura , Gunn Alistair Jan
Published: February 2022

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is now a standard treatment for infants with moderate-to-severe neonatal encephalopathy (NE), and improves brain damage on neuroimaging and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Critically, for effective neuroprotection, hypothermia should be started within 6 h from birth. There is compelling evidence to suggest that a proportion of infants with mild NE have material risk of developing brain damage and poor outcomes. This cohort is increasingly being offered TH, despite lack of trial evidence for its benefit. In current practice, infants need to be diagnosed within 6 h of birth for therapeutic treatment, compared to retrospective NE grading in the pre-hypothermia era. This presents challenges as NE is a dynamic brain disorder that can worsen or resolve over time. Neurological symptoms of NE can be difficult to discern in the first few hours after birth, and confounded by analgesics and anesthetic treatment. Using current enrolment criteria, a significant number of infants with NE that would benefit from hypothermia are not treated, and vice versa, some infants receive hypothermia when its benefit will be limited. Better biomarkers are needed to further improve management and treatment of these neonates. In the present review, we examine the latest research, and highlight a central limitation of most current biomarkers: that their predictive value is consistently greatest after most neuroprotective therapies are no longer effective.
Chronic Kidney Disease and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy. Potent Modifiers of the Prognostic Impact of Circadian Blood Pressure Changes
Authors: Verdecchia Paolo , Angeli Fabio , Reboldi Gianpaolo
Published: February 2022

Background:

It is unclear whether the prognostic value of blood pressure (BP) changes from day to night is modified by concomitant risk factors and organ damage.

Methods:

We studied 3247 clinically hypertensive patients who underwent off-therapy 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring during their initial diagnostic work-up. Over a mean 9.9-year follow-up, 292 patients developed a first primary outcome event (composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure) and 281 died. The day-night BP changes were analyzed as night-to-day systolic BP ratio and included in semiparametric Cox models.

Results:

After allowance for age, sex, diabetes, cigarette smoking, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum uric acid and average 24-hour systolic BP, the night-to-day systolic BP ratio maintained an independent association with outcome (hazard ratio, 1.17 [1.01–1.35];
P
=0.041). When 2 markers of organ damage, chronic kidney disease and left ventricular hypertrophy, were added to the model, the night-to-day systolic BP ratio failed to maintain an independent association with outcome (hazard ratio, 1.19 [0.97–1.31]). The Akaike Information Criterion and the Schwarz-Bayes Information Criterion showed that, after allowance for other covariables, the night-to-day systolic BP ratio: (1) provided less information when compared with chronic kidney disease and left ventricular hypertrophy and (2) did not improve information provided by chronic kidney disease and left ventricular hypertrophy. Results were comparable on all-cause death as well as using categories of the night-day systolic BP ratio (extreme dippers, dippers, nondippers, reverse dippers).

Conclusions:

Chronic kidney disease and left ventricular hypertrophy are potent modifiers of the prognostic value of the circadian BP changes.
Dissemination of International Humanitarian Law in Greece
Authors: Grembi Alba
Published: February 2022

This article analyses specific provisions within the Greek legal order that guide the naval commander’s conduct during an armed conflict at sea. It demonstrates that these provisions do not adequately satisfy the requirement to ensure respect for the law of naval warfare and to contribute to the discontinuance, during such times, of the violations of international rules on the assistance of persons in distress at sea by State organs. In this manner, it points to the necessity of an extensive discussion among legal scholars about the dissemination of international humanitarian law in Greece. This process could lead to the establishment of a comprehensive national military manual that would demonstrate the spirit of abidance to the obligation to respect and ensure respect for the rules of this law in Greece’s maritime realm during peace and warfare, and play an instrumental role in the enhancement of safety for persons and objects at sea during naval conflict.
A Tiered Mentorship Program to Integrate Medical Students Into Clinical Research Projects
Authors: Misiaszek Shannon R. , Blitzer David , Drucker Charles B. , Endicott Kendal M. , Fitzpatrick Suzanna S. , Toursavadkohi Shahab , Nagarsheth Khanjan H.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Herein we describe the development, implementation, and growth of our Vascular Research Training Program (VRTP), emphasizing the intentional involvement of medical students in clinical research.

Methods

We developed a VRTP focusing on medical student engagement to encompass 4 pillars: ownership, mentorship, experience, and independence within the research process. The program is organized by clinical projects with an attending surgeon, surgical trainee (fellow or resident), and medical student comprising each research project team. The VRTP program sought to facilitate a culture of learning, accountability, and mentorship to engage and encourage medical student involvement in clinical research.

Results

We reviewed the productivity of our current vascular surgery faculty by reviewing divisional records of faculty publications and conducting a literature search for the period of 2012 to 2019. The pre-VRTP model produced 13 included manuscripts in 2012-2015 (3.25 per year), while the implemented VRTP model yielded 43 articles (10.75 per year) from 2016-2019. There was no significant change in the impact factor (pre-VRTP mean ± SD was 1.8 ± 1.0 vs 2.2 ± 1.1, P = .17). Medical student productivity rose from 1.3 to 2.7 publications, with a similar rise in the number of students participating in more than one manuscript from 2 to 14.

Conclusions

Deliberate involvement of medical trainees as a member of the clinical research team has the potential to generate subsequent increases in research productivity and effective mentorships. Academic surgical divisions should consider organized and intentional involvement of medical students as an essential component of clinical research.
The Roles of Adolescent Occupational Expectations and Preparation in Adult Suicide and Drug Poisoning Deaths within a Shifting Labor Market
Authors: Carroll Jamie M. , Duncombe Alicia , Mueller Anna S. , Muller Chandra
Published: February 2022

Research suggests that economic declines contribute to mortality risks from suicide and drug poisoning, but how the economy impacts individuals’ risks of these deaths has been challenging to specify. Building on recent theoretical advances, we investigate how adolescent occupational expectations and preparation contribute to suicide and drug poisoning deaths in a shifting economy. We use High School and Beyond data linked to adult mortality records for men that were exposed to a decline in labor market share and wages in predominantly blue-collar occupations during early adulthood. We find that adolescent men who expected these occupations had increased risks of suicide and drug poisoning death as adults net of educational and occupational attainment in early adulthood. Family background and occupational preparation are risk factors for death by drug poisoning but not suicide. Our findings improve our understanding of how labor market uncertainty shapes individuals’ vulnerability to suicide and drug poisoning death.
Evaluation of autopsied refugee deaths in Izmir, Turkey
Authors: Tunçez Ferhat Turgut , Ozbay Seda , Ersen Gülden , Tokdemir Mehmet , Karadeniz Zafer
Published: February 2022

Izmir is a city in Turkey where both tourists and refugees concentrate, making it home to many foreign nationals. In recent years, many refugees have tried to reach Europe via Izmir and the Aegean Sea. In this study, we examine autopsy reports on foreigners who died in Izmir between 2015 and 2020, and we compare the data with relevant international studies. This study analysed the autopsy reports of foreign nationals in Izmir, in terms of demographic data, date of death, place of death, manner of death, source of death, histopathology and toxicology results and exact cause of death. A total of 9951 autopsies were performed between 2015 and 2020 in Izmir, of which 538 (5.4%) were on foreign nationals. Of the autopsy cases in our study, 55.4% were performed on males and 44.6% were performed on females; 32.5% of the cases died between the ages of 0 and 10 years. Syrian nationals comprise 29.7% of the total cases. Of the autopsies of Syrian nationals, 80% died between the ages of 0 and 10. The cause of death was determined to be drowning in 42.4% of all cases. Information gathered from autopsies performed on foreign nationals can contribute to an understanding of the common problems of refugees, which can aid in the alleviation of some migration issues by drawing attention to the mass deaths of refugees in the Aegean Sea, the health problems experienced by children during their journey, and the deaths of refugee children.
The Structure of Complexity and the Limits of Collective Intentionality
Authors: Di Iorio Francesco
Published: February 2022

According to Searle’s theory of collective intentionality, the fundamental structure of any society can be accounted for in terms of cooperative mechanisms that create deontic relations. This paper criticizes Searle’s standpoint on the ground that, while his social ontology can make sense of simple systems of interaction like symphony orchestras and football teams, the whole coordinative structure of the modern market society cannot be explained solely in terms of we-intentional collaboration and deontic relations. As clarified by Hayek, because of its complexity, this society is a self-organizing system. It results not only from micro-level agreed constraints, but also from an unintended cybernetic mechanism that affects and shapes both its micro and macro dynamics via a circular causality. Searle ignores the coordination problem posed by complexity and provides strawman arguments against the theory of action underpinning the invisible hand explanation of social phenomena.
Hubs, hopes and high stakes for a relatively disadvantaged low tech place
Authors: Rundel Christina , Salemink Koen
Published: February 2022

The transition to a digitally inclusive and knowledge-based rural society can be challenging. Digital hubs are often proposed as a way of overcoming digital exclusion in rural and small-town contexts, yet studies into how to set up such a hub in these challenging contexts are scarce. While hubs are usually associated with an urban environment, this case study deals with the development of a rural digital hub over several years in a small town in East Groningen (NL). In the context of an Interreg project, observations during project meetings, in-depth interviews and document analysis were conducted to closely monitor the hub’s development process. Initially, the hub initiators aimed at stimulating business activities and innovation linked to digital technologies. Thereby, an originally urban digital hub concept was copied into a rural context without a rural translation. Along the way, they were forced to adapt and scale down the scope of the project while at the same time, a broader target group had to be formulated. Moreover, the municipality lacked an overarching digital strategy, which compromised demand aggregation and supply synchronisation – two essential ingredients for rural digital hubs.
Effects of cluster headache preventatives on mouse hypothalamic transcriptional homeostasis
Authors: Pistolesi Alessandra , Buonvicino Daniela , Muzzi Mirko , Urru Matteo , Chiarugi Alberto
Published: February 2022

Objective

To investigate how cluster headache preventatives verapamil, lithium and prednisone affect expression of hypothalamic genes involved in chronobiology.

Methods

C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to daily, oral treatment with verapamil, lithium, prednisone or amitriptyline (as negative control), and transcripts of multiple genes quantified in the anterior, lateral and posterior hypothalamus.

Results

Verapamil, lithium or prednisone did not affect expression of clock genes of the anterior hypothalamus ( Clock, Bmal1, Cry1/2 and Per1/2). Prednisone altered expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides melanin-concentrating hormone and histidine decarboxylase within the lateral and posterior hypothalamus, respectively. The three preventatives did not affect expression of the neurohypophyseal hormones oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin in the posterior hypothalamus. Conversely, amitriptyline reduced mRNA levels of Clock, oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin.

Conclusion

Data suggest that cluster headache preventatives act upstream or downstream from the hypothalamus. Our findings provide new insights on hypothalamic homeostasis during cluster headache prophylaxis, as well as neurochemistry underlying cluster headache treatment.
Examination of Current MASH Occupant Compartment Intrusion Limits Using Real-World Crash Data
Authors: Gabauer Douglas J. , Juengprasertsak Suphanat
Published: February 2022

Full-scale crash testing is used to assess the performance of roadside hardware devices, such as traffic barriers, via Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) procedures. MASH procedures include comparing posttest vehicle occupant compartment deformations in specified vehicle areas with associated intrusion threshold values. Unfortunately, little is known about how MASH intrusion limits relate to real-world crash occupant injury. This study provided an examination of current MASH occupant compartment intrusion limits using real-world, in-depth crashes occurring from year 2000 through 2015. Data for a total of 55,292 crash-exposed occupants were available, representing nearly 26 million crash-exposed occupants. Binary logistic regression models were developed to predict occupant injury at various severity levels using available MASH intrusion thresholds and controlling for potentially confounding factors such as belt use, vehicle type, object struck, posted speed limit, occupant age, and gender. The current MASH intrusion limits in aggregate were found to be strong predictors of maximum occupant injury. Occupants adjacent to one intrusion in excess of the current MASH thresholds were found to be approximately 10 times more likely to be injured. Investigation of intrusion in specific vehicle areas suggested that toe pan intrusion has the largest influence on occupant injury followed by the windshield, A/B pillar, and floor pan areas, but more intrusion cases in different areas are needed to confirm these findings. A descriptive analysis of the injuries suggested that intrusions in different vehicle areas do result in differences in the occupant body regions injured.
Evaluation of Pavement Treatment Strategies for Friction-Deficient Horizontal Curves
Authors: Peng Jia , Chu Longjia , Liu Yuanyuan , Fwa T. F.
Published: February 2022

In friction management of horizontal-curve pavements, highway agencies develop treatment strategies for friction-deficient pavements mainly based on past experience or industry recommended practices. In the absence of an engineering procedure to evaluate the effectiveness of friction treatments, there is no sound basis for comparing the effectiveness of different treatment strategies. To overcome this limitation, this study explored a mechanistic approach to analyze friction treatments for a horizontal curve and compare the magnitudes of skid resistance improvement, reductions of skidding potential, and terminal polished skid resistance. This was achieved by applying the finite element simulation technique to calculate the tire–pavement skid resistance available and the safe vehicle speeds under a given set of design operating conditions. For illustration, five friction treatments for pavement curves were analyzed: resurfacing/overlay, high-friction resurfacing, longitudinal grooving, transverse grooving, and resurfacing/overlay plus raising of superelevation. The skid resistance, safe vehicle speed, and terminal skid resistance were determined for different wet-weather operating conditions. The operating conditions were defined by horizontal-curve geometric parameters, pavement surface properties, wheel load, geometric and structural properties of tire, and water film thickness. The effectiveness of an improvement treatment is evaluated by skid resistance improvement, skidding potential reduction, and terminal polished skid resistance. Two quantitative indicators were introduced for effectiveness evaluation: safe skid resistance margin ΔSN and safe vehicle speed margin ΔV. The proposed approach presents a quantitative engineering assessment procedure for highway agencies in the selection of a suitable treatment, and maintenance planning in their friction management of horizontal-curve pavements.
News Stories of Intimate Partner Violence: An Experimental Examination of Media Framing and Perpetrator Sex in LGBTQ Versus Heterosexual Relationships
Authors: Savage Matthew W. , Scarduzio Jennifer , Milne Katie
Published: February 2022

This study experimentally examines the effects of perpetrator sex (male or female), relationship context (heterosexual or homosexual), and the type of media framing (episodic or thematic) on endorsement for public health perspectives about intimate partner violence (IPV) and punishment preferences for IPV perpetrators. Participants ( N = 750) were randomly assigned to a condition, exposed to a composite news story, and then completed a survey. Manipulation check responses demonstrated a pattern suggesting that participants had difficulty attending to details of IPV in stories where the perpetrator was a woman, or where the violence occurred in a homosexual relationship. Results revealed significant interaction effects for the endorsement of public health perspectives and for perpetrator punishment preferences. Results for the endorsement of public health perspectives showed that thematic framing caused stronger support only when the perpetrator was a heterosexual man. Results for perpetrator punishment preferences revealed a pattern where participants preferred stronger punishments for heterosexual male perpetrators over any other group. Participants did not distinguish in their punishment preferences for male or female homosexual perpetrators, but these were still stronger than their punishment preferences for heterosexual female perpetrators. Theoretical implications are presented with attention to extending research about media portrayals of IPV, and discussion is offered concerning practical considerations for public health support services that address IPV.
Barriers to Bystander Intervention in Sexual Harassment: The Dark Triad and Rape Myth acceptance in Indonesia, Singapore, and United Kingdom
Authors: Lyons Minna , Brewer Gayle , Bogle Iona , Castro Caicedo Jorge , Gaspar Monic , Ghayda Carissa , Huelin Maya , Wei Liang Tan , Centifanti Luna
Published: February 2022

Bystanders have an important role in preventing sexual violence, but they are often reluctant to intervene due to a range of barriers. In this study, we investigated relationships between the Dark Triad of personality (i.e. psychopathy, Machiavellianism and narcissism), rape myth acceptance and five bystander barriers. We addressed the paucity of research by collecting data from three countries (Indonesia, Singapore, and United Kingdom). In total, 716 University staff and students participated in an online survey. We found very few country-level differences in the correlations between the variables. In regression analyses, Machiavellianism and rape myth acceptance both had significant, positive relationships with failure to identify risk, failure to take responsibility, skills deficits and audience inhibition. Narcissism and psychopathy were significantly, negatively associated with audience inhibition and skills deficits. Findings indicate similarity in predictors of perceived barriers to bystander intervention across the three countries.
A data-driven microstructural rationale for micro-void nucleation in discontinuous fiber composites
Authors: Agyei Ronald , Hanhan Imad , Sangid Michael D
Published: February 2022

Despite their high strength-to-weight ratio, short fiber reinforced composites, due to their intrinsically heterogeneous microstructures, exhibit complex mechanical behavior, especially relating to failure. This study explores the dependency of micro-void nucleation on microstructural defects by ranking contributions of competing microstructural metrics, as identified through in-situ X-ray microtomography. Using a Gaussian process framework, six metrics were explored which capture the properties of the closest fiber, the closest fiber tip, the closest pore (proximity and volume), and the local stiffness (using 19  μm and 38  μm neighborhoods). The results demonstrated that less stiff, resin rich areas were more relevant for micro-void nucleation than clustered fiber tips, T-intersections of fibers, or varying porosity volumes. By ranking microstructural configurations and their relevancy to damage, this analysis provides which microstructural metrics can induce micro-void nucleation to help modelers improve failure predictions.
Prediction of tool wear based on GA-BP neural network
Authors: Wei Weihua , Cong Rui , Li Yuantong , Abraham Ayodele Daniel , Yang Changyong , Chen Zengtao
Published: February 2022

The anisotropy and nonuniformity of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) affect the milling tool, which rapidly wears during high-speed milling of WPCs. Thus, the evolution mechanism of tool failure becomes complicated, and the prediction of tool wear cannot be precisely described mathematically. A neural network based on tool wear test was proposed to predict the tool wear condition during high-speed milling of WPCs. The traditional backpropagation (BP) neural network easily falls into the local optimal solution. A genetic algorithm (GA-BP) neural network prediction model was established by using the GA to optimise its initial weight and threshold. The BP model and the GA-BP model were evaluated in terms of mean square error and training times, and the generalisation verification was applied to the prediction model. After analysing and comparing the results of the two models, the GA-BP neural network model has better training speed and accuracy under the test conditions. The relative error between the predicted value and the actual value is controlled within 5%.
High speed cryogenic drilling of Ti-6Al-4V alloy under high pressure coolant conditions
Authors: Hari Chealvan S , Krishnaraj V , Rahim Erween Abd
Published: February 2022

Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) plays a major role in aerospace and biomedical applications. Titanium alloys are drilled extensively to fabricate most of the aerospace structures. Ti alloys are having low thermal conductivity and are classified as difficult to cut material due to their high strength and adhesion toward the tool material. As a result, Ti alloys demand the use of coolant for drilling operations. Cryogenic is one of the most suitable methods of cooling as handling and disposal is easier compared to the wet and minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) methods. This paper deals with the high-speed drilling of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by the application of high-pressure cryogenic coolant at 22 bar. The results shows that there is a significant reduction in the thrust force ( FZ), torque ( MZ), and temperature ( T) and the effect of feed is negligible on circularity, cylindricity, and surface roughness of the holes when drilled at high speeds. The high pressure of the coolant helps in better penetration into the tool-chip interface and acts as an effective lubricant. This helps in reducing the friction between the tool and workpiece resulting in improved hole quality. These results are then compared with dry drilling of Ti-6Al-4V under same experimental conditions.
Numerical simulation and experimental study on gas–liquid two-phase unsteady flow in a centrifugal pump during the transition process
Authors: Zhong Gaochao , Shao Chunlei , Cheng Wenjie , Zhao Zihan
Published: February 2022

In order to study the transition process of the gas-liquid two-phase flow in the centrifugal pump, the model pump was studied experimentally. At the same time, the Eulerian-Eulerian heterogeneous flow model and the SST k- ω turbulence model were used to simulate the transition process of the gas-liquid two-phase flow in the pump. The two-phase flow transition process in the pump was studied in detail by using the numerical model verified by experimental results. The flow law of the transition process in the pump was revealed. The judgment criterion for the end of the gas-liquid two-phase flow transition process in the pump was determined. The results show that the gas volume fraction at the pump outlet is more accurate than the outlet pressure. After 0.45 s, the gas volume fraction at the pump outlet does not change with time. It can be regarded as the end of the transition process. The average gas volume fraction at each monitoring point increases rapidly with time, then decreases slowly, and finally reaches stability. The average pressure at each monitoring point first drops rapidly, then rises slightly, and finally reaches a stable value. Along the radial direction of the section VIII in the volute, the amplitude of the gas velocity fluctuation gradually decreases, and the gas velocity gradually changes from greater than the liquid velocity to less than the liquid velocity since the driving effect of the impeller becomes weak. This study is of great significance to further improve the structural design of the gas-liquid two-phase flow pump and improve the stability of the pump operation.
Dynamics of multiple slip boundaries effect on MHD Casson-Williamson double-diffusive nanofluid flow past an inclined magnetic stretching sheet
Authors: Humane Pooja P. , Patil Vishwambhar S. , Patil Amar B. , Shamshuddin MD. , Rajput Govind R.
Published: February 2022

The present research paper highlights the effect of multiple slips and inclined magnetic fields on chemically reacting Casson-Williamson with Buongiorno modeled nanofluid flow past a permeable stretching surface. Considered physical factors associated with heat transfer are viscous dissipation, Joule's heating, radiation, and double diffusion effects. The ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are formulated from governing system of highly nonlinear Partial differential equations (PDEs) by a suitable implementation of similarity invariants. The numerical results are obtained by programming the resulting equations in MATLAB software via Runge-Kutta (R-K) fourth-order technique along with the shooting scheme. The graphical illustration provides the behavior of velocity, temperature, and concentration on different non-dimensional parameters. It is worth to notice the slip parameters are greatly analogs with various physical properties of the flow field. The effect of a magnetic parameter ([Formula: see text]), Casson parameter ([Formula: see text]), Williamson parameter ([Formula: see text]), velocity slip effect ([Formula: see text]), and the inclination ([Formula: see text]) on axial velocity are shown graphically. The outstanding agreement is observed after a comparison of numerical outcomes with previously published work. The applied magnetic field and thermal radiation insert more energy into the system which improves the thermal boundary layer.
Bayesian multiple Gaussian graphical models for multilevel variables from unknown classes
Authors: Lin Jiali , Kim Inyoung
Published: February 2022

Gaussian graphical models are a powerful tool for investigating the conditional dependency structure between random variables by estimating sparse precision matrices and can infer networks among variables from multiple classes. Many studies assume that classes of observations are given and use methods to learn the network structures within one level (e.g. pathways or genes). In most cases, however, heterogeneous data may be obtained at different levels. Therefore, in this paper, we consider the learning of multiple connected graphs with multilevel variables from unknown classes. We estimate the classes of the observations from the mixture distributions by evaluating the Bayes factor and learn about the network structures by fitting a neighborhood-selection algorithm. This approach can be used to identify the class memberships and reveal the network structures for lower level and higher level variables simultaneously. Unlike most existing methods, which solve this problem using frequentest approaches, we assess an alternative and novel hierarchical Bayesian approach for incorporating prior knowledge. We demonstrate the unique advantages of our methods through several simulations. A breast cancer application shows that our model’s results can provide insight into biological studies.
Understanding Trajectories to Anxiety and Depression: Neural Responses to Errors and Rewards as Indices of Susceptibility to Stressful Life Events
Authors: Weinberg Anna , Kujawa Autumn , Riesel Anja
Published: February 2022

Between-individuals variation in neural responses to errors and rewards is associated with the degree of risk for developing depression and anxiety, but not all individuals with perturbations in systems that generate these responses go on to develop symptoms. We propose that exposure to stressful life events may determine when these individual differences in neural responses to errors and rewards result in anxiety or depression. In this article, we review key findings and discuss limitations and questions in research on how stressors interact with reward and error processing to predict the development of symptoms. We conclude by outlining future research directions.