bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological responses to salinity among warm‐season turfgrasses of contrasting salinity tolerance
Authors: Chavarria Manuel , Wherley Benjamin , Jessup Russell , Chandra Ambika
Published: May 2021

There is increasing need to understand physiological mechanisms of warm‐season turfgrass species for potential use in salt‐affected soils due to increased use of recycled water for irrigation in arid and semi‐arid regions. Greenhouse screenings previously conducted during 2014 and 2015 at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, and determined relative salinity tolerance among 45 experimental genotypes representing four warm‐season turfgrass species under salinity levels ranging from 2.5 to 45 dS m−1. From that study, eight genotypes (two genotypes representing the highest and lowest relative salinity tolerance from each of four species) were advanced for additional evaluations aimed at characterizing physiological responses to salinity in this study. Genotypes included ‘Celebration®’ and ‘UGB79’ bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.), ‘DALZ1313’ and ‘Zeon’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.), ‘UGP3’ and ‘UGP38’ seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), and ‘Floratam’ and ‘Palmetto’ St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze]. Grasses were grown in the greenhouse and sub‐irrigated daily for 4 weeks at salinity levels of 2.5, 15 and 30 dS m−1. Responses including visual turf quality, shoot growth rates, salt excretion rates, root and shoot tissue nutrient concentrations, as well as root and shoot Na:K were characterized. Results showed that all grasses adjusted osmotically under increasing salinity levels. However, differences in Na:K were noted among species, with bermudagrass and seashore paspalum genotypes maintaining proportionally lower Na:K in roots and shoots than zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass under salinity stress. Salt excretion rates also increased at increasing salinity in zoysiagrass and bermudagrass, with greater salt excretion observed in the salinity‐tolerant genotypes of each species. The results demonstrate that salt tolerance is complex, and show a variety of salt tolerance mechanisms are employed by these warm‐season species.
The unlikely ‘antiquity of Madagascar's grasslands’: Disproportionately forest‐limited endemic fauna support anthropogenic transformation from woodland
Authors: Joseph Grant S. , Seymour Colleen L.
Published: May 2021

Papers arguing for Malagasy central highlands (MCH) as natural grassland rely disproportionally on a single reference (Bond et al. 2008, The antiquity of Madagascar's grasslands and the rise of C4 grassy biomes. Journal of Biogeography, 35, 1743–1758). The paper argues that (1) evolution of endemic grassland specialist fauna, (2) paleoecological findings and (3) existence of subfossil C4‐grazers provide evidence that when humans entered the MCH around 2000 years before present (BP), it was a natural, ancient grassland. Respectfully, we find discrepancies between that study and its sources: (1) proportions of endemic grassland‐limited species are 17‐fold greater than original data (which show 87% of species are forest‐limited and 2% [not 32%] are grassland‐limited); (2) paleodata relevant to human‐influenced timeframes are omitted; and (3) the hippo specimen used to invoke existence of ancient C4‐grazers was the common hippo from mainland Africa, circa 1950. We conclude that the paper's findings are unsupported, and MCH grasslands are likely anthropogenic.
Comparative clinical genetic testing in spontaneous miscarriage: Insights from a study in Southern Chinese women
Authors: Cai Meiying , Lin Na , Xu Liangpu , Huang Hailong
Published: May 2021

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and karyotype analyses were conducted on 441 spontaneous miscarriage placental villous tissues collected from women from southern China. Subsequently, the results from these two analyses were compared to evaluate the best diagnostic strategy for subsequent pre‐pregnancy planning. Here, the success rate of genetic testing using karyotyping and SNP array analysis was 78.46% (346/441) and 100.0% (441/441), respectively. The abnormality rate estimated by both methods was 54.9% (242/441). Three hundred and forty‐six cases were successfully detected via both SNP array and karyotype analyses; the rate of consistent detection was 96.24% (333/346), whereas 13 cases were not consistent. There was no substantial positive correlation between age and genetic abnormalities such as Turner syndrome, structural variation or euploidy state in the different age groups studied. However, the aneuploidy rate was significantly different in each age group. Thus, although SNP array has higher success rate and resolution in genetic abnormality detection, supplementary karyotype analysis is needed for a more accurate revelation of the genetic aetiology of miscarriages. Therefore, this study indicates that simultaneous karyotype and SNP array analyses should be performed for spontaneous miscarriages. Furthermore, miscarriages irrespective of maternal age must be genetically analysed.
Serological responses to koi herpesvirus (KHV) in a non‐cyprinid reservoir host
Authors: Michael Bergmann Sven , Dabels Juliane , Klafack Sandro , Jin Yeonwha , Lee Pei‐Yu , Hofmann Arndt Christian , Wang Yingying , Wang Qing , Li Yingying , Zeng Weiwei , Lusiastuti Angela , Zheng Shucheng , Jin Yijuan , Kiełpińska Jolanta , Monaghan Sean
Published: May 2021

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) is a highly contagious virus that causes KHV disease (KHVD) inducing high mortality in carp and koi (Cyprinus carpio L.). In the late stage, latency occurs with very low, often non‐detectable virus concentrations, which represents a challenge for virus detection. After validation according to OIE recommendations, an antibody ELISA was established to recognize antibodies of C. carpio against KHV infection. In this study, the ELISA was modified to detect anti‐KHV antibodies from a non‐cyprinid fish. Experimentally infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were able to transmit KHV to naïve carp at two different temperatures, demonstrating their potential as a reservoir host. At 20°C, KHVD was induced in carp but not at 15°C. Unexpectedly, rainbow trout developed humoral response against KHV at both temperatures. In contrast to carp, at 15°C trout produced neutralizing antibodies but not at 20°C. While antibodies obtained from infected carp sera reacted in a similar way against all KHV, antibodies from rainbow trout sera reacted differently to the same isolates by ELISA. The data show that even when non‐cyprinid fish species are infected with KHV, they can produce antibodies that differ from those observed in carp.
Predictability of simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease for postoperative outcomes in Crohn's disease
Authors: Akiyama Shintaro , Yamada Akihiro , Ollech Jacob E , Komaki Yuga , Komaki Fukiko , Pekow Joel , Dalal Sushila R , Cohen Russell D , Rubin David T , Sakuraba Atsushi
Published: May 2021

Background and Aim

Approximately half of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who have surgery will experience clinical recurrence within 10 years of their surgery. This study aimed to assess the postoperative outcomes according to disease location and validated the simple endoscopic score for CD (SES‐CD) to predict disease‐related outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed medical records of CD patients who underwent ileocolonoscopy within 12 months after surgery at the University of Chicago between 2005 and 2016. We defined patients with postoperative colonic inflammation at the first postoperative ileocolonoscopy or had Montreal classification L2 as colon‐dominant disease and patients without colonic involvement or who had L1 as small intestine (SI)‐dominant disease. The outcomes included clinical and surgical recurrence.

Results

Among 207 CD patients, 51 (24.6%) and 156 (75.4%) patients had colon‐dominant and SI‐dominant disease, respectively. Patients with colon‐dominant disease had a greater risk of postoperative clinical recurrence compared with those with SI‐dominant disease (P = 0.018). Colon‐dominant disease was a risk of earlier surgical recurrence compared with SI‐dominant disease, although there were no significant differences in the recurrence‐free survivals. SES‐CD > 2 at the first postoperative ileocolonoscopy was a significant risk of clinical recurrence on log‐rank test (P < 0.001) and Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio = 2.25; 95% confidence interval = 1.14–4.47; P = 0.020). An SES‐CD of 1 was an appropriate cut‐off to predict the clinical recurrence of SI‐dominant disease, but a higher SES‐CD cut‐off value of 5 was required for colon‐dominant disease.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that SES‐CD predicts postoperative clinical recurrence of CD, regardless of disease location.
Optimization of the saffron compound essence formula and its effect on preventing skin photoaging
Authors: Li Qiaoqiao , Liu Ling , Jiang Shanshan , Xu Zijin , Lin Susu , Tong Yingpeng , Wang Ping
Published: May 2021

Objective

The main aim of this study was to optimize the formula of saffron compound essence (SCE) and investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of SCE against skin photoaging.

Materials and methods

The formula of SCE was optimized using single factor and orthogonal experiments. The optimized SCE was then applied on the back skin of mice under ultraviolet irradiation. The protective effect and possible mechanism of SCE on skin photoaging were investigated using macroscopic and histological evaluation, skin thickness tests, determination of skin microcirculation, and the skin content determination of type I and III collagen, matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2), and extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK1/2) on the skin of each group of photoaging mice model.

Results

The SCE prepared using the optimal formula was golden yellow, uniform, fine, and viscous. The obtained results in the SCE high dose group indicated that SCE can inhibit the generation of wrinkles, decrease the skin thickness, reduce the microcirculation blood flow of the back skin of mice, alleviate the proliferation and abnormal accumulation of collagen fibers and elastic fibers, increase the content of skin type I and III collagen, up‐regulate the expression MMP‐2 protein, and down‐regulate the expression ERK1/2 protein, when compared with the shave control group.

Conclusion

The results obtained in this study have indicated that the optimized SCE has the effect of preventing skin photoaging, and its mechanism may be associated with the ERK1/2 pathway. Therefore, SCE should be regarded as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing photoaging.
Association of preoperative pain beliefs with postoperative pain levels in abdominal surgery patients
Authors: Disceken Fatih Mehmet , Kose Gulsah
Published: May 2021

Aims and Objectives

This study aimed to analyse the association of preoperative pain beliefs with postoperative pain levels in abdominal surgery patients.

Background

Postoperative pain is related to not only clinical and demographic characteristics but also pain beliefs. The perception, intensity and expression of pain as a subjective experience varies among individuals and cultures. Personal beliefs about pain play an important role in pain experiences and responses.

Design

This cross‐sectional study consisted of 126 abdominal surgery patients admitted to the General Surgery and Gynecological Surgery Clinics between September 2018–January 2019. The STROBE (Strengthening The Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) checklist was used as a guideline for this study.

Methods

Data were collected through descriptive information forms, pain characteristics questionnaires, Visual Analogue Scales and pain beliefs questionnaires. One‐way variance analysis and Pearson's correlation and t tests were used for data analysis.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 48.63 ± 14.27 years. A total of 37.3% of the participants experienced moderate pain and 35.7% experienced severe pain at the 8th postoperative hour. Pain intensity significantly decreased at 16, 24 and 32 h postoperatively. In the predischarge interviews, 92.1% of the patients expressed limitations in physical activities due to pain. There was a relationship between 8–16 h postoperatively and sex and pain expectancy. Mean scores obtained from the organic and psychological beliefs subscales of the Pain Belief Questionnaire were 3.12 ± 0.79, and 2.37 ± 1.11, respectively. The psychological beliefs score was negatively associated with the level of education, and the organic beliefs score was higher for those participants who had undergone gynaecological surgery. There was a weak and positive correlation between the organic beliefs and psychological beliefs subscales of the Pain Beliefs Questionnaire.

Conclusion

Patients had moderate to severe postoperative pain, and sex and pain expectations affected the experienced level of pain. Most participants believed that the pain was organic in origin. The level of education exerted a significant impact on pain beliefs.

Relevance to clinical practice

Characteristics and perception of pain and pain beliefs are important factors that should be determined to personalise pain relief care and maintain effective pain management.
Inflammation, fibrosis and skeletal muscle regeneration in LGMDR9 are orchestrated by macrophages
Authors: Kölbel Heike , Preuße Corinna , Brand Lukas , von Moers Arpad , Della Marina Adela , Schuelke Markus , Roos Andreas , Goebel Hans‐Hilmar , Schara‐Schmidt Ulrike , Stenzel Werner
Published: May 2021

Aims

Variable degrees of inflammation, necrosis, regeneration and fibrofatty replacement are part of the pathological spectrum of the dystrophic process in alpha dystroglycanopathy LGMDR9 (FKRP‐related, OMIM #607155), one of the most prevailing types of LGMDs worldwide. Inflammatory processes and their complex interplay with vascular, myogenic and mesenchymal cells may have a major impact on disease development. The purpose of our study is to describe the specific immune morphological features in muscle tissue of patients with LGMDR9 to enable a better understanding of the phenotype of muscle damage leading to disease progression.

Methods

We have analysed skeletal muscle biopsies of 17 patients genetically confirmed as having LGMDR9 by histopathological and molecular techniques.

Results

We identified CD206+ MHC class II+ and STAT6+ immune‐repressed macrophages dominating the endomysial infiltrate in areas of myofibre regeneration and fibrosis. Additionally, PDGFRβ+ pericytes were located around MHC class II+ activated capillaries residing in close proximity to areas of fibrosis and regenerating fibres. Expression of VEGF was found on many regenerating neonatal myosin+ fibres, myofibres and CD206+ macrophages also co‐expressed VEGF.

Conclusion

Our results show characteristic immune inflammatory features in LGMDR9 and more specifically shed light on the predominant role of macrophages and their function in vascular organisation, fibrosis and myogenesis. Understanding disease‐specific immune phenomena potentially inform about possibilities for anti‐fibrotic and anti‐inflammatory therapeutic strategies, which may complement Ribitol replacement and gene therapies for LGMDR9 that may be available in the future.
Prodromal sensory neuropathy in Pink1−/−SNCAA53T double mutant Parkinson mice
Authors: Valek Lucie , Tran Bao , Wilken‐Schmitz Annett , Trautmann Sandra , Heidler Juliana , Schmid Tobias , Brüne Bernhard , Thomas Dominique , Deller Thomas , Geisslinger Gerd , Auburger Georg , Tegeder Irmgard
Published: May 2021

Aims

Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently associated with a prodromal sensory neuropathy manifesting with sensory loss and chronic pain. We have recently shown that PD‐associated sensory neuropathy in patients is associated with high levels of glucosylceramides. Here, we assessed the underlying pathology and mechanisms in Pink1−/−SNCAA53T double mutant mice.

Methods

We studied nociceptive and olfactory behaviour and the neuropathology of dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), including ultrastructure, mitochondrial respiration, transcriptomes, outgrowth and calcium currents of primary neurons, and tissue ceramides and sphingolipids before the onset of a PD‐like disease that spontaneously develops in Pink1−/−SNCAA53T double mutant mice beyond 15 months of age.

Results

Similar to PD patients, Pink1−/−SNCAA53T mice developed a progressive prodromal sensory neuropathy with a loss of thermal sensitivity starting as early as 4 months of age. In analogy to human plasma, lipid analyses revealed an accumulation of glucosylceramides (GlcCer) in the DRGs and sciatic nerves, which was associated with pathological mitochondria, impairment of mitochondrial respiration, and deregulation of transient receptor potential channels (TRPV and TRPA) at mRNA, protein and functional levels in DRGs. Direct exposure of DRG neurons to GlcCer caused transient hyperexcitability, followed by a premature decline of the viability of sensory neurons cultures upon repeated GlcCer application.

Conclusions

The results suggest that pathological GlcCer contribute to prodromal sensory disease in PD mice via mitochondrial damage and calcium channel hyperexcitability. GlcCer‐associated sensory neuron pathology might be amenable to GlcCer lowering therapeutic strategies.
Gasoline price predictability: insights from consumer vehicle‐buying assessments
Authors: Baghestani Hamid
Published: May 2021

This study employs the random walk forecasts of US retail gasoline prices for 2001–2020 in order to investigate the potential usefulness of consumer vehicle‐buying assessments for predicting gasoline prices. We show that the random walk forecasts are free of systematic bias and imply symmetric loss, but they do not fully contain the information on consumer vehicle‐buying assessments. For instance, the random walk forecast errors fail to be orthogonal to the difference of opinion of consumers about whether the next 12 months or so will be a good time or a bad time to buy a new vehicle, and to the difference of opinion of consumers about vehicle prices (but not interest rates). In addition, the random walk forecast errors fail to be orthogonal to the change in consumer opinion about gasoline prices, fuel efficiency and poor selections (quality). Such findings remain unchanged when we use the ‘weakly’ rational forecasts of gasoline prices instead of the random walk benchmark. Put together, our results provide new insights into the potential usefulness of consumer vehicle‐buying assessments for predicting gasoline prices. We recommend forecasters pay special attention to such assessments when forecasting retail gasoline prices, since they can potentially help produce forecasts that are superior to both the random walk and ‘weakly’ rational forecasts.
Anti‐arrhythmic and anti‐heart failure effects of low‐level electrical stimulation on aortic root ventricular ganglionated plexi
Authors: Wang Hong‐Tao , Sun Hong‐Ke , Jin Ai‐Ping , Jiang Wei , Zhang Yan , Su Fei‐Fei , Zheng Qiang‐sun
Published: May 2021

Background

It remains uncertain whether low‐level electrical stimulation (LL‐ES) of the ventricular ganglionated plexi (GP) improves heart function. This study investigated the anti‐arrhythmic and anti‐heart failure effects of LL‐ES of the aortic root ventricular GP (ARVGP).

Methods

Thirty dogs were divided randomly into control, drug, and LL‐ES groups after performing rapid right ventricular pacing to establish a heart failure (HF) model. The inducing rate of arrhythmia; levels of bioactive factors influencing HF, including angiotensin II type I receptor (AT‐1R), transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (p‐ERK1/2); left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)were measured after treatment with placebo, drugs, and LL‐ES.

Results

The inducing rate of atrial arrhythmia decreased from 60% in the control group to 50% in the drug group and 10% in the LL‐ES group (p = .033 vs. drug group) after 1 week of treatment. The ventricular effective refractory period was prolonged from 139 ± 8 ms in the drug group to 166 ± 13 ms in the LL‐ES group (p = .001). Compared to the drug group, the expressions of AT‐1R, TGF‐β, and MMP proteins were down‐regulated in the LL‐ES group, whereas that of p‐ERK1/2 was significantly increased (all p = .001). Moreover, in the LL‐ES group, LVSV increased markedly from 13.16 ± 0.22 to 16.86 ± 0.27 mL, relative to that in the drug group (p = .001), and LVEF increased significantly from 38.48% ± 0.53% to 48.94% ± 0.57% during the same time frame (p = .001).

Conclusion

Short‐term LL‐ES of ARVGP had both anti‐arrhythmic and anti‐inflammatory effects and contributed to the treatment of tachycardia‐induced HF and its associated arrhythmia.
Coordination Behavior in Mode Choice: Laboratory Study of Equilibrium Transformation and Selection
Authors: Han Xiao , Yu Yun , Jia Bin , Gao Zi‐You , Jiang Rui , Zhang H. Michael
Published: May 2021

In a transportation system with multiple equilibria, coordination failure occurs when a group of travelers could achieve the efficient equilibrium but fail because they cannot coordinate their decision‐making under strategic uncertainty. This study investigated factors that might affect coordination behavior in mode choice with both positive and negative externalities. Subjects participated in a mode‐choice game in which they were required to choose between public transport and private car. Positive or negative externalities occurred when subjects chose public transport or private car, respectively, thereby generating two pure‐strategy equilibria in the mode‐choice game. The experimental results indicated that (i) the transparency of descriptive information facilitated not only the convergence to the efficient equilibrium but also the stabilization of choice behavior, (ii) historical experiences of converging to the inefficient equilibrium could affect subjects' initial choices and even equilibrium selection, and (iii) a “higher” barrier between the two equilibria impeded and prolonged the transformation from the inefficient equilibrium to the efficient equilibrium, and a “deeper” attraction basin of the efficient equilibrium was more attractive in equilibrium selection.
“Seemingly‐Beneficial” Interventions
Authors: Guda Harish , Dawande Milind , Janakiraman Ganesh
Published: May 2021

Organizations routinely introduce hitherto‐unexplored interventions to improve their supply chains. Consider a principal (e.g., a firm) that implements a “seemingly helpful” intervention: For any fixed actions of the principal and the agents (e.g., consumers), the principal's payoff is higher in the presence of the intervention than in its absence. While one would expect such well‐intentioned interventions to benefit the principal, several papers within the operations management (OM) literature show that the principal's equilibrium payoff can be hurt, even ignoring the intervention's implementation cost. While this conclusion is often based on analyzing a single‐shot, simultaneous‐move game, repeated interactions can also serve as an appropriate environment in many cases. A fundamental question arises: Does this conclusion hold even under repeated interactions? We study this question using the framework of infinitely repeated games and the notion of a precommitment equilibrium from the literature on reputation in repeated games. We identify two key characteristics that determine whether a seemingly beneficial intervention helps, or can possibly hurt the firm: (i) nature of the intervention (ceteris paribus, does it induce agents to react in a manner favorable to the principal?), and (ii) extent of interaction (single shot at one extreme and infinitely repeated at the other). Interestingly, we demonstrate the following two possibilities using settings analyzed in the recent OM literature: seemingly beneficial interventions can (a) hurt the firm in a single‐shot analysis but benefit under repeated interactions, and (b) continue to hurt the firm under repeated interactions. We also obtain easy‐to‐interpret conditions under which the benefit of such interventions is guaranteed under repeated interactions.
Information Sharing in an Online Marketplace with Co‐opetitive Sellers
Authors: Li Guo , Tian Lin , Zheng Hong
Published: May 2021

In recent years, the rapid development of online marketplaces has given rise not only to co‐opetitive relationships between sellers but also to information asymmetries between online marketplaces and sellers. This study studies information sharing in an e‐commerce setting consisting of an online marketplace, an upstream manufacturer and a reseller, where the online marketplace possesses superior demand information, while the manufacturer and reseller engage in a co‐opetitive structure. The reseller procures products from the manufacturer under a wholesale price contract, and both the manufacturer and reseller sell the products through the online marketplace by paying a proportional commission fee. We examine four information‐sharing scenarios: no information sharing (S1), full information sharing (S2), information sharing only with the manufacturer (S3), and information sharing only with the reseller (S4). Our analysis shows that when the intensity of competition between the manufacturer and reseller is relatively low and demand variability is moderate, the online marketplace prefers full information sharing; otherwise, it prefers to share its demand information only with the manufacturer. Moreover, interestingly, we find that the manufacturer always prefers the scenario with full information sharing to the scenario that endows her with an informational advantage over the reseller. In contrast, depending on the competitive intensity and demand variability, the reseller prefers either the scenario in which the online marketplace shares demand information with him only or that in which demand information is shared with the manufacturer only. Furthermore, we find that the equilibrium information‐sharing outcome can be either full information sharing or information sharing only with the manufacturer. The rationale behind these results hinges on the interactions among the signaling cost, efficiency effect, and co‐opetitive relationship between the manufacturer and reseller.
Transfusion practices in a large cohort of hospitalized children
Authors: Nellis Marianne E. , Goel Ruchika , Hendrickson Jeanne E. , Birch Rebecca , Patel Ravi M. , Karafin Matthew S. , Hanson Sheila J. , Sachais Bruce S. , Hauser Ronald George , Luban Naomi L. C. , Gottschall Jerome , Sola‐Visner Martha , Josephson Cassandra D. , Karam Oliver ,   for the NHLBI Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐IV‐Pediatric (REDS‐IV‐P)
Published: May 2021

Background

While previous studies have described the use of blood components in subsets of children, such as the critically ill, little is known about transfusion practices in hospitalized children across all departments and diagnostic categories. We sought to describe the utilization of red blood cell, platelet, plasma, and cryoprecipitate transfusions across hospital settings and diagnostic categories in a large cohort of hospitalized children.

Study Design and Methods

The public datasets from 11 US academic and community hospitals that participated in the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III) were accessed. All nonbirth inpatient encounters of children 0–18 years of age from 2013 to 2016 were included.

Results

61,770 inpatient encounters from 41,943 unique patients were analyzed. Nine percent of encounters involved the transfusion of at least one blood component. RBC transfusions were most common (7.5%), followed by platelets (3.9%), plasma (2.5%), and cryoprecipitate (0.9%). Children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass were most likely to be transfused. For the entire cohort, the median (interquartile range) pretransfusion laboratory values were as follows: hemoglobin, 7.9 g/dl (7.1–10.4 g/dl); platelet count, 27 × 109 cells/L (14–54 × 109 cells/L); and international normalized ratio was 1.6 (1.4–2.0). Recipient age differences were observed in the frequency of RBC irradiation (95% in infants, 67% in children, p < .001) and storage duration of RBC transfusions (median storage duration of 12 [8–17] days in infants and 20 [12–29] days in children, p < .001).

Conclusion

Based on a cohort of patients from 2013 to 2016, the transfusion of blood components is relatively common in the care of hospitalized children. The frequency of transfusion across all pediatric hospital settings, especially in children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass, highlights the opportunities for the development of institutional transfusion guidelines and patient blood management initiatives.
De stad op de berg
Authors: Tollebeek Jo , Nys Liesbet
Published: May 2021

In dit bekroonde boek ('Provinciale prijs historisch onderzoek 2006', van de provincie Vlaams-Brabant) worden de ontwikkelingen die volgden op de splitsing van de Leuvense tweetalige universiteit, op magistrale wijze in kaart gebracht. In 1968 werd een regime van autoritaire monseigneursen statusgevoelige professoren ten grave gedragen. In de euforie om de autonomie koos de nieuwe, Nederlandstalige universiteit voor de vlucht vooruit. Maar in het midden van de jaren 1970 maakte het revolutionaire elan plaats voor gevoelens van ontnuchtering. Daaraan kwam pas in het midden van de jaren 1980 een einde. De universiteit werd toen als het ware ‘heruitgevonden’. Het onderzoek werd geprofessionaliseerd, het onderwijs verruimd, de contacten met de maatschappij benadrukt. Sindsdien werd de horizon steeds weidser. De stad op de berg vertelt op meeslepende wijze het verhaal van de strijd om zelfstandigheid, van contestatie en verzakelijking, van wetenschap en engagement. Het boek is een absolute aanrader voor iedereen die de Leuvense universiteit en haar gemeenschap van professoren en studenten, maar ook van laboranten, bibliothecarissen en technici beter wil leren.
El concepto unitario de incumplimiento en el moderno derecho de contratos
Authors: Oviedo Albán Jorge , Vidal Olivares Alvaro
Published: May 2021

A partir de la identificación del fraccionamiento de remedios por incumplimiento contractual —como un problema normativo existente en los Códigos Civil y de Comercio colombianos—, en este artículo se aborda la posibilidad de formular un concepto unitario de incumplimiento y remedios, a los cuales el acreedor pueda acudir para satisfacer sus intereses. El modelo planteado por los autores, sobre la base de una revisión de los instrumentos internacionales que conforman el nuevo derecho de contratos, se caracteriza por establecer un sistema unitario de remedios de común aplicación a las distintas hipótesis constitutivas de incumplimiento. Esta mirada al modelo permite una relectura e interpretación de las normas sobre incumplimiento de los códigos de Derecho Privado, ya que hace posible alcanzar soluciones acordes con las actuales condiciones del tráfico y, por encima de todo, disipar las perplejidades que provoca la disciplina. De esta manera, ofrece una construcción dogmática de la noción de incumplimiento, no solo en el plano de lege lata, sino en el de la aplicación de las normas para la resolución de los conflictos contractuales.
Generalized Predictions of Particle-Vane Retention Probability in Gas Turbine Engines
Authors: Ellis Matthew , Bojdo Nicholas , Covey-Crump Stephen , Jones Merren , Filippone Antonio , Pawley Alison
Published: May 2021

The ingestion of airborne particulate into aircraft engines is an undesirable consequence of their operation, particularly in and out of arid locations that leads to reduced time between overhaul. Predicting the maintenance burden in environments rich in airborne particulate is made difficult by the large number of parameters that influence the likelihood of retention of the particles on nozzle guide vanes. In this contribution, we propose a new, reduced-order model that can predict the probability of particle retention as a function of a reduced set of independent variables relating to both the carrier gas flow and particle. Two-dimensional CFD simulations of particle deposition are performed on the General Electric E3 nozzle guide vane using the existing, energy-based fouling of gas turbines (EBFOG) particle deposition model. Results from the model are compared with experimental observations of particle deposition and show good agreement with the mass fraction retained by a vane. We introduce a function that allows the probability of retention to be calculated for a range of engine operating states and architectures by defining a new dimensionless parameter, the generalized thermal Stokes number. This parameter normalizes the thermal response of a particle for all gas and particle softening temperatures allowing the retention probability function to be applied universally. Finally, we demonstrate a practical use of this model by showing its use in calculating the accumulation factor for a particle size distribution.
Prediction of the Acoustic Reflection in a Realistic Aeroengine Intake With Three Numerical Methods to Analyze Fan Flutter
Authors: Bontemps Thomas , Aubert Stephane , de Pret Maxime
Published: May 2021

For a particular range of frequencies, an acoustic coupling between the fan and the air intake can modify fan stability regarding flutter. Previous works have shown that characterizing the reflection on the intake opening might be a cru- cial element to target operating points for which the risk of acoustic driven flutter is high. To do so, three methodologies are compared in this paper: an aeroelastic CFD simulation, an acoustic potential simulation and an analytical model. Each of them has a different fidelity level and computational cost, what makes their usage more beneficial at some step in the design process. It is shown that results of aeroelastic CFD and acoustic potential simulations are in excellent agreement. Fast acoustic simulations are then a good option in the early design process. The analytical model presents an important error mainly on the phase, and should be adapted before usage.
Architecture-Dependent Mechano-Adaptation in Single Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Cook Bernard L. , Chau Christina J. , Alford Patrick W.
Published: May 2021

Arteries grow and remodel following mechanical perturbation. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within the artery undergo hyperplasia, hypertrophy, or change their contractility following sustained changes in loading. Experimental evidence in vivo and in vitro suggests that VSMCs grow and remodel to maintain a constant transmural stress, or “target” stress. This behavior is often described using a stress-dependent finite growth framework. Typically, computational models of arterial growth and remodeling account for VSMC behavior in a constrained mixture formulation that incorporates behavior of each component of the artery. However, these models do not account for differential VSMC architecture observed in situ, which may significantly influence growth and remodeling behavior. Here, we used cellular microbiaxial stretching (CμBS) to characterize how VSMCs with different cytoskeletal architectures respond to a sustained step change in strain. We find that VSMC F-actin architecture becomes more aligned following stretch and retains this alignment after 24 h. Further, we find that VSMC stress magnitude depends on cellular architecture. Qualitatively, however, stress behavior following stretch is consistent across cell architectures—stress increases following stretch and returns to prestretch magnitudes after 24 h. Finally, we formulated an architecture-dependent targeted growth law that accounts for experimentally measured cytoskeletal alignment and attributes stress evolution to individual fiber growth and find that this model robustly captures long-term stress evolution in single VSMCs. These results suggest that VSMC mechano-adaptation depends on cellular architecture, which has implications for growth and remodeling in regions of arteries with differential architecture, such as at bifurcations.
Mechanobiology of Pulmonary Diseases: A Review of Engineering Tools to Understand Lung Mechanotransduction
Authors: Novak Caymen , Ballinger Megan N. , Ghadiali Samir
Published: May 2021

Cells within the lung micro-environment are continuously subjected to dynamic mechanical stimuli which are converted into biochemical signaling events in a process known as mechanotransduction. In pulmonary diseases, the abrogated mechanical conditions modify the homeostatic signaling which influences cellular phenotype and disease progression. The use of in vitro models has significantly expanded our understanding of lung mechanotransduction mechanisms. However, our ability to match complex facets of the lung including three-dimensionality, multicellular interactions, and multiple simultaneous forces is limited and it has proven difficult to replicate and control these factors in vitro. The goal of this review is to (a) outline the anatomy of the pulmonary system and the mechanical stimuli that reside therein, (b) describe how disease impacts the mechanical micro-environment of the lung, and (c) summarize how existing in vitro models have contributed to our current understanding of pulmonary mechanotransduction. We also highlight critical needs in the pulmonary mechanotransduction field with an emphasis on next-generation devices that can simulate the complex mechanical and cellular environment of the lung. This review provides a comprehensive basis for understanding the current state of knowledge in pulmonary mechanotransduction and identifying the areas for future research.
Interpretation of Experimental Data is Substantial for Constitutive Characterization of Arterial Tissue
Authors: Lisický Ondřej , Hrubanová Anna , Burša Jiří
Published: May 2021

The paper aims at evaluation of mechanical tests of soft tissues and creation of their representative stress–strain responses and respective constitutive models. Interpretation of sets of experimental results depends highly on the approach to the data analysis. Their common representation through mean and standard deviation may be misleading and give nonrealistic results. In the paper, raw data of seven studies consisting of 11 experimental data sets (concerning carotid wall and atheroma tissues) are re-analyzed to show the importance of their rigorous analysis. The sets of individual uniaxial stress–stretch curves are evaluated using three different protocols: stress-based, stretch-based, and constant-based, and the population-representative response is created by their mean or median values. Except for nearly linear responses, there are substantial differences between the resulting curves, being mostly the highest for constant-based evaluation. But also the stretch-based evaluation may change the character of the response significantly. Finally, medians of the stress-based responses are recommended as the most rigorous approach for arterial and other soft tissues with significant strain stiffening.
Augmentation of Pure Mixed Convection Heat Transfer in a Non-Newtonian Power-Law Fluid Filled Lid-Driven Trapezoidal Cavity With Double Rotating Cylinders
Authors: Prince Hasib Ahmed , Redwan Didarul Ahasan , Rozin Enamul Hasan , Saha Sudipta , Mamun Mohammad Arif Hasan
Published: May 2021

In this study, a numerical investigation on mixed convection inside a trapezoidal cavity with a pair of rotating cylinders has been conducted. Three different power-law fluid indexes (n = 1.4, 1.0, and 0.6) have been considered to model different sets of non-Newtonian fluids. Four separate cases are considered based on the rotational orientation of the cylinders within the cavity. In the first two cases, the cylinders rotate in the same direction, i.e., both counterclockwise (CCW), and both clockwise (CW), whereas, in the other two cases, cylinders rotate in opposite directions (CW–CCW and CCW–CW). Simulations have been carried out over a broad range of Reynolds number (from 0.5 to 500) and angular speeds (a dimensionless value from 0 to 10). The average Nusselt number values at the isothermal hot inclined cavity surface are determined to evaluate heat transfer performance in various circumstances. Streamlines and isotherm contours are also plotted for a better understanding of the effects of different cases for various parameters on thermal and fluid flow fields. It is found that the Nusselt number varies nonlinearly with different angular speeds of the cylinders. The combined effect of the mixing induced by cylinder rotation and viscosity characteristics of the fluid dictates the heat transfer in the system. Predictions from the numerical investigation provide insights into the sets of key parametric configurations that have a dominant influence on the thermal performance of the lid-driven cavity with double rotating cylinders.
Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer Enhancement Due to Flow Agitators Between Fins
Authors: Patki Aditya , Krishnan Shankar
Published: May 2021

The paper investigates the heat transfer characteristics of a channel system consisting of mean axial flow and oscillatory cross flow components. A numerical model has been developed to solve the governing equations associated with the flow. The paper identifies advection, diffusion, and oscillation time scales and intensity of squeezing in the channel as critical parameters controlling system behavior. The total Reynolds number parameter is considered in the paper to understand the combined effect of axial and transverse Reynolds numbers on the Nusselt number. Flow visualization techniques are used to understand the boundary layer changes that occur over an oscillation cycle. Nusselt number is found to increase with a reduction in advection and oscillation time scales. A linear relationship is observed between the Nusselt number and total Reynolds number when the axial and transverse Reynolds numbers are comparable. Nondimensional pressure drop is primarily defined by only two parameters: axial Reynolds number and squeezing fraction. The flow visualization results indicate significant heat transfer enhancement in a small fraction of the oscillation cycle characterized by flow conditions similar to Couette flow.
Seismic Fragility of Piping Nozzles in Nuclear Power Plants: A Case for Updating the Current State-of-Practice
Authors: Gupta Abhinav , Dubey Ankit R. , Cho Sung-Gook
Published: May 2021

Nuclear industry spends enormous time and resources on designing and managing piping nozzles in a plant. Nozzle locations are considered as a potential location for possible failure that can lead to loss of coolant accident. Industry spends enormous time in condition monitoring and margin management at nozzle locations. Margins against seismic loads play a significant role in the overall margin management. Available margins against thermal loads are highly dependent upon seismic margins. In recent years, significant international collaboration has been undertaken through Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) to study the seismic margin in piping systems and nozzles through experimental and analytical studies. It has been observed that piping nozzles are highly overdesigned and the margins against seismic loads are quite high. While this brings a perspective of sufficient safety, such excessively high margins compete with available margins against thermal loads particularly during the life extension and subsequent license renewal (SLR) studies being conducted by many plants around the world. This paper focuses on identifying and illustrating two key reasons that lead to excessively conservative estimates of nozzle fragilities. First, it compares fragilities based on conventional seismic analysis that ignores piping–equipment–structure interaction on nozzle fragility with the corresponding assessment by considering such interactions. Then, it presents a case that the uncertainties considered in various parameters for calculating nozzle fragility are excessively high. The paper identifies a need to study the various uncertainties in order to achieve a more realistic quantification based on recent developments in our understanding of the seismic behavior of piping systems.
Hybrid Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of High-Speed Thin-Rimmed Gears
Authors: Liu Changzhao , Zhao Yu , Wang Yong , Zhang Tie , Jia Hanjie
Published: May 2021

In this study, a hybrid dynamic model of high-speed thin-rimmed gears is developed. In this model, the translational and angular displacements (including the rigid and vibration displacements) with a total of six degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) are selected as the generalized coordinates for each gear, and the meshing force distributions along the contact line and between the teeth are considered. Thus, the model can be implemented under stationary and nonstationary conditions. The condensed finite element models (FEMs) are developed with the centrifugal and inertia forces for gear bodies. This paper proposes a novel method to couple the lumped-parameter model and condensed finite element model for the hybrid dynamic model system, which considers the variation of the meshing tooth during the gear operation, namely, the variations of the acting point of meshing force. Based on the model, the dynamic analysis of high-speed thin-rimmed gears is conducted under stationary speed and acceleration processes. The effects of the flexible gear body, high speed, and tooth errors on the system dynamics and tooth load distribution are investigated. The analysis results are also compared with the current reference and pure finite element method to validate the proposed model.
Novel Endoscope Control Assessment System Using Video and Magnetic Tracking
Authors: Ferri Alexandra , Hussain Saira , Pauli Eric , Haluck Randy , Fell Barry , Moore Jason
Published: May 2021

Colonoscopy procedures are commonly performed to diagnose and prevent colorectal cancer. These procedures require highly trained practitioners to perform complex maneuvers with an endoscope. Extensive training is necessary to become proficient. To improve assessment during endoscope training the novel endoscopic control assessment system (ECAS) is proposed. This device uses a magnetic tracker to track the end of the endoscope in manikin training. In addition, camera imaging is used to track the angle of the control knobs during the training. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the magnetic tracker could sense the full range of motion of the endoscope. Experiment 2 showed that the control knob angle could be accurately tracked through 4 positions to within 0.6° accuracy. The feasibility of the ECAS system was shown and in the future, this can be employed as an effective means of assessing endoscopic training performance.
The Many Technical Contributions of the Anatomage Table: Seeing Anatomy Differently
Authors: Kopcak Michael , Wika Kent , Portway Bridget , Lentz Linnea , Brockel Angela , Bollech Edward , Sand Greg
Published: May 2021

The Anatomage Table was originally marketed to medical schools as an anatomical training tool and to hospitals for preoperative planning. When Medtronic employees began to understand the power of the Anatomage Table for product development and data analysis, the uniqueness of how the table was utilized led to its many valuable contributions. The Anatomage Table has significantly reduced product development time with its ability to immediately render anatomical models in a way that allows the development team to evaluate outcomes and react with clear direction. It also reduces cognitive load for the users thereby expediting the interpretive process. The technology has become a tool to enhance research and training outcomes. This paper serves as an example to stimulate the use of this type of technology in similar applications. Hard data originating from controlled studies are not provided in this report due to the technology’s early use at Medtronic and the proprietary nature of the development processes on which the technology was used.