bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linear Quadratic Regulator Optimal Control of Two-Rotor Wind Turbine Mounted on Spar-Type Floating Platform
Authors: El Beshbichi Omar , Xing Yihan , Chen Ong Muk
Published: September 2022

Interest is steadily growing for multi-rotor wind turbine concepts. This type of wind turbine offers a practical solution for scaling issues of large wind turbine components and for the reduction of costs associated with manufacturing, logistics, and maintenance. However, the literature lacks thorough knowledge of the dynamic performance of multi-rotor wind turbine concepts installed on floating platforms. Previous research studied the dynamic response of a two-rotor wind turbine concept mounted on a spar-type floating platform (2WT). Platform yaw motion is a significant dynamic factor directly caused by differential turbulence intensity experienced by the two hubs coupled with the distribution of thrust loads on the tower structure. Blade-pitch control analysis also showed how the 2WT yaw response is extremely sensitive to the control strategy employed. In this work, a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) is used to design an optimal controller for the 2WT prototype. Three LQR gain schedules corresponding to three operation regions are considered. An in-house tool for the dynamic analysis of multi-rotor floating wind turbines is used for linear state-space extraction and dynamic analysis. The control performance in different load conditions is assessed against the baseline OC3 proportional-integral (PI) control strategy and a PI-P control strategy in a previous article presented by the authors.
A Dynamic Loading Mechanism for a Morphing Winglet
Authors: Buchkazanian Raffi S. , Campos Gabriel H. , Xi Fengfeng (Jeff)
Published: September 2022

A loading mechanism for a variable cant angle morphing winglet is proposed in this paper. The mechanism provides a method of loading a morphing winglet with the simulated aerodynamic lift force by maintaining its application direction always orthogonal to the surface of the winglet throughout the range of motion. The loading mechanism is developed by type synthesis of four-bar linkages through enumeration of prismatic and revolute joints. The final design is a R-P-R-P four-bar linkage modified by merging the middle P-R joint together to form a planar joint named Shark-fin. The shape of Shark-fin is optimized to minimize its weight effect on the overall loading system. A half-scale prototype was built as a reference to address several implementation issues including the neutral loading condition. Afterwards, a full-size dynamic loading mechanism was successfully constructed and implemented to load test a full-size morphing winglet.
Study on Geothermal Heat Exchangers With Nanofluids Containing Ceramic Nanoparticles
Authors: Barua Himel , Sinaki Maryam Younessi , Farhad Siamak
Published: September 2022

A geothermal heat exchanger (GHE) uses geothermal energy for heating or cooling residential places during winter or summer. Two different designs of GHEs, the straight pipe and coiled pipe designs, are evaluated in this study, and the effect of nanofluids as the working fluid is investigated. For this purpose, a mathematical model is developed, validated, and used to predict the temperature gain, heat gain, exergy gain, and pressure loss of the working fluid for different concentrations of additive ceramic nanoparticles of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and magnesium oxide (MgO) in the working fluid. It is shown that the coiled pipe design has a better performance compared to the straight pipe design for GHEs. It is also shown how the temperature, heat gain, and exergy gain change with increasing the additive nanoparticles into the base fluid, which is water, while the pressure loss does not change significantly. The temperature gain increases about 60% when the volume fraction of nanoparticles in the base fluid reaches 2%. This also helps to improve the natural circulation of working fluid and the GHE may not need a circulating pump to run at low flowrates. It is also shown that the additive MgO nanoparticles are more effective than Al2O3 nanoparticles to improve the GHE performance.
Interpersonal synchrony across vocal and lexical modalities in interactions involving children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Lahiri Rimita , Nasir Md , Kumar Manoj , Kim So Hyun , Bishop Somer , Lord Catherine , Narayanan Shrikanth
Published: September 2022

Quantifying behavioral synchrony can inform clinical diagnosis, long-term monitoring, and individualised interventions in neuro-developmental disorders characterized by deficit in communication and social interaction, such as autism spectrum disorder. In this work, three different objective measures of interpersonal synchrony are evaluated across vocal and linguistic communication modalities. For vocal prosodic and spectral features, dynamic time warping distance and squared cosine distance of (feature-wise) complexity are used, and for lexical features, word mover's distance is applied to capture behavioral synchrony. It is shown that these interpersonal vocal and linguistic synchrony measures capture complementary information that helps in characterizing overall behavioral patterns.
The human disease gene LYSET is essential for lysosomal enzyme transport and viral infection
Authors: Richards Christopher M. , Jabs Sabrina , Qiao Wenjie , Varanese Lauren D. , Schweizer Michaela , Mosen Peter R. , Riley Nicholas M. , Klüssendorf Malte , Zengel James R. , Flynn Ryan A. , Rustagi Arjun , Widen John C. , Peters Christine E. , Ooi Yaw Shin , Xie Xuping , Shi Pei-Yong , Bartenschlager Ralf , Puschnik Andreas S. , Bogyo Matthew , Bertozzi Carolyn R. , Blish Catherine A. , Winter Dominic , Nagamine Claude M. , Braulke Thomas , Carette Jan E.
Published: September 2022

Lysosomes are key degradative compartments of the cell. Transport to lysosomes relies on GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase–mediated tagging of soluble enzymes with mannose 6-phosphate (M6P). GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase deficiency leads to the severe lysosomal storage disorder mucolipidosis II (MLII). Several viruses require lysosomal cathepsins to cleave structural proteins and thus depend on functional GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase. We used genome-scale CRISPR screens to identify lysosomal enzyme trafficking factor (LYSET, also named TMEM251) as essential for infection by cathepsin-dependent viruses including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). LYSET deficiency resulted in global loss of M6P tagging and mislocalization of GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase from the Golgi complex to lysosomes.
Lyset
knockout mice exhibited MLII-like phenotypes, and human pathogenic LYSET alleles failed to restore lysosomal sorting defects. Thus, LYSET is required for correct functioning of the M6P trafficking machinery and mutations in LYSET can explain the phenotype of the associated disorder.
Exceeding 1.5°C global warming could trigger multiple climate tipping points
Authors: Armstrong McKay David I. , Staal Arie , Abrams Jesse F. , Winkelmann Ricarda , Sakschewski Boris , Loriani Sina , Fetzer Ingo , Cornell Sarah E. , Rockström Johan , Lenton Timothy M.
Published: September 2022

Climate tipping points occur when change in a part of the climate system becomes self-perpetuating beyond a warming threshold, leading to substantial Earth system impacts. Synthesizing paleoclimate, observational, and model-based studies, we provide a revised shortlist of global “core” tipping elements and regional “impact” tipping elements and their temperature thresholds. Current global warming of ~1.1°C above preindustrial temperatures already lies within the lower end of some tipping point uncertainty ranges. Several tipping points may be triggered in the Paris Agreement range of 1.5 to <2°C global warming, with many more likely at the 2 to 3°C of warming expected on current policy trajectories. This strengthens the evidence base for urgent action to mitigate climate change and to develop improved tipping point risk assessment, early warning capability, and adaptation strategies.
Transporting holes stably under iodide invasion in efficient perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhang Yao , Kong Weiyu , Qiao Liang , Peng Bingguo , Shen Zhichao , Han Qifeng , Chen Han , Yuan Zhiliang , Zheng Rongkun , Yang Xudong
Published: September 2022

Highly efficient halide perovskite solar cells generally rely on lithium-doped organic hole transporting layers that are thermally and chemically unstable, in part because of migration of iodide anions from the perovskite layer. We report a solution strategy to stabilize the hole transport in organic layers by ionic coupling positive polymer radicals and molecular anions through an ion-exchange process. The target layer exhibited a hole conductivity that was 80 times higher than that of the conventional lithium-doped layer. Moreover, after extreme iodide invasion caused by light-soaking at 85°C for 200 hours, the target layer maintained high hole conductivity and well-matched band alignment. This ion-exchange strategy enabled fabrication of perovskite solar cells with a certified power conversion efficiency of 23.9% that maintained 92% under standard illumination at 85°C after 1000 hours.
Chiral emission from resonant metasurfaces
Authors: Zhang Xudong , Liu Yilin , Han Jiecai , Kivshar Yuri , Song Qinghai
Published: September 2022

Ultracompact sources of circularly polarized light are important for classical and quantum optical information processing. Conventional approaches for generating chiral emission are restricted to excitation power ranges and fail to provide high-quality radiation with perfect polarization conversion. We used the physics of chiral quasi-bound states in the continuum to demonstrate the efficient and controllable emission of circularly polarized light from resonant metasurfaces. Exploiting intrinsic chirality and giant field enhancement, we revealed how to simultaneously modify and control spectra, radiation patterns, and spin angular momentum of photoluminescence and lasing without any spin injection. The superior characteristics of chiral emission and lasing promise multiple applications in nanophotonics and quantum optics.
A tale of troubled waters
The Fishermen and the Dragon: Fear, Greed, and a Fight for Justice on the Gulf Coast
Kirk Wallace Johnson
Viking, 2022. 384 pp.
Authors: Hannibal Mary Ellen
Published: September 2022

Vietnamese refugees faced misdirected rage for a marine ecosystem ravaged by industry, argues a journalist
Scaling brain neurogenesis across evolution
Authors: Malgrange Brigitte , Nguyen Laurent
Published: September 2022

A genetic change could explain increased cortical neurogenesis in modern humans
Lingering fever
Authors: Roberts Leslie
Published: September 2022

The battle against malaria in Africa has stalled. Can research in Mozambique explain why—and how to get it back on track?
Twisty device explores alternative path to fusion
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: September 2022

Revamped German stellarator should run longer, hotter and compete with tokamaks
California EV rules jolt battery science
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: September 2022

Move to phase out gas-powered cars will force progress toward faster charging batteries
Fauci looks back—and ahead
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: September 2022

Loved and hated, NIAID’s chief plots life after government
Redox-Mediated Inactivation of the Transcriptional Repressor RcrR is Responsible for Uropathogenic Escherichia coli’s Increased Resistance to Reactive Chlorine Species
Authors: Sultana Sadia , Crompton Mary E. , Meurer Kennadi , Jankiewicz Olivia , Morales Grace H. , Johnson Colton , Horbach Elise , Hoffmann Kevin Pierre , Kr Pooja , Shah Ritika , Anderson Greg M. , Mortimer Nathan T. , Schmitz Jonathan E. , Hadjifrangiskou Maria , Foti Alessandro , Dahl Jan-Ulrik
Published: September 2022

How do pathogens deal with antimicrobial oxidants produced by the innate immune system during infection? Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(UPEC), the most common etiological agent of urinary tract infections (UTIs), is particularly exposed to infiltrating neutrophils and, therefore, must counter elevated levels of the antimicrobial oxidant HOCl to establish infection. Our study provides fundamentally new insights into a defense mechanism that enables UPEC to fend off the toxic effects of HOCl stress.
Genetic Determinants of Hydrogen Sulfide Biosynthesis in Fusobacterium nucleatum Are Required for Bacterial Fitness, Antibiotic Sensitivity, and Virulence
Authors: Chen Yi-Wei , Camacho Martha I. , Chen Yimin , Bhat Aadil H. , Chang Chungyu , Peluso Emily A. , Wu Chenggang , Das Asis , Ton-That Hung
Published: September 2022

Fusobacterium nucleatum
is a key commensal anaerobe of the human oral cavity that plays a significant role in oral biofilm development and contributes to additional pathologies at extraoral sites, such as promoting preterm birth and colorectal cancer. Although
F. nucleatum
is known as a major producer of hydrogen sulfide (H
2
S), its genetic determinants and physiological functions are not well understood.
Syntrophic Acetate-Oxidizing Microbial Consortia Enriched from Full-Scale Mesophilic Food Waste Anaerobic Digesters Showing High Biodiversity and Functional Redundancy
Authors: Li Chao , Hao Liping , Lü Fan , Duan Haowen , Zhang Hua , He Pinjing
Published: September 2022

Syntrophic acetate oxidation to CO
2
and H
2
, together with hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, contributes to much of the carbon flux in the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes, especially at high ammonia concentrations. A deep understanding of the biodiversity, metabolic genetic potential, and ecology of the SAO community can help to improve biomethane production from wastes for clean energy production.
Molecular Origins of Transcriptional Heterogeneity in Diazotrophic Klebsiella oxytoca
Authors: Bashir Tufail , Brackston Rowan D. , Waite Christopher , Kotta-Loizou Ioly , Carey Matthew R. , Engl Christoph , Buck Martin , Schumacher Jörg
Published: September 2022

Nitrogen is an essential micronutrient for both plant and animal life and naturally exists in both reactive and inert chemical forms. Modern agriculture is heavily reliant on nitrogen that has been “fixed” into a reactive form via the energetically expensive Haber-Bosch process, with significant environmental consequences.
Locating Acoustic Emission Signals Due to Shock Impacts on a Carbon Fiber Sample Using Piezoelectric and Fiber Optic Sensors
Authors: Stepanova L. N. , Kabanov S. I. , Chernova V. V.
Published: September 2022

Comparative tests related to locating acoustic emission (AE) signals due to shock impacts on a T700 carbon fiber sample were carried out. Piezoelectric acoustic emission transducers (AETs) and fiber-optic sensors (FOSs) were installed on the sample, forming rectangular location antennas measuring $$360 \times 280$$ mm. Strikes were delivered with balls weighing 10 and 18.5 g. Antennas consisting of four AET sensors and four FOS sensors and an antenna consisting of two AET sensors and two FOS sensors were organized. When using the antenna containing four FOS sensors, the impact on the sample was produced by a load weighing 530 g dropped from a height of 400 mm. AE signals were recorded by the SCAD-16.10 system with “floating” selection thresholds when the ball was dropped and during its repeated bounces. Then AE signal clusters were formed and recorded during the impact of loads. The arrival times of AE signals to the antenna sensors were calculated using the threshold method, the root mean square (RMS) deviation method and the two-interval method. It is shown that the maximum error in locating AE signals is observed when a steel ball with a diameter of 16 mm is dropped from a height of 300 mm and the minimum error is when using an electronic simulator.
Features of the Operation of a Three-Electrode Electrostatic Microgenerator in the Presence of Collisions between Electrodes
Authors: Dragunov V. P. , Ostertak D. I. , Sinitskiy R. E. , Dragunova E. V.
Published: September 2022

The results of studying the influence of impact interactions on the operation of a three-electrode two-capacitor microelectromechanical transducer (MEMT) and a microgenerator based on it are presented. The operation of the microgenerator in the impact periodic mode is analyzed for two extreme cases, when the movable electrode initially comes into contact with the limiters located on the left (LWC) or right (RWC) walls of the casing. The relationship between the system parameters and the characteristics of the external driving force source, which makes it possible to evaluate the possibility of implementing a periodic impact operation, is obtained. The dependences of the average generated power of the impact microgenerator on the number of collisions and the load are calculated. It is shown that a microgenerator with a three-electrode MEMT, in the case when the movable electrode initially comes into contact with the limiters located on the LWC, develops more power than in the case when the movable electrode initially touches the limiters located on the RWC. The efficiency of the microgenerator in impact and nonimpact modes is compared. It is shown that when using the impact mode, a gain by factors of 2 to 5 in the developed power is possible with a significant decrease of 1 to 2 orders of magnitude of the optimal load resistance compared to using an equivalent impact-free mode. In general, the analysis carried out and the developed approach make it possible to significantly narrow the range of the search for the necessary system parameters at the preliminary design stage and reduce the design time.
Significance of pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) genetic polymorphism in insulin secretion in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Okura Tsuyoshi , Nakamura Risa , Ito Yuichi , Kitao Sonoko , Anno Mari , Endo Satomi , Taneda Natsuka , Matsumoto Kazuhisa , Shoji Kyoko , Okura Hiroko , Matsuzawa Kazuhiko , Izawa Shoichiro , Ueta Etsuko , Kato Masahiko , Imamura Takeshi , Taniguchi Shin-ichi , Yamamoto Kazuhiro
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor-1 (PDX-1) is an imperative gene for insulin secretion in maturity-onset diabetes of the young 4.PDX-1gene polymorphism was associated with lower first-phase insulin secretion in a genome-wide association study of intravenous glucose tolerance test. It was not associated with type 2 diabetes risk and insulin secretion in a genome-wide oral glucose tolerance test study. However, there have been no reports of overt type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance evaluation using a glucose clamp. We investigatedPDX-1polymorphism, insulin secretion, and insulin resistance in overt type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods

We performed a meal tolerance test (MTT) and hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamping on 63 Japanese subjects, 30 with type 2 diabetes and 33 non-diabetic. We analyzed the rs1124607PDX-1gene polymorphism and defined A/C and C/C as the high-risk group and A/A as the low-risk group.

Results

HOMA-beta (homeostatic model assessment beta-cell function) was significantly lower in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group for all subjects (72.9±54.2% vs 107.0±63.5%, p<0.05). Glucose levels and glucose area under the curve (AUC) were not significantly different between both the risk groups. The insulin levels at 60 and 120 min and the insulin AUC after MTT were remarkably lower in the high-risk group than those in the low-risk group for all subjects (AUC 75.7±36.7 vs 112.7±59.5, p<0.05). High-risk subjects with type 2 diabetes had significantly lower insulin levels at 30 and 60 min and insulin AUC than low-risk subjects. Non-diabetic high-risk subjects depicted significantly lower insulin levels at 120 and 180 min. There were negligible differences in insulin resistance between the risk groups.

Conclusions

These results suggest that thePDX-1genetic polymorphism is crucial for insulin secretion in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.
COVID-19 vaccination campaigns and the production of mistrust among Roma and migrant populations in Italy
Authors: Storer Elizabeth , Sarafian Iliana , Torre Costanza , Vallerani Sara , Franchi Eloisa
Published: September 2022

Achieving high rates of COVID-19 vaccination has become central to a return to normalcy in a post-pandemic world. Accordingly, exceptional measures, such as the regulation of immunity through vaccine passports and restrictions that distinguished between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, became a feature of vaccination campaigns in certain G7 countries. Such policies stand in tension with recent supranational European Union policies that seek to build inclusion and trust through engaging minoritised groups in vaccine campaigns. To explore this tension, we present novel ethnographic data produced with migrant and Roma communities in Italy. Our evidence suggests that under restrictive measures, many within these groups initially described as ‘vaccine hesitant’ have accepted a vaccine. Yet, rather than indicating successful civic engagement, we find that vaccine acceptance was tied to deepening mistrust in science and the state. Considering the structural socioeconomic, historical and cultural elements informing people’s vaccination choices, we propose a shift in emphasis towards equitable principles of engagement.
Health literacy measurement: embracing diversity in a strengths-based approach to promote health and equity, and avoid epistemic injustice
Authors: Osborne Richard H , Cheng Christina C , Nolte Sandra , Elmer Shandell , Besancon Stephane , Budhathoki Shyam Sundar , Debussche Xavier , Dias Sónia , Kolarčik Peter , Loureiro Maria Isabel , Maindal Helle , Nascimento do O Dulce , Smith James A , Wahl Astrid , Elsworth Gerald R , Hawkins Melanie
Published: September 2022

Definitions of health literacy have evolved from notions of health-related literacy to a multidimensional concept that incorporates the importance of social and cultural knowledge, practices and contexts. This evolution is evident in the development of instruments that seek to measure health literacy in different ways. Health literacy measurement is important for global health because diverse stakeholders, including the WHO, use these data to inform health practice and policy, and to understand sources of inequity. In this Practice paper, we explore the potential for negative consequences, bias and epistemic injustice to occur when health literacy instruments are used across settings without due regard for the lived experiences of people in various contexts from whom data are collected. A health literacy measurement approach that is emic-sensitive, strengths based and solution oriented is needed to minimise biased data interpretation and use and to avoid epistemic injustice.
Practical utility of the ACT-FAST triage algorithm from a primary stroke centre perspective
Authors: Tan Shuangyue , Stephens Karen , Gao Lan , Tan Elise , Frost Tanya , Choi Philip M C
Published: September 2022

Background: Rapid reperfusion in ischaemic stroke with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) reduces morbidity and mortality. Limited distribution of endovascular clot retrieval (ECR) capable comprehensive stroke centres (CSCs) necessitates development of pre-hospital models of care to provide equitable and economical access to reperfusion therapy. We examine the time metrics of the traditional secondary transfer strategy in comparison to the direct bypass strategy and the potential utility of the ACT-FAST prehospital triage algorithm on a large volume Melbourne primary stroke centre (PSC).

Method: Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients presenting to a PSC from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020. Clinical records were interrogated for ACT-FAST positive patients. Time metrics were established using Google Maps traffic modelling and local/published door-to-needle, door-in-door out and door-to-groin data.

Results: 88 patients during the study period were ACT-FAST positive. Of these, 49/88 (56%) cases had ELVO ischaemic strokes, 24/88 (27%) cases had intracranial haemorrhages and the remaining 15/88 (17%) had non ELVO ischaemic strokes or mimics (seizure, complex migraine, etc). 28/88 (32%) cases met indication for and were subsequently transferred to a CSC for consideration of ECR. The modelled median scene to groin time for the direct bypass strategy is 94 min whereas the median scene to groin time for the secondary transfer strategy is 109 min, giving a difference of 15 min.

Conclusion: Time savings to groin puncture for the direct bypass strategy is substantially less than previous estimates and suggests that the secondary transfer strategy continues to be a viable pathway for a high efficiency PSC.
‘Is it painful’? A qualitative study on experiences of patients before prostate needle biopsy
Authors: Mao Jinjiao , Dai Yun , Wang Lijuan , Pan Shucheng , Wang Wei , Yu Hongwei
Published: September 2022

Objective

To assess the experiences and emotional reactions of men prior to receiving a prostate needle biopsy (PNB).

Design

This was a qualitative study involving (1) material research and filter, (2) interviewer training, (3) cognitive semistructured interviews with open-ended questions, (4) data analysis, including translation and back translation and (5) group discussions to determine common themes in the data. All interviews were digitally audio-recorded. The thematic analysis was conducted by repeatedly reading the data manuscript and engaging in group discussion.

Setting and participants

A total of 30 participants with suspected prostate cancer (PC) who were scheduled to receive a PNB were interviewed. Eligible participants were Chinese native men aged 51–77 years, and the study was conducted in China between September and December 2020. All participants were informed about the purpose of the study and provided written informed consent.

Results

Four main themes were identified based on the interview content: (1) fear (of pain, adverse effects and bad results), (2) impact of lower urinary tract symptoms (on emotional impact, work and sleeping), (3) inner struggles (relating to hesitation, regret and embarrassment) and (4) lifestyle change (including diet, exercise and receipt of traditional Chinese medicine).

Conclusions

This patient cohort had a low level of knowledge about PC and PNB. Providing additional education about these topics would help to reduce patient fear and anxiety and improve experiences of the procedure.
Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on bone metabolism in patients with immobilisation after foot and ankle fracture surgery: a randomised controlled trial study protocol
Authors: Guo Shiqi , Zhao Guozhen , Chen Xue-ming , Xue Ying , OuYang Xia-li , Liu Jin-Yi , Huang Yue-ping , Liu Ya-jie , Yao Qin , han li , Zhang Chun-hui , Li Bo , Wang Qi , Zhao Baixiao
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Fracture is a disease with a high incidence worldwide. Foot and ankle fractures are common among fractures of the lower extremities. Foot and ankle fractures usually require surgical fixation and a period of fixed treatment, which can lead to decreased bone density. Although transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is widely used for movement system diseases, there is minimal evidence to show the effectiveness of TEAS on patients after surgical fixation of ankle and foot fractures. This trial aims to evaluate whether TEAS can reduce bone loss in patients with immobilisation after ankle and foot fractures.

Methods and analysis

A randomised controlled trial will be conducted in which 60 patients will be randomly divided into two groups: (a) the control group will be treated according to the routine procedures of basic orthopaedics treatment; (b) in the treatment group, bilateral SP36, BL23 and ST36 will be performed on the basis of the control group, and the test will be performed for 30 min every other day for a total of 8 weeks. Bone turnover markers will be used as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes are composed of blood phosphorus, blood calcium and bone mineral density. Treatment safety will be monitored and recorded.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial is approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (2020BZYLL0611) and the Ethics Committee of Beijing Luhe Hospital (2020-LHKY-055-02), and inpatients who meet the following diagnostic and inclusion criteria are eligible to participate in this study.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR 2000039944.
Glucocorticoid receptor expression in patients with cardiac arrest in the early period after the return of spontaneous circulation: a prospective observational single-centre study
Authors: Yu Yanan , Tang Ziren , Xie Miaorong , Li Jiabao , Hang Chen-Chen , An Le , Li Chunsheng
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Rapid changes in glucocorticoid (GC) levels and adrenal insufficiency are related to the development of post-cardiac arrest (CA) syndrome. However, GC receptor (GR) expression changes have not been studied. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association of early changes in GR expression and prognosis and immune response in patients who experienced CA.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Emergency department.

Participants

Patients (85) in the early period of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after CA were admitted between October 2018 and October 2019. After a physical examination, age-matched and sex-matched healthy individuals (40) were recruited for the control group.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

GR expression and cell counts of circulatory T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells were assessed. Plasma total cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) levels were also tested.

Results

All cell counts were lower, and plasma total cortisol levels were higher (p<0.001) in patients who experienced CA than in the healthy control group. GR expression in Treg cells and CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes were not significantly different, but the mean fluorescence intensity and GR expression in other cells were lower in patients who experienced CA (p<0.05) than in the healthy control group. ACTH levels were not different. There were no significant differences between survivors and non-survivors.

Conclusions

This study revealed that GR expression and cell counts rapidly decreased, whereas plasma total cortisol levels increased in the early period after ROSC among patients who experienced CA. Our findings provide important information about GR level and function, and immunosuppressive status in these patients. Assessing GR expression in patients who experienced CA may help screening for those who are more sensitive to GC therapy.
SARS-CoV-2 chronological genomic evolution and epidemiology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as affected by vaccination, conflict and socioeconomical disparities: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Obeid Dalia , Alnemari Rawan , Al-Qahtani Ahmed A. , Alsanea Madain , Alahideb Basma , Alsuwairi Feda , Abdulkarim Maha , Alhamlan Fatimah S.
Published: September 2022

Objective

To describe the chronological genomic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on public health in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Methods

This study analysed all available SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences, metadata and rates of COVID-19 infection from the MENA region retrieved from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database from January 2020 to August 2021. Inferential and ‎descriptive statistics were conducted to describe the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2.

Results

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the MENA region indicated that the variants in January 2020 predominately belonged to the G, GR, GH or O clades and that the most common variant of concern was Alpha. By August 2021, however, the GK clade dominated (57.4% of all sequenced genomes), followed by the G clade (18.7%) and the GR clade (11.6%). In August, the most commonly sequenced variants of concern were Delta in the Middle East region (91%); Alpha (44.3%) followed by Delta (29.7%) and Beta (25.3%) in the North Africa region; and Alpha (88.9%), followed by Delta (10%) in the fragile and conflict-affected regions of MENA. The mean proportion of the variants of concern among the total sequenced samples differed significantly by country (F=1.93, P=0.0112) but not by major MENA region (F=0.14, P=0.27) or by vaccination coverage (F=1.84, P=0.176).

Conclusion

This analysis of the genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 provides an essential description the virus evolution and its impact on public health safety in the MENA region. As of August 2021, the Delta variant showed a genomic advantage in the MENA region. The MENA region includes several fragile and conflict-affected countries with extremely low levels of vaccination coverage and little genomic surveillance, which may soon exacerbate the existing health crisis within those countries and globally.
Scoping review of the literature to ascertain how follow-up care is provided to major trauma patients post discharge from acute care
Authors: Wake Elizabeth , Ranse Jamie , Marshall Andrea P
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Survival following traumatic injury has increased, requiring ongoing patient follow-up. While longitudinal outcomes of trauma patients are reported, little is known about optimal delivery of follow-up service for this group. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and describe the structure, process and outcomes of postdischarge follow-up services for patients who sustained major trauma.

Evidence review

This scoping review was conducted by searching CINAHL, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Articles were screened by three independent reviewers. The data of selected articles were organised in the categories of the Donabedian quality framework: structure, processes and outcomes.

Results

Twenty-six articles were included after screening by title/abstract then full text against the inclusion/exclusion criteria; 92% (n=24) were from the USA.

Follow-up services were provided by designated trauma centres and delivered by a mixture of health disciplines. Delivery of follow-up was multimodal (in person/telehealth). Protocols and guidelines helped to deliver follow-up care for non-physician led services.

Ongoing health issues including missed injuries, pain and infection were identified. No standardised criteria were established to determine recipients, the timing or frequency of follow-up was identified. Patients who engaged with follow-up services were more likely to participate in other health services. Patients reported satisfaction with follow-up care.

Conclusion

There are wide variations in how follow-up services for major trauma patients are provided. Further evaluation should focus on patient, family and organisational outcomes. Identifying who is most likely to benefit, when and how follow-up care is delivered are important next steps in improving outcomes.
The effect of soil fabric on shrinkage behaviour and microstructure evolution of soft soils upon drying
Authors: Zhao Hongfen
Published: September 2022

Soft soils often contain important fractions of fines and organic matter which are characterized by high shrinkage potential. Investigating the shrinkage behaviour of soft soils is of primary importance to assess the durability of infrastructures exposed to climatic stresses. This paper investigates the influence of soil fabric on the shrinkage properties and the change in the microporosity structures over drying. Soil shrinkage tests were performed on Shenzhen soft clay (SZ soft clay) and fibrous peat. The effect of the initial fabric was investigated by comparing the samples at natural and reconstituted states, and the reconstituted peat samples with different fibre contents. To assist in the interpretation of the results, microstructural changes in the soil fabric were investigated by mercury intrusion porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and micro-CT scan. As the water gradually drains from the multilevel pores, different drying stages were identified. Pore refinements occurred during the drying process, accompanied by a progressive reduction in the peak pore entrance. Contrary to SZ soft clay, intensive shrinkage occurred in the last stage of fibrous peats, due to the collapse of interpores and cracks created during drying. The results showed that the magnitude of the intensive shrinkage increased with the fibre content. It suggests that fibres act as an unstable element in peat upon drying.
Linking sexual size dimorphism to trophic niche partitioning in a generalist predator
Authors: Laliberté Jérôme , Rioux Ève , Lesmerises Rémi , St-Laurent Martin-Hugues
Published: September 2022

Sexual size dimorphism is a common phenomenon in mammals, and researchers have been trying to demonstrate the evolutionary causes leading to sexual dimorphism. Two main hypotheses emerged: (1) the sexual selection hypothesis and (2) the sexual competition hypothesis (also called resource partitioning hypothesis). Here, we attempted to link sexual dimorphism in fishers ( Pekania pennanti (Erxleben, 1777)) with their fall diet using stable isotope profiling and body and skull measurements. We used the carcasses of 39 fishers which were caught in eastern Québec during fall 2014 by volunteer trappers as well as several potential prey items ranging from small rodents to cervids. We expected minimal niche overlap between sexes, as males should be able to exploit different prey species than females. We also expected to observe an effect of age class (adults vs. juveniles) on trophic niche. As expected, we found great evidence of sexual dimorphism in both body mass and skull measurements: males were heavier and longer than females and had a larger zygomatic and intracanine width and a longer skull. While proportions of prey in diet according to sex and age did not vary greatly, we found some evidence of niche partitioning using Layman's metrics. Indeed, females tended to have a less diversified and more similar diet compared to one another, whereas males showed more diversified and contrasted diets. Despite our limited sample size, our findings provide partial support to the sexual competition hypothesis, as the difference in body and skull size based on sex could have evolved to lessen intraspecific competition in fishers.
Numerical appraisal of Yamada–Ota hybrid nanofluid flow over a cylindrical surface and a sheet with surface-catalyzed reaction using Keller box approximations
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad , Gul Hina , Ghazwani Hassan Ali S. , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Saleel C. Ahamed
Published: September 2022

Hybrid nanofluids (HNF) are the advanced form of nanofluids used for improved heat transfer purposes. Taking this point in mind, the objective of the presented endeavor is to examine the Yamada–Ota HNF flow model comprising (gold–silver/engine oil) over a stretched cylindrical surface and a sheet (as a limiting case) in a permeable medium. The novelty of this research is the consideration of the surface-catalyzed reaction along with the homogeneous–heterogeneous reactions to accelerate the chemical reactions in the shortest possible time. The heat transport phenomenon is strengthened with the support of Joule heating, heat absorption/generation, and the convective heat boundary condition at the surface of the cylinder. The obtained ordinary differential equations are reduced from the partial differential equations using boundary layer theory and are numerically computed using the Keller box method. It is witnessed that for varied estimates of the magnetic parameter, the thermal profile enhances while the velocity field reduces. It is also noted that the fluid concentration is reduced when the surface-catalyzed parameter is enhanced. The validation of the envisioned model in a limiting case is also added to this investigation.
Perturbed Fokas–Lenells equation: Lie symmetry analysis, complexitons and baseband modulation instability
Authors: Verma Pooja , Kumar Vikas , Kumar Manoj , Poonam
Published: September 2022

In this work, Lie symmetry analysis method is utilized to find the complex soliton solutions of the perturbed Fokas–Lenells equation. In this direction, first of all, we obtained the infinitesimals of the Fokas–Lenells equation with the help of the Lie symmetry method. After that, we reduced the Fokas–Lenells equation into the highly nonlinear system of an ordinary differential equation. Consequently, with the application of suitable back transformation, complex solitons are formulated for the Fokas–Lenells equation in trigonometric, hyperbolic and exponential functions. Finally, in this work, conditions of stability and instability are discussed with the aid of baseband modulation instability.
Numerical simulation of Allen–Cahn equation with nonperiodic boundary conditions by the local discontinuous Galerkin method
Authors: Chand Abhilash , Saha Ray S.
Published: September 2022

In this paper, the local discontinuous Galerkin method is used to analyze numerical solutions for nonlinear Allen–Cahn equations with nonperiodic boundary conditions. To begin with, the spatial variables are discretized to generate a semidiscrete method of lines scheme. This yields an ordinary differential equation system in the temporal variable, which is then solved using the higher-order total variation diminishing Runge–Kutta method. A comparison of the generated numerical results to the exact results for various test problems using different tables and figures provides insight into the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method. The numerical results confirm that the proposed method is an effective numerical scheme for solving the Allen–Cahn equation since the obtained solutions are extremely close to the exact solutions while exhibiting substantially less error.
Quaternion equations for hydrodynamic two-fluid model of vortex plasma
Authors: Mironov Victor L.
Published: September 2022

We discuss the application of quaternionic space-time algebra for the generalization of self-consistent equations describing the hydrodynamic two-fluid model of vortex plasma. It is shown that quaternionic formalism allows one to write the system of hydrodynamic equations in a compact form as one quaternion equation, which can be easy generalized to the case of damping plasma in an external electromagnetic field. As an illustration, we apply the proposed equations for the description of sound waves in electron–ion and electron–positron plasmas.
Barrow holographic dark energy models in f(Q) symmetric teleparallel gravity with Lambert function distribution
Authors: Koussour M. , Shekh S. H. , Filali H. , Bennai M.
Published: September 2022

The paper presents Barrow holographic dark energy (infrared cut-off is the Hubble horizon) suggested by Barrow [The area of a rough black hole, Phys. Lett. B 808 (2020) 135643] recently in an anisotropic Bianchi type-I Universe within the framework of [Formula: see text] symmetric teleparallel gravity, where the non-metricity scalar [Formula: see text] is responsible for the gravitational interaction. We consider two cases: Interacting and non-interacting models of pressureless dark matter and Barrow holographic dark energy by solving [Formula: see text] symmetric teleparallel field equations. To find the exact solutions of the field equations, we assume that the time-redshift relation follows a Lambert function distribution as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are non-negative constants and [Formula: see text] represents the age of the Universe. Moreover, we discuss several cosmological parameters such as energy density, equation of state (EoS) and skewness parameters, squared sound speed, and [Formula: see text] plane. Finally, we found the values of the deceleration parameter (DP) for the Lambert function distribution as [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] which are consistent with recent observational data, i.e. DP evolves with cosmic time from initial deceleration to late-time acceleration.
The Effect of Ion Exchange Poisoning on the Ion Transport and Conduction in Polymer Electrolyte Membranes (PEMs) for Water Electrolysis
Authors: Schalenbach Maximilian , Keller Lilli , Janotta Benjamin , Bauer Alexander , Tempel Hermann , Kungl Hans , Bonnet Martin , Eichel Rüdiger-A.
Published: September 2022

In water electrolyzers, polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) such as Nafion can accumulate cations stemming from salt impurities in the water supply, which leads to severe cell voltage increases. This combined experimental and computational study discusses the influence of sodium ion poisoning on the ionic conductivity of Nafion membranes and the ion transport in a thereon based water electrolysis cell. Conductivities of Nafion and aqueous solutions with the same amount of dissolved cations are measured with impedance spectroscopy and compared with respect to Nafion’s microstructure. The dynamic behavior of the voltage of a water electrolysis cell is characterized as a function of the sodium ion content and current density, showing the differences of the ion transport at alternating and direct currents. These experimental results are elucidated with a physical ion transport model for sodium ion poisoned Nafion membranes, which describes a proton depletion and sodium ion accumulation at the cathode. During proton depletion, the cathodic hydrogen evolution is maintained by the water reduction that forms hydroxide ions. Together with sodium ions from the membrane, the formed hydroxide ions can diffuse pairwise into the water supply, so that the membrane’s sodium ions can be at least partly be replaced with anodically formed protons.
Surface and Defect Chemistry of Porous La0.6Sr0.4FeO3−δ
Electrodes on Polarized Three-Electrode Cells
Authors: Nenning Andreas , Reuter Stefan , Schlesinger Richard , Summerer Harald , Ramehsan Raffael , Lindenthal Lorenz , Holzmann Manuel , Huber Tobias M. , Rameshan Christoph , Fleig Jürgen , Opitz Alexander K.
Published: September 2022

Even though solid oxide fuel/electrolysis cells (SOFC/SOEC) are already commercially available, the effect of electrochemical polarization on the electrochemical properties and overpotentials of individual electrodes is largely unexplored. This is partly due to difficulties in separating anode and cathode impedance features and overpotentials of operating fuel cells. For this, we present a novel three-electrode geometry to measure single-electrode impedance spectra and overpotentials in solid oxide cells. With this new design, we characterise polarised porous La0.6Sr0.4FeO3−δ
(LSF) electrodes by simultaneous impedance spectroscopy and ambient pressure XPS measurements. With physically justified equivalent circuit models, we can show how the overpotential-dependent changes in the impedance and XPS spectra are related to oxygen vacancy and electronic point defect concentrations, which deterimine the electrochemical properties. The results are overall in very good agreement with the key findings of several previous studies on the bulk defect chemistry and surface chemistry of LSF. They show for example the exsolution of Fe0 particles during cathodic polarisation in H2 + H2O atmosphere that decrease the polarization resistance by roughly one order of magnitude.