bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age and sex determine conversion from immediate‐release to extended‐release tacrolimus in a multi‐center cohort of Canadian pediatric renal transplant recipients
Authors: Lang Samantha , Sharma Atul , Foster Beth , Gibson Ian W. , Ho Julie , Nickerson Peter , Wishart David , Blydt‐Hansen Tom
Published: December 2020

ER‐Tac, taken once per day, is associated with improved adherence. This study examined the potential patient and clinical factors that influence clinicians to convert pediatric patients from immediate‐release to ER‐Tac. This prospective multi‐center observational study followed Canadian pediatric kidney transplant recipients up to 5 years post‐transplant. Cox Proportional Hazards Regression was used to examine the influence of factors on conversion to ER‐Tac. Sixty‐six participants were included in this analysis. For every additional year of age at the time of transplant, the likelihood of conversion was more than doubled (HR 2.54, CI 1.83, 3.54, P < 0.001). The impact of age reduced by three percent for every month after transplant (HR 0.97, CI 0.95, 0.98, P < 0.001). Girls were more likely to be converted than boys (HR 3.78, CI 1.35, 10.6, P 0.01). Adherence measures (MAM‐MM and tacrolimus trough variability), individual barriers to adherence, renal function, HLA mismatch, and rejection were not significant predictors of conversion in the final regression model. ER‐Tac was preferentially prescribed to older age and female patients. Female sex and adolescence are both associated with worse graft outcomes, but we found no link between individualized markers of adherence/graft risk and conversion. Clinicians appeared to be using demographic features to distinguish patients at perceived higher risk and converted accordingly, without a case‐by‐case evaluation of who is more susceptible to poor outcomes.
Lessons from 10 years of stakeholder adoption of a soil bioassay for assessing the risk of spinach Fusarium wilt
Authors: Gyawali Sanjaya , Derie Michael L. , Gatch Emily W. , Sharma‐Poudyal Dipak , du Toit Lindsey J.
Published: December 2020

Although the maritime Pacific Northwest (PNW) is the only region of the United States suitable climatically for spinach seed production, the acidic soils are highly conducive to spinach Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. spinaciae. A soil bioassay developed to quantify the risk of spinach Fusarium wilt in fields has been offered to seed growers annually since 2010. Soil sampled from growers' fields each winter was planted with highly susceptible, moderately susceptible, and partially resistant spinach inbred lines, and the plants rated weekly to calculate a Fusarium wilt severity index (FWSI) and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). Results for 147 soils tested from 2010 to 2013 have been published. This study examined results for an additional 248 soils tested from 2014 to 2019 with the bioassay modified to include an option of agricultural limestone amendment to the soils tested. FWSI and AUDPC were affected significantly (p < .001) by the main effects of soil and spinach inbred line, and the interaction of these factors. Correlation analyses showed a range in degree of association of FWSI and AUDPC with spinach seed crop rotation duration and soil properties, depending on the spinach inbred line (r = −.255 to –.267, n = 172 soils with characteristics suitable for correlation analyses). Stepwise regression models for 172 soils with relevant parameters for regression analyses identified spinach seed crop rotation interval, rate of agricultural limestone amendment, soil pH, and soil Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations as most strongly associated with FWSI and AUDPC. However, the models accounted for ≤33.4% (R2) of the variability in Fusarium wilt risk. The soil bioassay remains a primary tool for spinach seed growers to select fields with low risk of Fusarium wilt.
The gap prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (GPIAS) paradigm to assess auditory temporal processing: Monaural versus binaural presentation
Authors: Fournier Philippe , Hébert Sylvie
Published: December 2020

The Gap Prepulse Inhibition of the Acoustic Startle Reflex (GPIAS) is a paradigm used to assess auditory temporal processing in both animals and humans. It consists of the presentation of a silent gap embedded in noise and presented a few milliseconds before a startle sound. The silent gap produces the inhibition of the startle reflex, a phenomenon called gap‐prepulse inhibition (GPI). This paradigm is also used to detect tinnitus in animal models. The lack of inhibition by the silent gaps is suggested to be indicative of the presence of tinnitus “filling‐in” the gaps. The current research aims at improving the GPIAS technique by comparing the GPI produced by monaural versus binaural silent gaps in 29 normal‐hearing subjects. Two gap durations (5 or 50 ms), each embedded in two different frequency backgrounds (centered around 500 or 4 kHz). Both low‐ and high‐ frequency narrowband noises had a bandwidth of half an octave. Overall, the startle magnitude was greater for the binaural versus the monaural presentation, which might reflect binaural loudness summation. In addition, the GPI was similar between the monaural and the binaural presentations for the high‐frequency background noise. However, the GPI was greater for the low‐frequency background noise for the binaural, compared to the monaural, presentation. These findings suggest that monaural GPIAS might be more suited to detect tinnitus compared to the binaural presentation.
The self‐face captures attention without consciousness: Evidence from the N2pc ERP component analysis
Authors: Bola Michał , Paź Marta , Doradzińska Łucja , Nowicka Anna
Published: December 2020

It is well established that stimuli representing or associated with ourselves, like our own name or an image of our own face, benefit from preferential processing. However, two key questions concerning the self‐prioritization mechanism remain to be addressed. First, does it operate in an automatic manner during the early processing, or rather in a more controlled fashion at later processing stages? Second, is it specific to the self‐related stimuli, or can it be activated also by other stimuli that are familiar or salient? We conducted a dot‐probe experiment to investigate the mechanism behind the attentional prioritization of the self‐face image and to tackle both questions. The former, by employing a backwards masking procedure to isolate the early and preconscious processing stages. The latter, by investigating whether a face that becomes visually familiar due to repeated presentations is able to capture attention in a similar manner as the self‐face. Analysis of the N2pc ERP component revealed that the self‐face image automatically captures attention, both when processed consciously and unconsciously. In contrast, the visually familiar face did not attract attention, neither in the conscious, nor in the unconscious condition. We conclude that the self‐prioritization mechanism is early and automatic, and is not triggered by mere visual familiarity. More generally, our results provide further evidence for efficient unconscious processing of faces, and for dissociation between attention and consciousness.
C‐type lectin‐like CD161 is not a co‐signalling receptor in gluten‐reactive CD4 + T cells
Authors: Wyrożemski Łukasz , Sollid Ludvig M. , Qiao Shuo‐Wang
Published: December 2020

C‐type lectin‐like CD161, a class II transmembrane protein, is a surface receptor expressed by NK cells and T cells. In coeliac disease, CD161 was expressed more frequently on gluten‐reactive CD4 + T cells compared to other memory CD4 + T cells isolated from the same tissue compartment. CD161 is a putative co‐signalling molecule that was proposed to act as co‐stimulatory receptor in the context of signalling through TCR, but contradicting results were published. In order to understand the role of CD161 in gluten‐reactive CD4 + T cells, we combined T cell stimulation assays or T cell proliferation assays with ligation of CD161 and intracellular cytokine staining. We found that CD161 ligation provided neither co‐stimulatory nor co‐inhibitory signals to modulate proliferation and IFN‐γ or IL‐21 production by gluten‐reactive CD4 + T cell clones. Thus, we suggest that CD161 does not function as a co‐signalling receptor in the context of gluten‐reactive CD4 + T cells.
Differential diagnoses of severe COVID‐19 in tropical areas: the experience of Reunion Island
Authors: Krol Pauline , Coolen‐Allou Nathalie , Teysseyre Laura , Traversier Nicolas , Beasley Floryan , Nativel Mathilde , Allou Nicolas , Allyn Jerome
Published: December 2020

Objective

To identify the differential diagnoses of severe COVID‐19 and the distinguishing characteristics of critically ill COVID‐19 patients in Reunion Island to help improve the triage and management of patients in this tropical setting.

Methods

This retrospective observational study was conducted from 11 March to 4 May 2020 in the only intensive care unit (ICU) authorised to manage COVID‐19 patients in Reunion Island, a French overseas department located in the Indian Ocean region. All patients with unknown COVID‐19 status were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on ICU admission; those who tested negative were transferred to the COVID‐19‐free area of the ICU.

Results

Over the study period, 99 patients were admitted to our ICU. A total of 33 patients were hospitalised in the COVID‐19 isolation ward, of whom 11 were positive for COVID‐19. The main differential diagnoses of severe COVID‐19 were as follows: community‐acquired pneumonia, dengue, leptospirosis causing intra‐alveolar haemorrhage and cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. The median age of COVID‐19‐positive patients was higher than that of COVID‐19‐negative patients (71 [58–74] vs. 54 [46–63.5] years, P = 0.045). No distinguishing clinical, biological or radiological characteristics were found between the two groups of patients. All COVID‐19‐positive patients had recently travelled or been in contact with a recent traveller.

Conclusions

In Reunion Island, dengue and leptospirosis are key differential diagnoses of severe COVID‐19, and travel is the only distinguishing characteristic of COVID‐19‐positive patients. Our findings apply only to the particular context of Reunion Island at this time of the epidemic.
Phytochrome B inhibits darkness‐induced hypocotyl adventitious root formation by stabilizing IAA14 and suppressing ARF7 and ARF19
Authors: Li Qian‐Qian , Zhang Zhan , Wang Ya‐Ling , Zhong Li‐Yuan , Chao Zhen‐Fei , Gao Yi‐Qun , Han Mei‐Ling , Xu Lin , Chao Dai‐Yin
Published: December 2020

Adventitious roots (ARs) are an important root type for plants and display a high phenotypic plasticity in response to different environmental stimuli. Previous studies found that dark–light transition can trigger AR formation from the hypocotyl of etiolated Arabidopsis thaliana, which was used as a model for the identification of regulators of AR biogenesis. However, the central regulatory machinery for darkness‐induced hypocotyl AR (HAR) remains elusive. Here, we report that photoreceptors suppress HAR biogenesis through regulating the molecular module essential for lateral roots. We found that hypocotyls embedded in soil or in continuous darkness are able to develop HARs, wherein photoreceptors act as negative regulators. Distinct from wound‐induced ARs that require WOX11 and WOX12, darkness‐induced HARs are fully dependent on ARF7, ARF19, WOX5/7, and LBD16. Further studies established that PHYB interacts with IAA14, ARF7, and ARF9. The interactions stabilize IAA14 and inhibit the transcriptional activities of ARF7 and ARF19 and thus suppress biogenesis of darkness‐induced HARs. This finding not only revealed the central machinery controlling HAR biogenesis but also illustrated that AR formation could be initiated by multiple pathways.
Experimental and Numerical Characterization of a Novel Natural Gas Low NOx Burner in Gas Turbine Realistic Environment
Authors: Cerutti Matteo , Nassini Pier Carlo , Pampaloni Daniele , Andreini Antonio
Published: December 2020

A fundamental milestone in the development of a low NOx burner technology is the demonstration of its capabilities in realistic environment. This is especially true for the novel burner subject of this paper, which has been extensively characterized throughout single burner scale experiments. An exhaustive description of the early development phases of the novel burner has been provided by authors in recently published works. The most promising geometry was selected for the assessment in real combustor arrangement, consisting of a full-scale annular combustor test rig. This paper reports the main results of such an assessment. Pollutant emissions and pressure pulsations have been measured at gas turbine relevant operating conditions. Moreover, dedicated blow-out tests have been performed to obtain the extinction equivalence ratio at both ambient and pressurized conditions, as done during the past single burner rig campaign. Basically, an adequate set of data has been gathered, allowing a direct comparison between full-annular and reduced-scale tests. A general alignment of behavior has been observed, as both low NOx capability and blow-out characteristics of full-annular arrangement turned out to be substantially unchanged with respect to the single burner. Nevertheless, some discrepancies in magnitude have been highlighted and discussed. Details have been given involving deeper numerical analysis by means of a dedicated model developed by the authors in previous works. Indeed, improvement to the model has been introduced in the context of this paper to overcome some limitations arisen in predicting emissions. Finally, a preliminary stability analysis has been carried out, with the aim to describe the onset of thermoacoustic instability tendency as observed in the full-annular tests.
Emissions Performance of Staged Premixed and Diffusion Combustor Concepts for an NH3/Air Flame With and Without Reactant Humidification
Authors: Pugh D. , Valera-Medina A. , Bowen P. , Giles A. , Goktepe B. , Runyon J. , Morris S. , Hewlett S. , Marsh R.
Published: December 2020

Renewably generated ammonia offers a form of carbon-free chemical energy storage to meet the differences between uncertain supply and fluctuating demand and has the potential to support future energy requirements. The storage/transportation characteristics of NH3 are favorable compared with H2; however, there are combustion research challenges to enhance fuel reactivity while reducing harmful emissions production. The purpose of this work was to evaluate different fuel delivery concepts for a representative gas turbine combustor. An experimental and numerical comparison was made between swirl-stabilized premixed and diffusion NH3–air flames at elevated inlet temperature (473 K). The exhaust NOx and NH3 emissions generated from each concept were quantified to optimize combustor performance. High-speed OH* and NH2* chemiluminescence was employed to characterize the change in flame topology with variation in fuel–air equivalence ratio, and the resultant influence on measured emission concentrations. Chemiluminescence intensities were shown to elucidate changes in sampled exhaust emissions, enabling detailed analysis of intermediate chemistry. A comparison was made between experimental data and kinetic simulations, demonstrating the sensitivity of NOx emissions to premixed fuel–air equivalence ratio. A comparison was also made between exclusive primary airflow, and the staged introduction of secondary air, to quantify the change in NOx production between each configuration and improve fuel burnout. Secondary air loadings were incrementally increased through the combustor. Finally, reactant humidification was employed as a secondary process for NOx reduction, having shown favorable performance with NH3–H2 mixtures, with the efficacy compared for both premixed and diffusion configurations.
Experimental Investigation of a Radial Wave Engine Utilizing a Rotary Valved Pressure Gain Combustor
Authors: Akbari Pejman , Brady Grant M. , Sell Brian C. , Polanka Marc D.
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a deflagrative pressure gain combustor employing rotary valves is introduced that can reduce combustor length by allowing the combustion process to take place in the radial direction rather than in the axial direction with sufficient resident time. The engine is described in some detail with respect to geometry, components, and potential benefits. A demonstrator rig was designed, built, and tested for concept verification. A series of initial tests sweeping equivalence ratio from 0.4 to 0.8 using ethylene as fuel and mass flows from 75 g/s to 150 g/s is presented. The turbine rotor was driven to above 200 RPM with just four of the combustor passages operating. The initial results indicate the feasibility of the rotary valve radial engine concept and identified key challenges associated with the concept. Further studies are needed to address existing challenges and to promote the engine development.
Lattice Boltzmann Modeling for Natural Convection in Power-Law Fluids Within a Partially Heated Square Enclosure
Authors: Mendu Siva Subrahmanyam , Das Prasanta Kumar
Published: December 2020

This paper reports the numerical investigations for steady-state natural convection in power-law fluids inside a square enclosure embedded with bottom discrete heaters. The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is employed to model the flow and heat transfer phenomenon at different combinations of power-law index, Rayleigh number, and heat source length for a constant Prandtl number. The buoyancy force is incorporated in the collision term of the LBM through Boussinesq approximation. Simulation outcomes are furnished using streamlines, temperature contours, velocity profiles, and variation of heat transfer on the nonadiabatic walls to probe natural convection phenomena. The results indicate that the temperature and the flow fields in the enclosure are symmetric about the vertical centerline. The detailed physical interpretations have been provided for the reported results. Further, the increase in the power-law index means a rise in viscosity and a decrease in thermal energy transport for other constant parameters. The outcomes also specify that the intensity of circulation and heat transfer enhances with the increase of Rayleigh number and size of the localized heater. Finally, though, a rise in the size of the confined heat source enhances the rate of total thermal transport, it does not change the trend of fluid flow and local heat transfer rate.
An Analytical Inverse Kinematics Solution Method for Robotic Manipulators
Authors: Balkan Tuna , Özgören M. Kemal , Arikan M. A. Sahir , Baykurt H. Murat
Published: December 2020

In this study, an inverse kinematic solution approach applicable to six degree-of-freedom industrial robotic manipulators is introduced. The approach is based on a previously introduced kinematic classification of industrial robotic manipulators by Balkan et al. (1999), and depending on the kinematic structure, either an analytical or a semi-analytical inverse kinematic solution is obtained. The semi-analytical method is named as the parametrized joint variable (PJV) method. Compact forward kinematic equations obtained by utilizing the properties of exponential rotation matrices. In the inverse kinematic solutions of the industrial robots surveyed in the previous study, most of the simplified compact equations can be solved analytically and the remaining few of them can be solved semi-analytically through a numerical solution of a single univariate equation. In these solutions, the singularities and the multiple configurations of the manipulators can be determined easily. By the method employed in this study, the kinematic and inverse kinematic analysis of any manipulator or designed-to-be manipulator can be performed and using the solutions obtained, the inverse kinematics can also be computerized by means of short and fast algorithms. As an example for the demonstration of the applicability of the presented method to manipulators with closed-chains, ABB IRB2000 industrial robot is selected which has a four-bar mechanism for the actuation of the third link, and its compact forward kinematic equations are given as well as the inverse kinematic solution.
Mathematical Model for Large Deflection Dynamics of a Compliant Beam Mechanism
Authors: Panza Michael J.
Published: December 2020

A mathematical model for the large deflection dynamics of a compliant beam mechanism is presented. The mechanism simulates the motion of a slider-crank device. The system contains a highly flexible beam that provides the compliant motion from a sliding mass at one end to a rotating hinge point at the other end. Basic models for friction and beam dissipation effects are included. Principles of mechanics are used to derive a nonlinear integro-partial differential equation for the complete beam/mass system in the curved space of the deformed beam. The resulting equation is cast into a generalized nondimensional form suitable for studying system behavior for a broad range of system sizes. The dynamic equation is solved in curved space by applying a spatial solution that closely represents the large deflection measured static deflection of the beam. The nonlinear system dynamics are simulated for an initial large deflection of the mechanism and compared to experimental results for an actual physical system.
The Novel Design of a Pure-Rolling Transmission to Convert Rotational Into Translational Motion
Authors: González-Palacios Max A. , Angeles Jorge
Published: December 2020

The design of a novel transmission to convert rotational into translational motion, or vice versa, is reported in this paper. The transmission is based on a cam mechanism with multiple rollers mounted on a translating common follower. This feature thus provides pure-rolling contact, thereby eliminating the friction of rack-and-pinions. Moreover, a provision is made to allow for the elimination of backlash. The design relies on a unified methodology for indexing cam mechanisms, whereby the same procedure is used to design planar, spherical, and spatial mechanisms.
Effects of Belt Flexural Rigidity on the Transmission Error of a Carriage-Driving System
Authors: Tai Hung-Ming , Sung Cheng-Kuo
Published: December 2020

This paper investigates the effects of belt flexural rigidity and belt tension on transmission error of a carriage-driving system. The beam model associated with both the clamped and moving boundary conditions at two ends is utilized to derive the governing equation of the belt. The belt flexural rigidity is obtained and verified by an experimental technique. In addition, a numerical method is proposed to determine the belt profile, transmission error and transmission stiffness. Results show that transmission error of a carriage-driving system increases when the carriage moves away from the driving pulley due to finite belt flexural rigidity. According to the analyses, application of appropriate tension on the belt can significantly reduce the error. Furthermore, the transmission stiffness for representing the entire rigidity between the carriage and pulley is investigated based on the proposed beam model. A three-dimensional plot that indicates the relationship among the transmission stiffness, belt tension and the position of the carriage is obtained.
Kinematics of the Full-Toroidal Traction Drive Variator
Authors: Raghavan Madhusudan
Published: December 2020

We present a geometric derivation of the kinematics of the steering action and the roller displacement in a full-toroidal continuously variable traction drive variator. In particular, expressions relating the inclination of the roller to its displacement for designs incorporating a caster angle are derived. These results are useful in the design of the control system for the variator.
Optimization-Based Synthesis of Grashof Geared Five-Bar Mechanisms
Authors: Nokleby Scott B. , Podhorodeski Ron P.
Published: December 2020

A quasi-Newton optimization routine and Grashof criteria for geared five-bar mechanisms are used to develop a Grashof five-bar mechanism synthesis routine. The synthesis routine uses a sequential transformation set that maps from an unconstrained search variable space to a constrained design variable space. The transformation set ensures that Grashof criteria are satisfied and that all mechanism parameters satisfy specified upper and lower constraints. Example results demonstrate the effectiveness of the quasi-Newton optimization technique, along with appropriate parameter transformations and geared five-bar Grashof criteria, for the synthesis of Grashof five-bar mechanisms.
Double Points and Unstable Configurations of Stephenson-I, -II, and -III Mechanisms
Authors: Kohli D. , Pan C. A. , Dhingra A. K.
Published: December 2020

Double points are conjugate configurations in mechanisms, with multiple closed-loops, when both input and output links are fixed in the same position and some passive joints can be located in two different configurations. Unstable configurations, on other hand, are positions where a mechanism loses controllability and gains at least one unwanted DOF instantaneously. The analytical condition for the occurrence of double point is the same as the occurrence of an unstable configuration, i.e., two roots of input-output displacement polynomial are equal. This paper addresses the determination of double points and unstable configurations of six-link Stephenson-I, -II and -III mechanisms. The double points are determined by using the loop-closure equations for two branches and successively eliminating intermediate joint variables using closed-form techniques. Further, extraneous roots from algebraic manipulations are eliminated using a new technique of two-branch equation substitution. The unstable configuration polynomial is derived by (i) successively eliminating intermediate variables from loop-closure equations to obtain the input-output displacement polynomial, (ii) equating the polynomial discriminant to zero to obtain a polynomial which contains both unstable configurations and double points, and (iii) eliminating extraneous roots from algebraic manipulations and double points from this composite polynomial to determine the unstable configurations. The computational procedure is illustrated through numerical examples.
Comparison of Damped Velocity and Acceleration Control for Non-Redundant Manipulators
Authors: Chen Yu-Che , O’Neil Kevin A.
Published: December 2020

Damped Least Square (DLS) method has been widely used as an on-line algorithm for manipulator path tracking near and at singular configurations. Wampler (1986) formulated the framework of DLS method applied to velocity control and addressed the applicability of DLS method to acceleration control. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the differences in the joint paths generated by damped velocity and damped acceleration control algorithms in non-redundant manipulators. We examine these joint paths, find the cause of the differences, and demonstrate the features of damped acceleration control in non-redundant manipulator dynamics. Simulation results on a planar 2R and a spatial 6R manipulator moving through and near singular configurations verify the phenomena analyzed.
Singularities Analysis of Basic Kinematic Chains and Complex Multiloop Planar Linkages
Authors: Shen Hui-ping , Ting Kwun-Lon , Yang Ting-Ii
Published: December 2020

This paper offers a general approach for the singularity analysis of arbitrary complex multiloop planar linkages. A complex linkage is regarded as one composed of the input links and one or more zero degree-of-freedom basic kinematic chains. A complex linkages under a different input condition may decompose some different types of basic kinematic chains, and different linkages may correspond to the same basic kinematic chains. A general treatment for the singularity analysis of complex multiloop planar linkages is presented, i.e, firstly, decompose a complex linkage into basic kinematic chains (BKCs), then, based on the velocity matrix, deduce the analytical singularity conditions for these BKCs, and last, obtain the singular positions of linkages by the numerical solution method, or by the corresponding singular geometric configurations derived from singularity equations, i.e. the graphic solution method. These basic kinematic chains then served as the modules or building blocks of singularity analysis for complex linkages and manipulators. Meanwhile, three important conclusions for singularity analysis have been drawn: (1)The analytical singularity conditions for a BKC are not related with its assembly configurations; (2) The singular positions for a linkages depend on the type of BKC s and the parameters of the links; (3). When only one basic kinematic chain reaches a singular configuration, the complex linkage is at a singular position. Thus, the method of singularity analysis for a limited number of basic kinematic chains can be expanded to all complex planar linkages and parallel manipulators, and the singularity analysis of a complex linkage can simplified to singularity analysis of their BKCs. This paper also offers and discusses a formula to estimate the maximum of singular positions of a complex multiloop linkage. The approach is demonstrated in a Stephenson complex linkages with six-bar and two-loop.
Building Around Inserts: Methods for Fabricating Complex Devices in Stereolithography
Authors: Kataria Alok , Rosen David W.
Published: December 2020

One of the most common Rapid Prototyping (RP) technologies, the stereolithography apparatus (SLA) fabricates 3-dimensional parts using a layer-based, additive fabrication process by tracing part cross-sections on the top surface of a vat of liquid photopolymer. Typically, usage of the SLA process has been limited to piece parts. We are interested in greatly expanding the application of SLA and other RP technologies by fabricating assemblies of parts as working mechanisms or static, complex structures which we call “live” or “smart” models. To accomplish this, we are investigating methods for building around embedded components, where these components are motors, printed circuit boards, metal bushings, etc. In this paper, we present example prototypes to illustrate the power of building around inserts (embedded components). We report on our problem formulation and a solution approach in the form of a procedure for building around inserts. We believe that our procedure and results lend insight into promising new applications of SLA technology, as well as novel methods of implementing additional functionality into SLA and other RP technologies.
Approximation of Rational Cartesian Trajectories Using Low-Harmonic Robot Joint Trajectories
Authors: Cheng Guolin , Ge Q. J.
Published: December 2020

This paper deals with the problem of trajectory synthesis for computer controlled machinery such as robot manipulators. Low-harmonic Bezier and B-spline joint trajectory are used to approximate rational Bezier and B-spline Cartesian trajectories with desired kinematic characteristics. Two examples are given for the case of PUMA 560 robotic arm for synthesizing two- and three-harmonic joint trajectories that approximate a rational B-spline Cartesian motion of degree 6.
Laboratory Automation in the Microbiology Laboratory: an Ongoing Journey, Not a Tale?
Authors: Zimmermann Stefan
Published: December 2020

Clinical chemistry laboratories implemented fully automated devices decades before microbiologists started their subtle approaches to follow. Meanwhile several papers have been published about reduced time to reports, faster workflows, and increased sensitivity as results of lab automation.
Laurentide ice sheet thinning and erosive regimes at Mount Washington, New Hampshire, inferred from multiple cosmogenic nuclides
Authors: Koester Alexandria J. , Shakun Jeremy D. , Bierman Paul R. , Davis P. Thompson , Corbett Lee B. , Goehring Brent M. , Vickers Anthony C. , Zimmerman Susan R.
Published: December 2020

The northward retreat history of the Laurentide ice sheet through the lowlands of the northeastern United States during the last deglaciation is well constrained, but its vertical thinning history is less well known because of the lack of direct constraints on ice thickness through time and space. In addition, the highest elevations in New England are characterized by gently sloping upland surfaces and weathered block fields, features with an uncertain history. To better constrain ice-sheet history in this area and its relationship to alpine geomorphology, we present 20 new 10Be and seven in situ 14C cosmogenic nuclide measurements along an elevation transect at Mount Washington, New Hampshire, the highest mountain in the northeastern United States (1917 m above sea level [a.s.l.]). Our results suggest substantially different exposure and erosion histories on the upper and lower parts of the mountain. Above 1600 m a.s.l., 10Be and in situ 14C measurements are consistent with upper reaches of the mountain deglaciating by 18 ka. However, some 10Be ages are up to several times greater than the age of the last deglaciation, consistent with weakly erosive, cold-based ice that did not deeply erode preglacial surfaces. Below 1600 m a.s.l., 10Be ages are indistinguishable over a nearly 900 m range in elevation and imply rapid ice-surface lowering ca. 14.1 ± 1.1 ka (1 standard deviation; n = 9). This shift from slow thinning early in the deglaciation on the upper part of the mountain to abrupt thinning across the lower elevations coincided with accelerated ice-margin retreat through the region recorded by Connecticut River valley varve records during the Bølling interstadial. The Mount Washington cosmogenic nuclide vertical transect and the Connecticut River valley varve record, along with other New England cosmogenic nuclide records, suggest rapid ice-volume loss in the interior northeastern United States in response to Bølling warming.
Mapping metamorphic hydration fronts with field-based near-infrared spectroscopy: Teakettle Junction contact aureole, Death Valley National Park (California, USA)
Authors: Duke Edward F.
Published: December 2020

Mineral distribution in a previously undescribed contact aureole in siliceous dolomite at Teakettle Junction, Death Valley National Park (California, USA), was mapped with a handheld visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR, 0.35–2.5 μm) spectrometer. With increasing distance from a small Jurassic(?) pluton, the following mineral zones occur: periclase (hydrated to brucite), forsterite (variably hydrated to serpentine and typically accompanied by clinohumite), tremolite, and talc. Airborne Vis-NIR imaging spectrometer data with 5 m ground resolution shows serpentine and tremolite distribution in close agreement with the field data. Field measurements show dolomite and calcite throughout the study area, along with minor amounts of phlogopite and illite. Hydrous minerals were detected in field measurements at levels on the order of 1 vol%. Phlogopite, talc, and illite crystals in many samples are <20 μm in size and difficult to identify without scanning electron microscopy examination. Sensitivity of Vis-NIR spectroscopy to hydrous minerals is especially important in the context of metamorphic fluid flow. Significant hydration of wall rocks is limited to samples between the pluton contact and the serpentine (forsterite) isograd as shown by mineral distribution and variation in the depth of the OH absorption feature near 1.4 μm. This boundary is interpreted to represent a metamorphic hydration front beyond which there was minimal infiltration of wall rocks by H2O-rich fluid. Within this zone of hydration, however, the extent of hydration is highly variable, even at individual sample sites with samples spaced on the order of 1 m or less. Heterogeneity of fluid-rock interaction at this scale must be considered in models of heat and mass transfer accompanying contact metamorphism.
Creating virtual geologic mapping exercises in a changing world
Authors: Whitmeyer S.J. , Dordevic M.
Published: December 2020

Fieldwork has long been considered an essential component of geoscience research and education, with student field experiences consistently valued for their effectiveness in developing expertise in geoscience skills and cognitive abilities. However, some geoscience disciplines recently have exhibited a decreasing focus on data collection in the field. Additionally, some students have been disinclined to pursue a geoscience career if physical fieldwork is perceived as necessary for the completion of their academic degree. More recently, travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have restricted access to field locations for many students and geoscience researchers. As a result, geoscience educators are developing virtual field trips and exercises that address many of the learning objectives of traditional in-person field experiences. These virtual field trips and exercises use a variety of online and computer platforms, including web-based and desktop versions of Google Earth (GE). In this contribution, we highlight how educators can create virtual geoscience field trips and exercises using web GE, desktop GE, and a web-based tool for generating oriented geologic symbology for GE. Examples of methods and approaches for creating virtual field experiences in GE are provided for a virtual field trip that uses a web GE presentation to replicate a typical class field trip, and for a geologic mapping exercise that uses a KML file uploaded into web or desktop GE. Important differences between web and desktop GE are discussed, with consideration for which platform might be most effective for specific educational objectives. Challenges and opportunities related to virtual field trips are discussed in comparison with traditional in-person, on-location field trips. It is suggested that in a post–COVID-19 world, a combination of in-person and virtual hybrid field experiences might prove the most effective approach for producing a more inclusive and equitable learning environment, and thus strengthening the geoscience workforce.
Associations between alcohol consumption trajectory and deaths due to cancer, cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality: a 30-year follow-up cohort study in Thailand
Authors: Jankhotkaew Jintana , Bundhamcharoen Kanitta , Suphanchaimat Rapeepong , Waleewong Orratai , Chaiyasong Surasak , Markchang Kamolphat , Wongworachate Chadthapong , Vathesatogkit Prin , Sritara Piyamitr
Published: December 2020

Objectives

This study examined the association between alcohol consumption trajectory and deaths due to cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and all-cause mortality in Thailand.

Design

Data were obtained from a Thai prospective cohort study with more than 30 years of follow-up (n=1961).

Setting

All participants resided in Bangkok and its vicinity.

Participants

Employees from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand aged between 35 and 54 years old were randomly selected.

Main outcome measures

Exposure was alcohol consumption trajectory over the study period from 1985 to 2012. The main outcomes were all-cause mortality, and deaths due to cancer and CVDs recorded in national vital registries between 2002 and 2015. Cox’s proportional hazard regression was used to determine the associations between alcohol consumption trajectory and each outcome adjusting for sample characteristics, health behaviours and health conditions.

Results

From a total of 59 312 person years, 276 deaths were observed. Compared with drinkers who drank occasionally or most occasional over their lifetime, consistent regular or mostly consistent-regular drinkers had higher rates of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.53; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.16) and cancer mortality (HR: 2.05; 95% CI 1.13 to 3.74). The study did not find a significant association between trajectory of alcohol consumption and deaths due to CVDs.

Conclusions

Regular drinking of alcohol increased risk for all-cause and cancer mortality. Effective interventions should be implemented to reduce number of regular drinkers in order to saves life of individuals.
Spatial inequalities of major lower limb amputation rates in Paraná state, Brazil
Authors: Franco Rogério do Lago , Iora Pedro Henrique , Dutra Amanda Carvalho , Belczak Sérgio Quilici , Vissoci João , Staton Catherine , Andrade Luciano
Published: December 2020

Objective

The aim of this observational cross-sectional study was to analyse the spatial distribution of major lower limb amputation (MLLA) rates and associate them to socioeconomic, demographic and public healthcare access-related variables in the State of Paraná, Brazil, from 2012 to 2017.

Method

Data on MLLA, revascularisation surgeries, diagnostic exams and healthcare coverage were obtained from the Brazilian Public Hospital Information System. Socioeconomic data were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Spatial autocorrelation of the MLLA rates was tested using Moran’s I method. Multivariate spatial regression models using ordinary least squares regression (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were used to identify the variables significantly correlated with MLLA.

Results

A total of 5270 MLLA were included in the analysis. Mean MLLA rates were 24.32 (±18.22)/100 000 inhabitants, showing a positive global spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I=0.66; p<0.001). Queen contiguity matrix demonstrates that MLLA rates ranged from 7.6 to 46.6/100 000 with five large clusters of high MLLA rates. OLS showed that four of the nine studied variables presented significant spatial correlation with MLLA rates. Colour Doppler ultrasound showed a negative association (p<0.001), while revascularisation surgeries and illiteracy showed a positive correlation (p<0.01). GWR presented the best model (adjusted R2=0.77) showing that the predictors differentially affect the MLLA rates geographically.

Conclusion

The high MLLA rates in some regions of the state are influenced by the high rate of illiteracy and low utilisation rate of colour Doppler, indicating a social problem and difficulty in accessing health. On the other hand, the high rates of revascularisation surgeries are related to higher MLLA rates, possibly due to delayed access to specialised hospitals. This indicates that attention must be given to population access to public healthcare in the State of Paraná in order to ensure proper and timely medical attention.
Clinical, laboratory and imaging predictors for critical illness and mortality in patients with COVID-19: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lai Xinxing , Liu Jian , Zhang Tianyi , Feng Luda , Jiang Ping , Kang Ligaoge , Liu Qiang , Gao Ying
Published: December 2020

Introduction

With the threat of a worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, it is important to identify the prognostic factors for critical conditions among patients with non-critical COVID-19. Prognostic factors and models may assist front-line clinicians in rapid identification of high-risk patients, early management of modifiable factors, appropriate triaging and optimising the use of limited healthcare resources. We aim to systematically assess the clinical, laboratory and imaging predictors as well as prediction models for severe or critical illness and mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Methods and analysis

All peer-reviewed and preprint primary articles with a longitudinal design that focused on prognostic factors or models for critical illness and mortality related to COVID-19 will be eligible for inclusion. A systematic search of 11 databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, bioRxiv, Arxiv and MedRxiv will be conducted. Study selection will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data extraction will be performed using the modified version of the Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies checklist and quality will be evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Quality In Prognosis Studies tool. The association between prognostic factors and outcomes of interest will be synthesised and a meta-analysis will be conducted with three or more studies reporting a particular factor in a consistent manner.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was not required for this systematic review. We will disseminate our findings through publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD 42020178798.
Effects of dry cupping on pain, function and quality of life in women with knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for a sham-controlled randomised trial
Authors: Pontes Nayara Silva , Barbosa Germanna Medeiros , Almeida Silva Hugo Jário , Scattone Silva Rodrigo , Souza Clécio Gabriel , Lins Caio Alano de Almeida , de Souza Marcelo Cardoso
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common cause of pain and disability worldwide. Dry cupping has been used as non-pharmacological approach to control pain and improve physical function. However, there is a lack of high-quality scientific evidence regarding its effects on this condition. This protocol describes a sham-controlled, randomised and simple blind study that aims to evaluate the effect of dry cupping on pain, function and quality of life in women with KOA.

Methods and analysis

Sixty-two women diagnosed with KOA, based on American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria, and aged from 50 to 75 years, will be randomly distributed into two groups (31 per group): real and sham dry cupping. Both applications will occur with acrylic cups around the knee. The intervention will last 15 min, two times a week over six consecutive weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. Both groups will be assessed at four different times: before the intervention (T0), after 3 weeks intervention (T3), at the end of the protocol (T6) and 4 weeks after the interventions (follow-up: T10). The primary outcome will be pain intensity (Numerical Pain Rating Scale), and secondary outcomes will be knee-related health status (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), functional capacity (8-step stair climb test, 40-metre fast-paced walk test and 30-second chair stand test), quality of life (Short-Form 36) and global perceived effect.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol was approved by the UFRN/FACISA Ethics Committee (number 3.737.688). The study results will be disseminated to the participants and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and scientific meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT04331158.