bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acoustic Optimization of a Power Take-off Gear Box Using Numerical Transfer Path Analysis
Authors: Wischmann Stefan , Pasch Gerwin , Berroth Joerg , Jacobs Georg
Published: March 2021

In this contribution, a method is proposed which allows for a target-oriented structural optimization of drive train systems using transfer path analysis on a multi body system simulation with respect to the airborne sound. It combines the existing approaches of multi body simulation (MBS) and experimental transfer path analysis (TPA) with sound radiation calculations thereby creating a new tool chain to not only identify critical operation points but also critical transfer paths of an MBS model. This approach combines the advantages of elastic MBS (i.e. information about modes and forces acting between different components in critical operating points) with the advantages of TPA (i.e. identifying critical paths from the excitation to the receiver) thereby enabling the designer to numerically deduct and evaluate target-oriented structural optimizations already in early stages of the development process. It therefore reduces development times and costs by reducing iteration loops and the manufacturing of physical prototypes. The method is demonstrated on a power take-off (PTO) gear box, of which the sound pressure level was reduced by 6 dB within three virtual optimization loops that each only take a few hours by applying the proposed method.
Fault detection for sliding bearings using acoustic emission signals and machine learning methods
Authors: König F. , Jacobs G. , Stratmann A. , Cornel D.
Published: March 2021

Driven by the potential application of sliding bearings under wear-and fatigue-critical operating conditions, i.e. in planetary gearboxes for wind turbines or automotive engines with start-stop systems, the reliability and lifetime prognosis of heavy loaded sliding bearings under low rotational speeds is an emerging field of research. The application of machine learning (ML) offers a great potential for all kinds of engineering applications when physical models are not feasible due to their complexity. This study showcases the application of ML to wear and fatigue fault detection and lifetime prognosis for sliding bearings using acoustic emission signals.
Evaluation of Parts for Additive Manufacturing utilizing System Models of AM Plants
Authors: Winkler Marcel , Jacobs Georg , Spütz Kathrin , Konrad Christian
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study is to provide the design domain with knowledge about restrictive geometric parameters for AM-compatible part design. This knowledge is derived from the existing technical plant configuration and its component parameters. Parameter relationships between the AM plant configuration and the design parameters are derived from technical documentations and guidelines. The system model of an AM plant is built in SysML to formalise the complex relationships of the restrictive parameters relevant for part design depending on the AM system configuration. AM Manufacturing Models are introduced to calculate the technical constraints between AM plant components and restrictive design parameters. AM Plant Models are developed to formalise the configuration of a plant with the required parameters for the AM Manufacturing Models. A GUI is conceptualized for easy configuration setup of an AM plant.
Analysis of the Impact of Airborne Multi-antenna Radar Power Architecture on Weight
Authors: Zaiyu Lin , Qingqing Yu , Jun Zhu
Published: March 2021

Multi-antenna phased array radar is widely used in airborne detection, and the weight of its power system is affected by the number of antenna and power architecture. Based on the morphological differences of secondary power supply, the power architecture is divided into independent unit architecture, independent module architecture and distributed architecture. By analyze the weight composition and characteristics of power system in multi-antenna radar, the applicable scenarios of various architectures are obtained, and the influencing mechanism of antenna number on power weight is demonstrated. Finally, based on typical airborne fire control radar, the specific weight composition of power system of various architectures in single-antenna radar and three-antenna radar is compared, and the specific effect of antenna number on power weight is obtained.
Micro-scale Aluminium Filled Polymer Composites with Improved Mechanical and Thermal Properties via Hot-pressing
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Zheng Jian , Liu Yahao , Yu Guibo , Zhang Xiaofeng , Wang Zhimin , Ma Xiang , Zhang Chunming
Published: March 2021

Polymer based thermal interface materials are widely utilized in aeronautical and aerospace equipment, and can significantly contribute to the cooling of devices, which depends on their high thermal conductivities. In this work, a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based composite with micro-scale aluminium particles is fabricated. The aluminium particles were successfully imbedded into the PVDF matrix, and the composite possesses dense structure caused by the hot-pressing process. Benefiting from that, the value of thermal conductivity improves to 1.82 W/(mK), which is 767% higher than that on pristine PVDF. Meanwhile, compared with pristine polymer, the mechanical performances, including tensile strength and modulus, are also significantly improved by 99% and 517%, respectively. The phenomenon can be attributed to the dense inner structure and effective heat transfer pathways of aluminium particles. This simple and effective strategy provides an available method to fabricate the thermoplastic polymeric composite with superior thermal and mechanical properties, used for the high-performance aeronautical and aerospace equipment.
A WEDM-CNC System with Offline Interpolation Post-processing Function
Authors: Ma Huliang , Wang Yanqing
Published: March 2021

At present, the focus of CNC technology is mainly towards open CNC systems and cloud manufacturing. But the motion control of the CNC system is still mainly composed of interpolation and motion execution. In order to improve the accuracy and quality of interpolation, the applied algorithms are becoming more and more complex. When encountering complex trajectories, minor modifications require complex calculations. To solve this problem, a new CNC system architecture is proposed, that is, adding processing functions after interpolation. Put the minor modification of the trajectory after the interpolation. The article first introduces the CNC architecture with offline interpolation post-processing (OIPP). Then the Interpolation Byte Stream (IBS) format used to represent the interpolation data is introduced. Since the IBS format has the dual characteristics of geometry and string, geometric transformation and text processing both can be used in processing operation. On the basis of the software program and the matching motion controller, the WEDM-CNC system with post-interpolation processing function is implemented. The interpolated data transmission in the developed system adopts a dual-pointer structure, which can effectively control the data transmission. Finally, the feasibility of the new CNC system was verified through machining experiments. Experiments show that offline interpolation post-processing can modify the interpolated data with high precision and flexibility.
Printability and bio-functionality of a shear thinning methacrylated xanthan–gelatin composite bioink
Authors: Garcia-Cruz M R , Postma A , Frith J E , Meagher L
Published: March 2021

3D bioprinting is a recent technique that can create complex cell seeded scaffolds and therefore holds great promise to revolutionize the biomedical sector by combining materials and structures that more closely mimic the 3D cell environment in tissues. The most commonly used biomaterials for printing are hydrogels, however, many of the hydrogels used still present issues of printability, stability, or poor cell-material interactions. We propose that bioinks with intrinsic self-assembling and shear thinning properties, such as xanthan gum, can be methacrylated (XGMA) and combined with a bio-functional material such as gelatin methacryloyl (GelMa) to create a stable, cell-interactive bioink with improved properties for 3D bioprinting. These biomaterials have reduced viscosity under high shear and recover their viscosity rapidly after the shear is removed, retaining their shape, which translates to easier extrusion whilst maintaining accurate fidelity after printing. This was confirmed in printing studies, with measured normalized strand widths of 1.2 obtained for high gel concentrations (5+5 % XGMA-GelMA). Furthermore, the introduction of a secondary photo-cross-linking method allowed tuning of the mechanical properties of the hydrogel with stiffness between 15 and 30 kPa, as well as improving the stability of the hydrogel with retention of 75 % of its mass after 90 d. The hydrogel was shown to be biocompatible and bio-active with 97 % cell viability, and cell spreading after 7 d of culture for low gel concentrations (3+3 % XGMA-GelMA). Shear stresses were relatively low while printing (1 kPa) as a result of the shear thinning property of the material, which supported cell viability during extrusion. Finally, printed hydrogels retained high cell viability for lower gel concentrations, and showed improved cell viability for more concentrated hydrogels when compared to cells cultured in bulk hydrogels, presumably due to improved nutrient/oxygen diffusion and cell migration. In conclusion, stability and formulation of a XGMA-GelMA shear thinning composite hydrogel has been optimized to create a bio-functional bioink, with improved printability, and in vitro culture stability via secondary photo-induced cross-linking, making this composite a promising bioink for 3D bioprinting.
Structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of xNi0.50Zn0.40Mn0.10Fe2O4 + (1-x)Bi0.90La0.10Fe0.93Eu0.07O3 multiferroic composites
Authors: Kaiyum A , Hossain M A , Momin A A , Rashid R , Alam F , Hakim M A , Khan M N I
Published: March 2021

Multiferroic composites with chemical formula xNi0.50Zn0.40Mn0.10Fe2O4 + (1-x)Bi0.90La0.10Fe0.93Eu0.07O3 were prepared by solid state reaction technique. These composites are a mixture of ferrite and ferroelectric phases confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The phases are crystalline in nature as concentrated and strident peaks were observed in XRD patterns. Elongating and twisting ambiences of various bonds are existing in the composites which are observed from FTIR studies. The surface morphology of the prepared samples was studied by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope and detected that materials are dense but there is inhomogeneity in grain size distribution. It was established by the Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy that all the elements existing in the composition were at an appropriate ratio. The magnetic hysteresis loops of the composite materials were investigated by using Physical Property Measurement System at room temperature. Magnetic properties have been enhanced significantly due to the assimilation of NZMFO in the composites. To understand the ferroelectric strength of the composites, electrical properties of the composite material were studied by P-E hysteresis loop analyses in an external electric field. From P-E hysteresis loops it is observed that the 0.2Ni0.50Zn0.40Mn0.10Fe2O4 + 0.8Bi0.90La0.10Fe0.93Eu0.07O3 composite have shown better ferroelectric nature. Dielectric constant decreases with the increase of ferrite content. The ac resistivity was to be decreased with ferrite content which indicates the reduction of eddy current loss with the increase of ferrite content. The maximum value of α
ME (178 × 103 Vm−1 T−1) is found for 0.2NZMFO + 0.8BLFEO composite.
Improving contrast between gray and white matter of Logan graphical analysis’ parametric images in positron emission tomography through least-squares cubic regression and principal component analysis
Authors: Shigwedha Paulus Kapundja , Yamada Takahiro , Hanaoka Kohei , Ishii Kazunari , Kimura Yuichi , Fukuoka Yutaka
Published: March 2021

Logan graphical analysis (LGA) is a method for in vivo quantification of tracer kinetics in positron emission tomography (PET). The shortcoming of LGA is the presence of a negative bias in the estimated parameters for noisy data. Various approaches have been proposed to address this issue. We recently applied an alternative regression method called least-squares cubic (LSC), which considers the errors in both the predictor and response variables to estimate the LGA slope. LSC reduced the bias in non-displaceable binding potential estimates while causing slight increases in the variance. In this study, we combined LSC with a principal component analysis (PCA) denoising technique to counteract the effects of variance on parametric image quality, which was assessed in terms of the contrast between gray and white matter. Tissue time–activity curves were denoised through PCA, prior to estimating the regression parameters using LSC. We refer to this approach as LSC–PCA. LSC–PCA was assessed against OLS–PCA (PCA with ordinary least-squares (OLS)), LSC, and conventional OLS-based LGA. Comparisons were made for simulated 11 C-carfentanil and 11C Pittsburgh compound B (11C-PiB) data, and clinical 11 C-PiB PET images. PCA-based methods were compared over a range of principal components, varied by the percentage variance they account for in the data. The results showed reduced variances in distribution volume ratio estimates in the simulations for LSC–PCA compared to LSC, and lower bias compared to OLS–PCA and OLS. Contrasts were not significantly improved in clinical data, but they showed a significant improvement in simulation data —indicating a potential advantage of LSC–PCA over OLS–PCA. The effects of bias reintroduction when many principal components are used were also observed in OLS–PCA clinical images. We therefore encourage the use of LSC–PCA. LSC–PCA can allow the use of many principal components with minimal risk of bias, thereby strengthening the interpretation of PET parametric images.
Control of stochastic quantum dynamics by differentiable programming
Authors: Schäfer Frank , Sekatski Pavel , Koppenhöfer Martin , Bruder Christoph , Kloc Michal
Published: March 2021

Control of the stochastic dynamics of a quantum system is indispensable in fields such as quantum information processing and metrology. However, there is no general ready-made approach to the design of efficient control strategies. Here, we propose a framework for the automated design of control schemes based on differentiable programming. We apply this approach to the state preparation and stabilization of a qubit subjected to homodyne detection. To this end, we formulate the control task as an optimization problem where the loss function quantifies the distance from the target state, and we employ neural networks (NNs) as controllers. The system’s time evolution is governed by a stochastic differential equation (SDE). To implement efficient training, we backpropagate the gradient information from the loss function through the SDE solver using adjoint sensitivity methods. As a first example, we feed the quantum state to the controller and focus on different methods of obtaining gradients. As a second example, we directly feed the homodyne detection signal to the controller. The instantaneous value of the homodyne current contains only very limited information on the actual state of the system, masked by unavoidable photon-number fluctuations. Despite the resulting poor signal-to-noise ratio, we can train our controller to prepare and stabilize the qubit to a target state with a mean fidelity of around 85%. We also compare the solutions found by the NN to a hand-crafted control strategy.
FRC-QE: a robust and comparable 3D microscopy image quality metric for cleared organoids
Authors: Preusser Friedrich , dos Santos Natália , Contzen Jörg , Stachelscheid Harald , Costa Érico Tosoni , Mergenthaler Philipp , Preibisch Stephan
Published: March 2021

Here, we propose Fourier ring correlation-based quality estimation (FRC-QE) as a new metric for automated image quality estimation in 3D fluorescence microscopy acquisitions of cleared organoids that yields comparable measurements across experimental replicates, clearing protocols and works for different microscopy modalities.

Availability and implementation

FRC-QE is written in ImgLib2/Java and provided as an easy-to-use and macro-scriptable plugin for Fiji. Code, documentation, sample images and further information can be found under https://github.com/PreibischLab/FRC-QE.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
COVID-19: disease pathways and gene expression changes predict methylprednisolone can improve outcome in severe cases
Authors: Draghici Sorin , Nguyen Tuan-Minh , Sonna Larry A. , Ziraldo Cordelia , Vanciu Radu , Fadel Raef , Morrison Austin , Kenney Rachel M. , Alangaden George , Ramesh Mayur , Mor Gil
Published: March 2021

Motivation

COVID-19 has several distinct clinical phases: a viral replication phase, an inflammatory phase and in some patients, a hyper-inflammatory phase. High mortality is associated with patients developing cytokine storm syndrome. Treatment of hyper-inflammation in these patients using existing approved therapies with proven safety profiles could address the immediate need to reduce mortality.

Results

We analyzed the changes in the gene expression, pathways and putative mechanisms induced by SARS-CoV2 in NHBE, and A549 cells, as well as COVID-19 lung versus their respective controls. We used these changes to identify FDA approved drugs that could be repurposed to help COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms related to hyper-inflammation. We identified methylprednisolone (MP) as a potential leading therapy. The results were then confirmed in five independent validation datasets including Vero E6 cells, lung and intestinal organoids, as well as additional patient lung sample versus their respective controls. Finally, the efficacy of MP was validated in an independent clinical study. Thirty-day all-cause mortality occurred at a significantly lower rate in the MP-treated group compared to control group (29.6% versus 16.6%, P = 0.027). Clinical results confirmed the in silico prediction that MP could improve outcomes in severe cases of COVID-19. A low number needed to treat (NNT = 5) suggests MP may be more efficacious than dexamethasone or hydrocortisone.

Availability and implementation

iPathwayGuide is available at https://advaitabio.com/ipathwayguide/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
OCBIL theory: a new science for old ecosystems
Authors: Silveira Fernando A O , Fiedler Peggy L , Hopper Stephen D
Published: March 2021

This paper is an introduction to the special issue of the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society entitled OCBIL theory: a new science for old ecosystems. Firstly, we elaborate on the origins and development of OCBIL theory, which argues that landscape age, climatic buffering and soil fertility are key environmental dimensions shaping ecological and evolutionary processes across different scales. We then consider the 21 contributions made in this special issue in terms of cutting edge advances in the Southern Hemisphere that test, explore and apply aspects of OCBIL theory at the end of its first decade of formal publication. More attempts at refutation are urged, as untested aspects remain controversial. Lastly, a concluding discussion is offered on promising new lines of enquiry to develop the theory further and ensure its global application to pressing conservation issues facing biological and cultural diversity. Although OCBILs are absent or rare in much of the postglacial and periglacial Northern Hemisphere, we demonstrate, in south-west Europe and North America, starting with California, that they are likely to be found, thus extending the implications and applications of OCBIL theory in new directions. We also propose that, in many ways, Noongar Aboriginal cosmology from south-west Australia has developed sophisticated insights about ancient uplands that are precursors to key ideas in OCBIL theory.
Responses of abundant and rare bacterioplankton to temporal change in a subtropical urban reservoir
Authors: Nyirabuhoro Pascaline , Gao Xiaofei , Ndayishimiye Jean Claude , Xiao Peng , Mo Yuanyuan , Ganjidoust Hossein , Yang Jun
Published: March 2021

Investigation of bacterial community dynamics across different time scales is important for understanding how environmental conditions drive community change over time. Bacterioplankton from the surface waters of a subtropical urban reservoir in southeast China were analyzed through high-frequency sampling over 13 months to compare patterns and ecological processes between short (0‒8 weeks), medium (9‒24 weeks) and long (25‒53 weeks) time intervals. We classified the bacterial community into different subcommunities: abundant taxa (AT); conditionally rare taxa (CRT); rare taxa (RT). CRT contributed > 65% of the alpha-diversity, and temporal change of beta-diversities was more pronounced for AT and CRT than RT. The bacterial community exhibited a directional change in the short- and medium-time intervals and a convergent dynamic during the long-time interval due to a seasonal cycle. Cyanobacteria exhibited a strong succession pattern than other phyla. CRT accounted for > 76% of the network nodes in three stations. The bacteria–environment relationship and deterministic processes were stronger for large sample size at station G (n = 116) than small sample size at stations C (n = 12) and L (n = 22). These findings suggest that a high-frequency sampling approach can provide a better understanding on the time scales at which bacterioplankton can change fast between being abundant or rare, thus providing the facts about environmental factors driving microbial community dynamics. Patterns and processes in alpha- and beta-diversities and community assembly of bacterioplankton differ among different time intervals (short-, medium- and long-time intervals) and different subcommunities (abundant, conditionally rare and rare taxa) in a subtropical urban reservoir, demonstrating the importance of temporal scale and high-frequency sampling in microbial community ecology.
An initial-boundary value problem for the general three-component nonlinear Schrödinger equations on a finite interval
Authors: Yan Zhenya
Published: March 2021

The general three-component nonlinear Schrödinger (gtc-NLS) equations are completely integrable and contain the self-focusing, defocusing and mixed cases, which are applied in many physical fields. In this paper, we would like to use the Fokas method to explore the initial-boundary value (IBV) problem for the gtc-NLS equations with a $4\times 4$ matrix Lax pair on a finite interval based on the inverse scattering transform. The solutions of the gtc-NLS equations can be expressed using the solution of a $4\times 4$ matrix Riemann–Hilbert (RH) problem constructed in the complex $k$-plane. The jump matrices of the RH problem can be explicitly found in terms of three spectral functions related to the initial data, and the Dirichlet–Neumann boundary data, respectively. The global relation between the distinct spectral functions is also proposed to derive two distinct but equivalent types of representations of the Dirichlet–Neumann boundary value problems. Particularly, the relevant formulae for the boundary value problems on the finite interval can generate ones on the half-line as the length of the interval closes to infinity. Finally, we also analyse the linearizable boundary conditions for the Gel’fand–Levitan–Marchenko representation. These results will be useful to further study the solution properties of the IBV problem of the gtc-NLS system by using the Deift–Zhou’s nonlinear steepest descent method and some numerical methods.
The development of nature-inspired gripping system of a flat CFRP strip for stress-ribbon structural layout
Authors: Gribniak Viktor , Arnautov Aleksandr K , Rimkus Arvydas
Published: March 2021

The elegant stress-ribbon systems are efficient in pedestrian bridges and long-span roofs. Numerous studies defined corrosion of the steel ribbons as the main drawback of these structures. Unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a promising alternative to steel because of lightweight, high strength, and excellent corrosion and fatigue resistance. However, the application of CFRP materials faced severe problems due to the construction of the anchorage joints, which must resist tremendous axial forces acting in the stress-ribbons. Conventional techniques, suitable for the typical design of the strips made from anisotropic material such as steel, are not useful for СFRP strips. The anisotropy of СFRP makes it vulnerable to loading in a direction perpendicular to the fibers, shear failure of the matrix, and local stress concentrations. This manuscript proposes a new design methodology of the gripping system suitable for the anchorage of flat strips made from fiber-reinforced polymers. The natural shape of a logarithmic spiral Nautilus shell describes the geometry of the contact surface. The continuous smoothly increasing bond stresses due to friction between the anchorage block and the CFRP strip surface enable the gripping system to avoid stress concentrations. The 3D-printed polymeric prototype mechanical tests proved the proposed frictional anchorage system efficiency and validated the developed analytical model.
If You Love the Forest, then Do Not Kill the Trees: Health Care and a Place for the Particular
Authors: Colgrove Nicholas
Published: March 2021

There are numerous ways in which “the particular”—particular individuals (whether patients or physicians), particular ideologies, values, beliefs, and perspectives—are sometimes overlooked, ignored, or even driven out of the healthcare profession. In many such cases, this is bad for patients, practitioners, and the profession (or so I argue). Hence, we should seek to find a place for the particular in health care. Specific topics that I examine in this essay include distribution of health care based on the particular needs of patients, the importance of protecting physicians’ right to conscientious objection, the value in tolerating a plurality of moral and medical perspectives within the field, and more. Ultimately, as the imagery in the essay’s title suggests, I argue that if one cares about the “well-being” of the medical profession (generally), then one should seek to avoid destroying the many diverse and particular entities that constitute it.
A Source Like Any Other? Field and Survey Experiment Evidence on How Interest Groups Shape Public Opinion
Authors: Jungherr Andreas , Wuttke Alexander , Mader Matthias , Schoen Harald
Published: March 2021

Interest groups increasingly communicate with the public, yet we know little about how effective they are in shaping opinions. Since interest groups differ from other public communicators, we propose a theory of interest group persuasion. Interest groups typically have a low public profile, and so most people are unlikely to have strong attitudes regarding them. Source-related predispositions, such as credibility assessments, are therefore less relevant in moderating effects of persuasive appeals by interest groups than those of high-profile communicators. We test this argument in multiple large-scale studies. A parallel survey and field experiment (N = 4,659) establishes the persuasive potential of low-profile interest groups in both controlled and realistic settings. An observational study (N = 700) shows that substantial portions of the public are unable to assess interest group credibility. A survey experiment (N = 8,245) demonstrates that credibility assessments moderate the impact of party but not interest group communication.
A Scoping Review of Social Support Research among Refugees in Resettlement: Implications for Conceptual and Empirical Research
Authors: Wachter Karin , Bunn Mary , Schuster Roseanne C , Boateng Godfred O , Cameli Kaila , Johnson-Agbakwu Crista E
Published: March 2021

This study reviewed social support research with refugees in resettlement by assessing the scope of scholarship and examining methodological approaches, definitions, theoretical frameworks, domains, and sources of support. The scoping review followed a systematic approach that retained 41 articles for analysis. The findings indicate that refugee resettlement studies seldom conceptualizes social support as a central focus, defines the concept, draws from related theory, or examines multifaceted components of the construct. The review nevertheless yielded promising findings for future conceptual and empirical research. The analysis identified a wide range of relevant domains and sources of social support, laying the foundation for a socio-ecological model of social support specific to refugee experiences in resettlement. The findings also indicate an imperative to examine and theorize social support vis-à-vis diverse groups as a main outcome of interest, in connection to a range of relevant outcomes, and longitudinally in recognition of the temporal processes in resettlement.
“Boundaries Bind Unbinding”: Jazz and Cold War Cosmopolitanism in the Margins of Langston Hughes’sAsk Your Mama
Authors: Schuster Adam
Published: March 2021

While Langston Hughes is typically read as a staunch supporter of solidarity defined by descent, I suggest that his 1961 poem Ask Your Mama pursues a form of sociality that privileges race but is not exclusively determined by it, instead exploring possibilities for cosmopolitan exchange. As the negotiation of alterity and the reexamination of inherited attachments—cultural, racial, or national—cosmopolitanism is a crucial although understudied radical strain of thought in this moment, and one we can hear sounded in Hughes’s jazz poem. Hughes’s column for the Chicago Defender displays traces of a cosmopolitan ethos leading up to the composition of Ask Your Mama, traces that coincide with the transnational values inspired by jazz’s increasingly international circulation. Drawing on the surge in music’s postwar commercial and state-sanctioned circulation, Hughes’s poem becomes a unification of his own impulse to expand affiliations across national and ethno-racial lines and the discourses around jazz and other vernacular music. Ask Your Mama combines generic forms and overlays scales of exchange that exceed any neatly defined geographic origin or cultural category. Analyzing these combinations of poetry and music, I show how networks of alternative meanings are produced that reconfigure relations between geographic distance, community, and identity, the comingling of disparate cultures and national affiliations formalized in the interstices of music and poetic verse. Ultimately, Hughes demonstrates how, amid the overlapping seizures and resignifications of black cultural production at mid-century, jazz music could be reclaimed and repurposed to transform poetry’s structure and rearticulate the boundaries of ethno-racial solidarity.
Infrared lags in the light curves of AGNs measured using a deep survey
Authors: Elmer E , Merrifield M , Almaini O , Hartley W G , Maltby D T
Published: March 2021

Information on the structure around active galactic nuclei (AGNs) has long been derived from measuring lags in their varying light output at different wavelengths. In principle, infrared data would reach to larger radii, potentially even probing reprocessed radiation in any surrounding dusty torus. In practice, this has proved challenging because high quality data are required to detect such variability, and the observations must stretch over a long period to probe the likely month-scale lags in variability. In addition, large numbers of sources would need to be observed to start searching for any patterns in such lags. Here, we show that the UKIDSS Ultra Deep Survey, built up from repeated observations over almost a decade, provides an ideal data set for such a study. For 94 sources identified as strongly varying AGNs within its square-degree field, we find that the K-band light curves systematically lag the J-band light curves by an average of around a month. The lags become smaller at higher redshift, consistent with the band shift to optical rest-frame emission. The less luminous AGNs also display shorter lags, as would be expected if their physical size scales with luminosity.
Migrant Inflows and Online Expressions of Regional Prejudice in China
Authors: Wang Xi , Zhang Yang , Wang Shangguan , Zhao Kang
Published: March 2021

China started market-oriented reforms in the late 1970s, and a fundamental social change in post-reform China has been massive migration. The primary purpose of this research is to examine the effect of migrant inflows on online expressions of regional prejudice, which is defined as expressions of antipathy toward migrants. In particular, we examine the dynamics of expressions of regional prejudice on Weibo, a popular Twitter-like social media site in China. Furthermore, we explain online expressions of regional prejudice through the lens of the group-threat and contact theories, and seek potential conditions that facilitate the development of a positive relationship between local residents and migrants. Our findings lend strong support to the group-contact argument that migrant inflows reduce online expressions of regional prejudice in China. The contact effect is larger when migrant inflows are measured in terms of migrant labor and interprovince migrants, who represent China’s typical migrants. Furthermore, the contact effect is only observed in relatively small cities, while a small threat effect is observed in mega and super-mega cities where the population-control system is strictly maintained.
Application of Extradural Nerve Root Transfer in the Restoration of Lower Limb Function in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Chen Hongtao , Cao Jiang , Zhang Sheng , Sui Tao , Yang Kaixiang , Cao Xiaojian
Published: March 2021

Study Design.

Two fresh-frozen and six formalin-fixed cadavers were included in the study.

Objective.

To ascertain whether transferring T9 or T11 ventral root (VR) to L2 VR and T10 or T12 VR to L3 VR in restoring lower limb function after spinal cord injury is anatomically feasible.

Summary of Background Data.

Lower limb paralysis impairs the quality of the life and places burden on the whole society. However, no significant improvement in this area was achieved during recent years.

Methods.

In the present study, two fresh-frozen and six formalin-fixed cadavers were dissected to confirm the anatomical feasibility. A limited laminectomy was performed to expose the T9–L3 extradural nerve roots. T9 and T10 VR were anastomosed to L2 and L3 VR respectively, or T11 and T12 VR were anastomosed to L2 and L3 VR respectively. The pertinent distances between the donor and recipient nerves were measured and H&E staining was used to detect the axon number and cross-section area of each VR.

Results.

The limited incision was performed to expose the T9–L3 nerve root. According to the anatomic landmark of dorsal root ganglion, each VR could be isolated from each extradural nerve root. The T9 or T11 VR needs sural nerve graft to be transferred to L2 VR, and T10 or T12 VR also needs a nerve bridge to connect to L3 VR. The nerve numbers of T9, T10, T11, T12, L2, and L3 VRs and the sural nerves were measured respectively. The cross-section areas of T9, T10, T11, T12, L2, and L3 VRs and sural nerves were measured respectively.

Conclusion.

Our study suggested that application of transferring T9 or T11 VR to L2 VR and T10 or T12 VR to L3 VR in restoring lower limb function is anatomically feasible.

Level of Evidence: 5
A New Solution to an Old Problem: Ultrasound-guided Cervical Retrolaminar Injection for Acute Cervical Radicular Pain
Authors: Hochberg Uri , Perez Mario Fajardo , Brill Silviu , Khashan Morsi , de Santiago Jesus
Published: March 2021

Study Design.

Prospective clinical pilot study and cadaveric study.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the spread of an ultrasound-guided interfascial plane blocks (UGIPBs) and its potential efficacy for cervical radiculopathy.

Summary of Background Data.

Cervical radiculopathy is a common disorder, potentially leading to severe pain and disability. Conservative treatment with cervical epidural steroid injections (ESI) is limited by concerns regarding their safety. UGIPBs are used in cervical surgical procedures as part of the multimodal postoperative analgesia regimen however, were not described for cervical radiculopathy.

Methods.

Twelve patients with acute cervical radicular pain who failed conservative treatment and were candidates for surgery were offered a cervical retrolaminar injection. A solution of 4 mL lidocaine 0.5% and 10 mg dexamethasone was injected, assisted by ultrasound guidance, at the posterior aspect of the cervical lamina corresponding to the compressed nerve root level. Additionally, a cadaver study was carried to evaluate the contrast spread and infiltration into near structures, both anatomically and radiographically.

Results.

Twelve patients underwent the procedure, with a mean follow-up time of 14.5 weeks. Average numerical rating scale improved from 7.25 at baseline to 2.83 following the injection (P < 0.001). Three patients received 2 to 3 injections without significant improvement and were eventually operated. No adverse events were reported.

In the cadaver study, fluoroscopy demonstrated contrast spread between T1 and T3 caudally, C2 to C5 cranially and facet joints laterally. Anatomically, the dye spread was demonstrated up to C2 cranially, T1 caudally, the articular pillars of C4 to C7, and the neural foramen of C6 laterally.

Conclusion.

A solution injected into the cervical retrolaminar plane can diffuse in the cranial-caudal axis to C2-T3 and laterally to the facet joints and the cervical neural foramen. Our pilot study confirmed the feasibility of our study protocol. Future studies are needed to support our early results.

Level of Evidence: 4
A Kenyan Village As An Innovative Learning Environment
Authors: Denke Linda , Schrum Nola , Munoz Yun
Published: March 2021

Cultural sensitivity and improved communication and assessment skills for undergraduate nursing students are the primary aims of a medical mission experience based on an innovative learning environment in a rural African village. Nursing faculty implement components of Irby's Conceptual Framework for Learning Environments to facilitate students' integration and understanding of didactic information and the holistic practice of nursing while decreasing students' dependence on technology.
Stigma of Treatment Stages for First-Episode Psychosis: A Conceptual Framework for Early Intervention Services
Authors: Yang Lawrence H. , Blasco Drew , Lieff Sarah A. , Le PhuongThao D. , Li YiPing , Broeker Marianne , Mascayano Franco , Bello Iruma , Nossel Ilana , Dixon Lisa
Published: March 2021

Early intervention services (EIS; in the United States, Coordinated Specialty Care) can lead to substantial improvements in psychiatric symptoms and social functioning for individuals with first-episode psychosis who engage in treatment. Nevertheless, stigma associated with early intervention services can limit their full potential benefits by preventing or reducing participation. Drawing from Corrigan’s “why try” model positing relationships between public and self-stigma, engagement in treatment services, and the EIS treatment model, this article proposes a framework that delineates how distinct forms of stigma are linked to given stages of treatment engagement in first-episode psychosis. We identify three phases of engagement: (1) community outreach, which has associations with public stigma; (2) the referral and evaluation process, which primarily has associations with self-stigma; and (3) EIS, which have associations with self-stigma and its psychosocial consequences. For each phase, we describe evidence-based strategies typically provided by EIS programs, using OnTrackNY as an exemplary model, to illustrate potential linkages in our conceptual framework. By specifying how distinct forms of stigma are associated with EIS treatment stages, this framework is intended to guide EIS programs in explicitly addressing stigma to optimize recovery of individuals with first-episode psychosis.
A Perspective for Understanding Trauma and the Criminal Juvenile Justice System: Using a Trauma-Informed Lens for Meaningful and Sustained Change
Authors: Moreland Alisha , Ressler Kerry J.
Published: March 2021

Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder are common and are associated with a wide range of negative psychiatric and physical outcomes. Furthermore, a large percentage of justice-involved youth have high rates of trauma exposure and trauma-related symptoms. Addressing these issues would improve outcomes at the level of the justice system overall and in the lives of justice-involved youth. Nonetheless, awareness, education, and implementation of trauma-informed approaches in the criminal juvenile justice system are lacking. This article explores current literature that operationalizes trauma-informed practices and approaches in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Unfortunately, there is no shared understanding or definition of trauma and no predictability in trauma-informed practices and approaches in the criminal juvenile justice system. Despite the presence of written policies, the application and execution of such policies are limited and inconsistent throughout the system. These limitations contribute to ongoing, systemic institutional racism, lack of mental health or substance abuse treatment, limited diversion options, and unnecessary jail and prison sentences, which together amplify financial and humanitarian costs. We argue that in order for the criminal juvenile justice system to become trauma-informed, it should (1) meet basic needs of clients, (2) check and change narratives, and check underlying assumptions, (3) focus on skill building/habilitation, (4) move away from punishment and toward rehabilitation and humanitarian approaches, and (5) heal and support members that work in and for the system. We conclude that there is a need to improve processes for education, training, and coaching in, and consistent application of, trauma-informed practices and approaches within the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
Does significantly elevated lung shunt fraction (LSF >20%) promote extrahepatic progression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with radioembolization?
Authors: Pan Michael M. , Gabr Ahmed , Riaz Ahsun , Mouli Samdeep , Salem Riad , Lewandowski Robert J
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y-90) is an effective locoregional therapy for primary and metastatic liver tumors, but its use is restricted or contraindicated for patients with elevated lung shunt fraction (LSF) because of an increased risk of developing pulmonary adverse events, including but not limited to radiation pneumonitis. Elevated LSF is also thought to be correlated with liver tumor progression and metastases.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we examine rates of metastasis development, rates of adverse events and overall survival (OS) in 23 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and elevated LSF >20% on Tc-99 m macroaggregated albumin scan treated with Y-90 radioembolization at our institution from 2005 to 2016. To minimize confounding variables, patients with baseline extrahepatic metastases or portal vein tumor thrombosis were excluded. Kaplan–Meier estimates were performed for OS and time to development of metastases.

Results

No patient developed clinical and imaging signs of radiation pneumonitis. Median intention to treat OS from day of radioembolization was 21.3 months; median censored OS was 14.7 months. Five out of 23 patients (22%) developed at least one metastasis during follow-up, for an incidence of 20 per 1000 patient-years (compared to the historical rate of 6 per 1000 patient-years for HCC patients in general).

Conclusion

HCC patients with LSF >20% treated with Y-90 radioembolization have acceptable toxicities and appear to have a rate of extrahepatic tumor development (22%) higher than expected for patients with HCC.
Association of Maternal Vitamin B12 Status With Infant Findings and Neurodevelopment in Vitamin B12-Deficient Breast-fed Babies
Authors: Keskin Ebru Yilmaz , Keskin Mahmut , Karaibrahimoğlu Adnan
Published: March 2021

Few studies have examined the association between maternal vitamin B12 status and their breast-fed infants’ findings. The objective of this study was to analyze the association of maternal B12 status with infant findings including neurodevelopmental outcome in breast-fed babies with B12 deficiency. Correlation analyses between the laboratory findings of infants with B12 deficiency (n=120) and their mothers were performed and the association of maternal B12 status with infant findings including the Denver-II developmental screening test (DDST II) results was examined. There was a significant correlation between infant and maternal B12 levels (r=0.222; P=0.030), and between infant and maternal homocysteine (Hcy) levels (r=0.390; P<0.001). Among the babies 4 months of age or older, maternal Hcy levels were significantly correlated with infant mean corpuscular hemoglobin (r=0.404; P=0.001) and infant mean corpuscular volume (r=0.461; P<0.001). Mothers of infants with abnormal DDST II had lower vitamin B12 (196.9±41.2 vs. 247.0±77.0 pg/mL; P=0.018) and higher Hcy levels (17.3±5.0 vs. 10.7±3.1 µmol/L; P<0.001) than mothers of infants with normal DDST II. A lower maternal vitamin B12 status may be related to impaired neurodevelopment in breast-fed infants with vitamin B12 deficiency. Pregnant and lactating women should be offered easy access to healthy nutrition and vitamin B12 supplements.
A Prediction Model for Assessing Prognosis in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis-associated Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Hu Hongbin , Li Lulan , Zhang Yuan , Sha Tong , Huang Qiaobing , Guo Xiaohua , An Shengli , Chen Zhongqing , Zeng Zhenhua
Published: March 2021

Background:

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is a common problem in critically ill patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early prediction of the survival of hospitalized patients with SA-AKI is necessary, but a reliable and valid prediction model is still lacking.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis based on a training cohort of 2,066 patients enrolled from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care Database III (MIMIC III) and a validation cohort of 102 patients treated at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to identify predictors for survival. Areas under the ROC curves (AUC), the concordance index (C-index), and calibration curves were used to evaluate the efficiency of the prediction model (SAKI) in both cohorts.

Results:

The overall mortality of SA-AKI was approximately 18%. Age, admission type, liver disease, metastatic cancer, lactate, BUN/SCr, admission creatinine, positive culture, and AKI stage were independently associated with survival and combined in the SAKI model. The C-index in the training and validation cohorts was 0.73 and 0.72. The AUC in the training cohort was 0.77, 0.72, and 0.70 for the 7-day, 14-day, and 28-day probability of in-hospital survival, respectively, while in the external validation cohort, it was 0.83, 0.73, and 0.67. SAPSII and SOFA scores showed poorer performance. Calibration curves demonstrated a good consistency.

Conclusions:

Our SAKI model has predictive value for in-hospital mortality of SA-AKI in critically ill patients and outperforms generic scores.