bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inverse Design of a Three Dimensional Furnace With Moving Design Environment
Authors: Ertürk Hakan , Ezekoye Ofodike A. , Howell John R.
Published: November 2021

The inverse design of a three-dimensional furnace that is built to heat an object moving along a conveyor belt of an assembly line is considered. A furnace of this type can be used by the manufacturing industry for applications such as curing of paint, annealing or manufacturing through chemical deposition. The object that is to be heated moves along the furnace as it is heated following a specified temperature history while the spatial temperature distribution is kept isothermal through the whole process. The temperature distribution of the heaters of the furnace should be changed as the object moves so that the specified temperature history can be satisfied. The design problem is a transient design problem where a series of inverse solutions is utilized. The process furnace considered is in the shape of a rectangular tunnel where the heaters are located at top and the design object moves at the bottom.

The inverse formulation of such a system is advantageous over a traditional trial-and-error solution where an iterative solution is required for every position as the object moves. The inverse formulation of the design problem involves ill-posed Fredholm equation of the first kind and the use of a regularized solver rather than an ordinary one such as Gauss-Seidel or Gauss elimination is essential. The radiative transfer is formulated utilizing the Monte Carlo method that enables including further realistic characteristics like specularly reflecting walls.
Sphere-to-Sphere Radiative Transfer Coefficient for Packed Sphere System
Authors: Lee S. H.-K. , Ip S. C.-H. , Wu A. K. C.
Published: November 2021

Rapid sintering is one of the most attractive metalworking technologies due to its ability to fabricate the final product with different microstructure in an economical manner. During this process, the high heating rate would induce a great thermal gradient to the sintering part. Such temperature differences affect the microstructure of the product, which in turn leads to the occurrence of microstructure defects. However, for this non-isothermal sintering, the present Radiative Transfer Equation approach or Units/Cells approach cannot effectively compute the temperature distributions inside the porous media, so as to predict the part defects. Cumbersome computations are needed for the Radiative Transfer Equation approach. For the Units/Cells approach, the use of regular assembly in the model limits the analysis of complex packed sphere systems. This study seeks to simplify the entire computational process for different packed sphere systems. By introducing a Radiative Transfer Coefficient (RTC) approach, the computation of radiative heat transfer within the porous bed can be enhanced. The newly introduced Radiative Transfer Coefficient is defined as the ratio of radiative energy exchange, including direct and indirect exchange, from the emitting sphere to the receiving sphere, which is a function of the system microstructure and radiative properties. A set of energy-balanced algebraic equations can then be established. With an appropriate initial energy guess for each sphere, these equations can be solved by the Gauss-Seidel iteration scheme, thereby computing the radiative heat transfer in packed sphere systems with different microstructures and radiative properties. The temperature for each sphere can therefore be computed right away. This model has been validated in different perspectives. With this RTC approach, the overall computational time required is significantly shorter, providing a set of fine-resolution temperature solution.
Impact of Die Attach Material and Substrate Design on RF GaAs Power Amplifier Devices Thermal Performance
Authors: Chiriac Victor Adrian , Lee Tien -Yu Tom
Published: November 2021

The latest commercial applications for microelectronics use GaAs material for RF Power Amplifier devices. This leads to the necessity of identifying low cost packaging solutions with high standards for reliability, electrical and thermal performance. A detailed thermal analysis for the wirebonded GaAs devices is performed using numerical simulations. The main interest of the study focuses on the impact of die attach thermal conductivity (1.0 to 7.0 W/mK), substrate’s top metal layer thickness (25 to 50 μm), and via wall thickness (25 to 50 μm) on GaAs IC device overall thermal performance.

The study uses a 2-layer organic substrate; the die attach thickness is 15μm. The peak temperatures reached by PA stages range from 102.7°C to 113.5°C, below the prohibitive/critical value of 150°C (based on 85°C ambient temperature). The increase of die attach thermal conductivity (3 times) led to a slight decrease in peak temperatures (up to 5°C) and the decay is much larger between the cases with 1 and 2.4 W/mK. The largest temperature differences were obtained by varying the thermal via thickness, as opposed to only increasing the top metal layer thickness. The peak temperatures and corresponding junction to ambient thermal resistances are documented. It is determined that for the same die attach thickness, for a thermal conductivity larger than 7 W/mK, the impact on the PA’s peak temperature is insignificant.
MEMS Enabled Micro Spray Cooling System for Thermal Control of Electronic Chips
Authors: Yao S. C. , Amon C. H. , Gabriel K. , Kumta P. , Murthy J. Y. , Wu C. F. , Hsieh C. C. , Boyalakuntla D. , Narumanchi S. V. J. , Rebello K.
Published: November 2021

Liquid cooling of electronic devices becomes necessary when the chip-level heat fluxes increase and traditional air cooling encounters ever-increasing difficulties. From all the liquid cooling processes, spray cooling appears more successful due to its high critical heat flux, relatively low liquid flow rates, highly controllable, and the non-existence of boiling incipient hysterisis. This paper describes the development of the EDIFICE project (Embedded Droplet Impingement For Integrated Cooling of Electronics), which seeks to develop an integrated droplet impingement cooling device for removing chip heat fluxes in the range 50–100 W/cm2, employing latent heat of vaporization of dielectric fluids. Micro-spray nozzles are fabricated on silicon using MEMS technology to produce 100 micron droplets with odd shaped nozzles and swirling nozzles. The effects of shape, size, type of fluid, and swirling are tested and discussed. Spray heat transfer on silicon surfaces is studied with various surface texturing on the backside of the chip to promote spreading and evaporation of cold fluids as well as at heated conditions. The effects of configuration and fluids are revealed. Numerical modeling is used to study preliminary designs at both the device and system level. The paper describes progress made in the development of the EDIFICE device.
A Case Study of Hyperthermia Induced Temperature Computations in Human Sarcomas Using Discrete Vasculature and Relative Perfusion Maps
Authors: Craciunescu Oana I. , Raaymakers Bas W. , Kotte Alexis N. T. J. , Das Shiva K. , Samulski Thaddeus V. , Lagendijk Jan J. W.
Published: November 2021

One of the most important technical aspects in clinical hyperthermia is the ability to measure and/or simulate the 3D temperature fields. Related to that, an essential part is the way in which the complex heat transfer related to vasculature is described. We report here the results of a collaboration between the hyperthermia modeling groups from the UMC Utrecht, The Netherlands, and Duke UMC, USA. Utrecht’s hyperthermia group has developed a flexible, discrete vasculature thermal model (DIVA) (Kotte et al. 1996) that describes the heat transfer related to discrete vasculature. The vasculature was imaged using MR angiography. To account for the smaller vessels that are responsible for the significant bioheat transport, relative perfusion maps measured at Duke using dynamic enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging were used. Alternatively, the VAMP program (Van Leeuwen et al. 1998) was used to artificially generate smaller vasculature. The cases with discretized vasculature were compared to continuum models where either heterogeneous isotropic perfusion, or relative perfusion maps were used. All simulations were compared to MR thermometry data. The conclusion is that for tumors crossed by or near large vessels, a combination of large vessels discretization and perfusion maps yields temperatures that match very well the MR thermometry data.
Elastic Wave Propagation in Circumferential Direction in Anisotropic Pipes
Authors: Towfighi S. , Kundu T. , Ehsani M.
Published: November 2021

Ultrasonic nondestructive inspection of large diameter pipes is important for health monitoring of ailing infrastructure. Longitudinal stress-corrosion cracks are detected more efficiently by inducing circumferential waves; hence, the study of elastic wave propagation in the circumferential direction of a pipe is essential. The current state of knowledge lacks a complete solution of this problem. Only when the pipe material is isotropic a solution of the wave propagation problem in the circumferential direction exists. Ultrasonic inspections of reinforced concrete pipes and pipes retrofitted by fiber composites necessitate the development of a new theoretical solution for elastic wave propagation in anisotropic pipes in the circumferential direction. Mathematical modeling of the problem to obtain dispersion curves for anisotropic materials leads to coupled differential equations. Unlike isotropic materials for which the Stokes-Helmholtz decomposition technique simplifies the problem, in anisotropic case no such general decomposition technique works. These coupled differential equations are solved in this paper. Dispersion curves for anisotropic pipes of different curvatures have been computed and presented. Some numerical results computed by the new technique have been compared with those available in the literature.
Strength and Stiffness of Aluminum/PTFE Reactive Composites
Authors: Saigal A. , Joshi V. S.
Published: November 2021

Aluminum/Polytetrafluoroethylene mixtures are currently being studied as reactive material compositions, with focus on shock or impact ignition. In addition, there is an emphasis on increasing the strength of these composites to survive high strain-rate deformation. In this research, an analytical model, based on Eshelby’s approach, and a three-dimensional elastoplastic finite element model were developed along with experimental measurements to investigate the effect of the shape and size of aluminum: spherical particles, whiskers, and fibers, on the strength and stiffness of Aluminum/Polytetrafluoroethylene composites. It was found that the existing surface and size characteristics of aluminum particles (e.g. texturing) play an important role on the mechanical behavior of these composites.
Draft System for Enhanced Impact Protection and Train Action Control: Validation by Testing and Computer Modeling
Authors: Clark Marlin E.
Published: November 2021

Certain types of freight cars that are normally equipped with conventional draft gears to protect car structure from coupling impact forces can benefit from additional buff travel. This reduces the coupler force experienced by the car structure; limiting the potential for structural and fatigue damage and improving wear characteristics. This can be accomplished within the standard draft pocket dimensions, allowing for improvements in both retrofit and new applications. Impact test data will show reductions in coupler force as compared to conventional draft gear systems under identical impact conditions. With additional buff travel available, greater protection is afforded against encounters with higher speed impacts.

Train action control can be enhanced through the application of an elastomeric spring with a stiffer non-linear spring rate. Conventional draft systems use a yoke around the draft gear, permitting the full travel of the device in both the draft and buff modes. The free slack transversed in reversal from buff to draft mode, followed by the relatively soft spring rate of a conventional draft gear, especially at low velocity, can result in over-solid conditions and high force peaks. Car separation and car closure velocities are typically low, such as two miles per hour, so the effect of softer spring rate can be detrimental.

The stiffer non-linear spring rate offers improved force transfer through each car as the force wave propagates through the train; the gradual and simultaneous buildup of force at each end of the car reduces relative car velocities and thus the severity of force transfer through each coupled connection. The elimination of a mechanical oversolid stop, replaced by the elastomeric spring, as it becomes stiffer with travel, also limits the end force experienced by the freight car structure. Computer modeling will show the advantages of this system during severe transient events, such as train startups and dynamic braking.
A large-scale investigation by ultrasound of fetal hepatic venous system variants in China
Authors: Gou Zhongshan , Yan Xinxin , Sun Baojuan , Zhang Jie , Liu Hongmei , Ni Caifang
Published: November 2021

Aim: To investigate the types, associated anomalies and postnatal outcomes of fetal hepatic venous system (HVS) variants by ultrasound in China.Material and methods: A large-scale and prospective investigation of HVS variants for low-risk singleton pregnant women was performed in three academic tertiary referral care centers in China. Ultrasound imaging wasused for the identification and follow-up of anatomical variants. Follow-up was conducted once every four weeks prenatally and every two months postnatally, mainly concerned on the adverse events that may appear.Results: There were 20848 cases with anatomical variants of fetal HVS identified from 46179 candidates during the study period. Following the anatomical position of variants occurring, four main divisions were present: main portal vein variants (17.9%), intrahepatic portal vein variants (21.30%), intrahepatic persistent right umbilical vein (0.27%) and hepatic vein variants (5.67%). In the fetal period, the pregnancy of all cases was normally continued, except that the pregnancy of two cases, which were associated with multiple anomalies and were terminated by their parents. After birth, approximately 99.47% of the cases with isolated variants orbeing associated no clinic significant anomalies were normally alive. Approximately 0.50% cases were associated with simple ventricular septum defect or tetralogy of Fallot and further treatment was needed.Conclusion: The anatomical variants of fetal HVS may appear as numerical, morphological or positional variants of MPV, intrahepatic PV branches, intrahepatic PRUV and HVs. The majority of cases are isolated or their associated anomalies are not clinically significant and have normal lifeafter birth.
Programmable and contractile materials through cell encapsulation in fibrous hydrogel assemblies
Authors: Davidson Matthew D. , Prendergast Margaret E. , Ban Ehsan , Xu Karen L. , Mickel Gabriel , Mensah Patricia , Dhand Abhishek , Janmey Paul A. , Shenoy Vivek B. , Burdick Jason A.
Published: November 2021

Synthetic fibrous materials were engineered to contract under cellular forces similar to natural extracellular matrix.
In situ activation of Br-confined Ni-based metal-organic framework hollow prisms toward efficient electrochemical oxygen evolution
Authors: Cheng Weiren , Xi Shibo , Wu Zhi-Peng , Luan Deyan , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: November 2021

Structutral evolution of Br-Ni-MOF hollow prism catalysts during OER is promptly identified by operando XAFS spectroscopy.
Developing nociceptor-selective treatments for acute and chronic pain
Authors: Jayakar Selwyn , Shim Jaehoon , Jo Sooyeon , Bean Bruce P. , Singeç Ilyas , Woolf Clifford J.
Published: November 2021

Phenotypic screens using human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived nociceptors hold promise for the development of better analgesics.
High-Resolution Linear Epitope Mapping of the Receptor Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Recipients
Authors: Nitahara Yuko , Nakagama Yu , Kaku Natsuko , Candray Katherine , Michimuko Yu , Tshibangu-Kabamba Evariste , Kaneko Akira , Yamamoto Hiromasa , Mizobata Yasumitsu , Kakeya Hiroshi , Yasugi Mayo , Kido Yasutoshi
Published: November 2021

Establishing vaccine-based population immunity has been the key factor in attaining herd protection. Thanks to expedited worldwide research efforts, the potency of mRNA vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now incontestable.
Intracellular Low Iron Exerts Anti-BK Polyomavirus Effect by Inhibiting the Protein Synthesis of Exogenous Genes
Authors: Sun Jiajia , Shi Yejing , Shi Huichun , Hou Yumin , Hu Chunlan , Zeng Yigang , Wu Guoyi , Zhu Tongyu
Published: November 2021

BKPyV poses a serious threat to the health of immunocompromised patients, and there are currently no curative drugs. Understanding the relationship between the virus and intracellular environment contributes to the discovery of antiviral targets.
Paediatric pneumonia: deriving a model to identify severe disease
Authors: Haggie Stuart , Barnes Elizabeth H , Selvadurai Hiran , Gunasekera Hasantha , Fitzgerald Dominic A
Published: November 2021

Background

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of childhood hospitalisation. Limited data exist on factors predicting severe disease with no paediatric-specific predictive tools.

Methods

Retrospective cohort (2011–2016) of hospitalised CAP cases. We analysed clinical variables collected at hospital presentation against outcomes. Stratified outcomes were mild (hospitalised), moderate (invasive drainage procedure, intensive care) or severe (mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, death).

Results

We report 3330 CAP cases, median age 2.0 years (IQR 1–5 years), with 2950 (88.5%) mild, 305 (9.2%) moderate and 75 (2.3%) severe outcomes. Moderate-severe outcomes were associated with hypoxia (SaO2<90%; OR 6.6, 95% CI 5.1 to 8.5), increased work of breathing (severe vs normal OR 5.8, 95% CI 4.2 to 8.0), comorbidities (4+ comorbidities vs nil; OR 8.8, 95% CI 5.5 to 14) and being indigenous (OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.6 to 8.4). Febrile children were less likely than afebrile children to have moderate-severe outcomes (OR 0.57 95% CI 0.44 to 0.74). The full model receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) was 0.78. Sensitivity analyses showed similar results with clinical or radiological CAP definitions. We derived a clinical tool to stratify low, intermediate or high likelihood of severe disease (AUC 0.72). High scores (≥5) had nearly eight times higher odds of moderate-severe disease than those with a low (≤1) score (OR 7.7 95% CI 5.6 to 10.5).

Conclusions

A clinical risk prediction tool is needed for child CAP. We have identified risk factors and derived a simple clinical tool using clinical variables at hospital presentation to determine a child’s risk of invasive or intensive care treatment with an ROC AUC comparable with adult pneumonia tools.
Acupuncture for breathlessness in advanced cancer: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis
Authors: Yin Zihan , Xu Tao , Sun Mingsheng , Zhao Ling , Liang Fanrong
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Breathlessness in advanced cancer, a frequent multicomponent and debilitating disorder, severely reduces function and quality of patients’ life. Multiple studies have shown that non-pharmacological therapies can effectively palliate breathlessness in advanced cancer. However, no systematic review has investigated the application of acupuncture, as a non-pharmacological treatment, for breathlessness in advanced cancer. A systematic review will be conducted to summarise evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of acupuncture as a therapeutic option for breathlessness in advanced cancer based on existing randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

RCTs will be retrieved from nine scientific databases, including the MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science via the Web of Knowledge, Embase via Ovid, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials via the Cochrane Library, and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database via EBSCO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database; three clinical registry platforms, including the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, NIH Clinical trials.gov and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, as well as from other sources. Studies published since inception of these databases to 1 August 2021 will be retrieved. Search terms will include breathlessness, cancer, acupuncture and RCT. Two investigators will independently select and extract data from RCTs and assess the risk of bias. The primary outcome, which is alleviation of breathlessness, will be assessed. Meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan V.5.4 and STATA V.15.0. The TSA 0.9.5.10 β software will be used to conduct trial sequential analysis. Finally, the quality of evidence from RCTs will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation System tool.

Ethics and dissemination

Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals or conference reports. Since this study involves acquisition of secondary data, ethical approval requirements will be waived.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021240085.
Supplementing hand washing with proper use of alcoholic hand rub in a special neonatal care unit in a large academic public health institute at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Singh Mahtab , Agrawal Avyact , Sisodia Deepti , Kasar Pardeep Kumar , Kaur Arvinder , Datta Vikram , Savanna Ravi Shankar , Singh Manish , Livesley Nigel
Published: November 2021

Objective

The purpose was to increase use of alcoholic hand rub (AHR) in specialised newborn care unit (SNCU) to improve hand hygiene in order to reduce neonatal sepsis and mortality at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College and Hospital, Jabalpur.

Design

A prospective interventional and observational study.

Methodology

We formed a quality improvement (QI) team in our SNCU consisting of doctors, nurses, auxiliary staff and parents (a floating member) to improve proper use of AHR. To identify the barriers to the problem, we used fishbone analysis tool. The barriers which were not allowing the health providers to use AHR properly identified were amount of AHR in millilitres to be used per day per baby, how much and when the amount of AHR to be indented from the main store and what is the proper site to place the bottle. We used plan–do–study–act cycles to test and adapt solutions to these problems. Within 5–6 weeks of starting our project, AHR use increased from 44 mL to 92 mL per baby per day and this is sustained around 100 mL per baby per day for over 2 years now.

Results

Significant decrease in neonatal mortality was observed (reduced from median of 41.0 between August 2016 and April 2018 to 24.0 between May 2018 and December 2019). The neonates discharged alive improved from 41.2 to 52.3 as a median percentage value. The percentage of babies who were referred out and went Left Against Medical Advice (LAMA) deceased too.

Conclusion

Multiple factors can lead to neonatal deaths, but the important factors are always contextual to facilities. QI methodology provides health workers with the skills to identify the major factors contributing to mortality and develop strategies to deal with them. Improving processes of care can lead to improved hand hygiene and saves lives.
‘Written of by novelists’: scripting and managing emotions in 19th-century medical manuscripts
Authors: Thompson Courtney E
Published: November 2021

Literary and medical historical scholars have long explored the work of physician–writers and the cross-pollination of literature and medicine. However, few scholars have considered how these interactions have shaped medical manuscripts and the echoes they contain of the emotional contours of the medical encounter. This essay uses the papers of Southern physician Andrew Bowles Holder (1860–1896) to explore how the emotions of the physician were managed at the bedside and in the aftermath of medical encounters through recourse to literary thinking. Holder, like many 19th-century physicians, was an avid reader with an interest in literary endeavours, and his manuscripts reveal the influences of literature on his work as a physician. This article frames the bedside as a theatre of emotions, in which Holder’s performance and management of his emotions was key to his professional identity. His literary interests thus provided him with two tools: first, literature provided him with models for how to respond to and record different kinds of medical encounters, particularly deaths, near-death experiences and childbirth; second, his mode of keeping these records, which included the production of poetry as well as medical prose, served as a technology of coping, further allowing him to manage his emotions by exorcising them on the page.
Complexity factor for anisotropic self-gravitating sphere in Rastall gravity
Authors: Nazar H. , Alkhaldi Ali H. , Abbas G. , Shahzad M. R.
Published: November 2021

This paper investigates the new definition of complexity factor for the case of irrotational spherical relativistic structure in the Rastall theory of gravity (RTG). To do so, we assumed static spherically symmetric metric with anisotropic self-gravitating fluid. We studied Rastall field equations, generalized nonconservation equation, mass function and physical impacts of Rastall parameter [Formula: see text] on various material variables by employing certain observational data of compact objects like PSR J1614-2230, 4U1608-52, SAX J 1808.4-3658, 4U1820-30 and Vela X-1. We obtained structure scalars through orthogonal decomposition of the curvature tensor and then utilize these scalars to find the complexity factor of the self-gravitating spherical structure. We examined that the vanishing complexity factor condition is an effective energy density inhomogeneity and an effective anisotropy of pressure which must cancel each other, employed the condition [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we also depicted the solutions of interior formation of spherical stellar object regarding to this vanishing complexity condition. Finally, it is found that the complexity of the system enhances due to the presence of nonminimal to curvature matter couple parameter [Formula: see text]. It is very fascinating to report here that these outcomes could be recovered back to former solutions about complexity factor in General Relativity (GR) by imposing [Formula: see text].
Synthesis, Characterization, Antioxidant and DFT Studies of Some Novel Schiff Base Compounds
Authors: Kotan Gül , Manap Sevda , Yüksek Haydar
Published: November 2021

A new Schiff base compound and its derivative, 3-cyclopropyl-4-(4-nitrofuran-1-yl)methyleneamino-4,5-dihydro-1[Formula: see text]-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (3-CNM) and 1-acetly-3-cyclopropyl-4-(4-nitrofuran-1-yl)methyleneamino-4,5-dihydro-1[Formula: see text]-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (1-ACNM), were synthesized. The structures of compounds were characterized by [Formula: see text]C-NMR, 1H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy techniques. The antioxidant capacities of the molecules were investigated by different methods (metal chelation, DPPH and reducing power). Some quantum chemical calculations are performed on the B3LYP, B3PW91, MPW1PW91 functionals with the 6-311++G(d,p) level basis set of the density functional theory (DFT). Using the optimized structures of Schiff bases, the frontier molecular orbital, the theoretical spectroscopic and the nonlinear optic (NLO) analysis, the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface, the thermodynamic parameters, the dipole moment, the molecular geometric properties and the total energy were calculated. The calculation results showed that the 3-CNM compound can be used as a suitable and good nonlinear optical compound. In addition, electronegative and electropositive atoms were determined from the MEP surface map. The difference between ([Formula: see text]) the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMO) energies was calculated as 3.3[Formula: see text]eV and 3.4[Formula: see text]eV for 3-CNM and 1-ACNM, respectively, and these values express the chemical stability of the molecule and the orbital interactions. This work is important because it includes the synthesis of two new molecules and theoretical calculations that support their experimental properties. It can also provide significant benefits in terms of synthesis of similar Schiff base compounds and their calculated electronic, geometric and thermodynamic properties.
Baffin Bay Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element
Authors: Knutz Paul C. , Gregersen Ulrik , Harrison Christopher , Brent Thomas A. , Hopper John R. , Nøhr-Hansen Henrik
Published: November 2021

Baffin Bay formed as a result of continental extension during the Cretaceous, which was followed by seafloor spreading and associated plate drift during the early to middle Cenozoic. The formation of an oceanic basin in the central part of Baffin Bay may have begun from about 62 Ma in tandem with the Labrador Sea opening, but the early spreading phase is controversial. Plate-kinematic models suggest that from Late Paleocene the direction of seafloor spreading changed to north–south, generating strike-slip movements along the transform lineaments, e.g. the Ungava Fault Zone and the Bower Fracture Zone, and structural complexity along the margins of Baffin Bay. The Baffin Bay Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element (CTSE) represents a 3–7-km-thick Cenozoic sedimentary and volcanic succession that was deposited over oceanic and rifted continental crust since active seafloor spreading began. The CTSE is subdivided into 5 seismic mega-units that have been identified and mapped using a regional seismic grid tied to wells and core sites. Thick clastic wedges of likely Late Paleocene to Early Oligocene age (mega-units E and D2) were deposited within basins floored by newly formed oceanic crust, transitional crust, volcanic extrusives and former continental rift basins undergoing subsidence. The middle–late Cenozoic is characterized by fluvial–deltaic sedimentary systems, hemipelagic strata and aggradational sediment bodies deposited under the influence of ocean currents (mega-units D1, C and B). The late Pliocene to Pleistocene interval (mega-unit A) displays major shelf margin progradation associated with ice-sheet advance–retreat cycles resulting in the accumulation of trough-mouth fans and mass-wasting deposits in the oceanic basin. The Baffin Bay CTSE has not produced discoveries, although a hydrocarbon potential may be associated with Paleocene source rocks. Recent data have improved the geological understanding of Baffin Bay, yet large data and knowledge gaps remain.
Communication—Cross-Linked Anionic Polymer Coating Prepared by UV and Thermal Curing for Long-Life Lithium-Sulfur Battery
Authors: Nakamura Natsuki , Mikuriya Hitoshi , Kojima Eri , Ahn Seongki , Yamabuki Kazuhiro , Momma Toshiyuki , Osaka Tetsuya
Published: November 2021

An anionic polymer coating produced by ultraviolet curing and thermosetting to suppress polysulfide dissolution of the sulfur cathode for lithium-sulfur batteries was investigated. An sulfur/Ketjenblack cathode with a high sulfur loading of 10 mg cm−2 was prepared using a three-dimensional foam current collector. From the current rate and cycle characteristics, the cross-linked polymer coating suppressed the polysulfide dissolution, and the discharge capacities were 1031 and 414 mAh g−1-sulfur at 0.1 and 1.0C, respectively. In a long-term cycle test of 300 cycles, a capacity retention rate was 41%. An average coulombic efficiency was 91% throughout the cycles.
Burden of Road Traffic Injuries in Tanzania: One-Year Prospective Study of Consecutive Patients in 13 Multilevel Health Facilities
Authors: Sawe Hendry R. , Milusheva Sveta , Croke Kevin , Karpe Saahil , Mohammed Meyhar , Mfinanga Juma A.
Published: November 2021

Background. Road traffic injuries (RTIs) pose a severe public health crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and specifically in Tanzania, where the mortality due to RTIs is nearly double the global rate. There is a paucity of RTI data in Tanzania to inform evidence-based interventions to reduce the incidence and improve care outcomes. A trauma registry was implemented at 13 health facilities of diverse administrative levels in Tanzania. In this study, we characterize the burden of RTIs seen at these health facilities. Methods. This was a one-year prospective descriptive study utilizing trauma registry data from 13 multilevel health facilities in Tanzania from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020. We provide descriptive statistics on patient demographics; location; share of injury; nature, type, and circumstances of RTI; injury severity; disposition; and outcomes. Results. Among 18,553 trauma patients seen in 13 health facilities, 7,416 (40%) had RTIs. The overall median age was 28 years (IQR 22–38 years), and 79.3% were male. Most road traffic crashes (RTC) occurred in urban settings (68.7%), involving motorcycles (68.3%). Motorcyclists (32.9%) were the most affected road users; only 37% of motorcyclists wore helmets at the time of the crash. The majority (88.2%) of patients arrived directly from the site, and 49.0% used motorized (two- or three-) wheelers to travel to the health facility. Patients were more likely to be admitted to the ward, taken to operating theatre, died at emergency unit (EU), or referred versus being discharged if they had intracranial injuries (27.8% vs. 3.7%;

p
<
0.0001

), fracture of the lower leg (18.9% vs. 6.4%;

p
<
0.0001

), or femur fracture (12.9% vs. 0.4%;

p
<
0.0001

). Overall, 36.1% of patients were admitted, 10.6% transferred to other facilities, and mortality was 2%. Conclusions. RTCs are the main cause of trauma in this setting, affecting mostly working-age males. These RTCs result in severe injuries requiring hospital admission or referral for almost half of the victims. Motorcyclists are the most affected group, in alignment with prior studies. These findings demonstrate the burden of RTCs as a public health concern in Tanzania and the need for targeted interventions with a focus on motorcyclists.
Comparison of a New Video Intubation Stylet and McGrath® MAC Video Laryngoscope for Intubation in an Airway Manikin with Normal Airway and Cervical Spine Immobilization Scenarios by Novice Personnel: A Randomized Crossover Study
Authors: Park Jin-Woo , An Sungmin , Park Seongjoo , Nahm Francis Sahngun , Han Sung-Hee , Kim Jin-Hee
Published: November 2021

The use of both a video laryngoscope and a video intubation stylet, compared with the use of a direct laryngoscope, is not only easier to learn but also associated with a higher success rate in performing endotracheal intubation for novice users. However, data comparing the two video devices used by novice personnel are rarely found in literature. Nondelayed intubation is an important condition to determine the prognosis in critically ill patients; hence, exploring intubation performance in various situations is of clinical significance. This study is aimed at comparing a video stylet and a video laryngoscope for intubation in an airway manikin with normal airway and cervical spine immobilization scenarios by novice personnel. We compared the performance of intubation by novices between the Aram Video Stylet and the McGrath® MAC video laryngoscope in an airway manikin. Thirty medical doctors with minimal experience of endotracheal intubation attempted intubation on a manikin five times with each device in each setting (normal airway and cervical spine immobilization scenarios). The order of use of the devices in each scenario was randomized for each participant. In the normal airway scenario, the Aram stylet showed a significantly higher rate of successful intubation than the McGrath® (98.7% vs. 92.0%; odds ratio (95% CI): 6.4 (1.4–29.3); p = 0.006). The intubation time was shorter using the Aram Stylet than that using the McGrath® video laryngoscope (p < 0.001). In the cervical immobilization scenario, successful endotracheal intubation was also more frequent using the Aram stylet than with the McGrath® (96.0% vs. 87.3%; odds ratio (95% CI): 3.5 (1.3–9.0); p = 0.007). The Aram Stylet intubation time was shorter (p < 0.001). In novice personnel, endotracheal intubation appears to be more successful and faster using the Aram Video Stylet than the McGrath® MAC video laryngoscope.
Towards Seismic Design of Nonstructural Elements: Italian Code‐Compliant Acceleration Floor Response Spectra
Authors: Chichino Beatrice , Peloso Simone , Bolognini Davide , Moroni Claudio , Perrone Daniele , Brunesi Emanuele
Published: November 2021

Seismic risk reduction of a building system, meant as primary building structure and nonstructural elements (NSEs) as a whole, must rely upon an adequate design of each of these two items. As far as NSEs are concerned, adequate seismic design means understanding of some basic principles and concepts that involve different actors, such as designers, manufacturers, installers, and directors of works. The current Italian Building Code, referred to as NTC18 hereinafter, defines each set of tasks and responsibilities in a sufficiently detailed manner, rendering now evident that achieving the desired performance level stems from a jointed contribution of all actors involved. Bearing in mind that seismic design is nothing else than proportioning properly seismic demand, in terms of acceleration and/or displacement, and the corresponding capacity, this paper gives a synthetic and informative overview on how to evaluate these two parameters. To shed some light on this, the concept of acceleration floor response spectrum (AFRS) is firstly brought in, along with basics of building structure‐NSEs interaction, and is then deepened by means of calculation methods. Both the most rigorous method based on nonlinear dynamic simulations and the simplified analytical formulations provided by the NTC18 are briefly discussed and reviewed, trying to make them clearer even to readers with no structural/earthquake engineering background because, as a matter of fact, NSEs are often selected by architects and/or mechanical or electrical engineers. Lastly, a simple case study, representative of a European code‐compliant five‐storey masonry‐infilled reinforced concrete frame building, is presented to examine differences between numerical and analytical AFRS and to quantify accuracy of different NTC18 procedures.
CTRP9 Mitigates the Progression of Arteriovenous Shunt-Induced Pulmonary Artery Hypertension in Rats
Authors: Guan Hua , Yang Xiaofeng , Shi Tao , Zhang Yongjian , Xiang Aoqi , Li Yongxin
Published: November 2021

The present study is aimed at investigating the molecular mechanism of C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP9) and providing a new perspective in arteriovenous shunt-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH was established by an arteriovenous shunt placement performed in rats. Adenovirus(Ad)-CTRP9 and Ad-green fluorescent protein viral particles were injected into the rats through the tail vein. Following 12 weeks, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were measured and morphological analysis was conducted to confirm the establishment of the PAH model. The systemic elevation of CTRP9 maintained pulmonary vascular homeostasis and protected the rats from dysfunctional and abnormal remodeling. CTRP9 attenuated the pulmonary vascular remodeling in the shunt group by decreasing the mPAP and RVSP, which was associated with suppressed inflammation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix injury. In addition, CTRP9 dramatically increased the phosphorylation of AKT and p38-MAPK in the lung tissues of shunt-operated animals. These findings suggest a previously unrecognized effect of CTRP9 in pulmonary vascular homeostasis during PAH pathogenesis.
Dislocation of a McMinn-Like Prosthesis with Distinctive Metallosis and Fracture of the Os Ilium
Authors: Bünemann Peter Caspar , Luck Stefan , Ohlmeier Malte , Gehrke Thorsten , Ballhause Tobias Malte
Published: November 2021

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis) is the most common hip disease in adults. Since the 1960s, total hip arthroplasty (THA) has made great progress and is nowadays one of the most frequently used procedures in orthopedic surgery. Different bearing concepts exist in various implant designs. A metal-on-metal bearing can create metal debris and lead to metallosis. We present a unique case of a 78-year old woman, who received hip resurfacing with a McMinn-like prosthesis 15 years ago. Over the cause of time, metallosis developed and created a bone cyst in the Os ilium, and osteolysis led to a dislocation of the femoral implant. A minor stumble fall led to a fracture of the Os ilium. We present our treatment method with implantation of a cemented THA and refill of the bone cyst with bone from allogene femoral heads. The surgery led to a reconstruction of the physiological center of rotation in the hip. Consequently, to the inpatient stay, the patient took part in a follow-up treatment with intensive physiotherapy. Taken together, the results after total hip arthroplasty are more superior to other hip surface replacements in terms of longevity and patient satisfaction. Especially, metal-on-metal bearing couples carry a great risk of metallosis, which goes a long with pseudotumors, osteolysis, and the elevated metal ions in the blood. Since this case is unique in the literature, no guidelines are noted for surgical treatment. In our opinion, a periprosthetic fracture of this type should be performed in a hospital using extensive endoprosthetic expertise.
The Identification of Candidate Biomarkers and Pathways in Atherosclerosis by Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Lu Youwei , Zhang Xi , Hu Wei , Yang Qianhong
Published: November 2021

Background. Atherosclerosis (AS) is a type of yellow substance containing cholesterol in the intima of large and middle arteries, which is mostly caused by fat metabolism disorders and neurovascular dysfunction. Materials and Methods. The GSE100927 data got analyzed to find out the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the limma package in R software. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses of the DEGs were assessed by the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) visualized the Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network of the aggregated DEGs. GSEA software was used to verify the biological process. Result. We screened 1574 DEGs from 69 groups of atherosclerotic carotid artery and 35 groups of control carotid artery, including 1033 upregulated DEGs and 541 downregulated DEGs. DEGs of AS were chiefly related to immune response, Epstein-Barr virus infection, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and cGMP-PKG signaling pathway. Through PPI networks, we found that the hub genes of AS were PTAFR, VAMP8, RNF19A, VPRBP, RNF217, KLHL42, NEDD4, SH3RF1, UBE2N, PJA2, RNF115, ITCH, SKP1, FBXW4, and UBE2H. GSEA analysis showed that GSE100927 was concentrated in RIPK1-mediated regulated necrosis, FC epsilon receptor fceri signaling, Fceri-mediated NF KB activation, TBC rabgaps, TRAF6-mediated induction of TAK1 complex within TLR4 complex, and RAB regulation of trafficking. Conclusion. Our analysis reveals that immune response, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and so on were major signatures of AS. PTAFR, VAMP8, VPRBP, RNF217, KLHL42, and NEDD4 might facilitate the AS tumorigenesis, which could be new biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy of AS.
Modeling and Empirical Analysis of Regional Tourism Competitiveness Based on Niche Theory
Authors: Yang Yingjuan , Wu Yanxia , Hu Haiqing
Published: November 2021

The fierce competition in tourism has brought a string of problems, such as the homogeneous development of regional tourism resources and the escalation of regional competition. One key issue in urban tourism today is how to identify competitors, recognize own advantageous resources, and clarify the direction of development. This paper evaluates the competitiveness of regional tourism in three steps: setting up an evaluation system, calculating niche and niche overlap, and conducting synthesis and cluster analysis. Firstly, a comprehensive evaluation system of urban tourism niche was established, which includes such four dimensions as tourism resources, tourism market, social economy, and eco-environment, and the weight of each index was calculated by entropy method. Next, regional niche and niche overlap were computed by niche theory. Taking the mean of niche overlap and that of composite niche as the references, the authors drew an overall distribution map of regional tourism niche. After that, a cluster analysis was carried out with the four-dimensional niche and composite niche of regional tourism. Finally, an empirical analysis was performed on the tourism competitiveness in ten prefectures of Shaanxi Province, using the data in 2010–2018. The results show that the prefectures differed greatly in tourism development and competed fiercely against each other.
RDFNet: A Fast Caries Detection Method Incorporating Transformer Mechanism
Authors: Jiang Hao , Zhang Peiliang , Che Chao , Jin Bo
Published: November 2021

Dental caries is a prevalent disease of the human oral cavity. Given the lack of research on digital images for caries detection, we construct a caries detection dataset based on the caries images annotated by professional dentists and propose RDFNet, a fast caries detection method for the requirement of detecting caries on portable devices. The method incorporates the transformer mechanism in the backbone network for feature extraction, which improves the accuracy of caries detection and uses the FReLU activation function for activating visual-spatial information to improve the speed of caries detection. The experimental results on the image dataset constructed in this study show that the accuracy and speed of the method for caries detection are improved compared with the existing methods, achieving a good balance in accuracy and speed of caries detection, which can be applied to smart portable devices to facilitate human dental health management.