bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased incidence of rhino‐orbital mucormycosis in an educational therapeutic hospital during the COVID‐19 pandemic in western Iran: An observational study
Authors: Avatef Fazeli Manouchehr , Rezaei Leila , Javadirad Etrat , Iranfar Khosro , Khosravi Abbas , Amini Saman Javad , Poursabbagh Pardis , Ghadami Mohammad Rasoul , Parandin Mohammad Mehdi , Dehghani Amrollah , Ahmadi Jouybari Touraj , Mahdavian Behzad , Eivazi Nastaran , rezaei Sohbat , Rezaei Alireza , Emami Bashir , Haqgou Mohadeseh , Bozorgomid Arezoo , Sayad Babak
Published: July 2021

Background

COVID‐19 patients, especially the patients requiring hospitalisation, have a high risk of several complications such as opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections. Mucormycosis is a rare and opportunistic fungal infection that mainly affects diabetic and immunocompromised patients. An increase has been observed in the number of rhino‐orbital mucormycosis in patients with COVID‐19 admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran, since October 2020. This is a report of the frequency, risk factors, clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis of COVID‐19 associated with mucormycosis infection.

Methods

The medical records of COVID‐19 patients with rhino‐orbital mucormycosis who were diagnosed in an educational therapeutic hospital in Kermanshah, west of Iran were surveyed. Several parameters were analysed including demographic, clinical, therapeutic and laboratory characteristics.

Results

Twelve patients with COVID‐19–associated rhino‐orbital mucormycosis were identified from 12 October to 18 November 2020. All cases reported as proven mucormycosis had a history of hospitalisation due to COVID‐19. Comorbidities mainly included diabetes mellitus (83.33%) and hypertension (58.33%). Seventy‐five per cent of patients received corticosteroids for COVID‐ 19 treatment. The sites of involvement were rhino‐sino‐orbital (83%) and rhino‐sino (17%). Amphotericin B/liposomal amphotericin B alone or in combination with surgical debridement or orbital exenteration was used as the first‐line therapy. The overall mortality rate was 66.7% (8/12).

Conclusions

We found a high incidence of mucormycosis among COVID‐19 patients. Diabetes mellitus and corticosteroid use were the dominant predisposing factor of mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is a life‐threatening and opportunistic infection; therefore, physicians should know the signs and symptoms of the disease so that a timely diagnosis and therapy can be performed.
Endoparasitic plants and fungi show evolutionary convergence across phylogenetic divisions
Authors: Thorogood Chris J. , Teixeira‐Costa Luiza , Ceccantini Gregório , Davis Charles , Hiscock Simon J.
Published: July 2021

Endoparasitic plants are the most reduced flowering plants, spending most of their lives as a network of filaments within the tissues of their hosts. Despite their extraordinary life form, we know little about their biology. Research into a few species has revealed unexpected insights, such as the total loss of plastome, the reduction of the vegetative phase to a proembryonic stage, and elevated information exchange between host and parasite. To consolidate our understanding, we review life history, anatomy, and molecular genetics across the four independent lineages of endoparasitic plants. We highlight convergence across these clades and a striking trans‐kingdom convergence in life history among endoparasitic plants and disparate lineages of fungi at the molecular and physiological levels. We hypothesize that parasitism of woody plants preselected for the endoparasitic life history, providing parasites a stable host environment and the necessary hydraulics to enable floral gigantism and/or high reproductive output. Finally, we propose a broader view of endoparasitic plants that connects research across disciplines, for example, pollen–pistil and graft incompatibility interactions and plant associations with various fungi. We shine a light on endoparasitic plants and their hosts as under‐explored ecological microcosms ripe for identifying unexpected biological processes, interactions and evolutionary convergence.
Collage autothanatographies
Authors: Drag Wojciech
Published: July 2021

This article argues that David Markson’s four last works, often referred to as a quartet or a tetralogy (1996–2007), and Evan Lavender‐Smith’s From Old Notebooks (2010) can be classified as collage autothanatographies. Both authors construct their formally experimental books out of brief snippets that combine personal meditations on death with various facts, anecdotes, and self‐reflexive comments. What grants those fragmentary texts a degree of unity is their concern with mortality: the refrain “timor mortis conturbat me” reverberates throughout Markson’s tetralogy while Lavender‐Smith’s narrator announces that “death is the glue that holds the book together.” The article begins with an examination of the collage structure of both works. The formal analysis is followed by a discussion of the ways in which the works in question meet the generic criteria of both autobiography and autothanatography. The concluding part asserts the formal predisposition of collage to represent experiences of personal crisis such as an acute fear of death.
Seeking the spotlight: How reputational considerations shape the European Court of Auditor's shifting account‐holding role
Authors: Tidå Benjamin
Published: July 2021

The behavior of account‐holders has been a blind spot in the accountability literature. Relatively little is known about why account‐holders prioritize certain aspects of their account‐holding mandates and emphasize certain account‐holding tasks over others. A reputational perspective has the potential to fill this knowledge gap. This article illustrates how reputational considerations shape the ways in which account‐holders manage their account‐holding roles through a critical case study of the European Court of Auditor's shifting focus toward a more salient account‐holding role. Amid concerns about a lack of visibility, generating audience attention is found to be a central characteristic of this shift. The study demonstrates how reputational strategies for managing account‐holding roles depend on the reputational threats and audience expectations that account‐holders face in their environments. With a lack of visibility being a pressing reputational threat, the European Court of Auditors is accordingly shifting its account‐holding focus toward the spotlight.
THE demographics and trends in pediatric melanoma in the United States: An analysis of the National Cancer Database
Authors: Yousif Rame , Boull Christina , Gerami Pedram , Nardone Beatrice , Vivar Karina L. , Liszewski Walter
Published: July 2021

Background/Objective

Relative to adults, rates of melanoma are lower in children. Due to its rarity, it is difficult to assess the incidence, trends, and outcomes of this malignancy. Much of our understanding comes from single institution or regional cancer registries which may not be large enough to detect subtleties in the burden of pediatric melanoma.

Methods

Data from the 2004 to 2016 National Cancer Database were analyzed; this database captures approximately 70% of all cancer diagnoses in the United States.

Results

Our analysis consisted of 1903 cases. A majority were White (89.8%), the mean age was 12.4 years, and the ratio of females: males was 1.2:1.0. The most common anatomic location was the trunk (31.1%). Between 2004 and 2016, a decreasing trend in the number of new melanoma cases was observed. Comparing histologic subtype by age, there was an increased percentage of nodular and epithelioid and spindle cell tumors in the pre‐teen children and a greater percentage of superficial spreading tumors in teenagers. Overall, a majority of cases were stage 0 or I (56.9%), with relatively few stage IV cases (2.0%). A 5‐year all‐cause survival of greater than 90% was observed for stage I‐III tumors, with stage IV tumors having a 5‐year all‐cause survival of 34.4%.

Conclusion

Comparable to previous studies, pediatric melanoma occurred most often in Whites, females, and adolescents. However, we detected a decreasing trend in new cases, noted differences between histologic subtype and age, and observed a 5‐year all‐cause survival rate of greater than 90% for stage I‐III tumors.
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis due to Epstein‐Barr virus infection in a neonate
Authors: Kaplan Fatih , Topal Erdem
Published: July 2021

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is an uncommon inflammatory subcorneal pustular dermatosis typically caused by exposure to a medication. Several viral infections have also been implicated in its development. We describe herein a rare case of AGEP associated with acute Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection in a neonate.
Budgetary changes and organizational performance: Evidence from state transportation agencies
Authors: Chen Can , Flink Carla M.
Published: July 2021

Existing punctuated equilibrium theory (PET) literature identifies the causes of policy punctuations. However, there are a lack of theoretical and empirical studies on the effects of policy punctuations on organizational performance. This study extends PET from policy formulation to policy outcomes and explores how public agencies transfer budgetary inputs to organizational performance outcomes in the policy context of American state highway transportation infrastructure. Based on a longitudinal research design, the research employs a panel two‐way fixed effects regression model to analyze the performance consequences of budgetary changes for 50 states during an almost 20‐year period (1995–2013). The key findings indicate that state expenditure (highway maintenance) changes experience much more friction and volatility over time than performance (acceptable roads) changes. In addition, state highway transportation agencies can mitigate the impact of large budgetary cuts on organizational performance, but do not seem to capitalize on large budgetary gains to improve performance.
Investigating the effect of losses and gains on effortful engagement during an incentivized Go/NoGo task through anticipatory cortical oscillatory changes
Authors: Byrne Adam , Hewitt Danielle , Henderson Jessica , Newton‐Fenner Alice , Roberts Hannah , Tyson‐Carr John , Fallon Nick , Giesbrecht Timo , Stancak Andrej
Published: July 2021

Losses usually have greater subjective value (SV) than gains of equal nominal value but often cause a relative deterioration in effortful performance. Since losses and gains induce differing approach/avoidance behavioral tendencies, we explored whether incentive type interacted with approach/avoidance motor‐sets. Alpha‐ and beta‐band event‐related desynchronization (ERD) was hypothesized to be weakest when participants expected a loss and prepared an inhibitory motor‐set, and strongest when participants expected a gain and prepared an active motor‐set. It was also hypothesized that effort would modulate reward and motor‐set–related cortical activation patterns. Participants completed a cued Go/NoGo task while expecting a reward (+10p), avoiding a loss (−10p), or receiving no incentive (0p); and while expecting a NoGo cue with a probability of either .75 or .25. Pre‐movement alpha‐ and beta‐band EEG power was analyzed using the ERD method, and the SV of effort was evaluated using a cognitive effort discounting task. Gains incentivized faster RTs and stronger preparatory alpha band ERD compared to loss and no incentive conditions, while inhibitory motor‐sets resulted in significantly weaker alpha‐band ERD. However, there was no interaction between incentive and motor‐sets. Participants were more willing to expend effort in losses compared to gain trials, although the SV of effort was not associated with ERD patterns or RTs. Results suggest that incentive and approach/avoidance motor tendencies modulate cortical activations prior to a speeded RT movement independently, and are not associated with the economic value of effort. The present results favor attentional explanations of the effect of incentive modality on effort.
Effect of initial planting on vegetation establishment in different depth zones of constructed farm ponds
Authors: Choi Ho , Kim Heung‐Tae , Nam Bo Eun , Bae Yeon Jae , Kim Jae Geun
Published: July 2021

Farm ponds can be constructed and maintained to improve biodiversity and ecosystem functions in agricultural landscapes. Understanding the initial establishment process of vegetation in different water depths and effects of initial planting on this process is important for pond restoration. In the present study, two experimental farm ponds with or without initial planting were monitored for 5 years after their construction. These two ponds maintained high nutrients over 5 years from the beginning. The unplanted pond showed a rapid vegetation establishment and had more species and higher percent vegetation cover in 2–3 years than the reference pond. Planting accelerated this process by 1 year. Most of the early established species appeared to have originated from seed banks and/or seed rains. The species and functional diversity tended to decrease consistently since pond construction in the planted pond but increase initially and then decrease in the unplanted pond. The time when species composition between the unplanted pond and the planted pond became similar was delayed with the increase of water depth. Four years after pond construction, species composition was similar between the two ponds at all water depths. These results suggest that vegetation can establish quickly in farm ponds with fertile conditions and abundant seed sources through natural recolonization. The restoration approach for a farm pond should be decided considering the allowed time to success and the water depth. If the main goal of farm pond restoration is to improve species diversity, management practices may be more important than planting.
Grassland plant community response to interacting disturbances and temporal variability
Authors: Andrade Bianca O. , Dallmann Josiah D. , Volesky Jerry D. , Schacht Walter H. , Guretzky John A.
Published: July 2021

Knowledge of disturbance interactions is fundamental to improved understanding of plant community dynamics and the development of management practices aimed at increasing resilience of grassland ecosystems. In this study, we evaluated grassland responses to multiple disturbance interactions in a series of 2‐year, randomized complete block experiments repeated in 2016 and 2017 in the Nebraska Sandhills, mixed‐grass prairie. Soil type was a Valentine fine sand (mixed, mesic Ustipsamments). Each experiment contained a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of soil disturbance (no soil disturbance, soil disturbance with no seed, and soil disturbance with forb seeding), water addition (water, no water), and fire treatments (fire, no fire). In both experiments, fire had the most prominent impact on plant community composition and biomass. Fire increased bare ground and reduced canopy cover of annual plants in the first year. However, annual plants recovered in the second year. Forbs, especially marestail (Conyza canadensis), were most significantly affected by fire. Other plant groups, including warm‐ and cool‐season grasses, natives and exotics, and so on, varied in cover and biomass in response to interacting disturbances and temporal variability. Forb seedling establishment was negatively affected by temporal variability in weather patterns. Differences in plant community response between experiments were likely due to drought in 2017. Overall, the plant community showed resilience to the multiple disturbance interactions. We did not see evidence of large or non‐linear changes in plant community structure over the short term in these grasslands.
Parental emotion coaching moderates the effects of family stress on internalizing symptoms in middle childhood and adolescence
Authors: Lobo Frances M. , Lunkenheimer Erika , Lucas‐Thompson Rachel G. , Seiter Natasha S.
Published: July 2021

The present study examined the moderating effects of parental meta‐emotion philosophy on the relation between family stress and youth internalizing symptoms. A two‐study approach was applied to explore these relations in socioeconomically diverse samples with respect to a self‐reported parental emotion coaching (EC) and parental emotion dismissing (ED) meta‐emotion philosophy in Study 1 (N = 153; youth ages 10–17 years; 52% female; 49% White, 26% multiracial, 17% African American, 6% Asian American, 1% Latinx, and 1% American Indian) and observed parental EC and ED behaviors in whole‐family interactions in Study 2 (N = 82; youth ages 8–11.75 years; 52% female; 57% White, 22% African American, 19% multiracial, and 2% Asian). Across both studies, EC was a buffer such that positive associations between family stress and youth internalizing symptoms were only present when parental EC philosophy or EC behaviors were lower. Additionally, in Study 1, more EC was protective: the relation between family stress and youth internalizing symptoms was negative when parental EC philosophy was higher. Findings suggest parental EC buffers youth internalizing symptoms from the detrimental effects of family stress. Therefore, the inclusion of family‐level risk processes and the effects of both parental beliefs and observed parenting behaviors can inform research on youth psychosocial adjustment.
Adolescents’ and emerging adults’ reminisces about emotions in the context of disclosing, concealing, and lying to parents
Authors: Smetana Judith G. , Wainryb Cecilia
Published: July 2021

The present study examined early and middle adolescents’ and emerging adults’ emotions associated with salient experiences of disclosure, concealment, and lying to parents about their routine activities. US middle class youth (n = 131; Ms = 12.74, 15.81, 20.40 years, respectively) recalled a time they disclosed, concealed, and lied to parents; using directed questions, participants were asked to recall their emotions when the events happened and in thinking about the events now. Youth reported more relief but also more distress and anxiety when reminiscing about the time they disclosed than they reported at present, whereas they reported more happiness at present than when they disclosed. Youth reported more undifferentiated negative emotions and more guilt—but unexpectedly, also less shame—when reminiscing about the time they concealed and lied than they reported at present; emerging adults reported more guilt than did early and middle adolescents, but only when reflecting on their past experience and not when considering their guilt about that experience now. Middle adolescent females recalled more anxiety and distress when they lied than did either same‐age males or older females. Findings shed light on the role of emotions in disclosure, concealment and lying and their implications for self, identity, and moral development.
A review of GIS methodologies to analyze the dynamics of COVID‐19 in the second half of 2020
Authors: Franch‐Pardo Ivan , Desjardins Michael R. , Barea‐Navarro Isabel , Cerdà Artemi
Published: July 2021

COVID‐19 has infected over 163 million people and has resulted in over 3.9 million deaths. Regarding the tools and strategies to research the ongoing pandemic, spatial analysis has been increasingly utilized to study the impacts of COVID‐19. This article provides a review of 221 scientific articles that used spatial science to study the pandemic published from June 2020 to December 2020. The main objectives are: to identify the tools and techniques used by the authors; to review the subjects addressed and their disciplines; and to classify the studies based on their applications. This contribution will facilitate comparisons with the body of work published during the first half of 2020, revealing the evolution of the COVID‐19 phenomenon through the lens of spatial analysis. Our results show that there was an increase in the use of both spatial statistical tools (e.g., geographically weighted regression, Bayesian models, spatial regression) applied to socioeconomic variables and analysis at finer spatial and temporal scales. We found an increase in remote sensing approaches, which are now widely applied in studies around the world. Lockdowns and associated changes in human mobility have been extensively examined using spatiotemporal techniques. Another dominant topic studied has been the relationship between pollution and COVID‐19 dynamics, which enhance the impact of human activities on the pandemic's evolution. This represents a shift from the first half of 2020, when the research focused on climatic and weather factors. Overall, we have seen a vast increase in spatial tools and techniques to study COVID‐19 transmission and the associated risk factors.
The role of chronic suppressive antibiotics therapy in superficial drive line infection relapse of left ventricular assist devices: A retrospective cohort from a tertiary care center
Authors: Hamad Yasir , Blanco‐Guzman Merilda O. , Olsen Margaret A. , Wang Xiaowen , Vader Justin , Verma Amanda , Dubberke Erik R.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Drive line infections (DLIs) are common complications of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Data on use of suppression antibiotic therapy are limited.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of 451 patients who underwent LVAD placement from January 2009 to May 2015. First superficial DLIs were included for analysis. We examined factors associated with the use of chronic suppressive antibiotics (CSAs) therapy. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to identify factors associated with DLI relapse with the same organism as the initial DLI.

Results

A total of 69 patients developed a superficial DLI within a median of 195 (interquartile range [IQR] 98–348) days of LVAD insertion. The median age was 57 years, 87% were males, and 74% were White. Gram positive bacteria caused 61% of infections, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common (35%). Forty‐three (62%) patients received suppressive antibiotic therapy. Relapse DLI occurred in 29 (42%) patients. Independent risk factors for relapse infection in multivariable analysis were sepsis (aHR 5.94 [CI 1.42–24.92]), and MRSA DLI (aHR 4.19 [CI 1.37–12.79]). There was no difference in the proportion of patients with relapse among those who were treated with antibiotic suppression therapy versus not (44% vs. 38%, p = 0.64), although relapse occurred at a later time in those who received suppression (185 vs. 69 days, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

CSA therapy was associated with delayed time to DLI relapse but no significant difference in the proportion of patients with relapse. A prospective study is needed to examine the effect of suppression on relapse rates.
Letermovir treatment of cytomegalovirus infection or disease in solid organ and hematopoietic cell transplant recipients
Authors: Linder Kathleen A. , Kovacs Christopher , Mullane Kate M. , Wolfe Cameron , Clark Nina M. , La Hoz Ricardo M. , Smith Jeannina , Kotton Camille N. , Limaye Ajit P. , Malinis Maricar , Hakki Morgan , Mishkin Aaron , Gonzalez Arnoldo Adrian , Prono Maria Dioverti , Ostrander Darin , Avery Robin , Kaul Daniel R.
Published: July 2021

Background

Few options are available for cytomegalovirus (CMV) treatment in transplant recipients resistant, refractory, or intolerant to approved agents. Letermovir (LET) is approved for prophylaxis in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, but little is known about efficacy in CMV infection. We conducted an observational study to determine the patterns of use and outcome of LET treatment of CMV infection in transplant recipients.

Methods

Patients who received LET for treatment of CMV infection were identified at 13 transplant centers. Demographic and outcome data were collected.

Results

Twenty‐seven solid organ and 21 HCT recipients (one dual) from 13 medical centers were included. Forty‐five of 47 (94%) were treated with other agents prior to LET, and 57% had a history of prior CMV disease. Seventy‐seven percent were intolerant to other antivirals; 32% were started on LET because of resistance concerns. Among 37 patients with viral load < 1000 international units (IU)/ml at LET initiation, two experienced >1 log rise in viral load by week 12, and no deaths were attributed to CMV. Ten patients had viral load > 1000 IU/ml at LET initiation, and six of 10 (60%) had a CMV viral load < 1000 IU/ml at completion of therapy or last known value. LET was discontinued in two patients for an adverse event.

Conclusions

Patients treated with LET with viral load < 1000 IU/ml had good virologic outcomes. Outcomes were mixed when LET was initiated at higher viral loads. Further studies on combination therapy or alternative LET dosing are needed.
Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood donation and receipt in two high income Caribbean countries
Authors: Charles Kenneth S. , Bain Teria , Beharry Travis Sunil , Baksh Habibah Saadia , Bernard Abigail A. , Bernard Cristal , Bhagoutie Shivani , Chantry Andy
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To compare knowledge, attitudes and risk perception related to blood donation and transfusion in Trinidad and Tobago and Bahamas.

Background

Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas are two Caribbean countries whose national blood transfusion systems are heavily reliant (76.2% and 76%) on family replacement donors. The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation recommends blood collection from exclusively voluntary nonremunerated donors on the grounds that family replacement donor‐based blood systems are unsafe and inadequate compared to those based on voluntary nonremunerated blood donors.

Methods/Materials

A 23‐item questionnaire was distributed online by snowball sampling in these two countries to assess knowledge, attitudes, risk perception and behaviour. SPSS version 24 was used for interpretative and descriptive data analysis, chi‐square to measure significance and linear regression the strength of associations. p < 0.05 was used to define statistical significance.

Results

Four hundred and fifty three (453) responses were obtained from Trinidad and Tobago and 101 from the Bahamas. Knowledge and positive attitudes were high in both countries (75.5% vs. 80.2%, p < 0.001 and 96.6% vs. 100%, p < 0.001). A substantial proportion of respondents held the perception that the local blood donation system was safe or very safe (26.4 and 61.4%, p < 0.001) that was linked to the misconception that the prevalent method of blood donation was voluntary nonremunerated (27.8 and 51.4%, p < 0.001). Concerns about receiving blood were underpinned by mistrust of transfusion‐related procedures.

Conclusion

A social interface to transfer information between blood transfusion services and the community could encourage voluntary nonremunerated blood donation and reduce concerns about receiving transfusion.
Disentangling the link between leaf photosynthesis and turgor in fruit growth
Authors: Hernandez‐Santana Virginia , Perez‐Arcoiza Adrián , Gomez‐Jimenez Maria C. , Diaz‐Espejo Antonio
Published: July 2021

Despite the importance of understanding plant growth, the mechanisms underlying how plant and fruit growth declines during drought remain poorly understood. Specifically, it remains unresolved whether carbon or water factors are responsible for limiting growth as drought progresses. We examine questions regarding the relative importance of water and carbon to fruit growth depending on the water deficit level and the fruit growth stage by measuring fruit diameter, leaf photosynthesis, and a proxy of cell turgor in olive (Olea europaea). Flow cytometry was also applied to determine the fruit cell division stage. We found that photosynthesis and turgor were related to fruit growth; specifically, the relative importance of photosynthesis was higher during periods of more intense cell division, while turgor had higher relative importance in periods where cell division comes close to ceasing and fruit growth is dependent mainly on cell expansion. This pattern was found regardless of the water deficit level, although turgor and growth ceased at more similar values of leaf water potential than photosynthesis. Cell division occurred even when fruit growth seemed to stop under water deficit conditions, which likely helped fruits to grow disproportionately when trees were hydrated again, compensating for periods with low turgor. As a result, the final fruit size was not severely penalized. We conclude that carbon and water processes are able to explain fruit growth, with importance placed on the combination of cell division and expansion. However, the major limitation to growth is turgor, which adds evidence to the sink limitation hypothesis.
Ear tip ulcerative dermatitis treated with oclacitinib in 25 dogs: a retrospective case series
Authors: Colombo Silvia , Cornegliani Luisa , Vercelli Antonella , Fondati Alessandra
Published: July 2021

Background

Ear tip ulcerative dermatitis (ETUD) is an uncommon clinical reaction pattern in canine dermatology. The lesions are suggestive of vascular damage which may be caused by inflammatory or noninflammatory diseases, and often are idiopathic. Therapeutic options for ETUD include topical glucocorticoids or tacrolimus, pentoxifylline, vitamin E, doxycycline, tetracycline and niacinamide, sulfonamides, glucocorticoids, ciclosporin and surgical correction.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The aims of this retrospective case series were to describe the clinical features and report response to treatment with oclacitinib in dogs with idiopathic, chronic ETUD.

Animals

Twenty‐five privately owned dogs with unilateral or bilateral ETUD.

Methods and materials

Cases of ETUD which were poorly responsive to conventional therapy and subsequently treated with oclacitinib, are summarised. All cases were tested for leishmaniosis by serological examination [indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)]. Histopathological examination was performed in two cases.

Results

Serological results were negative for leishmaniosis in all dogs. Histopathological changes consistent with proliferative thrombovascular necrosis of the pinnae were documented in two cases. Oclacitinib, used at the standard dose range recommended for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis, effectively resolved ETUD in 22 of 25 dogs within one to three months. Several of the dogs required prolonged use of twice daily dosing.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Oclacitinib should be included among the therapeutic options for ETUD, once infectious diseases have been ruled out.
CT morphology of anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal lung in dogs
Authors: Shimbo Genya , Takiguchi Mitsuyoshi
Published: July 2021

Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the normal lung (ASANL) is a rare congenital anomaly in humans, in which the systemic arteries supply the basal segments of the lower lobe. It has a normal bronchial connection, but lacks a normal pulmonary artery. This anomaly has not been previously reported in the veterinary literature. The objectives of this retrospective descriptive study were to characterize the CT findings and clinical features of ASANL , and to determine the breed predisposition in a population of referral canine cases. Thoracic CT images, in which the caudal lung lobes were fully inflated and the pulmonary artery could be traced to the periphery, were reviewed. A total of 1,950 dogs were enrolled, and the aberrant vasculature equivalent to ASANL in humans was detected in 48 dogs. Shetland Sheepdogs (7/48, odds ratio [OR] = 8.0, P < 0.00001), Miniature Dachshunds (19/48, OR = 3.9, P < 0.00001), and Labrador Retrievers (6/48, OR = 4.5, P = 0.0009) were over‐represented. The affected lung lobes were the right caudal lobe (24/48, 50%), the left caudal lobe (21/48, 43.8%), and bilateral caudal lobes (3/48, 6.3%). The aberrant vessels originated from the left gastric artery (14/48), descending thoracic aorta (8/48), celiac artery (6/48), and splenic artery (1/48). In the remaining 19 cases, the origin of the aberrant vessels could not be determined. Although the clinical significance of ASANL in dogs remains unclear, surgeons should be aware of this finding prior to lobectomy of the caudal lung lobes to avoid intraoperative systemic arterial bleeding.
Credibility Assessment of Machine Learning in a Manufacturing Process Application
Authors: Banyay Gregory A. , Worrell Clarence L. , Sidener Scott E. , Kaizer Joshua S.
Published: July 2021

We present a framework for establishing credibility of a machine learning (ML) model used to predict a key process control variable setting to maximize product quality in a component manufacturing application. Our model coupled a purely data-based ML model with a physics-based adjustment that encoded subject matter expertise of the physical process. Establishing credibility of the resulting model provided the basis for eliminating a costly intermediate testing process that was previously used to determine the control variable setting.
A New Muscle Activation Dynamics Model, That Simulates the Calcium Kinetics and Incorporates the Role of Store-Operated Calcium Entry Channels, to Enhance the Electromyography-Driven Hill-Type Models
Authors: Hussein Moemen , Shebl Said , Elnemr Rehab , Elkaranshawy Hesham
Published: July 2021

Hill-type models are frequently used in biomechanical simulations. They are attractive for their low computational cost and close relation to commonly measured musculotendon parameters. Still, more attention is needed to improve the activation dynamics of the model specifically because of the nonlinearity observed in the electromyography (EMG)–force relation. Moreover, one of the important and practical questions regarding the assessment of the model's performance is how adequately can the model simulate any fundamental type of human movement without modifying model parameters for different tasks? This paper tries to answer this question by proposing a simple physiologically based activation dynamics model. The model describes the kinetics of the calcium dynamics while activating and deactivating the muscle contraction process. Hence, it allowed simulating the recently discovered role of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) channels as immediate counterflux to calcium loss across the tubular system during excitation–contraction coupling. By comparing the ability to fit experimental data without readjusting the parameters, the proposed model has proven to have more steady performance than phenomenologically based models through different submaximal isometric contraction levels. This model indicates that more physiological insights are key for improving Hill-type model performance.
Large-Scale Three-Dimensional Anisotropic Topology Optimization of Variable-Axial Lightweight Composite Structures
Authors: Zhou Yuqing , Nomura Tsuyoshi , Zhao Enpei , Saitou Kazuhiro
Published: July 2021

Variable-axial fiber-reinforced composites allow for local customization of fiber orientation and thicknesses. Despite their significant potential for performance improvement over the conventional multiaxial composites and metals, they pose challenges in design optimization due to the vastly increased design freedom in material orientations. This paper presents an anisotropic topology optimization method for designing large-scale, 3D variable-axial lightweight composite structures subject to multiple load cases. The computational challenges associated with large-scale 3D anisotropic topology optimization with extremely low volume fraction are addressed by a tensor-based representation of 3D orientation that would avoid the 2π periodicity of angular representations such as Euler angles, and an adaptive meshing scheme, which, in conjunction with PDE regularization of the density variables, refines the mesh where structural members appear and coarsens where there is void. The proposed method is applied to designing a heavy-duty drone frame subject to complex multi-loading conditions. Finally, the manufacturability gaps between the optimized design and the fabrication-ready design for tailored fiber placement (TFP) is discussed, which motivates future work toward a fully automated design synthesis.
A Novel Tunable Stiffness Mechanism Using Filament Jamming
Authors: Hu Junfeng , Xiao Chengkun , Wen Tao
Published: July 2021

The jamming mechanism is a crucial method to tune the stiffness of soft-bodied machines to adapt to their surroundings. However, it is difficult for the present jamming structures to integrate them into systems with complicated shapes such as twist, cylinder, and spiral. This paper introduces a novel jamming mechanism termed a filament jamming technique, which varies stiffness using jamming of a cluster of tiny and compliant filaments. The jamming structure demonstrated various characteristics such as softness, shape compatibility, lightweight, and high stiffness. These feats can meet a variety of application scenarios that the traditional jamming one cannot afford. The experimental test was used to explore the jamming structure's stiffness behavior and dynamic performance. The influence of the filament structure dimensions, material properties, and the vacuum pressure on the stiffness was revealed. With the negative pressure increasing, both the natural frequency and damping ratio increase due to the rigidity variation. It indicates that the filament jamming structure has excellent response rapidity and shock resistance. Our work demonstrated some versatile features of the filament jamming technology, like shape adaptation, shape-preserving, stiffness stability, and compliance. To demonstrate the advantage of the jamming technique, we constructed a soft gripper and a torsional actuator to illustrate how the mechanics of filament jamming can enhance real-world robotics systems’ performance. Therefore, the filament jamming mechanism provides various machines and structures with additional properties to increase forces transmitted to the environment and tune response and damping. This study aims to foster a new generation of mechanically versatile machines and structures with softness and stiffness.
New Reactor Safety Measures for the European Sodium Fast Reactor—Part II: Preliminary Assessment
Authors: Guidez Joel , Bodi Janos , Mikityuk Konstantin , Girardi Enrico , Bittan Jeremy , Grah Aleksander , Tsige-Tamirat Haileyesus , Romojaro Pablo , Álvarez-Velarde Francisco , Carluec Bernard
Published: July 2021

The European Sodium Fast Reactor Safety Measures Assessment and Research Tools (ESFR-SMART) project offers innovative options for a sodium fast reactor (SFR) to improve its safety. This paper explains the preliminary calculations made on the main options to roughly verify their feasibility. Design propositions and calculations are here provided of the following innovative options: elimination of the safety vessel, innovative decay heat removal systems (DHRS), core catcher, thermal pumps, and secondary loops. In conclusion, all these options seem able to fulfill the key points of new safety rules for Generation-IV reactors. A status of the research and development (R&D) effort necessary to validate these new options is also proposed.
Investigation on the Thermal Management Performance of a Parallel Liquid Cooling Structure for Prismatic Batteries
Authors: Tang Zhiguo , Liu Zhiqing , Zhao Renchen , Cheng Jianping
Published: July 2021

Liquid-based battery thermal management system (BTMS) is commonly applied to commercial electric vehicles (EVs). Current research on the liquid cooling structure of prismatic batteries is generally focused on microchannel cooling plates, while studies on the discrete tubes are limited. In this paper, a parallel liquid cooling structure based on heat-conducting plates and cooling tubes is proposed, with computational fluid dynamics used to investigate the cooling performance of the structure. Two different optimization schemes are then put forward, and the effects of the coolant inlet velocity and temperature on the thermal management performance of the optimized structures are explored. Compared with the previous series structures for the same battery module, the parallel structure can significantly reduce the pressure drop and the flow resistance loss. The gradient structures increasing the parallel round tube inner diameters were able to reduce the pressure drop, while the heat transfer was slightly enhanced. Changing the contact mode between the heat-conducting plates and the square cooling tubes could effectively improve the temperature uniformity of the battery module, particularly for structures with no contact between the lower region of the first plate and the cooling square tube. Based on the gradual increase in the inner diameter of the round tubes, the structure of breaking the contact between the lower region of the first plate and the cooling square tube was able to reduce the maximum temperature difference in the battery module within 3 °C by 41.12% and the pressure drop by 26.28% compared with the original structure.
A Compendium of Methods for Determining the Exergy Balance Terms Applied to Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines
Authors: Sahoo Bibhuti B. , Dabi Maryom , Saha Ujjwal K.
Published: July 2021

Exergy analysis of the reciprocating internal combustion (IC) engines is studied by estimating various input and output energy transfer parameters concerning a dead state reference. Exergy terms such as fuel input, work output, cooling, and exhaust gas are measured and are set into the exergy balance equation to determine the amount of loss or destruction. Exergy destructions are found in many forms such as combustion (entropy generation), cylinder wall, friction, mixing, blow-by, and others. These exergy terms have been estimated by considering various factors such as engine type, fuel type, environmental condition, and others. In this article, the different methods employed in estimating these exergy terms have been reviewed. It attempts to make a compendium of these evaluation methods and segregates them under individual exergy terms with necessary descriptions. The fuel input measurement is mostly based on Gibb's free energy and the lower heating value, whereas its higher heating value is used during the fuel exergy calculation on a molar basis. The work output of the engines is estimated either from the crankshaft or by analyzing the cylinder pressure and volume. The exergy transfer with cooling medium and exhaust gas depends on the temperature of the gas. The maximum achievable engine performance is quantified by estimating the exergy efficiency. This piece of study will not only provide plenty of information on exergy evaluation methods of IC engines but will also allow future researchers to adopt the appropriate one.
A Parametric Study for Radial Cracking in Cement Under Different Loading Events Based on the Stress Intensity Factor
Authors: Dong Xuelin , Duan Zhiyin , Dou Haoyu , Ma Yinji , Gao Deli
Published: July 2021

Cement is one of the primary barriers in a wellbore and critical to well integrity. Radial cracking is a pervasive failure mode in cement due to the temperature and pressure variation during drilling, completion, or production. This work presents a comprehensive analysis of radial cracking in cement under various loading events. The proposed model estimates the stress intensity factor and fracture surface displacement as indicators for crack propagation and opening, respectively, through a distributed dislocation technique. Three types of radial cracks, divided by their tips terminating at the casing–cement interface, inside cement, or at the cement–formation interface, are considered. Based on this model, we conduct a parametric study for radial cracking under typical loading events such as steam injection, CO2 injection, and high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) drilling. Results indicate that the crack near the casing–cement interface has an increased risk for steam injection and HPHT drilling, while all three types of radial cracks are destructive during CO2 injection. The thermal expansion coefficient of cement is a significant parameter for steam and CO2 injection wells. The fluid pressure and the cement’s thickness are crucial to radial cracking under HPHT conditions. Stiffer cement could promote crack opening for steam injection but prohibit the crack deformation for CO2 injection or HPHT wells. Thicker cement would accelerate radial cracking under the three loading events. These findings are helpful in designing cement to maintain long-term integrity.
Dynamic Analysis of a Novel Quadruple Combined Cycle Based on Integrated Solar Tower-Gas Turbine-Supercritical CO2 and Organic Rankine Cycles
Authors: Abbasi Narges , Khoshgoftar Manesh Mohammad Hasan , Yazdi Mohsen
Published: July 2021

In this article, a novel quadruple cycle for power generation is presented. It consists of a gas turbine cycle, a Brayton cycle of supercritical carbon dioxide, a Rankin organic cycle with a cyclopentane working fluid, a Rankin steam cycle, a central tower, and a heliostat solar field. Because of improving the Brayton cycle's performance, supercritical carbon dioxide and the Rankine organic cycle have been added to the system. A solar tower system has been used to heat the incoming airflow to the combustion chamber. The heat generated by the solar tower in the first part increases the gas turbine cycle's air temperature, and in the second part, the water vapor heats the Rankin steam cycle. Due to solar radiation instability, the proposed system's performance is dynamically examined every hour of the year, and the results are reported. The thermodynamic simulation results are validated by thermoflex software and reference case with high accuracy. In this regard, energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, exergoenvironmental, emergoeconomic, and emergoenvironmental (6E) analyses have been performed for this system. The result indicates that the gas turbine cycle's fuel consumption is reduced by about 9% to 1.53 kg/s with the solar system's addition. Using solar energy and the Rankin steam cycle, the cycle's production capacity will increase from 43 MW to 66 MW.
Evaluating the Market Potential of Concentrated Solar Thermal Technology for Different Applications in the MENA Region
Authors: Elmorsy Louay , Hamdy Sarah , Morosuk Tatiana , Tsatsaronis George
Published: July 2021

Missing financial and regulatory frameworks lead to low development and stagnating costs of concentrated solar thermal technology. Nevertheless, in locations with high direct normal irradiance (DNI) such as the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region, the technology could become competitive, being promised a learning rate of 10–20%, and boost local economies. This study aims to identify potential business cases and evaluate the increased technology's investment likelihood in the region, focusing on Egypt. A thorough market assessment on the structure, regulatory framework, demand, and potential revenues was conducted for the power and process heating sector. A SWOT analysis was performed considering the local context and competing technologies. Egypt was shown to offer local manufacturing potential, regulatory framework, and renewable energy (RE) strategies, facilitating the technology's deployment. Moreover, the market is already open for private investment and selected international funds are directed toward CSP development. High initial technology cost, subsidized fuel and electricity prices for industry, alongside lack of long-term financial incentives and awareness of potential long-term benefits for the economy were identified as the most significant threats. High solar heat demand for industrial processes and large potential for concentrated solar heat (CSH) application were identified. Yet, the market is decentralized and the processes are very diverse, moreover retrofitting may pose risks alongside the high upfront investment and additional land costs, which makes concentrated solar heat applications less attractive for the Egyptian industrial sector. Hence, for concentrated solar technology deployment, financial incentives and a regulatory framework specifically directed toward the technology would be necessary.