bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical and biodegradation analysis of fully biodegradable eco‐friendly natural fiber reinforced sapling pot
Authors: Behera Ajaya Kumar , Avancha Sridevi , Das Nigamananda , Adhikari Basudam
Published: March 2021

In this work, eco‐friendly biodegradable nonwoven and woven jute‐based soy composites were fabricated. As cellulose of jute and protein part of water‐based soy resin have requisite functional groups to bind chemically and produce mechanically strong composite, hence tensile and flexural strength of developed jute composite were measured and found to be 48.8 and 42.5 MPa, respectively as optimum. Water absorption, impact strength, fire retardancy, and soil burial degradation of developed composites were carried out. Sapling pots were fabricated and their environmental degradation study was executed by growing sapling. Weight loss, spectral, and morphology analysis after biodegradation of sapling pots revealed that developed samples are completely biodegradable in nature. Hence, this innovation can be an alternate to harmful plastic‐based composite/sapling pot and other ceramic‐based sapling pots to keep our environment free of pollution.
Design and multi‐objective optimization of the bumper beams prepared in long glass fiber‐reinforced polypropylene
Authors: Xue Ying , Zhao Haibin , Zhang Yaxin , Gao Zhiyong , Zhai Dongjie , Li Qing , Zhao Guoqun
Published: March 2021

There is an increasing demand for lightweight materials in the automobile industry. In this study, the crashworthiness and crash safety performance of automobile bumper beams made of long glass fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (LGFR‐PP) composites were evaluated. First, LGFR‐PP with the 40% glass fiber was prepared by the hot‐melt impregnation method, the mechanical properties and Poisson's ratio of the LGFR‐PP specimens were tested, which are essential for the finite element analysis. Then a finite element model of aluminum alloy and LGFR‐PP bumpers was established to obtain their peak collision force, maximum intrusion, and energy absorption values under longitudinal and angular low‐speed collision conditions. Subsequently, the multi‐objective optimization was generated using optimized Latin square sampling and response surface test design, and the section thickness of the bumper beams was optimized. The results showed that Swift and Hockett's hardening model is suitable for the LGFR‐PP material. Based on the principle of equal stiffness, the mass of the anti‐collision beams made of LGFR‐PP is reduced by 17.4%, the specific energy absorption (SEA) is increased by 6%, and the cost is reduced by 69%, and both the peak impact force and the amount of collision intrusion are reduced. The multi‐objective optimized Latin hypercube experimental showed that the continuously variable cross‐section beam based on the thickness optimization balanced the impact resistance especially SEA and lightweight performance very well.
Chromosomal mosaicism: Origins and clinical implications in preimplantation and prenatal diagnosis
Authors: Levy Brynn , Hoffmann Eva R. , McCoy Rajiv C. , Grati Francesca R.
Published: March 2021

The diagnosis of chromosomal mosaicism in the preimplantation and prenatal stage is fraught with uncertainty and multiple factors need to be considered in order to gauge the likely impact. The clinical effects of chromosomal mosaicism are directly linked to the type of the imbalance (size, gene content, and copy number), the timing of the initial event leading to mosaicism during embryogenesis/fetal development, the distribution of the abnormal cells throughout the various tissues within the body as well as the ratio of normal/abnormal cells within each of those tissues. Additional factors such as assay noise and culture artifacts also have an impact on the significance and management of mosaic cases. Genetic counseling is an important part of educating patients about the likelihood of having a liveborn with a chromosome abnormality and these risks differ according to the time of ascertainment and the tissue where the mosaic cells were initially discovered. Each situation needs to be assessed on a case‐by‐case basis and counseled accordingly. This review will discuss the clinical impact of finding mosaicism through: embryo biopsy, chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, and noninvasive prenatal testing using cell‐free DNA.
Surfactant‐modified parathyroid hormone fragments with high potency and prolonged action: Structure‐informed design using glycolipid surfactant conjugation
Authors: Nestor John J. , Wang Wei
Published: March 2021

The pharmaceutical properties of peptides (high potency and specificity with low toxicity) make them an attractive therapeutic class but typically short duration of action and low bioavailability can limit their usefulness. Here, we begin evaluation of a new class of peptide modification, glycolipid surfactant conjugation, designed to extend the half‐life of peptide therapeutics. This work illustrates ease of synthesis and conjugation, range of modulation of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic behavior and acceptabilityin vivoof this approach. Proof of concept used parathyroid hormone and showed that an N‐terminal fragment can be modified, informed by the parathyroid hormone receptor x‐ray structure, to produce high potency, enhanced intrinsic efficacy and prolonged actionin vivo. This suggests daily (hypoparathyroidism) or weekly (osteoporosis) administration with biological sequelae (stem cell maturation to osteoblasts) throughout the week. Compound7was chosen for advanced study. Exploration of the physical properties and development potential of glycolipid surfactant‐modified peptides are underway with additional peptide therapeutics.
Route study on patterns of poverty alleviation through vocational education under the background of rural vitalization
Authors: Zhi Zilun , Zhao Fangyi
Published: March 2021

The Chinese Government has proposed the strategy of “targeted poverty alleviation” in its poverty reduction project among the poverty‐stricken population while carrying out a forward‐looking preparation for “rural vitalization.” As is known, the “targeted poverty alleviation” serves the prerequisite of realizing the “rural revitalization strategy.” Poverty alleviation through education plays the role of interdicting intergenerational poverty. Vocational education ranks for the highest input–output ratio, accounting for the best way for profit accumulation in poverty alleviation. Based upon the investigation of 1280 poor households in poverty‐stricken regions of Longsheng County and Ziyuan County in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, this paper introduces the long‐term effect of poverty alleviation through vocational education by comparing the gap of the educational level and income between the poverty‐stricken population and the population out of poverty with an analysis on the income structure of the poor. We recommend measures and suggestions for constructing a system of poverty reduction that is oriented towards rural vocational education, based on poor households' demand for vocational education and training.
On the mechanisms of surface microdischarge plasma treatment of onychomycosis: Penetration, uptake, and chemical reactions
Authors: Xiong Zilan , Huang Renjie , Zhu Yu , Luo Kang , Li Mengqi , Zou Zhenping , Han Rui
Published: March 2021

Despite becoming increasingly established as a treatment technique, the mechanism underlying the plasma treatment of onychomycosis has yet to be elucidated. Here, we focus on the interactions between the nail plate and a surface microdischarge plasma, including penetration, uptake, and chemical reactions. Results show that long‐lived gaseous species from plasma can penetrate the nail plate effectively and are primarily responsible for the instantaneous antionychomycosis effect. The amount of uptake far exceeded that of penetration. Attenuated total reflection‐Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show that antimicrobial compounds form on the nail surface. Combined with the uptake of active species in the nail plate, these antimicrobial compounds may inhibit microorganism growth, thereby promoting long‐term protection against onychomycosis.
The effect of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) supplementation on glycemic indices: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Karimian Jahangir , Farrokhzad Amirhosein , Jalili Cyrus
Published: March 2021

We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to examine the effect of cumin supplementation on markers of glycemic control in adults. A comprehensive literature search was conducted up from inception to November 2020 on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Cochrane electronic databases. Studies that compared the effect of cumin with placebo on fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum insulin, and homeostasis model assessment‐estimated insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index in adults were considered eligible. Weighted mean difference (WMD) (with 95% confidence intervals) for endpoints were calculated using the random‐effects model. Finally, a total of eight RCT studies involving 552 participants were included in the review. The results of the meta‐analysis suggest that cumin supplementation did not significantly alter serum FBS (WMD: −17.77 mg/dl; 95% CI: −36.42 to 0.87, p = .06), insulin (WMD: −0.49 Hedges' g; 95% CI: −1.19 to 0.21, p =.16) levels and HOMA‐IR (WMD: ‐0.06; 95% CI: −0.21 to 0.10, p = 0.48) index. These results do not support the use of cumin supplementation for improving glycemic markers in adults. However, further high‐quality trials are still needed to confirm these results.
Investigation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in red and yellow onions and a synergistic utilization of skin extract in modified atmosphere packaging of salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Güner Senem , Boz Ziynet , Yağız Yavuz , Topalcengiz Zeynal , Welt Bruce A. , Sarnoski Paul , Simonne Amarat , Kristinsson Hordur G. , Marshall Maurice R.
Published: March 2021

This study investigated potentially synergetic effects of red onion skin extract and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on lipid oxidation of salmon. The skin and flesh of red and yellow onions were extracted with water at 25°C, 45°C, 65°C and 90°C, ethanol and acetone in water solutions. Total anthocyanin and polyphenol levels and antioxidant capacity were determined after extraction. Minced salmon samples were mixed with red onion skin extract (ROSE) and packaged under MAP at different O2 concentrations (0%, 5%, 10% and 15% of total package gas composition) with 40% CO2 and balance N2. Polyphenol recovery and antioxidant capacity increased for each sample as the extraction temperature increased with hot water use. Water extraction at 90°C provided higher extraction yields than ethanol and acetone in water solutions. The ROSE treatment of fish with MAP reduced lipid oxidation rates as evidenced by a decrease in peroxide value (43%) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) (30%). The ROSE might effectively suppress the free radicals in a MAP system. A skin extract and MAP application might increase the shelf life of salmon.
Engineering Elastic Properties of Isostructural Molecular Perovskite Ferroelectrics via B‐Site Substitution
Authors: An Lian‐Cai , Li Kai , Li Zhi‐Gang , Zhu Shengli , Li Qite , Zhang Zhuo‐Zhen , Ji Li‐Jun , Li Wei , Bu Xian‐He
Published: March 2021

Managing elastic properties of ABX3 type molecular perovskite ferroelectrics is critical to their future applications since these parameters determine their service durability and reliability in devices. The abundant structural and chemical viability of these compounds offer a convenient way to manipulate their elastic properties through a facile chemical approach. Here, the elastic properties and high‐pressure behaviors of two isostructural perovskite ferroelectrics, MDABCO‐NH4I3 and MDABCO‐KI3 (MDABCO = N‐methyl‐N′‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octonium) is systematically investigated, via the first principles calculations and high‐pressure synchrotron X‐ray diffraction experiments. It is show that the simple replacement of NH4+ by K+ on the B‐site respectively results in up to 48.1%, 52.4%, and 56.3% higher Young's moduli, shear moduli and bulk moduli, which is attributed to the much stronger KI coordination bonding than NH4…I hydrogen bonding. These findings demonstrate that it is possible to tune elastic properties of molecular perovskite ferroelectrics via simply varying the framework assembling interactions.
A Bidirectional Nanomodification Approach for Synthesizing Hierarchically Architected Mixed Oxide Electrodes for Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Rong Qian , Du Jingshan S. , Chen Xinqi , Liu Qingju , Dravid Vinayak P.
Published: March 2021

Several transition‐metal oxides and hydroxides based on earth‐abundant elements, such as Fe, Ni, and Co, have emerged as a new generation of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts due to their low cost, favorable activity, and multifunctional behavior. However, the relatively complicated surface structuring methods, high Tafel slope, and low stability hinder their practical applications to replace the conventional Ir‐ and Ru‐based catalysts. Herein, a strategy to construct hierarchically architected mixed oxides on conductive substrates (e.g., ITO and Ni foam) via a nanosheet (NS) deposition and subsequent bidirectional nanomodification approach, with metal salts in an aprotic polar solvent (e.g., acetone) as the primary modifying reactants is reported. This strategy is used to prepare NiO‐based NSs with nanopores, nanobranches, or a combination of both, containing up to four transition metal elements. Record‐low Tafel slope (22.3 mV·dec−1, ≈lowest possible by computational predictions) and week‐long continuous operation durability are achieved by FeMnNi‐O NSs supported on Ni foams. Taken together, properly designed hierarchical mixed oxide electrodes may provide a cost‐effective route to generating high, reliable, and stable OER catalytic activities, paving the way for both new electrocatalyst design and practical water‐splitting devices.
Study on nonlinear damping behavior of damaged recycled aggregate concrete beams
Authors: Wang Chunhui , Xiao Jianzhuang , Liang Chaofeng
Published: March 2021

An experimental study on the nonlinear damping behavior of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) beams is conducted through subjecting dynamic loadings at the different damage stages. The effects of the loading frequency, loading amplitude, damage, recycled aggregate, and replacement percentage on the energy dissipation by damping and the equivalent viscous damping ratio (EVDR) of the RAC beams are analyzed. The experimental results show that the energy dissipation and the EVDR are not directly influenced by the loading frequency, and the EVDR rises with the increasing loading amplitude for the damaged beams. The damage stage is of great significance to the damping mechanism. The EVDR is firstly increased, peaks at the yielding stage, and finally declines with the damage accumulation, and the EVDR at the yielding stage can be increased to 2.6–3.1 times compared to the undamaged RAC beams. The EVDRs are higher for the beams with the incorporation of the recycled aggregates, because of their lower stiffness and higher energy dissipation. The experimental results demonstrate that the commonly applied viscous damping model is not capable of correctly describing the damping behavior of RAC beams, whereas the modified Coulomb damping model performs much better. A shift in the damping mechanism is observed with the damage evolution, and the relationships between the damage indices and the damping parameters are established.
Sinapic acid mitigates methotrexate‐induced hepatic injuries in rats through modulation of Nrf‐2/HO‐1 signaling
Authors: Ahmad Ajaz , Alkharfy Khalid M. , Bin Jardan Yousef A. , Shahid Mudassar , Ansari Mushtaq Ahmad , Alqahtani Saeed , Jan Basit L. , Al‐Jenoobi Fahad I. , Raish Mohammad
Published: March 2021

The present research has been investigated to study the protective outcomes of sinapic acid (SA) against methotrexate (MTX) encouraged liver damage in rats by modulating the Nrf2/HO‐1 and NF‐κB signaling pathways. The animals were arbitrarily allocated into four groups: group I rats administered a 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) vehicle orally for 15 consecutive days with a single intravenous standard saline injection (0.9% NaCl) on day seven. Groups II, III, and IV were injected intraperitoneally with 20 mg MTX/kg on 7th day. Animals in group III and IV were treated orally for 14 days with 20 mg of SA/kg dissolved daily in 0.5% CMC respectively. In all experimental groups, liver function, biochemical, histopathological and molecular changes were evaluated. MTX‐induced changes in liver function indices like ALT, AST, and ALP are substantially restored with SA pretreatment. Moreover, antioxidant defense mechanisms (GSH, SOD, and CAT) and oxidative/nitrostative stress (MDA and NO) and inflammatory cytokine (TNF‐α, IL‐β and MPO) were also substantially restored. Furthermore, the conclusions indicate that SA prevents the hepatic damage caused by MTX through apoptosis inhibition and stimulation of Nrf2/HO‐1‐medial antioxidant enzymes by NF‐κB inhibition. Histological findings have shown that SA therapy has greatly protected liver damage caused by MTX.
Silica dust exposure induces pulmonary fibrosis through autophagy signaling
Authors: Li Ning , Shi Fan , Wang Xiaoyan , Yang Pan , Sun Kun , Zhang Lin , Hao Xiaohui , Li Xiaoming , Li Jinlong , Jin Yulan
Published: March 2021

Silicosis is a well‐acknowledged occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of a large amount of free silica dust during the production period and eventually a considerable negative impact on the patients' quality of life. Autophagy exerts a critical influence on immune and inflammatory responses during the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we sought to determine whether autophagy is involved in silicosis's pathogenesis and how it may affect pulmonary cellular physiology. In the animal experiments, we found persistent activation of autophagy in the development of pulmonary fibrosis, which was also accompanied by tumor necrosis factor and transforming growth factor expression increased. Therefore, the autophagy signaling pathway may regulate the inflammatory response and affect the progression of fibrosis. Further, in vitro experiments, we used LY294002, RAPA, and N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) intervened autophagy. Our results showed that PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is involved in the autophagy changed mediated by SiO2 exposed, and autophagy might play a protective role in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, NAC's effect is not apparent on SiO2‐mediated autophagy through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, but it can reduce the inflammatory response on NR8383 cells mediated by SiO2‐exposed. Nevertheless, it's interesting that NAC can reduce the inflammatory response on NR8383 cells mediated by SiO2‐exposed. Taken together, our data demonstrated that SiO2‐exposed can induce pulmonary fibrosis along with autophagy both in vivo and in vitro, NAC could alleviate the inflammatory response NR8383 cells by SiO2‐exposed through non PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and the specific mechanism of its action needs further studying.
Impacts of Microbial based Therapy on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, Carcass Traits and Economic Efficiency of Clostridium perfringens‐Infected Cobb and Arbor Acres Broilers
Authors: Sallam Eman A. , Mohammed Liza S. , Elbasuni Sawsan S. , Azam Aya E. , Soliman Mohamed Mohamed
Published: March 2021

The poultry farms need a safe and effective alternative for antibiotics that can counteract the negative impacts of necrotic enteritis (NE), which causes severe mortalities and economic losses. The current study was aimed to examine the influence of antibiotic (Flagymox) and the microbial‐based administration on carcass traits in Clostridium (C.) perfringens‐infected Cobb and Arbor Acres broilers. A total number of 360 Cobb and Arbor Acres broiler chicks (180 numbers per breed) were allocated to four groups; negative control group (without any treatments); positive control group (administration of C. perfringens at the rate of 1 × 109cfu/bird via crop gavage twice daily from day 16 to 18 post‐hatch); C. perfringens challenge plus antibiotic (Flagymox®) group, and Clostridium perfringens challenge plus microbial‐based treatment (Big‐lactoα®) group. The results indicated that the Flagymox and Big‐lactoα treated Cobb breed group achieved a significant increase in their body weight (BW) than the positive control group at the third week post‐infection. Also, the Arbor Acres breed gained significantly higher weight compared to the Cobb breed at the third week. Total weight gain (TWG) from 0 to the fifth week in the Cobb and Arbor Acres breeds were higher in the groups treated with Flagymox and Big‐lactoα compared to the birds challenged with C. perfringens without any treatment, thus, increasing the total return (TR) in the treated groups. Economic efficiency showed no significant differences (p < .05) between the treatment groups of both the breeds. Although the treatment cost of Flagymox is higher than the microbial‐based treatment (0.86 versus 0.35 LE), there were no mortalities reported in the microbial‐based groups in both the breeds resulting in significantly low losses compared to the Flagymox treated groups. The groups treated with the microbial‐based products in both breeds were superior in dressing percentage (75.16 and 77.06% for Cobb and Arbor Acres, respectively) compared to that of the other groups. In conclusion, microbial‐based therapy improved the growth rate, carcass traits, survival rate, and economic efficiency in necrotic enteritis induced in Cobb and Arbor Acres broilers.
Fluid mechanical modeling of the upper urinary tract
Authors: Zheng Shaokai , Carugo Dario , Mosayyebi Ali , Turney Ben , Burkhard Fiona , Lange Dirk , Obrist Dominik , Waters Sarah , Clavica Francesco
Published: March 2021

The upper urinary tract (UUT) consists of kidneys and ureters, and is an integral part of the human urogenital system. Yet malfunctioning and complications of the UUT can happen at all stages of life, attributed to reasons such as congenital anomalies, urinary tract infections, urolithiasis and urothelial cancers, all of which require urological interventions and significantly compromise patients' quality of life. Therefore, many models have been developed to address the relevant scientific and clinical challenges of the UUT. Of all approaches, fluid mechanical modeling serves a pivotal role and various methods have been employed to develop physiologically meaningful models. In this article, we provide an overview on the historical evolution of fluid mechanical models of UUT that utilize theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches. Descriptions of the physiological functionality of each component are also given and the mechanical characterizations associated with the UUT are provided. As such, it is our aim to offer a brief summary of the current knowledge of the subject, and provide a comprehensive introduction for engineers, scientists, and clinicians who are interested in the field of fluid mechanical modeling of UUT.

This article is categorized under:

Cancer > Biomedical Engineering

Infectious Diseases > Biomedical Engineering

Reproductive System Diseases > Biomedical Engineering
Active Semantic Relations in Layered Enterprise Architecture Development
Authors: Baxter Matt , Polovina Simon , Laurier Wim , Rosing Mark von
Published: March 2021

Enterprise Architecture (EA) metamodels align an organisation’s business, information and technology resources so that these assets best meet the organisation’s purpose. The Layered EA Development (LEAD) Ontology enhances EA practices by a metamodel with layered metaobjects as its building blocks interconnected by semantic relations. Each metaobject connects to another metaobject by two semantic relations in opposing directions, thus highlighting how each metaobject views other metaobjects from its perspective. While the resulting two directed graphs reveal all the multiple pathways in the metamodel, more desirable would be to have one directed graph that focusses on the dependencies in the pathways. Towards this aim, using CG-FCA (where CG refers to Conceptual Graph and FCA to Formal Concept Analysis) and a LEAD case study, we determine an algorithm that elicits the active as opposed to the passive semantic relations between the metaobjects resulting in one directed graph metamodel. We also identified the general applicability of our algorithm to any metamodel that consists of triples of objects with active and passive relations.
A Belief Update System Using an Event Model for Location of People in a Smart Home
Authors: Bernert Marie , Ramparany Fano
Published: March 2021

Artificial Intelligence applications often require to maintain a knowledge base about the observed environment. In particular, when the current knowledge is inconsistent with new information, it has to be updated. Such inconsistency can be due to erroneous assumptions or to changes in the environment. Here we considered the second case, and develop a knowledge update algorithm based on event logic that takes into account constraints according to which the environment can evolve. These constraints take the form of events that modify the environment in a well-defined manner. The belief update triggered by a new observation is thus explained by a sequence of events. We then apply this algorithm to the problem of locating people in a smart home and show that taking into account past information and move’s constraints improves location inference.
A Natural Language Generation Technique for Automated Psychotherapy
Authors: Mann Graham , Kishore Beena , Dhillon Pyara
Published: March 2021

The need for software applications that can assist with mental disorders has never been greater. Individuals suffering from mental illnesses often avoid consultation with a psychotherapist, because they do not realize the need, or because they cannot or will not face the social and economic consequences, which can be severe. Between ideal treatment by a human therapist and self-help websites lies the possibility of a helpful interaction with a language-using computer. A model of empathic response planning for sentence generation in a forthcoming automated psychotherapist is described here. The model combines emotional state tracking, contextual information from the patient’s history and continuously updated therapeutic goals to form suitable conceptual graphs that may then be realized as suitable textual sentences.
Usage Patterns Identification Using Graphs and Machine Learning
Authors: Sonea Ovidiu-Dan
Published: March 2021

During the past years, the number of platforms that are introducing a subscription plan is steadily increasing. This phenomenon helps support the developers as well as continuing to provide quality content. Since not so many individuals are willing to spend money or some simply do not have the means, they resort to sharing an account that has a subscription plan. This behavior can, in some instances, be harmful for the developers and, even if it is not, any provider can benefit from knowing what type of clients they have. The solution depicted and explored in this article will focus on using data that is easily available and structuring it in a way that can provide insight into each account activity.
Light(ly)-coupled dark matter in the keV range: freeze-in and constraints
Authors: Chang Jae Hyeok , Essig Rouven , Reinert Annika
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Dark matter produced from thermal freeze-out is typically restricted to have masses above roughly 1 MeV. However, if the couplings are small, the freeze-in mechanism allows for production of dark matter down to keV masses. We consider dark matter coupled to a dark photon that mixes with the photon and dark matter coupled to photons through an electric or magnetic dipole moment. We discuss contributions to the freeze-in production of such dark matter particles from standard model fermion-antifermion annihilation and plasmon decay. We also derive constraints on such dark matter from the cooling of red giant stars and horizontal branch stars, carefully evaluating the thermal processes as well as the bremsstrahlung process that dominates for masses above the plasma frequency. We find that the parameters needed to obtain the observed relic abundance from freeze-in are excluded below a few tens of keV, depending on the value of the dark gauge coupling constant for the dark photon portal model, and below a few keV, depending on the reheating temperature for dark matter with an electric or magnetic dipole moment. While laboratory probes are unlikely to probe these freeze-in scenarios in general, we show that for dark matter with an electric or magnetic dipole moment and for dark matter masses above the reheating temperature, the couplings needed for freeze-in to produce the observed relic abundance can be probed partially by upcoming direct-detection experiments.
Alternative Cauchy equation in three unknown functions
Authors: Forti Gian Luigi
Published: March 2021

In this paper we deal with the product of two or three Cauchy differences equaled to zero. We show that in the case of two Cauchy differences, the condition of absolute continuity and differentiability of the two functions involved implies that one of them must be linear, i.e., we have a trivial solution. In the case of the product of three Cauchy differences the situation changes drastically: there exists non trivial$${\mathcal {C}}^{\infty }$$C∞solutions, while in the case of real analytic functions we obtain that at least one of the functions involved must be linear. Some open problems are then presented.
Does regular strength training cause urinary incontinence in overweight inactive women? A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bø Kari , Haakstad Lene Anette H. , Paulsen Gøran , Rustaden Anne Mette
Published: March 2021

Introduction and hypothesis

Urinary incontinence (UI) is common in women who exercise. We aimed to investigate new onset UI in formerly inactive, overweight or obese women (BMI > 25) participating in three different strength training modalities compared with a non-exercising control group.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of an assessor blinded randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of 12 weeks of three strength training concepts for women on muscle strength and body composition. None of the programs included pelvic floor muscle training. International Consensus on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) was used to investigate primary outcome; new onset UI, and secondary outcome; ICIQ-UI-SF sum score. Suissa and Shuster’s exact unconditional test was used to analyze difference in new onset UI. Difference in ICIQ-UI-SF sum score is presented as mean with 95% CI.

Results

At baseline 40 out of 128 (31.2%) participants reported UI. Three out of 27, 2 out of 17, 2 out of 23, and 0 out of 21 women in the three training and control groups respectively had new onset UI. There were no statistically significant differences in new onset UI across the groups or when collapsing new onset UI in the intervention groups compared with the controls (7 out of 67 vs 0 out of 21), p = 0.124. After the intervention the control group reported worse ICIQ-UI-SF sum score than any of the training groups; mean difference − 6.6 (95% CI: −11.9, −1.27), p = 0.012, but there was no difference in change from baseline to 12 weeks between the groups p = 0.145).

Conclusions

There was no statistically significant change in UI after strength training.
An extension of the Rådström cancellation theorem to cornets
Authors: Molnár Gábor M. , Páles Zsolt
Published: March 2021

The aim of this paper is to introduce the notion of cornets, which form a particular subclass of ordered semigroups also equipped with a multiplication by natural numbers. The most important standard examples for cornets are the families of the nonempty subsets and the nonempty fuzzy subsets of a vector space. In a cornet, the convexity, nonnegativity, Archimedean property, boundedness, closedness of an element can be defined naturally. The basic properties related to these notions are established. The main result extends the Cancellation Principle discovered by Rådström in 1952.
Clinical analysis of 13 children with primary hyperoxaluria type 1
Authors: Lin Jin-ai , Liao Xin , Wu Wenlin , Xiao Lixia , Liu Longshan , Qiu Jiang
Published: March 2021

A retrospective statistical analysis of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) in children from June 2016 to May 2019 was carried out to discover its clinical and molecular biological characteristics. Patients were divided into two groups (infant and noninfant) according to clinic type. There were 13 pediatric patients (male:female = 6:7) with PH1 in the cohort from 11 families (four of which were biological siblings from two families), whose median age of symptom onset was 12 months and median confirmed diagnosis age was 14 months. Infant type (6 patients) was the most common type. The infant type mortality rate (100%) was higher than the noninfant (14.3%) (p = 0.029). The incidence of renal failure in infant patients was 67%, while the noninfant was 14.3%. 8 of 10 patients with nephrocalcinosis (NC) (76.92%, 10/13) were diagnosed by radiological imaging examinations, including X-ray (3 patients), CT (4 patients) and MRI (1 patient). NC was an independent risk factor for renal insufficiency [OR 3.33, 95% CI (0.7–1.2)], p < 0.05). Nine types of AGXT gene mutations were found; 1 type, c.190A > T, were first reported here. The most common AGXT gene mutation was c.679_680del, which occurred in exon 6 (5 patients). The infant type is the most common type of pediatric PH, with a relatively higher ratio of renal failure at symptom onset and poor prognosis. NC is an independent risk factor leading to renal failure, and radiological imaging examination is recommended for patients with abnormal ultrasound examination to identify NC. AGXT gene detection is important for the diagnosis and treatment of PH1 in children.
Blumgart Anastomosis After Pancreaticoduodenectomy. A Comprehensive Systematic Review, Meta‐Analysis, and Meta‐Regression
Authors: Ricci Claudio , Ingaldi Carlo , Alberici Laura , Pagano Nico , Mosconi Cristina , Marasco Giovanni , Minni Francesco , Casadei Riccardo
Published: March 2021

Background

The superiority of Blumgart anastomosis (BA) over non‐BA duct to mucosa (non‐BA DtoM) still remains under debate.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of studies comparing BA to non‐BA DtoM. The primary endpoint was CR‐POPF. Postoperative morbidity and mortality, post‐pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), reoperation rate, and length of stay (LOS) were evaluated as secondary endpoints. The meta‐analysis was carried out using random effect. The results were reported as odds ratio (OR), risk difference (RD), weighted mean difference (WMD), and number needed to treat (NNT).

Results

Twelve papers involving 2368 patients: 1075 BA and 1193 non‐BA DtoM were included. Regarding the primary endpoint, BA was superior to non‐BA DtoM (RD = 0.10; 95% CI: −0.16 to −0.04; NNT = 9). The multivariate ORs' meta‐analysis confirmed BA's protective role (OR 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.79). BA was superior to DtoM regarding overall morbidity (RD = −0.10; 95% CI: −0.18 to −0.02; NNT = 25), PPH (RD = −0.03; 95% CI −0.06 to −0.01; NNT = 33), and LOS (− 4.2 days; −7.1 to −1.2 95% CI).

Conclusion

BA seems to be superior to non‐BA DtoM in avoiding CR‐POPF.
Diagnosis and Management of Adult Omental Infarction: 10‐Year Case Series
Authors: Diab Jason , Badiani Sarit , Berney Christophe R.
Published: March 2021

Background

Omental infarction is a rare cause of an acute abdomen with nonspecific signs that can be easily mistaken with other more common intra‐abdominal pathologies. The increased use of radiological imaging has brought this diagnosis to attention with respect to management plan. We present the experience of an Australian hospital network with the diagnosis and management of omental infarction to raise awareness of this uncommon pathology.

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records of adult patients diagnosed with omental infarction from 2010 to 2020 was conducted across four major hospitals in South Western Sydney. Data relating to clinical presentation, investigations, management and outcomes were obtained.

Results

Omental infarction was diagnosed in 61 patients (mean 51.1 years, range: 19–76 years old). All patients presented with nonspecific abdominal pain with the most common sites being the right iliac fossa followed by the right upper quadrant, respectively, over an average period of 2.7 days. Computed tomography and/or diagnostic laparoscopy identified omental infarction in all cases. Forty‐two patients (68.9%) had successful conservative management, six failed conservative management and 19 patients had emergency laparoscopic omentectomy. The average hospital length of stay was 3.4 days with no significant morbidity or mortality.

Conclusion

Omental infarction generally presents with nonspecific clinical signs often masquerading as other more common abdominal diagnosis like cholecystitis or appendicitis. A trial of conservative management initially coupled with appropriate imaging should be recommended within the first 24–48 h before considering surgical treatment in refractory cases.
Heating of an Aortic Stent for Coarctation Treatment During Magnetic Particle Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Imaging—A Comparative In Vitro Study
Authors: Grzyska Ulrike , Friedrich Thomas , Sieren Malte M. , Stahlberg Erik , Oechtering Thekla H. , Ahlborg Mandy , Buzug Thorsten M. , Frydrychowicz Alex , Barkhausen Joerg , Haegele Julian , Wegner Franz
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To evaluate heating of a redilatable stent for the treatment of aortic coarctation in neonates and small children in the new imaging modality magnetic particle imaging and established magnetic resonance imaging.

Materials and Methods

The cobalt-chromium stent (BabyStent, OSYPKA AG, Rheinfelden, Germany) has a stent design which allows for redilatation and adjustment of the diameter from 6 to 16 mm for a use in aortic coarctation. The stent loses its radial integrity while opening at predetermined breaking points at a diameter of 14 mm or 16 mm, respectively. We measured the temperature increase in the stent at different diameters during 7-min magnetic particle imaging and magnetic resonance imaging scans with fiber optic thermometers under static conditions surrounded by air. In magnetic particle imaging, stents with diameters from 6 to 16 mm were tested while in magnetic resonance imaging only stents with diameters of 6 mm and 14 mm were investigated exemplarily.

Result

In magnetic particle imaging, the measured temperature differences increased up to 4.7 K with growing diameters, whereas the opened stents with discontinuous struts at 14 and 16 mm showed only minimal heating of max. 0.5 K. In contrast to magnetic particle imaging, our measurements showed no heating of the stents during magnetic resonance imaging under identical conditions.

Conclusion

The BabyStent did show only slight heating in magnetic particle imaging and no detectable temperature increase in magnetic resonance imaging.
Nucleotide spacing distribution analysis for human genome
Authors: Górski Andrzej Z. , Piwowar Monika
Published: March 2021

The distribution of nucleotides spacing in human genome was investigated. An analysis of the frequency of occurrence in the human genome of different sequence lengths flanked by one type of nucleotide was carried out showing that the distribution has no self-similar (fractal) structure. The results nevertheless revealed several characteristic features: (i) the distribution for short-range spacing is quite similar to the purely stochastic sequences; (ii) the distribution for long-range spacing essentially deviates from the random sequence distribution, showing strong long-range correlations; (iii) the differences between (A, T) and (C, G) nucleotides are quite significant; (iv) the spacing distribution displays tiny oscillations.
Analysis of transonic buffet using dynamic mode decomposition
Authors: Feldhusen-Hoffmann Antje , Lagemann Christian , Loosen Simon , Meysonnat Pascal , Klaas Michael , Schröder Wolfgang
Published: March 2021

The buffet flow field around supercritical airfoils is dominated by self-sustained shock wave oscillations on the suction side of the wing. Theories assume that this unsteadiness is driven by a feedback loop of disturbances in the flow field downstream of the shock wave whose upstream propagating part is generated by acoustic waves. High-speed particle-image velocimetry measurements are performed to investigate this feedback loop in transonic buffet flow over a supercritical DRA 2303 airfoil. The freestream Mach number is $$M_{\infty } = 0.73$$

M
∞

=
0.73

, the angle of attack is $$\alpha = 3.5^{\circ }$$

α
=
3
.

5
∘

, and the chord-based Reynolds number is $${\mathrm{Re}}_{c} = 1.9\times 10^6$$

Re
c

=
1.9
×

10
6

. The obtained velocity fields are processed by sparsity-promoting dynamic mode decomposition to identify the dominant dynamic features contributing strongest to the buffet flow field. Two pronounced dynamic modes are found which confirm the presence of two main features of the proposed feedback loop. One mode is related to the shock wave oscillation frequency and its shape includes the movement of the shock wave and the coupled pulsation of the recirculation region downstream of the shock wave. The other pronounced mode represents the disturbances which form the downstream propagating part of the proposed feedback loop. The frequency of this mode corresponds to the frequency of the acoustic waves which are generated by these downstream traveling disturbances and which form the upstream propagating part of the proposed feedback loop. In this study, the post-processing, i.e., the DMD, is highlighted to substantiate the existence of this vortex mode. It is this vortex mode that via the Lamb vector excites the shock oscillations. The measurement data based DMD results confirm numerical findings, i.e., the dominant buffet and vortex modes are in good agreement with the feedback loop suggested by Lee.

Graphic abstract
Correlates of the discrepancy between objective and subjective cognitive functioning in non-demented patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Siciliano Mattia , Trojano Lugi , De Micco Rosa , Sant’Elia Valeria , Giordano Alfonso , Russo Antonio , Passamonti Luca , Tedeschi Gioacchino , Chiorri Carlo , Tessitore Alessandro
Published: March 2021

Background

Subjective complaints of cognitive deficits are not necessarily consistent with objective evidence of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here we examined the factors associated with the objective-subjective cognitive discrepancy.

Methods

We consecutively enrolled 90 non-demented patients with PD who completed the Parkinson’s Disease Cognitive Functional Rating Scale (subjective cognitive measure) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; objective cognitive measure). The patients were classified as “Overestimators”, “Accurate estimators”, and “Underestimators” on the basis of the discrepancy between the objective vs. subjective cognitive measures. To identify the factors distinguishing these groups from each other, we used chi-square tests or one-way analyses of variance, completed by logistic and linear regression analyses.

Results

Forty-nine patients (54.45%) were classified as “Accurate estimators”, 29 (32.22%) as “Underestimators”, and 12 (13.33%) as “Overestimators”. Relative to the other groups, the “Underestimators” scored higher on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Parkinson Anxiety Scale (p < 0.01). Logistic regression confirmed that FSS and BDI scores distinguished the “Underestimators” group from the others (p < 0.05). Linear regression analyses also indicated that FSS and BDI scores positively related to objective-subjective cognitive discrepancy (p < 0.01). “Overestimators” scored lower than other groups on the MoCA’s total score and attention and working memory subscores (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

In more than 45% of consecutive non-demented patients with PD, we found a ‘mismatch’ between objective and subjective measures of cognitive functioning. Such discrepancy, which was related to the presence of fatigue and depressive symptoms and frontal executive impairments, should be carefully evaluated in clinical setting.
Outcomes after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty over a period of 7 years at a tertiary referral center: endothelial cell density, central corneal thickness, and visual acuity
Authors: Bayyoud Tarek , Gelisken Faik , Rohrbach Jens Martin , Blumenstock Gunnar , Bartz-Schmidt Karl Ulrich , Thaler Sebastian
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To better assess clinical trajectories of patients with or without ocular comorbidity after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. Background: To report on the outcomes of eyes with differing starting conditions following surgery. Design: Retrospective study at a University Eye Hospital. Participants: 361 eyes separated into group 1 (n=229; eyes with endothelial disease only) and group 2 (n=132; eyes with additional ocular comorbid conditions, such as herpetic eye disease 18/132 (13.6%), glaucoma 16/132 (12.1%), dry age-related macular degeneration 14/132 (10.6%), epiretinal membranes 10/132 (7.6%), and wet age-related macular degeneration 9/132 (6.8%)).

Methods

Consecutive eyes that underwent Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty over a follow-up period of up to 7 years at a tertiary referral center were reviewed. Main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity, postoperative complications, graft survival, central corneal thickness, and endothelial cell density.

Results

Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity at year 1 improved in both groups significantly (Wilcoxon signed rank test: group 1, p =.002; .63 to .23 logMAR; group 2, p <.001; 1.15 to .87 logMAR) with a group difference in favor of group 1 (p =.009, Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon). A decrease of the endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness was noted at postoperative year 1 for both groups (paired t-tests (group 1, p <.001; group 2, p =.045) and paired t-tests (group 1, p <.001; group 2, p =.003). Complications were less common, and graft longevity was superior in group 1.

Conclusion

Eyes with different starting conditions might experience a visual improvement and benefit from surgery. Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty is a valid treatment for endothelial disorders in manifold of eyes. Further long-term studies are required.