bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mathematical simulation of the economic-energy parameters of the engine 4DC-125/110 supplied with mixed fuel based on thermal calculation
Authors: Voleac P , Dichii A
Published: January 2022

The article presents a mathematical model of thermodynamic calculation of compression ignition engines. The 4DC-125/110 engine was chosen as an example, and on the basis of the mathematical model, its energy and economic performances were simulated supplying various types of fuel to identify the best operation results.
Modelling a virtual wind tunnel for vehicle aerodynamic measurements
Authors: Ilea L , Iozsa D , Fratila G
Published: January 2022

The automotive makes of our days are challenged to fulfil more and more criteria to remain competitive and financially performant, considering the legislation that must be respected to be able to commercialise each model. One highly important set of rules focus on emissions and strict limits are implemented. To develop compliant products, each make must focus on aerodynamic performance so to reduce the drag of air, thus the required force to overcome for movement at high speeds. While homologation is currently done exclusively as a physical test, to be able to reduce the aerodynamic coefficient, strong virtual tools are used. These measurements performed with computation fluid dynamic software are translated into a virtual wind tunnel that must be able to give relevant and coherent results in respect to final physical validations. The paper will indicate the main types of wind tunnels, parameters to consider, error source and how results can be used. While the computational power is growing each moment, the industry is continuously adapting to obtain the most performant and appealing designs with minimal resources, this being the key of reducing the CO2 footprint of passenger vehicles transport segment.
The reliability of automotive subsystems influence on the motor vehicles fuel economy
Authors: Negrilă R I , Igreţ S V
Published: January 2022

The reliability theory consistently regards all phases of vehicle construction and operation. The properties determining the vehicle reliability, which are also called potential objectives, are precisely formulated from early design and manufacturing phases and accomplished in the production process. The analysis of reliability from the perspective of potential properties allows us to identify certain categories of potential properties. One refers to potential properties that depend on the deterioration of operating functions. In this category, we can find the resistance to breakage and deformation, stability of operating processes, stability of the physical-mechanical properties of the construction materials and of the working environment. Secondly, the potential properties required to accomplish the required level of production and reduce the manufacturing costs, such as manufacturing technology, the corresponding volume of production, simplicity of manufacture and failure-free manufacturing. Thirdly, there are potential properties needed to maintain the reliability at a high level during service, such as developing the quality of diagnoses, technical maintenance, reducing all types of costs and increasing productivity. Here we find the technology of the diagnosis and the totality of the external expenses and the adaptability to the automation of diagnosing tools. Operating reliability is the result of the full accomplishing of the potential reliability of components. The reliability of automotives treated as a subsystem can successfully be evaluated by defining certain operating indicators and characteristics, the economic characteristic being of great interest and importance.
Bearings fault detection by means of frequency analysis
Authors: Stoica R M , Voicu D , Vilau R , Barothi L , Deleanu L
Published: January 2022

The present paper aims to analyse the possibility to prevent machine failure due to bearing faults, with the use of frequency analysis. The experimental research consisted in mounting a simple mechanical transmission, integrating an electric motor, a rigid coupling, a driven shaft, two pillow block bearings and a uniaxial accelerometer (connected to a data acquisition board), which was tested at two constant motor speeds. Follow-up, with the use of recorded data, it was plotted the envelope spectrum of bearing functioning, based on BPFO, BPFI, FTF and BSF harmonics, which were later used to determine on which element of the bearing is the defect located, or if the bearing lacks proper greasing.
Diagnosis of mechanical parts by analyzing vibrations measured during operation
Authors: Udrea M M , Voicu D , Stoica R M , Barothi L
Published: January 2022

The present study aims to measure vibrations in machine parts, perform the corresponding spectral analysis and, finally, obtain a diagnosis. The test was performed on a cardan shaft, measuring the vibrations with a uni-axial accelerometer, and follow-up, with the use of the Adash acquisition board, data were recorded and analyzed. It is known that each mechanical part has its own vibration frequency and that the operation at critical speed determines the occurrence of the resonance phenomenon. When this phenomenon appears, damage occurs, which is difficult to remedy and in some cases could endanger the safety of operators. Therefore, it was necessary to perform modal analysis in the Ansys program in order to be able to analyze the own vibration modes of the cardan shaft.
Dynamics of frontal crash in/without the presence of passive safety systems
Authors: Ionut Alexandru Garnita , Gheorghe Marius Corbu , Florin Daniel Toma , Daniel Dragos Trusca
Published: January 2022

The paper aims to debate on experimental retrieved accelerations from real crash tests, based on different scenarios, to enable assessment on driver potential injury. Scenarios included the presence of passive safety systems (e.g., airbag, seat belt) and test data are being processed to estimate the head injury criteria (HIC) followed by its correlation with abbreviated injury scale values (AIS). A dummy, average male resemblance, was developed in-situ and used in the experimental configuration. Signals were being acquired by few accelerometers disposed on the dummy’s head and thorax using a Pic DAQ system (DSD, Linz, Austria). Data processing and values of injury criteria underline the importance of passive safety systems proven HIC experienced a consistent decrease in the presence of both air-bag and seatbelt.
Frontal impact on truck cabin structure using FE modeling
Authors: Ioniţă A , Iozsa M D , Stan C , Manea A M
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to investigate the component structural behaviour and response under overturned truck crash that subsequently collides with road-side pole or tree. The safety of the truck occupants in an accident is very important and should be considered in the process of cabin design. Specific focus will be on the structural integrity of the truck cabin in response to a collision with a cylindrical pendulum. In the past, dynamic analysis was done by real world testing. Nowadays crash simulation is proven to be much more efficient by being a virtual representation of destructive crash impact and providing opportunities to reduce the number of physical prototypes consumed for design verification, thus reducing development time. According to cab strength tests (ECE R29), the cabin body of the truck shall be attached to the chassis in such a way that in the event of impact it ensures a sufficient survival space and eliminates the risk of injury. This paper investigates the FE (finite element) simulation of a frontal impact on the cabin structure to validate the cabin according to the ECE regulation 29 tests. The study also includes the assessment of the energy absorption capabilities of the cabin during the pendulum impact. The pendulum impact was carried out using Ansys LS-Dyna explicit solver to evaluate the cabin strength under the loads.
Intense luminescence in nanostructured germanate glass
Authors: Xu Xiaoyun , Liu Xifeng
Published: January 2022

The phosphors free of active dopants have been attracted much attention due to their interesting optical properties and potentials for construction of rare-earth free functional materials. In this letter, we report the construction of phosphor free of active dopants via nanocrystallization of glass. In a typical example, a single-phase Zn2GeO4 phosphor is fabricated via controllable crystallization of the germinate glass. Intense green luminescence with the central wavelength at 523 nm can be realized in nanostructured glass and it is estimated to be ∼150 times higher than that of the as-made glass. The physical mechanism is associated with the formation of Zn related interstitial defects during the disorder-order phase transformation in glass. The progress in this work indicates that the avenue of glass crystallization provides an effective strategy for the development of novel active photonic materials free of active dopants.
Precipitation behavior and tensile properties of A356.2 alloy with different high temperature pre-precipitation temperatures
Authors: Ding Yuming , Chang Liang , Guo Binxu , Ding Jian , Chen Xueguang , Tang Ying , Song Kaihong , Xia Xingchuan
Published: January 2022

In order to understand the effect of high temperature pre-precipitation (HTPP) temperature on the precipitation behavior and tensile properties of A356.2 alloy treated by Al-6Sr-7La master alloy, SEM, TEM and tensile tests were applied to investigate the evolution of fracture morphology and precipitates of the alloys under different HTPP temperatures. The results showed that ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength (YS) of the alloys decrease and elongation (El) increases with HTPP temperature decreasing. When HTPP temperature decreased from 510 °C to 470 °C coarsen coherent β″ phase appear in α-Al matrix, continue to decrease HTPP temperature to 450 °C the main precipitate transformed into semi-coherent β′ phase, leading to the change in mechanical properties. In addition, coarsening and transformation of the precipitate were attributed to the reduction of Si concentration which decreases with HTPP temperature decreasing. Moreover, Si nanoparticles precipitated in α-Al matrix, leading to the decrease of UTS and YS to certain extent due to reducing Si concentration during aging process.
Effects of plasma radiation on the nonlinear evolution of neo-classical tearing modes in tokamak plasmas
Authors: JIANG Shuai , TANG Weikang , WEI Lai , LIU Tong , XU Haiwen , WANG Zhengxiong
Published: January 2022

The effects of plasma radiation on the nonlinear evolution of neo-classical tearing modes are investigated based on a set of reduced magnetohydrodynamic equations. It is found that the radiation can reduce the pressure near the rational surface. During the nonlinear evolution, the magnitude of perturbed bootstrap current is drastically enhanced in the presence of the radiation. Besides, the radiation can increase the growth rate of the magnetic islands by diminishing the pressure, such that the magnetic islands do not saturate compared with that without radiation. On the other hand, with the increase of the ratio of parallel to perpendicular transport coefficient

χ

∥

/

χ

⊥

,

the reduction of pressure can further increase the growth rate of magnetic islands in the presence of plasma radiation. Finally, the mechanisms of the destabilizing effects driven by the radiation are discussed in detail as well.
Jane Austen practising
Authors: Keymer Tom
Published: January 2022

‘Jane Austin practicsing’ discusses the wayward, farcical impulse of Jane Austen’s teenage writings, which look experimentally forward to Victorian nonsense writing. The juvenilia, most of which remained unpublished until the first half of the twentieth century, helped readers of the Modernist era tune in to an aspect of Austen’s art that was always there. In her earliest writing, the imaginative cruelty is unregulated and coexists with other features that challenge received opinions about Austen. Not only are the norms of compassion suspended in these youthful skits, but also many related norms: of decorum, morality, language, and narrative logic. Austen’s manuscript works are striking achievements in their own right, and point to aspects of the published novels we might otherwise miss.
Sense, sensibility, society
Authors: Keymer Tom
Published: January 2022

‘Sense, sensibility, society’ evaluates Enlightenment feminism in relation to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility (1811). Sense and Sensibility addresses the precarious, dependent condition of unmoneyed women in a world of constraint and dispossession. The novel breaks fresh ground in its representation of human consciousness, while at the same time offering readers surface patterns and moral binaries they had encountered elsewhere. On the side of sensibility in particular, Austen’s novel explores one of the most prominent themes of Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792). Austen shares Wollstonecraft’s interest in the pitfalls of feeling, and in the role of fiction, and literature more broadly, in promoting the cult of sensibility.
Emma and Englishness
Authors: Keymer Tom
Published: January 2022

‘Emma and Englishness’ addresses national identity and Englishness in Jane Austen’s Emma (1815). Emma was Austen’s fullest exploration of the nation’s moral health and social wellbeing, dedicated to the man charged with upholding these things, the future George IV, but pointedly failing to praise him for doing so. Austen's evocation of ‘English verdure, English culture, English comfort’ can be observed as Emma nears its excruciating climax on Box Hill. Her landscape descriptions in this vein are always strategic, used in particular to indicate moral and aesthetic alignment. She uses domestic realism to explore national identity as it exhibits itself, not across grand sweeps of history (as in the novels of her great contemporary Walter Scott), but in a meticulously documented and nuanced here and now.
Passion and Persuasion
Authors: Keymer Tom
Published: January 2022

‘Passion and Persuasion’ explores psychology in Jane Austen’s Persuasion (1817), a novel focused on the suppression and eventual resurgence of passion. Memory is one of the work’s central themes, and the pressures exerted by past choices on consciousness in the present, and on future life. Indeed, the first volume of Persuasion narrates not a shallow capacity for passion but the crushing psychological consequence of wrong decisions and ongoing regret—a pattern amplified by the rich historical (indeed prehistoric) resonances of Lyme Regis, where a pivotal phase of the action takes place. Ultimately, Persuasion unfolds for the heroine as a clever but relentlessly painful reversal of the standard narrative trajectory of courtship fiction. We can observe how in Persuasion, the navy offers a salutary model of national progress in the post-war future.
Digital Minds
Authors: Montero Barbara Gail
Published: January 2022

‘Digital minds’ asks: what might the human‒digital interface and the prospects of artificial intelligence reveal about the mind‒body problem? The extended mind hypothesis states that our memories can be stored on external devices, such as our phones. The parity principle states that a process in the external world counts as part of our minds if it is the case that if this process were to occur inside the head, the process would be part of our minds. Can computers think? The Turing test is thought by some to test for computer thought or intelligence. The Mayan language room argument is a variation of John Searle’s much-discussed argument that aims to show that computers cannot understand language, or in other words that ‘syntax is not sufficient for semantics’. There are many other questions that reside in the intersection of ethics and artificial intelligence.
7. Geometry of the physical world
Authors: Dunajski Maciej
Published: January 2022

‘Geometry of the physical world’ reviews Euclidean geometry, which provided a framework for interpreting empirical observations and making accurate predictions for over two millennia. However, as measuring apparatus improved, the geometry of the Universe is not that of Euclidean space. There were a number of 20th-century theories of physics which are based on geometries different to Euclidean geometry. These describe the Universe more accurately. The most basic of these is Minkowski geometry, which replaces Pythagorean distance by a space-time interval. The theory of gravitation is based on a curved version of the Minkowski distance and the electromagnetic and strong nuclear interactions are manifestations of curvature.
Evaluation of a remote hybrid staffing model for ambulatory clinical pharmacists in a pediatric health system during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Baron Kristen , Herbst James , McNicol Megan , Stephan Emily , Abdel-Rasoul Mahmoud , Wise Kelly
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To describe and quantify patient care activities performed by ambulatory clinical pharmacists supporting medical specialty clinics in a pediatric health system utilizing a hybrid staffing model during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

Five ambulatory clinical pharmacists, integrated within a health-system specialty pharmacy (HSSP), utilized a web-based data collection tool to record time spent performing patient care activities over a 2-week period. Work location (onsite or offsite) of the pharmacist was reported for each activity. Activities were classified as direct or indirect patient care. Direct patient care activities were subcategorized as telemedicine appointments, in-person clinic appointments, HSSP call center work, medication access support, electronic medical record consults, and previsit planning/postvisit documentation. Administrative tasks and precepting were considered indirect patient care activities.

Results

A total of 1,190 activities were completed, with 77% of all activities performed offsite. Direct and indirect patient care activities accounted for 871 (73.2%) and 319 (26.8%) of total activities, respectively. No activity took longer for the pharmacists to complete offsite versus onsite.

Conclusion

Using a hybrid staffing model employed by a pediatric health system, ambulatory clinical pharmacists were able to efficiently provide a high volume of direct patient care activities even when working offsite. Rapid adaptation and implementation of telemedicine services was critical for pharmacists to continue to provide essential services within pediatric medical specialty clinics.
Description of telepharmacy services by emergency medicine pharmacists
Authors: Manuel Francis C , Wieruszewski Erin D , Brown Caitlin S , Russi Christopher S , Mattson Alicia E
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Utilization of telemedicine and telepharmacy services has become increasingly popular, as specifically noted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This article describes the implementation of and services provided by emergency medicine pharmacists (EMPs) as part of a telemedicine team in the emergency department (ED).

This report describes the telemedicine and telepharmacy services provided to EDs in the Mayo Clinic Health System from the Mayo Clinic Rochester ED. Telepharmacy services provided by EMPs started in 2018. EMPs cover telepharmacy calls as part of their shift within the ED in Rochester. Recommendations and interventions are documented in the electronic medical record. A retrospective review evaluated interventions provided from November 18, 2018, through November 10, 2020. Baseline patient demographics, as well as the type and number of interventions provided by EMPs, hospital site, and time spent on the interventions, were collected. Telepharmacy consults could include multiple interventions and be classified as more than one type of intervention. During this time period, 24 pharmacists worked in the ED and were able to provide telepharmacy services. There were 279 consults included in this study, with 435 interventions. Most of the calls came from critical access hospitals (48.7%). The most common types of interventions documented were medication selection and dosing (n = 238), antimicrobials (n = 141), monitoring and follow-up (n = 65), discharge (n = 56), drug information (n = 55), and allergy review (n = 50).

Conclusion

Telepharmacy services can provide increased access to emergency medicine specialty pharmacists in areas that would not otherwise have these services.
Study of a New Controlled Focal Septa Release Cellulite Reduction Method
Authors: Stevens W Grant , Kaminer Michael S , Fabi Sabrina G , Fan Larry
Published: January 2022

Background

Cellulite is the dimpled appearance of skin that commonly occurs on the buttocks and thighs of postpubertal women. Cellulite can be emotionally distressing, causing many individuals to seek medical attention. A previous first-in-human study established the safety and feasibility of a novel minimally invasive method for selectively identifying and manually releasing the specific septa responsible for causing cellulite depressions in a precise manner.

Objectives

The objective of this open-label, multicenter study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of this method for reducing the appearance of moderate and severe cellulite in adult women.

Methods

Female patients (n = 20) 21 to 55 years old with a BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2 with moderate or severe cellulite on the buttocks and/or thighs were enrolled at 4 clinics. Patients were evaluated on posttreatment Days 7, 30, 120, and 180. The primary endpoint was a mean ≥1-point reduction in the Cellulite Severity Scale at 180 days.

Results

Most patients (n = 18, 95%) achieved the primary endpoint. All patients (n = 19, 100%) were rated as much improved or very much improved in Cellulite Severity Scale scores. Adverse events and investigator findings were mild and transient, and none were unexpected.

Conclusions

A novel method for selectively identifying and manually releasing the specific septa responsible for causing cellulite depressions in a precise manner is a safe and effective means for improving the appearance of moderate and severe cellulite in adult women with a wide variety of skin types.

Level of Evidence: 4
Awake Plastic Surgery Procedures: The Use of a Sufentanil Sublingual Tablet to Improve Patient Experience
Authors: Seify Hisham
Published: January 2022

Background

Awake plastic surgery performed under minimal sedation has advantages including patient preference, affordability, and easier recovery compared to when performed under deeper sedation. Commonly used oral analgesics may not be adequate for awake procedures resulting in moderate to severe pain. Sufentanil sublingual tablet (SST) 30 mcg has been shown to provide timely analgesia with a safety profile appropriate for minimal-sedation settings.

Objectives

To examine perioperative outcomes in patients who underwent awake plastic surgery with local anesthesia and SST 30 mcg for pain control.

Methods

This study was a prospective single-group cohort study conducted at a single plastic surgery center. SST 30 mcg was administered approximately 30 minutes prior to the procedure. Outcome measures included the number of patients with adverse events, the number of patients requiring medications in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and recovery time.

Results

Among the 31 patients, the most common procedures were liposuction (71%), facelift (10%), and blepharoplasty (6%). The mean (± standard error [SE]) procedural duration was 81 ± 9 minutes. No vital sign instability or oxygen desaturation was observed. Three patients (10%) experienced nausea, only one of which required treatment with oral ondansetron 4 mg in the PACU. One patient (3%) experienced dizziness that did not require treatment. No patients required opioids or other analgesics in the PACU for pain. The mean (±SE) recovery time was 15 ± 4 minutes.

Conclusions

Awake plastic surgery can be performed using SST 30 mcg with minimal side effects and a rapid recovery time.

Level of Evidence: 4
A Single-Center Study Evaluating the Effects of a Novel Retinol and Cannabidiol Combination Topical on Facial Skin
Authors: Few Julius , Lee Michael J , Semersky Alec , Mariscal Emily , Vachon Ginny
Published: January 2022

Background

While retinol is known to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, it is associated with irritating effects. However, when combined with water soluble cannabidiol (CBD; CR Topical), CBD may act to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, mitigating irritation from retinol and further improving the skin’s appearance through independent anti-aging mechanisms.

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of CR-Topical for improving facial skin.

Methods

In this prospective, single-center pilot study, 9 female patients and one male patient aged 20 to 53 years who presented with facial skin imperfections (visible pores, dehydration, roughness, and/or static/dynamic wrinkles) applied CR-Topical to the entire face once daily for 42 days. Outcomes were measured on days 1, 21, and 42 using the Global Ranking Scale (GRS) with Comprehensive Skin Analysis by the patient and senior investigator as well as by a blinded reviewer (board-certified plastic surgeon). Dynamic videos and static imagery were taken before and after treatment, and patient satisfaction surveys were completed.

Results

Global improvement across all 13 domains was observed, with the greatest mean differences for visible pores (2.0; 95% CI, 1.5-2.5), dehydration (2.0; 95% CI, 1.4-2.6), surface roughness (1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4), static wrinkles (1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5), and dynamic wrinkles (1.6; 95% CI, 0.8-2.3). Patient satisfaction (100%) and willingness to recommend the product to others (90%) were high, and tolerability of CR-Topical was excellent.

Conclusions

CR-Topical is effective at improving global skin quality, including static and dynamic wrinkles. This study also used 4-dimensional analysis in the evaluation, a novel and developing method.

Level of Evidence: 4
What is cultural evolution anyway?
Authors: Micheletti Alberto J C , Brandl Eva , Mace Ruth
Published: January 2022

The term cultural evolution has become popular in the evolutionary human sciences, but it is often unclear what is meant by it. This is generating confusion and misconceptions that are hindering progress in the field. These include the claim that behavioral ecology disregards culture. We argue that these misunderstandings are caused by the unhelpful use of term cultural evolution to identify both a phenomenon—culture changing through time—and a theory to explain it—the potential role of cultural transmission biases in driving this change. We illustrate this point by considering recently published influential studies and opinion pieces. If we are to avoid confusion, the term cultural evolution is best reserved to identify the phenomenon of cultural change. This helps clarify that human behavioral ecologists do not disregard culture, but instead have studied its evolution from the very beginning. Different approaches to the study of human behavior can coexist and complement each other in the framework offered by Tinbergen’s four evolutionary questions. Clarifying key terms is crucial to achieve this synthesis.
Plotgardener: cultivating precise multi-panel figures in R
Authors: Kramer Nicole E , Davis Eric S , Wenger Craig D , Deoudes Erika M , Parker Sarah M , Love Michael I , Phanstiel Douglas H
Published: January 2022

Motivation

The R programming language is one of the most widely used programming languages for transforming raw genomic datasets into meaningful biological conclusions through analysis and visualization, which has been largely facilitated by infrastructure and tools developed by the Bioconductor project. However, existing plotting packages rely on relative positioning and sizing of plots, which is often sufficient for exploratory analysis but is poorly suited for the creation of publication-quality multi-panel images inherent to scientific manuscript preparation.

Results

We present plotgardener, a coordinate-based genomic data visualization package that offers a new paradigm for multi-plot figure generation in R. Plotgardener allows precise, programmatic control over the placement, esthetics and arrangements of plots while maximizing user experience through fast and memory-efficient data access, support for a wide variety of data and file types, and tight integration with the Bioconductor environment. Plotgardener also allows precise placement and sizing of ggplot2 plots, making it an invaluable tool for R users and data scientists from virtually any discipline.

Availability and implementation

Package: https://bioconductor.org/packages/plotgardener, Code: https://github.com/PhanstielLab/plotgardener, Documentation: https://phanstiellab.github.io/plotgardener/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Phenotypic diversity, population genetics and interspecific relationships of the Neotropical banded peacock butterfly Anartia fatima (Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae)
Authors: Pfeiler Edward , Nazario-Yepiz Nestor O , Hernández-Cervantes Pablo Luis , Markow Therese Ann
Published: January 2022

The banded peacock butterfly, Anartia fatima (Fabricius), is common in Mexico and Central America and has emerged as a model organism for studies on the genetics of insect speciation. Currently there are two recognized subspecies, Anartia fatima fatima (Fabricius) found throughout Central America, eastern Mexico and southern USA, and Anartia fatima colima Lamas from western Mexico. Here we analyse wing maculation of A. fatima throughout its range and confirm diagnostic geographic differences in morphology that support recognition of the two subspecies. Genetic analyses of mitochondrial COI barcodes obtained from the nominate subspecies provide evidence of a significant population expansion beginning in the Pleistocene. The haplotype network of A. fatima (combined subspecies) reveals a single main COI haplotype and 11 minor haplotypes (haplotype diversity = 0.520). We found that the absence of a black spot in hindwing cell M1 of the congeneric Anartia chrysopelea Hübner and Anartia lytrea (Godart), and its presence in Anartia fatima, Anartia amathea (Linnaeus) and A. jatrophae (Linnaeus), represents a phenotype character that correlates with previously published and unexpected phylogenetic results and provides insight into the evolution of the genus Anartia.
Integrating Social Justice into Higher Education Conservation Science
Authors: Montgomery Robert A , Pointer Abigail M , Jingo Sophia , Kasozi Herbert , Ogada Mordecai , Mudumba Tutilo
Published: January 2022

Because biodiversity loss has largely been attributed to human actions, people, particularly those in the Global South, are regularly depicted as threats to conservation. This context has facilitated rapid growth in green militarization, with fierce crackdowns against real or perceived environmental offenders. We designed an undergraduate course to assess student perspectives on biodiversity conservation and social justice and positioned those students to contribute to a human heritage-centered conservation (HHCC) initiative situated in Uganda. We evaluated changes in perspectives using pre- and postcourse surveys and reflection instruments. Although the students started the course prioritizing biodiversity conservation, even when it was costly to human well-being, by the end of the course, they were recognizing and remarking on the central importance of social justice within conservation. We present a framework for further integration of HHCC approaches into higher education courses so as to conserve the integrity of coupled human and natural systems globally.
Compensation after umbilical hernia repair: prosthesis and non-prosthesis claims
Authors: Frimand Rønnow Martin , Hoffner Mattias , Schulze Svend , Helgstrand Frederik , Hjalmarsson Claes , Bisgaard Thue
Published: January 2022

Evidence for mesh-related surgical complications and chronic pain after umbilical hernia repair is only sparsely reported. The present study used economic claims and compensation as a proxy for mesh-related complications and chronic pain. Mesh-related complications and chronic pain may be important adverse long-term outcomes following umbilical hernia repair. Mesh-related complications were an important reason for granting economic compensation.
ZBTB11 dysfunction: spectrum of brain abnormalities, biochemical signature and cellular consequences
Authors: Sumathipala Dulika , Strømme Petter , Fattahi Zohreh , Lüders Torben , Sheng Ying , Kahrizi Kimia , Einarsen Ingunn Holm , Sloan Jennifer L , Najmabadi Hossein , van den Heuvel Lambert , Wevers Ron A , Guerrero-Castillo Sergio , Mørkrid Lars , Valayannopoulos Vassili , Backe Paul Hoff , Venditti Charles P , van Karnebeek Clara D , Nilsen Hilde , Frengen Eirik , Misceo Doriana
Published: January 2022

Bi-allelic pathogenic variants in ZBTB11 have been associated with intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal recessive 69 (MRT69; OMIM 618383). We report five patients from three families with novel, bi-allelic variants in ZBTB11. We have expanded the clinical phenotype of MRT69, documenting varied severity of atrophy affecting different brain regions and described combined malonic and methylmalonic aciduria as a biochemical manifestation.

As ZBTB11 encodes for a transcriptional regulator, we performeded chromatin immunoprecipitation–sequencing targeting ZBTB11 in fibroblasts from patients and controls. Chromatin immunoprecipitation–sequencing revealed binding of wild-type ZBTB11 to promoters in 238 genes, among which genes encoding proteins involved in mitochondrial functions and RNA processing are over-represented. Mutated ZBTB11 showed reduced binding to 61 of the targeted genes, indicating that the variants act as loss of function. Most of these genes are related to mitochondrial functions. Transcriptome analysis of the patient fibroblasts revealed dysregulation of mitochondrial functions. In addition, we uncovered that reduced binding of the mutated ZBTB11 to ACSF3 leads to decreased ACSF3 transcript level, explaining combined malonic and methylmalonic aciduria.

Collectively, these results expand the clinical spectrum of ZBTB11-related neurological disease and give insight into the pathophysiology in which the dysfunctional ZBTB11 affect mitochondrial functions and RNA processing contributing to the neurological and biochemical phenotypes.
Age differences in the functional architecture of the human brain
Authors: Setton Roni , Mwilambwe-Tshilobo Laetitia , Girn Manesh , Lockrow Amber W , Baracchini Giulia , Hughes Colleen , Lowe Alexander J , Cassidy Benjamin N , Li Jian , Luh Wen-Ming , Bzdok Danilo , Leahy Richard M , Ge Tian , Margulies Daniel S , Misic Bratislav , Bernhardt Boris C , Stevens W Dale , De Brigard Felipe , Kundu Prantik , Turner Gary R , Spreng R Nathan
Published: January 2022

The intrinsic functional organization of the brain changes into older adulthood. Age differences are observed at multiple spatial scales, from global reductions in modularity and segregation of distributed brain systems, to network-specific patterns of dedifferentiation. Whether dedifferentiation reflects an inevitable, global shift in brain function with age, circumscribed, experience-dependent changes, or both, is uncertain. We employed a multimethod strategy to interrogate dedifferentiation at multiple spatial scales. Multi-echo (ME) resting-state fMRI was collected in younger (n = 181) and older (n = 120) healthy adults. Cortical parcellation sensitive to individual variation was implemented for precision functional mapping of each participant while preserving group-level parcel and network labels. ME-fMRI processing and gradient mapping identified global and macroscale network differences. Multivariate functional connectivity methods tested for microscale, edge-level differences. Older adults had lower BOLD signal dimensionality, consistent with global network dedifferentiation. Gradients were largely age-invariant. Edge-level analyses revealed discrete, network-specific dedifferentiation patterns in older adults. Visual and somatosensory regions were more integrated within the functional connectome; default and frontoparietal control network regions showed greater connectivity; and the dorsal attention network was more integrated with heteromodal regions. These findings highlight the importance of multiscale, multimethod approaches to characterize the architecture of functional brain aging.
#SoMe the Money! Value, Strategy, and Implementation of Social Media Engagement for Infectious Diseases Trainees, Clinicians, and Divisions
Authors: Cawcutt Kelly A , Marcelin Jasmine R , Cortés-Penfield Nicolás , Cutrell James B , Dong Sara W , Mahoney Monica V , McCarty Todd P , Mediwala Hornback Krutika , Titanji Boghuma K , Woc-Colburn Laila E , Schwartz Ilan S
Published: January 2022

Social media platforms have revolutionized how we consume information, along with how to effectively present communication, education, and advocacy efforts. There is profound value in leveraging social media within these aspects for the field of infectious diseases, for divisions and individual clinicians. Herein, we provide the rationale to incorporate social media as a key competency for infectious diseases training and specific guidance on aspects of education and strategic development of new accounts critical for success.
Associations of HIV and Depression With Incident Diabetes Mellitus: Veterans Aging Cohort Study
Authors: Bourgi Kassem , Kundu Suman , Stewart Jesse C , So-Armah Kaku , Freiberg Matthew , Gupta Samir K
Published: January 2022

Background

Persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PWH) are at increasingly higher risk for metabolic complications, including diabetes mellitus (DM). Additionally, depression is highly prevalent among PWH and has been associated with increased risk for DM in the general population. However, the association of HIV and depression with incident DM has not been well established.

Methods

Using the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS), we selected adults with and without HIV who did not have DM at baseline. Prevalent depression was defined as having a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score of ≥ 10. Incident DM was identified using validated Kelly’s criteria. Basic clinical and demographic characteristics were collected, and Cox proportional hazards regression models were run to test the association between depression and incident DM stratified by HIV serostatus.

Results

A total of 5722 participants were analyzed, 2886 (53%) had HIV and 1124 (20%) had depression at baseline. In total, 1235 (22%) participants developed incident DM during follow-up, with 26% of HIV-negative participants developing DM compared to 17% of participants with HIV. Depression was significantly associated with increased risk of incident DM among HIV-negative participants (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.31; P value .003) but not among participants with HIV (aHR 1.09; P value .44). However, among participants with HIV with baseline viral load < 500 copies/mL, we noted a stronger association between depression and incident DM.

Conclusions

Incident DM in the VACS cohort is significantly higher for HIV-negative participants compared to veterans with HIV. A significant association between depression and incident DM was noted among HIV-negative participants but not among those with HIV.
Management of eosinophilic esophagitis associated food impaction in Europe and the United States
Authors: Schreiner Philipp , Safroneeva Ekaterina , Schoepfer Alain , Greuter Thomas , Biedermann Luc , Schlag Christoph , Labenz Joachim , Auth Marcus K H , Bredenoord Albert J , Chang Joy W , Bonis Peter A , Rothenberg Marc E , Collins Margaret H , Hirano Ikuo , Gupta Sandeep K , Katzka David A , Dellon Evan S , Straumann Alex , Furuta Glenn T , Gonsalves Nirmala
Published: January 2022

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is the most common cause of esophageal food impaction (EFI). Approaches to management of EFI due to EoE have not been well characterized. We conducted a web-based survey to understand approaches to management of EFI due to EoE among endoscopists. Questions focused on management of patients from presentation to post-endoscopy follow-up. The survey was administered to a list of eligible candidates provided by societies of gastroenterology. A total of 308 endoscopists completed the questionnaire. The majority (83%) practiced in Europe and treated adults (78%). Most agreed patients should be advised to seek emergency care (66%) within 1 to 2 hours (41% agreement). There was agreement that medications to induce vomiting should be avoided (84%) and that blood tests or imaging studies were usually not required before endoscopy. By contrast, there was more variability in the type of sedation recommended and the need for endotracheal intubation, especially when comparing more experienced with less experienced EoE-endoscopists. Overall, fewer than half (43%) respondents recommended obtaining esophageal biopsies during the initial endoscopy. However, there were significant differences in the proportion who recommended biopsies based on level of EoE-experience (25, 52, 77%, P < 0.001; less vs. moderate vs. very experienced) and comparing pediatric and adult endoscopists (32, vs. 79%, P < 0.001; adult vs. pediatric). There exists heterogeneity among endoscopists in recommendations to manage EFI in patients with EoE. These findings support development of clinical guidelines and new studies to clarify the rationale for best practices.

Key summary: Established knowledge—The optimal management of patients with esophageal food impaction due to eosinophilic esophagitis from presentation at the emergency department to postendoscopy care is unclear.

New findings—Considerable recommendation variation exists in the management of EFI in patients with EoE. Our findings provide a rationale for the creation of consensus practice guidelines and further study into best practices.
Ustekinumab in Crohn’s Disease: New Data for Positioning in Treatment Algorithm
Authors: D’Amico Ferdinando , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Danese Silvio
Published: January 2022

The treatment of patients with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease [CD] is still challenging. Therapeutic options include steroids, immunosuppressants, anti-TNFα agents, vedolizumab, and ustekinumab. Ustekinumab is a monoclonal antibody blocking the p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23. It showed to be effective and safe in randomised clinical trials and real-life studies and is currently approved for the management of CD patients who are naive to biologics and those who have already been treated with such medications. However, to date, a detailed and approved therapeutic algorithm is not available. The aim of this review is to report the most recent and updated data on the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe CD and to define the optimal management of these patients.
Mesenteric Adipose Tissue Contributes to Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn’s Disease Through the ATX–LPA Axis
Authors: Huang Liangyu , Qian Wenwei , Xu Yihan , Guo Zhen , Yin Yi , Guo Feilong , Zhu Weiming , Li Yi
Published: January 2022

Background and Aims

Intestinal fibrostenosis is an important cause of surgical intervention in patients with Crohn’s disease [CD]. Hypertrophic mesenteric adipose tissue [MAT] is associated with the disease process of CD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of MAT to intestinal fibrosis.

Methods

MAT from surgical specimens of fibrostenotic CD patients and controls was collected for measurement of the levels of autotaxin [ATX] and lysophosphatidic acid [LPA]. ATX was inhibited in vivo in DNBS [dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid]-induced colitis mice, which were evaluated for colonic inflammation and fibrosis. 3T3-L1 cells and primary colonic fibroblasts were used in vitro to investigate the interaction between MAT and intestinal fibrosis, as well as the molecular mechanism underlying this interaction.

Results

MAT adjacent to the fibrostenotic intestine in CD patients showed an activated ATX–LPA axis. An in vivo study indicated that inhibition of ATX was associated with the improvement of morphology and function of diseased MAT, which was combined with ameliorated intestinal inflammation and fibrosis in DNBS-instilled mice. In vitro studies showed that hypoxia stimulated adipocyte ATX expression and that LPA stabilized adipocyte HIF-1α protein, forming an ATX–LPA–HIF-1α amplification loop and aggravating adipocyte dysfunction. LPA secreted by adipocytes bound to LPA1 on the surface of fibroblasts, promoted their proliferation and differentiation, and increased the expression of fibrosis-related factors.

Conclusions

The ATX–LPA axis regulated intestinal fibrosis by influencing the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal fibroblasts. Inhibiting this axis may be a therapeutic target for intestinal fibrosis in CD.
Type A aortic dissection is more aggressive in women
Authors: Gasser Simone , Stastny Lukas , Kofler Markus , Krapf Christoph , Bonaros Nikolaos , Grimm Michael , Dumfarth Julia
Published: January 2022

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate gender differences in the pre- and postoperative course in patients with acute aortic dissection type A.

METHODS

Of all patients undergoing surgery from 2000 to 2020, data on symptoms at presentation, operative strategy and postoperative course were analyzed. Long-term follow-up was obtained through visits at our outpatient clinic or via telephone interviews.

RESULTS

Out of 394 patients, 32% (n = 126) were female. Women suffered from aortic dissection type A at an older age (women 67.5 years vs men 57 years; P > 0.001) and experienced a more aggressive preoperative course leading to critical presentation or even lethal rupture [women 7.9% (n = 10) vs men 2.2% (n = 6); P = 0.008]. Chest pain as initial symptom was more common in men [women 59.5% (n = 75) vs men 73.5% (n = 197); P = 0.005]. Perfusion of the right carotid was impaired more often [women 22.5% (n = 27) vs men 13.7% (n = 36); P = 0.031] and preoperative rate of neurological dysfunction was higher in women [women 23% (n = 29) vs men 14.2% (n = 38); P = 0.028]. Time from symptom onset to surgery did not differ between gender. Surgical repair was less extensive and faster in women. Female patients were more likely to suffer from postoperative neurological injury [women 23.8% (n = 30) vs men 10.2% (n = 40); P = 0.023]. We detected impaired 30-day and long-term survival in women.

CONCLUSIONS

Women represent an older and sicker patient collective. Preoperative course of aortic dissection type A is more aggressive and complicated in women. While time from onset of symptoms to surgery did not differ between gender, neurological outcome and survival were impaired in women.