bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Bistable Plunge Stiffness on Nonlinear Airfoil Flutter
Authors: Corrêa Renan F. , Marques Flávio D.
Published: April 2021

Aeroelastic systems have nonlinearities that provide a wide variety of complex dynamic behaviors. Nonlinear effects can be avoided in practical applications, as in instability suppression or desired, for instance, in the energy harvesting design. In the technical literature, there are surveys on nonlinear aeroelastic systems and the different manners they manifest. More recently, the bistable spring effect has been studied as an acceptable nonlinear behavior applied to mechanical vibration problems. The application of the bistable spring effect to aeroelastic problems is still not explored thoroughly. This paper contributes to analyzing the nonlinear dynamics of a typical airfoil section mounted on bistable spring support at plunging motion. The equations of motion are based on the typical aeroelastic section model with three degrees-of-freedom. Moreover, a hardening nonlinearity in pitch is also considered. A preliminary analysis of the bistable spring geometry's influence in its restoring force and the elastic potential energy is performed. The response of the system is investigated for a set of geometrical configurations. It is possible to identify post-flutter motion regions, the so-called intrawell and interwell. Results reveal that the transition between intrawell to interwell regions occurs smoothly, depending on the initial conditions. The bistable effect on the aeroelastic system can be advantageous in energy extraction problems due to the jump in oscillation amplitudes. Furthermore, the hardening effect in pitching motion reduces the limit cycle oscillation (LCO) amplitudes and also delays the occurrence of the snap-through.
Feasibility Verification of Blood Viscosity Estimation by Two-Dimensional Ultrasonic-Measurement-Integrated Blood Flow Analysis
Authors: Kadowaki Hiroko , Kishimoto Takuya , Tokunaga Takeshi , Mori Koji , Saito Takashi
Published: April 2021

Although blood viscosity has attracted much attention for its effect on hemodynamic parameters related to atherosclerosis, quantitative method for evaluating blood viscosity in vivo is not currently established. The purpose of this study was to verify the feasibility of blood viscosity estimation by a two-dimensional ultrasonic-measurement-integrated (2D-UMI) analysis system that computes an intravascular blood flow field by feeding back an ultrasonic measurement data to a numerical simulation. A method to estimate blood viscosity was proposed by reproducing the flow field of an analysis object in the feedback domain of ultrasonic Doppler velocity in a 2D-UMI blood flow analysis system, and evaluating the variation of the Doppler velocity caused by the analysis viscosity in the nonfeedback domain at the downstream side. In a numerical experiment, a viscosity estimation was performed for numerical solutions of sinusoidal oscillating flows analyzed as a blood flow model in a human common carotid artery at four different types of blood viscosities. The estimation viscosities were made to correspond to those of all analysis objects by giving proper conditions on the feedback gain and feedback domain to optimize the accuracy of the 2D-UMI blood flow analysis. In conclusion, the feasibility of blood viscosity estimation by 2D-UMI analysis was established. Simultaneous measurement of the in vivo blood viscosity and flow field can be easily performed in many clinical cases by its widespread use at clinical sites, thereby clarifying the relationship between hemodynamics and vascular pathology for various blood flow fields.
Data Assimilation of Steam Flow Through a Control Valve Using Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Fang Peixun , He Chuangxin , Wang Peng , Xu Sihua , Liu Yingzheng
Published: April 2021

The present work concentrates on the simulation enhancement of steam flow through a control valve using the data assimilation (DA) approach based on ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF). The k-ω shear stress transport (SST) model is used as the predictive model in which the model constants are optimized by DA. The selected measurement data at different operating conditions are used as observation, while the rest data are involved for validation. Before DA, four flow patterns which arise on their respective operating conditions are identified and analyzed to illustrate the basic characteristics of flow in the control valve. Then DA is performed based on the sample computation by perturbing the model constants and the EnKF process to determine the optimal model constants. These optimized constants are subsequently used for the precomputation of the valve flow with significant improvement on the flow rate prediction. The velocity and turbulent kinetic energy fields with default and DA-optimized model constants are also compared. The results show that the DA enhanced model constants can significantly reduce the predicted volume flow rate error at all opening ratios presently concerned. With the optimized model constants, the velocity and turbulent kinetic energy distributions are greatly modified in the valve seat between main valve and control valve.
TOTAL FOCUSING METHOD BASED ULTRASONIC PHASED ARRAY IMAGING IN THICK STRUCTURES
Authors: Sumana  , Kumar Anish
Published: April 2021

Ultrasonic non-destructive testing traditionally uses a conventional monolithic transducer. An approach similar to this comprising of independent single transmissions but with reception performed by all the elements in phased array ultrasonics is known as Full Matrix Capture (FMC). The acquired data is processed by Total Focusing Method (TFM). Conventional FMC-TFM has limitations in the inspection at large depth in attenuating materials due to single element transmission. To improve the beam forming process, coherent recombination of the plane wave with specific angles is utilized in transmission and the same aperture is used for the reception in Plane Wave Imaging (PWI). A new methodology called Angle Beam Virtual Source FMC-TFM (ABVSFMC-TFM) is proposed to inspect thick attenuating materials such as nickel base alloys. The ABVSFMC method leads to improved Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) as compared to the conventional FMC due to increased energy with directivity during transmission using a group of elements and improved divergence as compared to the PWI due to a small virtual source near the sample surface. In the present paper, FMC-TFM, PWI-TFM and ABVSFMC-TFM methods are compared for inspection of thick nickel base superalloy (Alloy 617) with slots at various depths in the range of 25-200 mm. Optimization of the incidence angle has been performed by beam computation in CIVA software. Results obtained by CIVA simulations are discussed and also compared for the three methods.
Intercept Factor for a Beam-Down Parabolic Trough Collector
Authors: Uzair Muhammad , Rehman Naveed ur
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a method for evaluating the intercept factor (γ) of a beam-down parabolic trough collector (BDPTC), accounting for collector design, solar cone, and shading on the aperture due to secondary reflectors. A numerical ray-tracing technique was developed and used for the purpose. Validation was performed by comparing the results with rays traced in a two-dimensional drafting program. The effects of changing the rim-angle and angular misalignment associated with the primary and secondary concentrators for various designs are presented and discussed in detail. The optimum values of the design parameters for low, medium, and high concentration ratio BDPTCs are reported. An online tool for quickly estimating γ is also launched in this paper.
Free and Forced Wave Vibration Analysis of a Timoshenko Beam/Frame Carrying a Two Degrees-of-Freedom Spring-Mass System
Authors: Mei C.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, free and forced vibrations of a transversely vibrating Timoshenko beam/frame carrying a discrete two-degrees-of-freedom spring-mass system are analyzed using the wave vibration approach, in which vibrations are described as waves that propagate along uniform structural elements and are reflected and transmitted at structural discontinuities. From the wave vibration standpoint, external excitations applied to a structure have the effect of injecting vibration waves to the structure. In the combined beam/frame and two-degrees-of-freedom spring-mass system, the vibrating discrete spring-mass system injects waves into the distributed beam/frame through the spring forces at the two spring attached points. Assembling the propagation, reflection, transmission, and external force injected wave relations in the beam/frame provides an analytical solution to vibrations of the combined system. In this study, the effects of rotary inertia and shear deformation on bending vibrations are taken into account, which is important when the combined structure involves a short beam element or when higher frequency modes are of interest. Numerical examples are given, with comparisons to available results based on classical vibration theories. The wave vibration approach is seen to provide a systematic and concise solution to both free and forced vibration problems in hybrid distributed and discrete systems.
Insertion loss of regular finite cylinder arrays with porous layers between the rows
Authors: Jena D. P. , Qiu Xiaojun
Published: April 2021

It has been demonstrated recently via simulations in a duct that the sound transmission loss of porous materials can be increased with embedded periodic scatterers [Jena and Qiu, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 147, 978–983 (2020)]. In this paper, the insertion loss (IL) of two types of finite size structures constructed by installing two parallel porous sheets within rows of periodic scatterers is investigated in free field. One structure uses rigid cylindrical shells, while the other uses split ring shells, which are obtained by making uniform vertical slits in cylindrical shells. The simulation results show that the mixed structure has larger IL than the summation of the ILs of the individual periodic scatterers and two parallel porous sheets in the frequency range after the first bandgap due to Bragg diffraction, and an additional peak in IL is introduced for the split ring scatterers due to their local resonance. The amplitude, frequency, and bandwidth of the resonance peak can be tuned by changing the geometry of the slit for some specific broadband sound absorption. Finally, the experiment results obtained in an anechoic chamber are presented to support the simulation results and analyses.
Bioinspired tough gel sheath for robust and versatile surface functionalization
Authors: Ma Zhenwei , Yang Zhen , Gao Qiman , Bao Guangyu , Valiei Amin , Yang Fan , Huo Ran , Wang Chen , Song Guolong , Ma Dongling , Gao Zu-Hua , Li Jianyu
Published: April 2021

A bioinspired surface functionalization strategy is proposed to fabricate sutures with robust hydrogel sheath with multifunctions.
Continuous color tuning of single-fluorophore emission via polymerization-mediated through-space charge transfer
Authors: Ye Suiying , Tian Tian , Christofferson Andrew J. , Erikson Sofia , Jagielski Jakub , Luo Zhi , Kumar Sudhir , Shih Chih-Jen , Leroux Jean-Christophe , Bao Yinyin
Published: April 2021

Aggregation-induced through-space charge transfer can be used to tune single-fluorophore emission in simple polymer systems.
Structure of TFIIK for phosphorylation of CTD of RNA polymerase II
Authors: van Eeuwen Trevor , Li Tao , Kim Hee Jong , Gorbea Colón Jose J. , Parker Mitchell I. , Dunbrack Roland L. , Garcia Benjamin A. , Tsai Kuang-Lei , Murakami Kenji
Published: April 2021

Cryo-EM structure of TFIIK provides insight into CTD phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II in the preinitiation-Mediator complex.
Intracellular action potential recordings from cardiomyocytes by ultrafast pulsed laser irradiation of fuzzy graphene microelectrodes
Authors: Dipalo Michele , Rastogi Sahil K. , Matino Laura , Garg Raghav , Bliley Jacqueline , Iachetta Giuseppina , Melle Giovanni , Shrestha Ramesh , Shen Sheng , Santoro Francesca , Feinberg Adam W. , Barbaglia Andrea , Cohen-Karni Tzahi , De Angelis Francesco
Published: April 2021

Fuzzy graphene and cellular optoporation enable intracellular recordings of cardiac action potentials on microelectrode arrays.
Posttranslational regulation of FOXA1 by Polycomb and BUB3/USP7 deubiquitin complex in prostate cancer
Authors: Park Su H. , Fong Ka-wing , Kim Jung , Wang Fang , Lu Xiaodong , Lee Yongik , Brea Lourdes T. , Wadosky Kristine , Guo Chunming , Abdulkadir Sarki A. , Crispino John D. , Fang Deyu , Ntziachristos Panagiotis , Liu Xin , Li Xue , Wan Yong , Goodrich David W. , Zhao Jonathan C. , Yu Jindan
Published: April 2021

FOXA1 is a nonhistone substrate of EZH2, promoting cell growth and sensitizing some prostate cancer to enzymatic EZH2 inhibitors.
Phospholipase A
2
inhibitor–loaded micellar nanoparticles attenuate inflammation and mitigate osteoarthritis progression
Authors: Wei Yulong , Yan Lesan , Luo Lijun , Gui Tao , Jang Bian , Amirshaghaghi Ahmad , You Tianyan , Tsourkas Andrew , Qin Ling , Cheng Zhiliang
Published: April 2021

The engineered nanoparticles mitigate osteoarthritis progression.
Discovery of a natural cyan blue: A unique food-sourced anthocyanin could replace synthetic brilliant blue
Authors: Denish Pamela R. , Fenger Julie-Anne , Powers Randall , Sigurdson Gregory T. , Grisanti Luca , Guggenheim Kathryn G. , Laporte Sara , Li Julia , Kondo Tadao , Magistrato Alessandra , Moloney Mícheál P. , Riley Mary , Rusishvili Mariami , Ahmadiani Neda , Baroni Stefano , Dangles Olivier , Giusti Monica , Collins Thomas M. , Didzbalis John , Yoshida Kumi , Siegel Justin B. , Robbins Rebecca J.
Published: April 2021

A 3D molecular arrangement and coordination of a minor anthocyanin from red cabbage creates a brilliant blue color.
Astrocytes and neurons share region-specific transcriptional signatures that confer regional identity to neuronal reprogramming
Authors: Herrero-Navarro Álvaro , Puche-Aroca Lorenzo , Moreno-Juan Verónica , Sempere-Ferràndez Alejandro , Espinosa Ana , Susín Rafael , Torres-Masjoan Laia , Leyva-Díaz Eduardo , Karow Marisa , Figueres-Oñate María , López-Mascaraque Laura , López-Atalaya José P. , Berninger Benedikt , López-Bendito Guillermina
Published: April 2021

Region-specific gene expression shared with neurons imparts to astrocytes competence for region-specific neuronal reprogramming.
Holographic metasurface gas sensors for instantaneous visual alarms
Authors: Kim Inki , Kim Won-Sik , Kim Kwan , Ansari Muhammad Afnan , Mehmood Muhammad Qasim , Badloe Trevon , Kim Yeseul , Gwak Junho , Lee Heon , Kim Young-Ki , Rho Junsuk
Published: April 2021

Holographic metasurfaces can sense and alarm toxic gases, with integration onto flexible surfaces such as safety glasses.
A cross-species neural integration of gravity for motor optimization
Authors: Gaveau Jeremie , Grospretre Sidney , Berret Bastien , Angelaki Dora E. , Papaxanthis Charalambos
Published: April 2021

Muscle patterns reveal how humans and monkeys save muscle effort by taking advantage of gravity effects.
SARS-CoV-2 drives JAK1/2-dependent local complement hyperactivation
Authors: Yan Bingyu , Freiwald Tilo , Chauss Daniel , Wang Luopin , West Erin , Mirabelli Carmen , Zhang Charles J. , Nichols Eva-Maria , Malik Nazish , Gregory Richard , Bantscheff Marcus , Ghidelli-Disse Sonja , Kolev Martin , Frum Tristan , Spence Jason R. , Sexton Jonathan Z. , Alysandratos Konstantinos D. , Kotton Darrell N. , Pittaluga Stefania , Bibby Jack , Niyonzima Nathalie , Olson Matthew R. , Kordasti Shahram , Portilla Didier , Wobus Christiane E. , Laurence Arian , Lionakis Michail S. , Kemper Claudia , Afzali Behdad , Kazemian Majid
Published: April 2021

SARS-CoV-2 induces JAK-STAT1–dependent complement C3 transcription and processing by a cell-intrinsic alternative pathway convertase.
High–load capacity origami transformable wheel
Authors: Lee Dae-Young , Kim Jae-Kyeong , Sohn Chang-Young , Heo Jeong-Mu , Cho Kyu-Jin
Published: April 2021

Composite membrane origami enables high-payload transformable wheels for a passenger vehicle.
Robotic surfaces with reversible, spatiotemporal control for shape morphing and object manipulation
Authors: Liu Ke , Hacker Felix , Daraio Chiara
Published: April 2021

A soft, robotic surface can continuously and controllably morph into arbitrary shapes and manipulate objects.
Widespread and sustained target engagement in Huntington’s disease minipigs upon intrastriatal microRNA-based gene therapy
Authors: Vallès Astrid , Evers Melvin M. , Stam Anouk , Sogorb-Gonzalez Marina , Brouwers Cynthia , Vendrell-Tornero Carlos , Acar-Broekmans Seyda , Paerels Lieke , Klima Jiri , Bohuslavova Bozena , Pintauro Roberta , Fodale Valentina , Bresciani Alberto , Liscak Roman , Urgosik Dusan , Starek Zdenek , Crha Michal , Blits Bas , Petry Harald , Ellederova Zdenka , Motlik Jan , van Deventer Sander , Konstantinova Pavlina
Published: April 2021

Striatal delivery of microRNA-gene therapy results in widespread brain huntingtin protein lowering in Huntington’s disease minipigs up to 1 year.
Complete Genome Sequence of Human Oral
Actinomyces
sp. HMT897 Strain ORNL0104, a Host of the Saccharibacterium (TM7) HMT351
Authors: Cross Karissa L. , Dewhirst Floyd , Podar Mircea
Published: April 2021

Actinomyces
sp. HMT897 strain ORNL0104 was isolated from a human saliva sample and can serve as a host for the ectobiont
Saccharibacteria
/TM7 HMT351. Its 3.3-Mb chromosome was completely sequenced using PacBio long reads, and it encodes 2,407 proteins and 63 RNAs.
The Polyomavirus Episteme: A Database for Researchers
Authors: Andrade María José , Vue Gau Shoua , Imperiale Michael J.
Published: April 2021

Polyomaviridae
members are DNA viruses that infect a variety of species. Since the first polyomavirus was isolated in 1953, technological advancements have led to the discovery of many polyomaviruses in multiple species. The Polyomavirus Episteme curates data about each polyomavirus, drawing from public databases to present known taxonomic, genomic, and clinical information about polyomaviruses.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Bordetella
sp. Strain FB-8, Isolated from a Former Uranium Mining Area in Germany
Authors: Harris Cassandra R. , Akob Denise M. , Fabisch Maria , Beulig Felix , Woyke Tanja , Shapiro Nicole , Lapidus Alla , Klenk Hans-Peter , Küsel Kirsten
Published: April 2021

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of
Bordetella
sp. strain FB-8, a mixotrophic iron-oxidizing bacterium isolated from creek sediment in the former uranium-mining district of Ronneburg, Germany. To date, iron oxidation has not been reported in
Bordetella
species, indicating that FB-8 may be an environmentally important
Bordetella
sp.
Black Yeast Genomes Assembled from Plastic Fabric Metagenomes Reveal an Abundance of Hydrocarbon Degradation Genes
Authors: Radwan Osman , Ruiz Oscar N.
Published: April 2021

We report the assembly and annotation of 10 different black yeast genomes from microbiome metagenomic data derived from biofouled plastic fabrics. The draft genomes are estimated to be 9 to 33.2 Mb, with 96 to 1,257 contigs and G+C contents of 43.9% to 57.4%, and they harbor multiple genes for hydrocarbon adaptation and degradation.
Supplemental Material: Constraining the effects of dynamic topography on the development of Late Cretaceous Cordilleran foreland basin, western United States
Authors: Li Zhiyang , Aschoff Jennifer
Published: April 2021

Table S1 includes sources for the chronostratigraphic framework in Figure 3 and Table S2 includes information of well logs shown in Figure 4.
Diverse and competing interests around tobacco: qualitative analysis of two decades of parliamentary questions in India
Authors: Varma Amiti , Chilgod Latha , Bhojani Upendra
Published: April 2021

Introduction

India continues to enhance tobacco control regulations protecting the public health while housing a widespread tobacco industry. This implies complexities in regulating tobacco. As part of a broader inquiry on the political economy of tobacco, we aimed to understand the concerns of Indian parliamentarians around tobacco.

Methods

We sourced transcripts of tobacco-related questions asked by parliamentarians between the years 1999 and 2019 from the electronic archives of both the houses of Indian parliament. We analysed the frequency of questions during different regimens, segregated by the states and the political parties that parliamentarians belonged to, as well as by the government ministries to which these questions were posed. We also conducted thematic content analysis of these questions, identifying specific themes defining parliamentarians’ concerns.

Results

729 unique parliamentarians asked 1315 questions about tobacco, conveying varied concerns related to health, commerce, labour and agriculture sectors. Over time, the focus of the questions shifted from majorly trade to majorly health-related concerns. We show how the tobacco regulations in India are multi-institutional and are a result of negotiations of several legitimate and competing, interests. We found important state-level differences in the number and nature of these questions.

Conclusion

Parliamentary questions constitute a useful resource in studying tobacco politics. Tobacco regulations are a product of complex negotiation of varied and competing concerns. We identify core arguments in favour and against tobacco control that would help tobacco control advocates and agencies to better prepare and engage with diverse political voices around tobacco.
Structural vulnerability: migration and health in social context
Authors: Carruth Lauren , Martinez Carlos , Smith Lahra , Donato Katharine , Piñones-Rivera Carlos , Quesada James
Published: April 2021

Based on the authors’ work in Latin America and Africa, this article describes and applies the concept ‘structural vulnerability’ to the challenges of clinical care and healthcare advocacy for migrants. This concept helps consider how specific social, economic and political hierarchies and policies produce and pattern poor health in two case studies: one at the USA–Mexico border and another in Djibouti. Migrants’ and providers’ various entanglements within inequitable and sometimes violent global migration systems can produce shared structural vulnerabilities that then differentially affect health and other outcomes. In response, we argue providers require specialised training and support; professional associations, healthcare institutions, universities and humanitarian organisations should work to end the criminalisation of medical and humanitarian assistance to migrants; migrants should help lead efforts to reform medical and humanitarian interventions; and alternative care models in Global South to address the structural vulnerabilities inherent to migration and asylum should be supported.
Women’s childbirth experiences in the Swedish Post-term Induction Study (SWEPIS): a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Nilvér Helena , Wessberg Anna , Dencker Anna , Hagberg Henrik , Wennerholm Ulla-Britt , Fadl Helena , Wesström Jan , Sengpiel Verena , Lundgren Ingela , Bergh Christina , Wikström Anna-Karin , Saltvedt Sissel , Elden Helen
Published: April 2021

Objective

To compare childbirth experiences in women randomly assigned to either induction of labour at 41 weeks or to expectant management until 42 weeks, in the Swedish Post-term Induction Study.

Design

A register-based, multicentre, randomised, controlled, superiority trial.

Setting

Women were recruited at 14 hospitals in Sweden, 2016–2018.

Participants

Women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy were recruited at 41 gestational weeks.

Interventions

The women were randomly assigned to induction of labour at 41 weeks (induction group, n=1381) or expectant management until 42 weeks (expectant management group, n=1379).

Outcome measures

As main outcome, women’s childbirth experiences were measured using the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire version 2 (CEQ2), in 656 women, 3 months after the birth at three hospitals. As exploratory outcome, overall childbirth experience was measured in 1457 women using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS 1–10) within 3 days after delivery at the remaining eleven hospitals.

Results

The total response rate was 77% (2113/2760). There were no significant differences in childbirth experience measured with CEQ2 between the groups (induction group, n=354; expectant management group, n=302) in the subscales:own capacity(2.8 vs 2.7, p=0.09),perceived safety(3.3 vs 3.2, p=0.06) andprofessional support(3.6 vs 3.5, p=0.38) or in the total CEQ2 score (3.3 vs 3.2, p=0.07), respectively. Women in the induction group scored higher in the subscaleparticipation(3.6 vs 3.4, p=0.02), although with a small effect size (0.19). No significant difference was observed in overall childbirth experience according to VAS (8.0 (n=735) vs 8.1 (n=735), p=0.22).

Conclusions

There were no differences in childbirth experience, according to CEQ2 or overall childbirth experience assessed with VAS, between women randomly assigned to induction of labour at 41 weeks or expectant management until 42 weeks. Overall, women rated their childbirth experiences high.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN26113652.
Interventions to promote family member involvement in adult critical care settings: a systematic review
Authors: Xyrichis Andreas , Fletcher Simon , Philippou Julia , Brearley Sally , Terblanche Marius , Rafferty Anne Marie
Published: April 2021

Objective

To identify, appraise and synthesise evidence of interventions designed to promote family member involvement in adult critical care units; and to develop a working typology of interventions for use by health professionals and family members.

Design

Mixed-method systematic review.

Data sources

Bibliographic databases were searched without date restriction up to June 2019: MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Joanna Briggs and Cochrane Libraries. Back issues of leading critical care and patient experience journals were manually searched, as were the reference lists of included studies. All evaluation studies of relevant intervention activities were included; all research designs and outcome measures were eligible. Due to heterogeneity in interventions, designs and outcome measures, the synthesis followed a narrative approach. Service users met with the research team termly.

Results

Out of 4962 possible citations, a total of 20 studies were included. The overall evidence base was assessed as moderate to weak. Six categories of interventions were identified: environmental unit changes (n=2), web-based support (n=4), discussion-based support (n=6), multicomponent support (n=4), participation in rounds (n=3) and participation in physical care (n=1). Clinical and methodological heterogeneity across studies hindered meta-analysis, hence a narrative synthesis was pursued. Six main outcomes were identified, grouped under two categories: (i) involvement outcomes: communication (mean differenceranged from 6.39 to 8.83), decision-making (mean differenceranged from −0.8 to 5.85), satisfaction (mean differenceranged from 0.15 to 2.48); and (ii) health outcomes: family trauma (mean differenceranged from −7.12 to 0.9), family well-being (mean differenceranged from −0.7 to −4), patient outcomes (relative riskranged from 1.27 to 4.91). The findings from the qualitative studies were thematically analysed to identify features of the interventions that participants perceived to influence effectiveness. Synthesised into five overarching categories (practicality, development, interaction, reflexivity and bridging), these can serve as principles to inform the future design and development of more refined family member involvement interventions.

Conclusions

Future interventions should be developed with much closer family member input and designed by considering the key features we identified. We call for future interventions to be multilayered and allow for a greater or lesser level, and different kinds, of involvement for family members. Choice of intervention should be informed by a baseline diagnostic of family members’ needs, readiness and preparedness for involvement.

PROSPERO registration

CRD42018086325.
Virtual reality-based relaxation for enhancement of perioperative well-being and quality of life: protocol for a randomised pilot trial
Authors: Schrempf Matthias Christian , Petzold Julian Quirin , Vachon Hugo , Petersen Morten Aagaard , Gutschon Johanna , Wolf Sebastian , Sommer Florian , Murnauer Marcus , Anthuber Matthias
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Patients with cancer undergoing surgery often suffer from reduced quality of life and various forms of distress. Untreated distress can negatively affect coping resources as well as surgical and oncological outcomes. A virtual reality-based stress reduction intervention may increase quality of life and well-being and reduce distress in the perioperative phase for patients with cancer. This pilot trial aims to explore the feasibility of the proposed intervention, assess patient acceptability and obtain estimates of effect to provide data for sample size calculations.

Methods and analysis

Patients with colorectal cancer and liver metastasis undergoing elective surgery will be recruited for this single-centre, randomised pilot trial with a three-arm design. A total of 54 participants will be randomised at 1:1:1 ratio to one of two intervention groups or a control receiving standard treatment. Those randomised to an intervention group will either receive perioperative virtual reality-based stress reduction exercises twice daily or listen to classical music twice daily. Primary feasibility outcomes are number and proportions of participants recruited, screened, consented and randomised. Furthermore, adherence to the intervention, compliance with the completion of the quality of life questionnaires and feasibility of implementing the trial procedures will be assessed. Secondary clinical outcomes are measurements of the effectiveness of the interventions to inform sample size calculations.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol, the patient information and the informed consent form have been approved by the ethics committee of the Ludwigs-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany (Reference Number: 19–915). Study findings will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

DRKS00020909.
Trends in long-term opioid prescriptions for musculoskeletal conditions in Australian general practice: a national longitudinal study using MedicineInsight, 2012–2018
Authors: Black-Tiong Sean , Gonzalez-Chica David , Stocks Nigel
Published: April 2021

Objective

Describe trends and patterns in long-term opioid prescriptions among adults with musculoskeletal conditions (MSK).

Design

Interrupted time-series analysis based on an open cohort study.

Setting

A representative sample of 402 Australian general practices contributing data to the MedicineInsight database.

Participants

811 174 patients aged 18+ years with an MSK diagnosis and three or more consultations in any two consecutive years between 2012 and 2018. Males represented 44.5% of the sample, 28.4% were 65+ years and 1.9% were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Annual prevalence and cumulative incidence (%) of long-term opioid prescribing (3+ prescriptions in 90 days) among patients with an MSK. Average duration of these episodes in each year between 2012 and 2018.

Results

The prevalence of long-term opioid prescribing increased from 5.5% (95% CI 5.2 to 5.8) in 2012 to 9.1% (95% CI 8.8 to 9.7) in 2018 (annual change OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.09), but a slightly lower incidence was observed in 2018 (3.0% vs 3.6%–3.8% in other years; annual change OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 0.99). The incidence was between 37% and 52% higher among practices located in rural Australia or lower socioeconomic areas. Individual risk factors included increasing age (3.4 times higher among those aged 80+ years than the 18–34 years group in 2012, increasing to 4.8 times higher in 2018), identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (1.7–1.9 higher incidence than their peers), or living in disadvantaged areas (36%–57% more likely than among those living in wealthiest areas). Long-term opioid prescriptions lasted in average 287–301 days between 2012 and 2016, reducing to 229 days in 2017 and 140 days in 2018. A longer duration was observed in practices from more disadvantaged areas and females in all years, except in 2018.

Conclusions

The continued rise in the prevalence of long-term opioid prescribing is of concern, despite a recent reduction in the incidence and duration of opioid management.
Intratumoral CD103+ CD8+ T cells predict response to PD-L1 blockade
Authors: Banchereau Romain , Chitre Avantika S. , Scherl Alexis , Wu Thomas D. , Patil Namrata S. , de Almeida Patricia , Kadel, III Edward E. , Madireddi Shravan , Au-Yeung Amelia , Takahashi Chikara , Chen Ying-Jiun , Modrusan Zora , McBride Jacqueline , Nersesian Rhea , El-Gabry Ehab A. , Robida Mark D. , Hung Jeffrey C. , Kowanetz Marcin , Zou Wei , McCleland Mark , Caplazi Patrick , Eshgi Shadi Toghi , Koeppen Hartmut , Hegde Priti S. , Mellman Ira , Mathews W. Rodney , Powles Thomas , Mariathasan Sanjeev , Grogan Jane , O'Gorman William E
Published: April 2021

Background

CD8+ tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells, marked by CD103 (ITGAE) expression, are thought to actively suppress cancer progression, leading to the hypothesis that their presence in tumors may predict response to immunotherapy.

Methods

Here, we test this by combining high-dimensional single-cell modalities with bulk tumor transcriptomics from 1868 patients enrolled in lung and bladder cancer clinical trials of atezolizumab (anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)).

Results

ITGAE was identified as the most significantly upregulated gene in inflamed tumors. Tumor CD103+ CD8+ TRM cells exhibited a complex phenotype defined by the expression of checkpoint regulators, cytotoxic proteins, and increased clonal expansion.

Conclusions

Our analyses indeed demonstrate that the presence of CD103+ CD8+ TRM cells, quantified by tracking intratumoral CD103 expression, can predict treatment outcome, suggesting that patients who respond to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade are those who exhibit an ongoing antitumor T-cell response.
Cumulative burden of lipid profiles predict future incidence of ischaemic stroke and residual risk
Authors: Dai Liye , Xu Jie , Zhang Yijun , Wang Anxin , Chen Zimo , Mo Jinglin , Li Hao , Meng Xia , Wu Shouling , Wang Yongjun
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Incident ischaemic stroke (IS) risk may increase not only with lipids concentration but also with longer duration of exposure. This study aimed to investigate the impact of cumulative burden of lipid profiles on risk of incident IS.

Methods

A total of 43 836 participants were enrolled who participated in four surveys during 2006–2013. Individual cumulative lipid burden was calculated as number of years (2006–2013) multiplied by the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL-C and triglyceride (TG), respectively. The primary outcome was defined as the incident IS during 2012–2017.

Results

During 4.67 years (±0.70 years) follow-up on average, we identified 1023 (2.33%) incident IS. Compared with respective reference groups, the HRs (95% CIs) of the upper tertile in cumulative TG burden, cumulative LDL-C burden, cumulative TC burden and cumulative non-HDL-C burden were 1.26 mmol/L (1.02–1.55 mmol/L), 1.47 mmol/L (1.25–1.73 mmol/L), 1.33 mmol/L (1.12–1.57 mmol/L) and 1.51 mmol/L (1.28–1.80 mmol/L) for incidence of IS, respectively. However, this association was not significant in cumulative HDL-C burden and IS (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.52), after adjustment for confounding variables. Among 16 600 participants with low cumulative LDL-C burden, HRs (95% CI) for TC, TG, non-HDL-C and HDL-C with IS were 1.63 mmol/L (1.03–2.57 mmol/L), 1.65 mmol/L (1.19–2.31 mmol/L), 1.57 mmol/L (1.06–2.32 mmol/L) and 0.98 mmol/L (0.56–1.72 mmol/L), respectively.

Conclusions

We observed the correlation between cumulative burden of lipid profiles, except for cumulative burden of HDL-C, with the risk of incident IS. Cumulative burden of TC, TG and non-HDL-C may still predict IS in patients with low cumulative LDL-C burden.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR-TNRC-11001489.
Endovascular treatment in anterior circulation stroke beyond 6.5 hours after onset or time last seen well: results from the MR CLEAN Registry
Authors: Dekker Luuk , Venema Esmee , Pirson F Anne V , Majoie Charles B L M , Emmer Bart J , Jansen Ivo G H , Mulder Maxim J H L , Lemmens Robin , Goldhoorn Robert-Jan B , Wermer Marieke J H , Boiten Jelis , Lycklama à Nijeholt Geert J , Roos Yvo B W E M , van Es Adriaan C G M , Lingsma Hester F , Dippel Diederik W J , van Zwam Wim H , van Oostenbrugge Robert J , van den Wijngaard Ido R
Published: April 2021

Background

Randomised controlled trials with perfusion selection have shown benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) for ischaemic stroke between 6 and 24 hours after symptom onset or time last seen well. However, outcomes after EVT in these late window patients without perfusion imaging are largely unknown. We assessed their characteristics and outcomes in routine clinical practice.

Methods

The Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands Registry, a prospective, multicentre study in the Netherlands, included patients with an anterior circulation occlusion who underwent EVT between 2014 and 2017. CT perfusion was no standard imaging modality. We used adjusted ordinal logistic regression analysis to compare patients treated within versus beyond 6.5 hours after propensity score matching on age, prestroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score (ASPECTS), collateral status, location of occlusion and treatment with intravenous thrombolysis. Outcomes included 3-month mRS score, functional independence (defined as mRS 0–2), and death.

Results

Of 3264 patients who underwent EVT, 106 (3.2%) were treated beyond 6.5 hours (median 8.5, IQR 6.9–10.6), of whom 93 (87.7%) had unknown time of stroke onset. CT perfusion was not performed in 87/106 (80.2%) late window patients. Late window patients were younger (mean 67 vs 70 years, p<0.04) and had slightly lower ASPECTS (median 8 vs 9, p<0.01), but better collateral status (collateral score 2–3: 68.3% vs 57.7%, p=0.03). No differences were observed in proportions of functional independence (43.3% vs 40.5%, p=0.57) or death (24.0% vs 28.9%, p=0.28). After matching, outcomes remained similar (adjusted common OR for 1 point improvement in mRS 1.04, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.93).

Conclusions

Without the use of CT perfusion selection criteria, EVT in the 6.5–24-hour time window was not associated with poorer outcome in selected patients with favourable clinical and CT/CT angiography characteristics. randomised controlled trials with lenient inclusion criteria are needed to identify more patients who can benefit from EVT in the late window.
Characteristics of self-inflicted injury among suicidal patients: analysis of nation-wide trauma registry
Authors: Nishimura Takeshi , Naito Hiromichi , Nakao Atsunori , Nakayama Shinichi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Self-inflicted injury is one of the most common causes of suicide. Extremity injury is thought to occur most frequently among penetrating injury; however, epidemiology among patients attempting suicide is unknown. This study aims to find the characteristics of penetrating self-inflicted trauma patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of Japanese nation-wide trauma registry (the Japan National Trauma Data Bank) between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2017. Patients who attempted suicide with penetrating injury were eligible. We evaluated the occurrence of injury based on injury site (neck/face, chest, abdomen, extremity) as a dependent variable and aging as an independent variable using a generalized linear model and compare those groups with spline models.

Results

4576 trauma patients were eligible. Excluding patients with missing age, missing survival data, and missing abbreviate injury score, 4183 patients were enrolled in this study. Common injury site is follows: abdomen 1772 patients (42.4%), extremity 1344 patients (32.0%), neck/face 1253 patients (30.0%), and chest 993 patients (23.7%). The occurrence of neck/face injury, chest injury, and abdominal injury increased with age. On contrary, the rate of extremity injury decreased with age.

Conclusions

Among self-inflicted trauma patients, abdominal injury was the most common injury, and neck/face injury, chest injury, and abdominal injury were related with aging. On the contrary, the rate of extremity injury decreased as patients’ age progressed.

Level of evidence

Retrospective cohort study, Level III.
Microbiomes of willow-galling sawflies: effects of host plant, gall type, and phylogeny on community structure and function
Authors: Michell Craig T. , Nyman Tommi
Published: April 2021

While free-living herbivorous insects are thought to harbor microbial communities composed of transient bacteria derived from their diet, recent studies indicate that insects that induce galls on plants may be involved in more intimate host–microbe relationships. We used 16S rDNA metabarcoding to survey larval microbiomes of 20 nematine sawfly species that induce bud or leaf galls on 13 Salix species. The 391 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) detected represented 69 bacterial genera in six phyla. Multi-variate statistical analyses showed that the structure of larval microbiomes is influenced by willow host species as well as by gall type. Nevertheless, a “core” microbiome composed of 58 ASVs is shared widely across the focal galler species. Within the core community, the presence of many abundant, related ASVs representing multiple distantly related bacterial taxa is reflected as a statistically significant effect of bacterial phylogeny on galler–microbe associations. Members of the core community have a variety of inferred functions, including degradation of phenolic compounds, nutrient supplementation, and production of plant hormones. Hence, our results support suggestions of intimate and diverse interactions between galling insects and microbes and add to a growing body of evidence that microbes may play a role in the induction of insect galls on plants.
Analytical representation for amplitudes and differential cross section of pp elastic scattering at 13 TeV
Authors: Ferreira E. , Kohara A.K. , Kodama T.
Published: April 2021

With analytical representation for the pp scattering amplitudes introduced and tested at lower energies, a description of high precision is given of the$$d\sigma /dt$$dσ/dtdata at$$\sqrt{s}= 13$$s=13 TeV for all values of the momentum transfer, with explicit identification of the real and imaginary parts. In bothtandbcoordinates the amplitudes have terms identified as of non-perturbative and perturbative nature, with distinction of their influences in forward and large |t| ranges and in central and peripheral regions respectively. In the forward range, the role of the Coulomb-nuclear interference phase is investigated. The energy dependence of the parameters of the amplitudes are reviewed and updated, revealing a possible emergence of a peculiar behavior of elastic and inelastic profiles in b-space for central collisions, which seems to be enhanced quickly at higher energies. Some other models are also briefly discussed in comparison, including the above mentioned behavior in b-space.
Supervised learning-based reconstruction of magnet errors in circular accelerators
Authors: Fol E. , Tomás R. , Franchetti G.
Published: April 2021

Magnetic field errors and misalignments cause optics perturbations, which can lead to machine safety issues and performance degradation. The correlation between magnetic errors and deviations of the measured optics functions from design can be used in order to build supervised learning models able to predict magnetic errors directly from a selection of measured optics observables. Extending the knowledge of errors in individual magnets offers potential improvements of beam control by including this information into optics models and corrections computation. Besides, we also present a technique for denoising and reconstruction of measurements data, based on autoencoder neural networks and linear regression. We investigate the usefulness of supervised machine learning algorithms for beam optics studies in a circular accelerator such as the LHC, for which the presented method has been applied in simulated environment, as well as on experimental data.
Stability of a charged rotating BTZ thin shell with a different variable equation of state
Authors: Eid A.
Published: April 2021

Dynamics of charged rotating BTZ black holes in 2 + 1 dimensions by using the cut and paste approach is discussed. Due to the mechanical stability of rotating charged BTZ thin shell, the radial perturbation about the equilibrium throat radius and three variable equation of state (EoS) is analyzed. Several examples are displayed satisfying it, such as variable Phantom-like, variable Chaplygin gas and variable modified generalized Chaplygin gas.
Chaperoning SNARE Folding and Assembly
Authors: Zhang Yongli , Hughson Frederick M.
Published: April 2021

SNARE proteins and Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins constitute the core molecular engine that drives nearly all intracellular membrane fusion and exocytosis. While SNAREs are known to couple their folding and assembly to membrane fusion, the physiological pathways of SNARE assembly and the mechanistic roles of SM proteins have long been enigmatic. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the SNARE–SM fusion machinery with an emphasis on biochemical and biophysical studies of proteins that mediate synaptic vesicle fusion. We begin by discussing the energetics, pathways, and kinetics of SNARE folding and assembly in vitro. Then, we describe diverse interactions between SM and SNARE proteins and their potential impact on SNARE assembly in vivo. Recent work provides strong support for the idea that SM proteins function as chaperones, their essential role being to enable fast, accurate SNARE assembly. Finally, we review the evidence that SM proteins collaborate with other SNARE chaperones, especially Munc13-1, and briefly discuss some roles of SNARE and SM protein deficiencies in human disease.
Self-Doped Sulfur Enhanced the Activity of Fe-N for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Javed Rida , Liu Jiayifang , Kang Zhaoming , Gong Yanmei , Xu Yuan , Ye Daixin , Zhao Hongbin , Zhang Jiujun
Published: April 2021

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an important electrochemical reaction for fuel cells and metal-air batteries. A highly-active and stable electrocatalyst is required to improve the sluggish kinetics of the ORR. In this work, a novel electrocatalyst with Fe atoms coordinated on a N-doped carbon support was designed using biowaste (peanut shells) as the source of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen. Moreover, by controlling the electron-donating/withdrawing properties of the carbon skeleton, an instinctive design strategy that combines sulfur functionalities was used to modify and boost the catalytic activity of Fe-N active sites. The synthesized Fe-N/S-C catalyst exhibited excellent ORR performance, with a half-wave potential of 0.87 V vs RHE, a limiting current density of 5.21 mA cm−2, and an onset potential of 1.13 V in 0.1 M KOH solution. Additionally, this peanut shell-derived Fe-N/S-C catalyst was applied in a zinc-air battery (ZAB) as an air cathode, which displayed a power density of 190 mW cm−2.