bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal Modular Remanufactured Product Configuration and Harvesting Planning for End-of-Life Products
Authors: Kim Jinju , Park Seyoung , Kim Harrison M.
Published: September 2021

Remanufacturing is a representative product recovery strategy that can improve economic profitability and sustainability, but many companies are struggling because of the lack of understanding of the market and the design strategies for remanufactured products. Unlike the production process of new products, remanufacturing requires unique production processes, such as collecting used products and dis(re)assembly. Therefore, several factors need to be considered for the design of remanufactured products. First, when designing a remanufactured product, it is crucial to ensure that the specifications of components meet the customer’s requirements because the remanufacturing uses relatively outdated components or modules. In addition, it is necessary to consider the disassembly level and order to facilitate the disassembly process to obtain the desired parts. This study proposes an integrated model to (i) find configuration design suitable for remanufactured products that can maximize customer utility based on customer online review analysis regarding End-of-Life products, and (ii) establish a harvest plan that determines the optimal disassembly operations and levels. This proposed model can be used as a decision-making tool that helps product designers find the appropriate design of remanufactured products while increasing the efficiency of the remanufacturing process.
EXTENDING A VAN DER POL BASED REDUCED-ORDER MODEL FOR FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION APPLIED TO NON-SYNCHRONOUS VIBRATIONS IN TURBOMACHINERY
Authors: Hollenbach Richard , Kielb Robert , Hall Kenneth
Published: September 2021

This paper expands upon a multi-degree-of-freedom, Van der Pol oscillator used to model buffet and Nonsynchronous Vibrations (NSV) in turbines. Two degrees-of-freedom are used, a fluid tracking variable incorporating a Van der Pol oscillator and a classic spring, mass, damper mounted cylinder variable; thus, this model is one of fluid-structure interaction. This model has been previously shown to exhibit the two main aspects of NSV. The first is the lock-in or entrainment phenomenon of the fluid shedding frequency jumping onto the natural frequency of the oscillator, while the second is a stable limit cycle oscillation (LCO) once the transient solution disappears. Improvements are made to the previous model to better understand this aeroelastic phenomenon. First, an error minimizing technique through a system identification method is used to tune the coefficients in the Reduced Order Model (ROM) to improve the accuracy in comparison to experimental data. Secondly, a cubic stiffness term is added to the fluid equation; this term is often seen in the Duffing Oscillator equation, which allows this ROM to capture the experimental behavior more accurately, seen in previous literature. The finalized model captures the experimental cylinder data found in literature much better than the previous model. These improvements also open the door for future models, such as that of a pitching airfoil or a turbomachinery blade, to create a preliminary design tool for studying NSV in turbomachinery.
Oxygen-free transport of samples in silane-doped inert gas atmospheres for surface analysis
Authors: Gustus René , Szafarska Maik , Maus-Friedrichs Wolfgang
Published: September 2021

We report on a new approach to transport samples for surface analysis safely from oxidation over long distances. The transport method is based on silane-doped inert gases, which are used as a transport medium. In this paper, we show that with the help of silane, highly purified inert gas atmospheres with oxygen contents of less than 10−15 mbar can be generated. In addition, we demonstrate that compared to commercially available inert gases, silane-doped inert gas atmospheres can be efficiently used to store and transport samples safely from oxidation. For this, surface sensitive measurements on highly reactive titanium samples, which passed the different stages of samples transport, were performed. The measurements revealed that no pronounced oxidation by the silane-doped atmosphere takes place. However, adsorption of silicon oxide from the atmosphere was observed.
In Vitro
Activity of Bedaquiline and Imipenem against Actively Growing, Nutrient-Starved, and Intracellular Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Martins Olumide , Lee Jin , Kaushik Amit , Ammerman Nicole C. , Dooley Kelly E. , Nuermberger Eric L.
Published: September 2021

Mycobacterium abscessus
lung disease is difficult to treat due to intrinsic drug resistance and the persistence of drug-tolerant bacteria. Currently, the standard of care is a multi-drug regimen with at least 3 active drugs, preferably including a β-lactam (imipenem or cefoxitin).
Regulation of the
icl1
Gene Encoding the Major Isocitrate Lyase in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Ko Eon-Min , Kim Ju-Yeon , Lee Sujin , Kim Suhkmann , Hwang Jihwan , Oh Jeong-Il
Published: September 2021

Carbon flux through the glyoxylate shunt has been suggested to affect virulence, persistence, and antibiotic resistance of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. Therefore, it is important to understand the precise mechanism underlying the regulation of the
icl
gene encoding the key enzyme of the glyoxylate shunt.
Volcanic plumbing filters on ocean-island basalt geochemistry
Authors: Ubide Teresa , Larrea Patricia , Becerril Laura , Galé Carlos
Published: September 2021

Ocean-island basalts (OIBs) are considered to be messengers from the deep mantle, yet the filtering effect of the plumbing systems that bring OIB melts to the surface remains poorly assessed. We investigated volcanic products from El Hierro island (Canary Islands) from textural and chemical perspectives. The majority of geochemical data cluster at relatively fractionated basaltic compositions of 5 wt% MgO. Compositions ≥10 wt% MgO are porphyritic whole rocks that accumulate mafic minerals. Near-primary melts do not erupt. Instead, we show that carrier melts (crystal-free whole rocks, glasses, and melt inclusions) are consistently buffered to low-MgO compositions during passage through the plumbing system. We tested our model of melt fractionation and crystal accumulation on a global compilation of OIBs. Similar to El Hierro, the majority of data cluster at evolved compositions of 5 wt% MgO (alkaline) to 7 wt% MgO (tholeiitic). Modeling the fractionation of OIB parental melts, we show that with 50% crystallization, OIB melts reach 5 wt% MgO with reduced density, increased volatile content, and overall low viscosity, becoming positively buoyant relative to wall rocks and highly eruptible when reaching volatile saturation at depths around the crust-mantle boundary. Under these conditions, 5 wt% MgO OIB “sweet spot” melts are propelled to the surface and erupt carrying an assortment of recycled crystals. This mechanism is consistent with the petrography and chemistry of erupted products and suggests OIB volcanoes are dominated by low-MgO basaltic melts.
Plasma N-glycome shows continuous deterioration as the diagnosis of insulin resistance approaches
Authors: Cvetko Ana , Mangino Massimo , Tijardović Marko , Kifer Domagoj , Falchi Mario , Keser Toma , Perola Markus , Spector Tim D , Lauc Gordan , Menni Cristina , Gornik Olga
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Prediction of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its preceding factors, such as insulin resistance (IR), is of great importance as it may allow delay or prevention of onset of the disease. Plasma protein N-glycome has emerged as a promising predictive biomarker. In a prospective longitudinal study, we included patients with a first diagnosis of impaired glucose metabolism (IR or T2DM) to investigate the N-glycosylation’s predictive value years before diabetes development.

Research design and methods

Plasma protein N-glycome was profiled by hydrophilic interaction ultra-performance liquid chromatography in 534 TwinsUK participants free from disease at baseline. This included 89 participants with incident diagnosis of IR or T2DM during the follow-up period (7.14±3.04 years) whose last sample prior to diagnosis was compared using general linear regression with 445 age-matched unrelated controls. Findings were replicated in an independent cohort. Changes in N-glycome have also been presented in connection with time to diagnosis.

Results

Eight groups of plasma N-glycans were different between incident IR or T2DM cases and controls (p<0.05) after adjusting for multiple testing using Benjamini-Hochberg correction. These differences were noticeable up to 10 years prior to diagnosis and are changing continuously as becoming more expressed toward the diagnosis. The prediction model was built using significant glycan traits, displaying a discriminative performance with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77.

Conclusions

In addition to previous studies, we showed the diagnostic potential of plasma N-glycome in the prediction of both IR and T2DM development years before the clinical manifestation and indicated the continuous deterioration of N-glycome toward the diagnosis.
Genetic variants associated with beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity potentially influence bile acid metabolites and gestational diabetes mellitus in a Chinese population
Authors: Zhou Qiulun , Wang Ying , Gu Yuqin , Li Jing , Wang Hui , Leng Junhong , Li Weiqin , Yu Zhijie , Hu Gang , Ma Ronald Ching Wan , Fang Zhong-Ze , Yang Xilin , Jiang Guozhi
Published: September 2021

Introduction

To investigate associations between genetic variants related to beta-cell (BC) dysfunction or insulin resistance (IR) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and bile acids (BAs), as well as the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Research design and methods

We organized a case-control study of 230 women with GDM and 217 without GDM nested in a large prospective cohort of 22 302 Chinese women in Tianjin, China. Two weighted genetic risk scores (GRSs), namely BC-GRS and IR-GRS, were established by combining 39 and 23 single nucleotide polymorphisms known to be associated with BC dysfunction and IR, respectively. Regression and mediation analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship of GRSs with BAs and GDM.

Results

We found that the BC-GRS was inversely associated with taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) after adjustment for confounders (Beta (SE)=−0.177 (0.048); p=2.66×10−4). The BC-GRS was also associated with the risk of GDM (OR (95% CI): 1.40 (1.10 to 1.77); p=0.005), but not mediated by TDCA. Compared with individuals in the low tertile of BC-GRS, the OR for GDM was 2.25 (95% CI 1.26 to 4.01) in the high tertile. An interaction effect of IR-GRS with taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) on the risk of GDM was evidenced (p=0.005). Women with high IR-GRS and low concentration of TCDCA had a markedly higher OR of 14.39 (95% CI 1.59 to 130.16; p=0.018), compared with those with low IR-GRS and high TCDCA.

Conclusions

Genetic variants related to BC dysfunction and IR in T2D potentially influence BAs at early pregnancy and the development of GDM. The identification of both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors may facilitate the identification of high-risk individuals to prevent GDM.
Lower extremity MRI following 10-week supervised exercise intervention in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Brown Ryan , Sharafi Azadeh , Slade Jill M , Convit Antonio , Davis Nathan , Baete Steven , Milton Heather , Mroczek Kenneth J , Kluding Patricia M , Regatte Ravinder R , Parasoglou Prodromos , Rao Smita
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to characterize using MRI the effects of a 10-week supervised exercise program on lower extremity skeletal muscle composition, nerve microarchitecture, and metabolic function in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Research design and methods

Twenty participants with DPN completed a longitudinal trial consisting of a 30-day control period, during which subjects made no change to their lifestyle, followed by a 10-week intervention program that included three supervised aerobic and resistance exercise sessions per week targeting the upper and lower extremities. The participants’ midcalves were scanned with multinuclear MRI two times prior to intervention (baseline1and baseline2) and once following intervention to measure relaxation times (T1, T1ρ, and T2), phosphocreatine recovery, fat fraction, and diffusion parameters.

Results

There were no changes between baseline1and baseline2MRI metrics (p>0.2). Significant changes (p<0.05) between baseline2and postintervention MRI metrics were: gastrocnemius medialis (GM) T1 –2.3%±3.0% and soleus T2 –3.2%±3.1%. Trends toward significant changes (0.05
0.3) and tibial nerve fractional anisotropy (p>0.6) and apparent diffusion coefficient (p>0.4).

Conclusions

The 10-week supervised exercise intervention program successfully reduced adiposity and altered resting tissue properties in the lower leg in DPN. Gastrocnemius mitochondrial oxidative capacity and tibial nerve microarchitecture changes were not observed, either due to lack of response to therapy or to lack of measurement sensitivity.
Scaling up Kangaroo Mother Care in Ethiopia and India: a multi-site implementation research study
Authors: Mony Prem K , Tadele Henok , Gobezayehu Abebe Gebremariam , Chan Grace J , Kumar Aarti , Mazumder Sarmila , Beyene Selemawit Asfaw , Jayanna Krishnamurthy , Kassa Dejene Hailu , Mohammed Hajira Amin , Estifanos Abiy Seifu , Kumar Pankaj , Jadaun Arun Singh , Hailu Abay Tedros , Washington Maryann , W/Gebriel Fitsum , Alamineh Lamesgin , Fikre Addisalem , Kumar Alok , Trikha Sonia , Ashebir Gebregizabher Fisseha , Kar Arin , Bilal Selamawit Mengesha , Belew Mulusew Lijalem , Debere Mesfin Kote , Krishna Raghav , Dalpath Suresh Kumar , Amare Samson Yohannes , Mohan H L , Brune Thomas , Sibley Lynn M , Tariku Abraham , Sahu Arti , Kumar Tarun , Hadush Marta Yemane , Gowda Prabhu Deva , Aziz Khalid , Duguma Dereje , Singh Pramod Kumar , Darmstadt Gary L , Agarwal Ramesh , Gebremariam Dawit Seyoum , Martines Jose , Portela Anayda , Jaiswal Harsh Vardhan , Bahl Rajiv , Rao PN Suman , Tadesse Birkneh Tilahun , Cranmer John N , Hailemariam Damen , Kumar Vishwajeet , Bhandari Nita , Medhanyie Araya Abrha
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), prolonged skin-to-skin care of the low birth weight baby with the mother plus exclusive breastfeeding reduces neonatal mortality. Global KMC coverage is low. This study was conducted to develop and evaluate context-adapted implementation models to achieve improved coverage.

Design

This study used mixed-methods applying implementation science to develop an adaptable strategy to improve implementation. Formative research informed the initial model which was refined in three iterative cycles. The models included three components: (1) maximising access to KMC-implementing facilities, (2) ensuring KMC initiation and maintenance in facilities and (3) supporting continuation at home postdischarge.

Participants

3804 infants of birth weight under 2000 g who survived the first 3 days, were available in the study area and whose mother resided in the study area.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcomes were coverage of KMC during the 24 hours prior to discharge and at 7 days postdischarge.

Results

Key barriers and solutions were identified for scaling up KMC. The resulting implementation model achieved high population-based coverage. KMC initiation reached 68%–86% of infants in Ethiopian sites and 87% in Indian sites. At discharge, KMC was provided to 68% of infants in Ethiopia and 55% in India. At 7 days postdischarge, KMC was provided to 53%–65% of infants in all sites, except Oromia (38%) and Karnataka (36%).

Conclusions

This study shows how high coverage of KMC can be achieved using context-adapted models based on implementation science. They were supported by government leadership, health workers’ conviction that KMC is the standard of care, women’s and families’ acceptance of KMC, and changes in infrastructure, policy, skills and practice.

Trial registration numbers

ISRCTN12286667; CTRI/2017/07/008988;NCT03098069;NCT03419416;NCT03506698.
Lessons learnt from the rapid implementation of reusable personal protective equipment for COVID-19 in Malawi
Authors: Limani Fumbani , Garley David , Cocker Derek , Patel Priyanka , Patel Pratiksha , Gordon Stephen , Nyirenda Mulinda , Sakala Servace , Gadama Luis A , Dube Queen , Bodole Feggie , Mndolo Kwazizira Samson , Mponda Kelvin , Freyne Bridget
Published: September 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has challenged health systems and healthcare workers worldwide. Access to personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to mitigate the risk of excess mortality in healthcare providers. In Malawi, the cost of PPE represents an additional drain on available resources. In the event of repeated waves of disease over several years, the development of sustainable systems of PPE is essential. We describe the development, early implementation and rapid scale up of a reusable gown service at a tertiary-level hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Challenges included healthcare worker perceptions around the potential of reduced efficacy of cotton gowns, the need to plan for surge capacity and the need for ongoing training of laundry staff in safety and hygiene procedures. Benefits of the system included increased coverage, decreased cost and reduced waste disposal. The implementation of a reusable cotton gown service is feasible, acceptable and cost-effective in tertiary centres providing specialist COVID-19 care at the height of the pandemic. This innovation could be expanded beyond low-income settings.
Public knowledge, attitudes and practices related to antibiotic use and resistance in Singapore: a cross-sectional population survey
Authors: Lim Jane M , Duong Minh Cam , Cook Alex R , Hsu Li Yang , Tam Clarence C
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The WHO’s Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) includes increasing overall public awareness of appropriate antibiotic use and resistance as a key priority area. We aimed to measure public knowledge, attitudes and practices of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in Singapore, as well as their healthcare-seeking behaviours relating to respiratory illnesses, providing baseline data against which to measure the progress of future interventions.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

The general population in Singapore.

Participants

Between May and June 2019, we conducted a survey via an online panel in Singapore with 706 respondents.

Results

Our findings indicated common misconceptions surrounding antibiotic effectiveness and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance—most participants thought that resistance occurs when our bodies become resistant to antibiotics (62.5%) or when antibiotics become less powerful (48.5%). In multivariable analyses, better knowledge scores were associated with more favourable antibiotic attitudes (β=0.29; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.37). In addition, more favourable attitude scores were associated with lower odds of both expecting (OR: 0.84, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.99) and being prescribed antibiotics by a primary care doctor (OR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.90).

Conclusions

This study presents important information about population perceptions towards antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in Singapore. Results from this study emphasise the importance of effective public communication strategies to promote responsible antibiotic use locally and should be used to inform future implementation of programmes and activities as laid out in Singapore’s National Strategic Action Plan on AMR.
Consumer understanding of terms used in imaging reports requested for low back pain: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Farmer Caitlin , O'Connor Denise A , Lee Hopin , McCaffery Kirsten , Maher Christopher , Newell Dave , Cashin Aidan , Byfield David , Jarvik Jeffrey , Buchbinder Rachelle
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To investigate (1) self-reported societal comprehension of common and usually non-serious terms found in lumbar spine imaging reports and (2) its relationship to perceived seriousness, likely persistence of low back pain (LBP), fear of movement, back beliefs and history and intensity of LBP.

Design

Cross-sectional online survey of the general public.

Setting

Five English-speaking countries: UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Participants

Adults (age >18 years) with or without a history of LBP recruited in April 2019 with quotas for country, age and gender.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Self-reported understanding of 14 terms (annular fissure, disc bulge, disc degeneration, disc extrusion, disc height loss, disc protrusion, disc signal loss, facet joint degeneration, high intensity zone, mild canal stenosis, Modic changes, nerve root contact, spondylolisthesis and spondylosis) commonly found in lumbar spine imaging reports. For each term, we also elicited worry about its seriousness, and whether its presence would indicate pain persistence and prompt fear of movement.

Results

From 774 responses, we included 677 (87.5%) with complete and valid responses. 577 (85%) participants had a current or past history of LBP of whom 251 (44%) had received lumbar spine imaging. Self-reported understanding of all terms was poor. At best, 235 (35%) reported understanding the term ‘disc degeneration’, while only 71 (10.5%) reported understanding the term ‘Modic changes’. For all terms, a moderate to large proportion of participants (range 59%–71%), considered they indicated a serious back problem, that pain might persist (range 52%–71%) and they would be fearful of movement (range 42%–57%).

Conclusion

Common and usually non-serious terms in lumbar spine imaging reports are poorly understood by the general population and may contribute to the burden of LBP.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12619000545167.
‘This is time we’ll never get back’: a qualitative study of mothers’ experiences of care associated with neonatal death
Authors: Redshaw Maggie , Henderson Jane , Bevan Charlotte
Published: September 2021

Aims

To explore the perceptions and experience of women whose baby died in the neonatal period about their care in the perinatal period, on delivery suite, in the neonatal unit and afterwards, expressed in their own words.

Design

Secondary analysis of the Listening to Parents study, using thematic analysis based on the open text responses from a postal survey of parents whose baby died in the neonatal period in England. Women were asked about care during the pregnancy, labour and birth, around the time the baby died and about neonatal care. Women whose pregnancy was terminated for fetal abnormality were excluded from this analysis.

Results

Completed questionnaires were received from 249 mothers of whom most (78%) responded with open text. Overarching themes identified were ‘the importance of proximity’, ‘recognition of role and identity as a parent’ and ‘the experience of care’ and subthemes included ‘hours and moments’, ‘barriers to contact’, ‘ being able to parent, even for a short time’, ‘missed opportunities’, ‘being heard’ and ‘sensitive and responsive care’.

Conclusion

The findings identify what is most important for mothers in experiencing the life and death of a baby as a newborn. Physical contact with the baby was paramount, as was being treated as a mother and a parent and being able to function as such. The way in which healthcare staff behaved and how their babies were cared for was critical to how mothers felt supported and enabled at this time. If all women whose babies die in the neonatal period after birth are to receive the responsive care they need, greater understanding of the primary need for closeness and proximity, for active recognition of their parental role and staff awareness of the limited time window available is essential.
Which resources help young people to prevent and overcome mental distress in deprived urban areas in Latin America? A protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: Priebe Stefan , Fung Catherine , Brusco Luis Ignacio , Carbonetti Fernando , Gómez-Restrepo Carlos , Uribe Miguel , Diez-Canseco Francisco , Smuk Melanie , Holt Nicola , Kirkbride James B. , Araya Ricardo , Morgan Craig , Eldridge Sandra , Heritage Paul , Bird Victoria
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Improving the mental health of young people is a global public health priority. In Latin America, young people living in deprived urban areas face various risk factors for mental distress. However, most either do not develop mental distress in the form of depression and anxiety, or recover within a year without treatment from mental health services. This research programme seeks to identify the personal and social resources that help young people to prevent and recover from mental distress.

Methods and analysis

A cross-sectional study will compare personal and social resources used by 1020 young people (aged 15–16 and 20–24 years) with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety and 1020 without. A longitudinal cohort study will follow-up young people with mental distress after 6 months and 1 year and compare resource use in those who do and do not recover. An experience sampling method study will intensively assess activities, experiences and mental distress in subgroups over short time periods. Finally, we will develop case studies highlighting existing initiatives that effectively support young people to prevent and recover from mental distress. The analysis will assess differences between young people with and without distress at baseline using t-tests and χ2tests. Within the groups with mental distress, multivariate logistic regression analyses using a random effects model will assess the relationship between predictor variables and recovery.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approvals are received from Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires; Faculty of Medicine-Research and Ethics Committee of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá; Institutional Ethics Committee of Research of the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and Queen Mary Ethics of Research Committee. Dissemination will include arts-based methods and target different audiences such as national stakeholders, researchers from different disciplines and the general public.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN72241383.
Predictive Role of Ultrasound Remission for Progressive Ultrasonography-Detected Structural Damage in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Liu Feifei , Li Wenxue , Zhu Jiaan , Liu Fang , Fan Wenting , Chen Zheng
Published: September 2021

Regarding the persistence of subclinical synovitis, the concept of ultrasound remission has been proposed in addition to clinical remission. However, there have been no studies that explored the different time points of ultrasound remission to predict non-progressive structural damage. Given this, the aim of our study is to explore whether early ultrasound remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has predictive value for non-progressive structural damage in the subsequent 12 months. Sixty-one patients with RA were prospectively studied. Synovial hypertrophy, power Doppler (PD) signal, and bone erosions of bilateral wrists, metacarpophalangeal joints I–V, and proximal interphalangeal joints II–III were assessed by ultrasonography at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Ultrasound remission was defined as no PD signal. Clinical remission was defined as Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints <2.6. Ultrasonography-detected joint damage progression was defined as increase in bone erosion score of ≥1 in the subsequent 12 months. Baseline ultrasonographic factors were not significantly correlated with progressive ultrasonography-detected joint damage in patients with RA at 12 months (all p>0.05). Ultrasound remission at 3 and 6 months was significantly correlated with non-progressive ultrasonography-detected structural damage at 12 months (p=0.006 and p=0.004), with relatively low sensitivity and high specificity. Clinical remission at 3 months was significantly correlated with non-progression of ultrasonography-detected structural damage at 12 months (p=0.029), with relatively low sensitivity and moderate specificity. Ultrasound remission at 3 and 6 months has high specificity in predicting non-progressive structural damage in patients with RA at 12 months; however, the sensitivity is limited.
Matter of TIME: the tumor-immune microenvironment of mesothelioma and implications for checkpoint blockade efficacy
Authors: Harber James , Kamata Tamihiro , Pritchard Catrin , Fennell Dean
Published: September 2021

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an incurable cancer with a dismal prognosis and few effective treatment options. Nonetheless, recent positive phase III trial results for immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in MPM herald a new dawn in the fight to advance effective treatments for this cancer. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) has been widely reported to predict ICB in other cancers, but MPM is considered a low-TMB tumor. Similarly, tumor programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression has not been proven predictive in phase III clinical trials in MPM. Consequently, the precise mechanisms that determine response to immunotherapy in this cancer remain unknown. The present review therefore aimed to synthesize our current understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment in MPM and reflects on how specific cellular features might impact immunotherapy responses or lead to resistance. This approach will inform stratified approaches to therapy and advance immunotherapy combinations in MPM to improve clinical outcomes further.
Life-cycle sustainability assessment of geotechnical site investigation
Authors: Purdy Christopher M. , Raymond Alena J. , DeJong Jason T. , Kendall Alissa , Krage Christopher , Sharp Jamie
Published: September 2021

The life-cycle impacts of site characterization, an important component of most geotechnical engineering projects, are typically not considered in practice nor have they been studied in detail. A life-cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) was performed to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of several common site investigation methods. The potential impacts of these methods were computed to provide normalized metrics for the mobilization, drilling, sampling and (or) testing, and borehole sealing phases of the life cycle. These environmental impact and cost metrics were then applied to a “typical” 30 m exploration to compare different site investigation methods. Next, the metrics were used to assess the impacts of small and midsized industry investigation programs to investigate how impacts scale with project size. Scenario analyses were then performed on the midsized project to consider how different mobilization choices, grouting materials, and exploration methods influence total impacts. Collectively, this study provides a reference and framework that allows practitioners to assess environmental impacts in parallel with cost when designing site investigation scopes of work.
Lactose-conjugated porphyrin: synthesis and photobiological evaluation as potential agents for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Cao Yue , Zhang Xin , Ren Bo , Yang Xiaodong
Published: September 2021

Porphyrin-based photosensitizers are conventional photodynamic agents that are used clinically. However, their clinical applications have been overshadowed by poor water solubility. In addition, they have weak tumor selectivity, which may cause undesirable side effects. The preparation of novel porphyrin derivatives has been explored for potential applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT). To achieve this goal, lactose-conjugated porphyrin nanoparticles (Lac-Por NPs) have been synthesized and characterized. PDT with Lac-Por NPs exhibited tumor-specific cytotoxicity in lactose receptor-overexpressing HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo. In summary, we designed and synthesized lactose conjugate porphyrins with enhanced water solubility and tumor selectivity. This work expands the application range of porphyrin-based photosensitizers for cancer treatment.
Conductivity Mechanism of Ion–DNA Interaction in Dilute Solution
Authors: Zhang Lingyun
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we propose an impurity scattering model of quasi-one-dimensional disordered system for ion–DNA interaction in dilute solution based on the density of state in non-periodic DNA. This disordered system is composed of cations and DNA, the hydrogen ions adsorbed on the surface of DNA with negative charges are considered as impurities. It is hydrogen ions in hydration layer that cause the variations of the density of state near the Fermi level. The classical theory describes the linear dependence of conductivity on concentration. By developing the Green function approach of ion–DNA interaction in the dilute solution, the quantum theory not only gives the linear part but also demonstrates the nonlinear part of the conductivity.
Provenance controls on volcaniclastic beach sand: example from the Aeolian archipelago, Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Morrone Consuele , Le Pera Emilia , Marsaglia Kathleen M. , De Rosa Rosanna
Published: September 2021

Sand and sandstone composition of volcanic origin may be clues to the provenance of the sediments and sedimentary rocks. Volcaniclastic provenance studies contribute significantly to unravelling the generation and provenance of sediment under investigation, which in the Aeolian archipelago comprises preserved units of outcrops dominated by lava flows intercalated with airfall tephras as source rocks. The focus of this paper is the study of the petrographical composition and textures of beach sands, which can then be used as a guide in the interpretation of provenance and origin of beach sand(stone)s rich in volcanic debris transported into deeper water. The composition of Aeolian beach deposits defines a single immature petrofacies with a large amount of unweathered glass and mafic minerals. Panarea island is dominated by dacites and new grain categories have been proposed to differentiate this provenance. Surface processes such as mechanical erosion (mass wasting and surface runoff) produce an overestimation of mafic components compared to the felsic components in the beach sand fraction.
The Mechanobiology of Vascular Remodeling in the Aging Lung
Authors: Dieffenbach Paul B. , Aravamudhan Aja , Fredenburgh Laura E. , Tschumperlin Daniel J.
Published: September 2021

Aging is accompanied by declining lung function and increasing susceptibility to lung diseases. The role of endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling in these changes is supported by growing evidence, but underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this review we summarize functional, structural, and molecular changes in the aging pulmonary vasculature and explore how interacting aging and mechanobiological cues may drive progressive vascular remodeling in the lungs.
Diagnosis of Arrhythmia for Patients with Occult Coronary Heart Disease Guided by Intracavitary Electrocardiogram under Data Mining Algorithm
Authors: Wang Gang , Luo Li , Zhao Xia
Published: September 2021

The objective of this study was to explore the application value of intracavitary electrocardiogram- (IEGM-) guided diagnosis of occult heart disease and conventional electrocardiogram (EGM) in the diagnosis of occult coronary heart disease (CHD) based on the classification and regression tree (CART) mining algorithm, hoping to provide a more effective basis for clinical diagnosis of the occult CHD. In this study, 100 patients with occult CHD admitted to our hospital from February 2016 to December 2020 were selected as the research objects. Based on the random number table method, 100 patients were randomly rolled into two groups, each with 50 cases. The patients diagnosed with conventional ECG were set as the control group, and patients in the experimental group were diagnosed with IEGM under the data mining algorithms. The diagnostic effects of the two groups were compared. The results showed that the processing effect of the CART algorithm (94%) was much better than that of the multiple linear regression algorithm (78%) and the random forest algorithm (69%) (

P
<
0.05

), the agreement between the results of the experimental group and the results of coronary angiography (80%) and Kappa (0.7) was higher than those of the control group (55%, 0.45), and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). In addition, the sensitivity (93%) and accuracy (80%) of the experimental group were obviously higher than those of the control group (62% and 55%), and the differences were remarkably significant (

P
<
0.05

). In conclusion, the consistency ratio of the IEGM examination was higher, showing high accuracy; the intracavitary examination was invasive, so IEGM was not recommended when the diagnosis result of the examination may cause more harm than good.
Comparison of Accuracy of Current Ten Intraoral Scanners
Authors: Amornvit Pokpong , Rokaya Dinesh , Sanohkan Sasiwimol
Published: September 2021

There have been various developments in intraoral 3D scanning technology. This study is aimed at investigating the accuracy of 10 scanners developed from 2015 to 2020. A maxillary dental model with reference points was printed from Form 2 (FormLabs, Somerville, MA, USA). The model was scanned 5 times with each intraoral scanner (IOS); Trios 3 (normal and high‐resolution mode); Trios 4 (normal and high‐resolution mode) (3Shape Trios A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark); iTero Element, iTero 2, and iTero 5D Element (Align Technologies, San Jose, California, USA); Dental Wings (Dental Wings, Montreal QC, Canada); Panda 2 (Pengtum Technologies, Shanghai, China); Medit i500 (Medit Corp. Seoul, South Korea); Planmeca Emerald™ (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland); and Aoralscan (Shining 3D Tech. Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China). After the scan, the 3D scanned stereolithography files were created. The various distances were measured five times in X, Y, Z, and XY axes of various scans and with a vernier caliper (control) and from the Rhinoceros software. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18. Test for the normality of the various measurement data were done using Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test. The trueness and precision of the measurements were compared among the various scans using the Kruskal‐Wallis test. The significance was considered at P < 0.05. The trueness of the intraoral scans was analyzed by comparing the measurements from the control. Precision was tested through the measurements of repeated scans. It showed that more the distance is less the accuracy for all scanners. In all studied scanners, the trueness varied but precision was favorably similar. Diagonal scanning showed less accuracy for all the scanners. Hence, when scanning the full arch, the dentist needs to take more caution and good scan pattern. Trios series showed the best scan results compared to other scanners.
Virtual Spatial Channel Number and Index Modulation
Authors: Iqbal Zahid , Ji Fei , Liu Yun
Published: September 2021

This paper proposes a novel precoding‐aided and efficient data transmission scheme called virtual spatial channel number and index modulation (VS‐CNIM), which conveys extra data by changing both the number and index of active virtual parallel channels of multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) channels, obtained through the singular value decomposition (SVD) in each time slot. Unlike the conventional virtual spatial modulation (VSM), where extra data bits are transmitted only using index of active virtual parallel channels, the VS‐CNIM scheme, depending on incoming information bits, transmits extra bits utilizing both the number and indices of active parallel channels along the bits carried by M‐ary constellation symbols. Therefore, VS‐CNIM provides significantly superior spectral efficiency (SE) compared to VSM. Considering the influence of imperfect channel estimation, a closed‐form upper bound is derived on average bit error probability (ABEP). The asymptotic performance is also analyzed, which gives the coding gain and diversity order and describes error floor under the consideration of perfect and imperfect channel estimation, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations exhibit that the VS‐CNIM scheme achieves considerably better error performance and high SE than precoding‐aided SM (PSM) and VSM schemes.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Cavitation on Dual Clearance Squeeze Film Damper
Authors: Feng Zhaojun , Luo Guihuo , Yang Hai , Deng Wangqun , Chen Wei , Shen Cheng
Published: September 2021

A new dynamic model is developed for the dual clearance squeeze film damper (DCSFD) considering the effect of cavitation in this paper. The relationship between the eccentricities of the inner and outer films is achieved based on the equations of motion. The Reynolds equation and Rayleigh–Plesset equation are employed to describe the kinetic properties of DCSFD and the cavitation effect of film, respectively. Under the assumption of compressible fluid, the pressure distribution of DCSFD is finally obtained by the numerically iterative method. The film pressure distribution in the outer layer (including the positive and negative pressure zones) obtained from the experimental test agrees well with the numerical prediction, which verifies the validity of the proposed numerical model. In Section 5, the effects of oil temperature, inlet pressure, eccentricity, and whirling frequency on the cavitation in the film are investigated systematically and experimentally. The experimental results indicate that cavitation mainly affect the pressure in the negative pressure zone of the inner and outer film of DCSFD, but has little influence on the pressure in the positive pressure zone. The area of cavitation increased with eccentricity; when the inner eccentricity reached 0.1 or above, the area near the injection hole of film also generated a small zone of negative pressure. The numerical model and the experimental results in this paper are valuable for further research and engineering applications of DCSFD.
Effects of Cataract Surgery on Vision‐Related Quality of Life in Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa and the Predictive Factors of Quality of Life Improvement
Authors: Miura Gen , Baba Takayuki , Tatsumi Tomoaki , Yokouchi Hirotaka , Yamamoto Shuichi
Published: September 2021

Purpose. To determine the effects of cataract surgery and preoperative factors on the vision‐related quality of life (QOL) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Materials and Methods. This was a prospective, interventional study of 54 patients diagnosed with RP. The 25‐item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ‐25) was used to determine the QOL before and after the cataract surgery. The correlations between the scores of the questionnaire and the best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), macular structure, and degree of improvement of the NEI VFQ‐25 scores were also determined. Results. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the BCVA and all of the NEI VFQ‐25 subscale scores except for color vision. The improvement of general vision was the largest. The postoperative BCVA of the better‐seeing eye was more strongly and significantly correlated with the postoperative NEI VFQ‐25 scores than that of the worse‐seeing eye. All of the postoperative NEI VFQ‐25 scores were significantly correlated with the length of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) of the photoreceptors. No significant correlation was found between the preoperative general vision, near vision, mental health scores, and EZ length. All of the preoperative NEI VFQ‐25 scores except the social function and mental health scores were negatively and significantly correlated with the degree of improvement of the NEI VFQ‐25 score. The EZ length was significantly correlated with the degree of improvement of the NEI VFQ‐25 scores of the general vision, distance vision, mental health, dependency, and composite 9 scores. Conclusions. Cataract surgery can significantly improve the NEI VFQ‐25 scores in RP patients. The EZ length can be used to predict the postoperative VFQ scores. We conclude that the NEI VFQ‐25 is a useful method to evaluate the impact of cataract surgery on the BCVA in patients with RP.
A Short Review on the Dynamic Characteristics of Geogrid‐Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls under Cyclic Loading
Authors: Geng Min
Published: September 2021

The internal force and the form of reinforced soil wall used in high‐speed railway change due to the static loads of self‐gravity and rail system and dynamic load of train travelling. As a kind of flexible retaining structure, the study of the dynamic characteristics of reinforced retaining walls is of great significance for its engineering application and structural analysis. In this article, recent advances in using various research methods on the dynamic characteristics of reinforced retaining walls are reviewed. Through a series of experimental studies and numerical analysis, the research progress of dynamic characteristics of reinforced retaining walls is summarized. The advantages, disadvantages, and application of various test methods are analyzed. Finally, laboratory model tests are expounded based on previous research achievements, and prospects are proposed on the development of dynamic characteristics of reinforced retaining walls.
Remote and Rural Connectivity: Infrastructure and Resource Sharing Principles
Authors: Dlamini Thembelihle , Vilakati Sifiso
Published: September 2021

As mobile networks (MNs) are advancing towards meeting mobile user requirements, the rural‐urban divide still remains a major challenge. While areas within the urban space (metropolitan mobile space) are being developed, i.e., small Base Stations (BSs) empowered with computing capabilities are deployed to improve the delivery of user requirements, rural areas are left behind. Due to challenges of low population density, low income, difficult terrain, nonexistent infrastructure, and lack of power grid, remote areas have low digital penetration. This situation makes remote areas less attractive towards investments and to operate connectivity networks, thus failing to achieve universal access to the Internet. In addressing this issue, this paper proposes a new BS deployment and resource management method for remote and rural areas. Here, two MN operators share their resources towards the procurement and deployment of green energy‐powered BSs equipped with computing capabilities. Then, the network infrastructure is shared between the mobile operators, with the main goal of enabling energy‐efficient infrastructure sharing, i.e., BS and its colocated computing platform. Using this resource management strategy in rural communication sites guarantees a quality of service (QoS) comparable to that of urban communication sites. The performance evaluation conducted through simulations validates our analysis as the prediction variations observed show greater accuracy between the harvested energy and the traffic load. Also, the energy savings decrease as the number of mobile users (50 users in our case) connected to the remote site increases. Lastly, the proposed algorithm achieves 51% energy savings when compared with the 43% obtained by our benchmark algorithm. The proposed method demonstrates superior performance over the benchmark algorithm as it uses foresighted optimization where the harvested energy and the expected load are predicted over a given short‐term horizon.