bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heat Transfer and Pressure Loss in a Two-Pass, Rectangular Channel Featuring a Reduced Cross-Sectional Area After the 180-Deg Tip Turn With Different Turning Vane Configurations
Authors: Alsaleem Sulaiman M. , Wright Lesley M. , Han Je-Chin
Published: March 2021

Serpentine, multi-pass cooling passages are used in cooling advanced gas turbine blades. In the open literature, most internal cooling studies use a fixed cross-sectional area for multi-pass channels. Studies that use varying aspect ratio channels, along with a guide vane to direct the flow with turning, are scarce. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of using different guide vane designs on both detailed heat transfer distribution and pressure loss in a multi-pass channel with an aspect ratio of (4:1) in the entry passage and (2:1) in the second passage downstream of the vane(s). The first vane configuration is one solid vane with a semi-circular cross section connecting the two flow passages. The second configuration has three broken vanes with a quarter-circular cross section; two broken vanes are located downstream in the first passage, and one broken vane is upstream in the second passage. Detailed heat transfer distributions were obtained on all surfaces within the flow passages by using a transient liquid crystal method. Results show that including the semi-circular vane in the turning region enhanced the overall heat transfer by around 29% with a reduction in pressure loss by around 20%. Moreover, results show that the quarter-circular vane design provides higher overall averaged heat transfer enhancement than the semi-circular vane design by around 9% with penalty of higher pressure drop by 6%, which yields higher thermal performance by 7%, over a Reynolds number range from 15,000 to 45,000.
Genset Scheduling in a Redundant Electric Power System for an Offshore Vessel Using Mixed Integer Linear Programming
Authors: Thorat Laxminarayan , Skjetne Roger , Osen Ottar L.
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes several schemes for optimal scheduling of power producers in a shipboard power system for a typical offshore supply vessel, having a multiple number of possibly varying capacity gensets. The proposed scheduling methods are illustrated using four alternative power system configurations, ranging from a few large gensets to many gensets of smaller ratings. Mixed integer linear programming is used to formulate the optimization problems. Three formulations are presented: one for minimizing online capacity without further objectives, one that includes a redundancy constraint for loosing a group of gensets (to account for a worst-case failure scenario), and one to also balance running hours and minimizing connect/disconnect of the gensets. These different objectives can be combined and weighted based on importance, with or without redundancy constraints. Simulations are carried out to demonstrate the properties of the three different scheduling methods. The first method, minimizing online capacity only, is also used to illustrate the differences between the four genset configurations. This shows, for instance, that using more small gensets ensures generally a lower online available power (the connected capacity matches better the prevailing load) and near optimal loading of each genset around 80% (assuming equal loadsharing), at the same time as resilience to genset failures is preserved.
Numerical Studies on Drag Reduction of An Axisymmetric Body of Revolution With Antiturbulence Surface
Authors: Panda J. P. , Warrior H. V.
Published: March 2021

This article presents numerical studies on the drag evolution of an axisymmetric body of revolution with microgrooves using Reynolds stress model-based computational fluid dynamics simulations. Experimental data of drag evolution along the non-grooved body were used to validate the numerical model predictions. After validation of the model predictions, a series of numerical simulations were performed to study the effect of toroidal grooving of the axisymmetric body on the drag evolution by varying the depth to the surface radius of the grooves at different Reynolds numbers. A maximum drag reduction of 43% was achieved with such effort. This was possible because of the drastic reduction of turbulent shear stress in the boundary layer, which has a direct relationship with the skin friction drag evolution along the body.
Thermal Spray Coating on Polymeric Composite for De-Icing and Anti-Icing Applications
Authors: Rahimi Alireza , Hojjati Mehdi , Dolatabadi Ali , Moreau Christian
Published: March 2021

This paper reports a novel method for fabrication of an electro-thermal heating element, as de-icer or anti-icer, for the polymer-based composites. The plasma spray technique was utilized for the deposition of a Nickel-Chrome-Aluminum-Yttrium (NiCrAlY) coating layer as a heating element on top of the glass/epoxy composite. To improve the adhesion strength and deposition efficiency of the coatings and to protect the composite fibers during grit blasting and spraying, a woven wire stainless steel mesh was added to the composite substrates during the composite fabrication process. Metal mesh will act as an anchor to keep the coating on the surface. Two types of woven wire and two types of NiCrAlY powder with the fine and coarse particle size distributions were used. Good processing parameters for grit blasting and plasma spraying are identified. It is found that the surface modification method applied to the composite substrates prior to the coating process makes a significant improvement in the coating thickness uniformity and deposition efficiency. Several tests were conducted on the coated samples for determination of their mechanical and electrical properties. Using flatwise tensile tests, it is shown that application of proper surface modification method and set of spray parameters could result in improving the coating bonding strength significantly. The electrical and thermal analyses of the coated samples are also performed. It is shown that the coated samples have a high capability in the generation of heat and can be used as a heating element.
A Flow Information-Based Prediction Model Applied to the Nonaxisymmetric Hub Optimization of a Centrifugal Impeller
Authors: Ji Cheng , Wang Zhiheng , Tang Yonghong , Xi Guang
Published: March 2021

A full-range prediction model for turbomachinery based on the flow-field information code is established in this article to solve the problems that traditional models do not have enough prediction accuracy and cannot reflect the complete performance characteristics of the impeller. The model, which can predict the complete performance curve of the impeller with higher accuracy, consists of two multilayer artificial neural network (ANN) submodels. Different from the traditional model, the ANN submodel uses the flow-field information code for pretraining layer by layer. The flow-field information code is the characteristic information extracted from the impeller flow field through the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method. By implicitly learning the flow-field information, the prediction error of the model is reduced by 29.7% compared with the single hidden layer ANN. Based on this model, the nonaxisymmetric, but periodic, hub optimization of a centrifugal impeller with 30 variables is carried out, with the goals of the higher efficiency and the wider flow range at the specified pressure ratio and the massflow rate at the design point. The result shows that, after the optimization, the isentropic efficiency at the design point increases by 1% and the flow range increases by 2% compared to the baseline.
Epitaxial superconductor-semiconductor two-dimensional systems for superconducting quantum circuits
Authors: O’Connell Yuan Joseph , Wickramasinghe Kaushini S. , Strickland William M. , Dartiailh Matthieu C. , Sardashti Kasra , Hatefipour Mehdi , Shabani Javad
Published: March 2021

Qubits on solid state devices could potentially provide the rapid control necessary for developing scalable quantum information processors. Materials innovation and design breakthroughs have increased functionality and coherence of qubits substantially over the past two decades. Here, we show by improving interface between InAs as a semiconductor and Al as a superconductor, one can reliably fabricate voltage-controlled Josephson junction field effect transistor (JJ-FET) that can be used as tunable qubits, resonators, and coupler switches. We find that bandgap engineering is crucial in realizing a two-dimensional electron gas near the surface. In addition, we show how the coupling between the semiconductor layer and the superconducting contacts can affect qubit properties. We present the anharmonicity and coupling strengths from one and two-photon absorption in a quantum two level system fabricated with a JJ-FET.
The impact of population-wide rapid antigen testing on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in Slovakia
Authors: Pavelka Martin , Van-Zandvoort Kevin , Abbott Sam , Sherratt Katharine , Majdan Marek ,   CMMID COVID-19 working group,   Inštitút Zdravotných Analýz, Jarčuška Pavol , Krajčí Marek , Flasche Stefan , Funk Sebastian
Published: March 2021

The Slovakian test case

Toward the end of 2020, Slovakia decided that it would test and then isolate positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases among its entire population of ∼5.5 million, and more than 50,000 positive cases were found during a rapid antigen testing campaign. Pavelka
et al.
analyzed the data and found that in 41 counties before and after the two rounds of testing, infection prevalence declined by about 80% (see the Perspective by García-Fiñana and Buchan). They also used the data to test a microsimulation model for one county. Quarantine of the whole household after a positive test was essential to achieving a large reduction in prevalence. Since Autumn 2020, transmission in Slovakia has rebounded, despite other interventions, because high-intensity testing was not sustainable.

Science
, this issue p.
635
; see also p.
571
mSphere of Influence: Courage and Resilience in Life and Science
Authors: Florentin Anat
Published: March 2021

Anat Florentin works in the field of molecular parasitology, studying the cell biology of malaria parasites. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects how the book
Brave Genius: a Scientist, a Philosopher, and Their Daring Adventures from the French Resistance to the Nobel Prize
by Sean B. Carroll (2013) made a powerful impact on her by telling scientific stories in the context of dramatic life events.
GAUGE-Annotated Microbial Transcriptomic Data Facilitate Parallel Mining and High-Throughput Reanalysis To Form Data-Driven Hypotheses
Authors: Li Zhongyou , Koeppen Katja , Holden Victoria I. , Neff Samuel L. , Cengher Liviu , Demers Elora G. , Mould Dallas L. , Stanton Bruce A. , Hampton Thomas H.
Published: March 2021

GEO archives transcriptomic data from over 5,800 microbial experiments and allows researchers to answer questions not directly addressed in published papers. However, less than 4% of the microbial data sets include the sample group annotations required for high-throughput reanalysis.
Unique diagnostic signatures of concussion in the saliva of male athletes: the Study of Concussion in Rugby Union through MicroRNAs (SCRUM)
Authors: Di Pietro Valentina , O'Halloran Patrick , Watson Callum N , Begum Ghazala , Acharjee Animesh , Yakoub Kamal M , Bentley Conor , Davies David J , Iliceto Paolo , Candilera Gabriella , Menon David K , Cross Matthew J , Stokes Keith A , Kemp Simon PT , Belli Antonio
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate the role of salivary small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) in the diagnosis of sport-related concussion.

Methods

Saliva was obtained from male professional players in the top two tiers of England’s elite rugby union competition across two seasons (2017–2019). Samples were collected preseason from 1028 players, and during standardised head injury assessments (HIAs) at three time points (in-game, post-game, and 36–48 hours post-game) from 156 of these. Samples were also collected from controls (102 uninjured players and 66 players sustaining a musculoskeletal injury). Diagnostic sncRNAs were identified with next generation sequencing and validated using quantitative PCR in 702 samples. A predictive logistic regression model was built on 2017–2018 data (training dataset) and prospectively validated the following season (test dataset).

Results

The HIA process confirmed concussion in 106 players (HIA+) and excluded this in 50 (HIA−). 32 sncRNAs were significantly differentially expressed across these two groups, with let-7f-5p showing the highest area under the curve (AUC) at 36–48 hours. Additionally, a combined panel of 14 sncRNAs (let-7a-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-103a-3p, miR-34b-3p, RNU6-7, RNU6-45, Snora57, snoU13.120, tRNA18Arg-CCT, U6-168, U6-428, U6-1249, Uco22cjg1,YRNA_255) could differentiate concussed subjects from all other groups, including players who were HIA− and controls, immediately after the game (AUC 0.91, 95% CI 0.81 to 1) and 36–48 hours later (AUC 0.94, 95% CI 0.86 to 1). When prospectively tested, the panel confirmed high predictive accuracy (AUC 0.96, 95% CI 0.92 to 1 post-game and AUC 0.93, 95% CI 0.86 to 1 at 36–48 hours).

Conclusions

SCRUM, a large prospective observational study of non-invasive concussion biomarkers, has identified unique signatures of concussion in saliva of male athletes diagnosed with concussion.
Fidelity of primary care nurses’ delivery of a behavioural change intervention enhancing physical activity in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease: an observational study
Authors: Westland Heleen , Trappenburg Jaap C A , Schuurmans Marieke J , Zonneveld Michelle H , Schröder Carin D
Published: March 2021

Objective

To evaluate the fidelity of delivery of a nurse-led intervention to enhance physical activity in patients at risk for cardiovascular diseases, the Activate intervention, by assessing: (1) self-reported fidelity of delivery; (2) observed fidelity of delivery; (3) quality of delivery of the Activate intervention and (4) nurses’ beliefs about their capability, motivation, confidence and effectiveness towards delivering the Activate intervention, including behavioural change techniques.

Design

An observational study.

Setting

General practices in the Netherlands.

Participants

Primary care nurses (n=20) from 16 general practices.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Nurses’ self-reported fidelity was evaluated using checklists (n=282), and the observed fidelity and quality of delivery were examined using audiorecordings of consultations of the delivery of the Activate intervention (n=42). Nurses’ beliefs towards delivering the intervention were assessed using questionnaires (n=72).

Results

The self-reported fidelity was 88.1% and observed fidelity was 85.4%, representing high fidelity. The observed fidelity of applied behavioural change techniques was moderate (75.0%). The observed quality of delivery was sufficient and varied among nurses (mean 2.9; SD 4.4; range 0–4). Nurses’ beliefs about their capability, motivation, confidence and effectiveness towards delivering the intervention increased over time.

Conclusions

Nurses delivered most intervention components as intended with sufficient quality. Nurses believed they were capable, motivated and confident to deliver the intervention. They believed the intervention was effective to increase patients’ physical activity level. Despite the high fidelity and moderate fidelity of applied behavioural change techniques, the varying quality of delivery within and across nurses might have diluted the effectiveness of the Activate intervention.

Trial registration number

NCT02725203.
Implementation of a novel rehabilitation model of care across Alberta, Canada: a focused ethnography
Authors: Manhas Kiran Pohar , Olson Karin , Churchill Katie , Vohra Sunita , Wasylak Tracy
Published: March 2021

Background

In 2017, a provincial health-system released a Rehabilitation Model of Care (RMoC) to promote patient-centred care, provincial standardisation and data-driven innovation. Eighteen early-adopter community-rehabilitation teams implemented the RMoC using a 1.5-year-long Innovation Learning Collaborative (in-person learning sessions; balanced scorecards). More research is required on developing, implementing and evaluating models of care. We aimed to explore experiences of early-adopter providers and provincial consultants involved in the community-rehabilitation RMoC implementation in Alberta, Canada.

Methods

Using focused ethnography, we used focus groups (or interviews for feasibility/confidentiality) and aggregate, site-level data analysis of RMoC standardised metrics. Purposive sampling ensured representation across geography, service types and patient populations. Team-specific focus groups were onsite and led by a researcher-moderator and cofacilitator. A semistructured question guide promoted discussions on interesting/challenging occurrences; perceptions of RMoC impact and perceptions of successful implementation. Focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed alongside field notes. Data collection and analysis were concurrent to saturation. Transcripts coding involves collapsing similar ideas into themes, with intertheme relationships identified. Rigour tactics included negative case analysis, thick description and audit trail.

Results

We completed 11 focus groups and seven interviews (03/2018 to 01/2019) (n=45). Participants were 89.6% women, mostly Canadian trained and represented diverse rehabilitation professions. The implementation experience involved navigating emotions, operating among dynamics and integrating the RMoC details. Confident, satisfied early-adopter teams demonstrated traits including strong coping strategies; management support and being opportunistic and candid about failure. Teams faced common challenges (eg, emotions of change; delayed data access and lack of efficient, memorable communication across team and site). Implementation success targeted patient, team and system levels.

Conclusions

We recommend training priorities for future teams including evaluation training for novice teams; timelines for stepwise implementation; on-site, in-person time with a facilitator and full-team present and prolonged facilitated introductions between similar teams for long-term mentorship.
Estimation of cardiovascular drift through ear temperature during prolonged steady-state cycling: a study protocol
Authors: Polsinelli Giovanni , Rodio Angelo , Federico Bruno
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The measurement of heart rate is commonly used to estimate exercise intensity. However, during endurance performance, the relationship between heart rate and oxygen consumption may be compromised by cardiovascular drift. This physiological phenomenon mainly consists of a time-dependent increase in heart rate and decrease in systolic volume and may lead to overestimate absolute exercise intensity in prediction models based on heart rate. Previous research has established that cardiovascular drift is correlated to the increase in core body temperature during prolonged exercise. Therefore, monitoring body temperature during exercise may allow to quantify the increase in heart rate attributable to cardiovascular drift and to improve the estimate of absolute exercise intensity. Monitoring core body temperature during exercise may be invasive or inappropriate, but the external auditory canal is an easily accessible alternative site for temperature measurement.

Methods and analysis

This study aims to assess the degree of correlation between trends in heart rate and in ear temperature during 120 min of steady-state cycling with intensity of 59% of heart rate reserve in a thermally neutral indoor environment. Ear temperature will be monitored both at the external auditory canal level with a contact probe and at the tympanic level with a professional infrared thermometer.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was approved by an independent ethics committee. The results will be submitted for publication in academic journals and disseminated to stakeholders through summary documents and information meetings.
Activation of the GPR35 pathway drives angiogenesis in the tumour microenvironment
Authors: Pagano Ester , Elias Joshua E , Schneditz Georg , Saveljeva Svetlana , Holland Lorraine M , Borrelli Francesca , Karlsen Tom H , Kaser Arthur , Kaneider Nicole C
Published: March 2021

Objective

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is in 70% of cases associated with inflammatory bowel disease. The hypermorphic T108M variant of the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR35 increases risk for PSC and ulcerative colitis (UC), conditions strongly predisposing for inflammation-associated liver and colon cancer. Lack of GPR35 reduces tumour numbers in mouse models of spontaneous and colitis associated cancer. The tumour microenvironment substantially determines tumour growth, and tumour-associated macrophages are crucial for neovascularisation. We aim to understand the role of the GPR35 pathway in the tumour microenvironment of spontaneous and colitis-associated colon cancers.

Design

Mice lacking GPR35 on their macrophages underwent models of spontaneous colon cancer or colitis-associated cancer. The role of tumour-associated macrophages was then assessed in biochemical and functional assays.

Results

Here, we show that GPR35 on macrophages is a potent amplifier of tumour growth by stimulating neoangiogenesis and tumour tissue remodelling. Deletion of Gpr35 in macrophages profoundly reduces tumour growth in inflammation-associated and spontaneous tumour models caused by mutant tumour suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli. Neoangiogenesis and matrix metalloproteinase activity is promoted by GPR35 via Na/K-ATPase-dependent ion pumping and Src activation, and is selectively inhibited by a GPR35-specific pepducin. Supernatants from human inducible-pluripotent-stem-cell derived macrophages carrying the UC and PSC risk variant stimulate tube formation by enhancing the release of angiogenic factors.

Conclusions

Activation of the GPR35 pathway promotes tumour growth via two separate routes, by directly augmenting proliferation in epithelial cells that express the receptor, and by coordinating macrophages’ ability to create a tumour-permissive environment.
P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after coronary stenting according to type of P2Y12 inhibitor
Authors: Kim Juwon , Jang Woo Jin , Lee Wang Soo , Choi Ki Hong , Lee Joo Myung , Park Taek Kyu , Yang Jeong Hoon , Choi Jin-Ho , Song Young Bin , Choi Seung-Hyuk , Gwon Hyeon-Cheol , Lee Sang Hoon , Oh Ju-Hyeon , Chun Woo Jung , Park Yong Hwan , Im Eul-Soon , Jeong Jin-Ok , Cho Byung Ryul , Oh Seok Kyu , Yun Kyeong Ho , Cho Deok-Kyu , Lee Jong-Young , Koh Young-Youp , Bae Jang-Whan , Choi Jae Woong , Yoon Hyuck Jun , Lee Seung Uk , Cho Jang Hyun , Choi Woong Gil , Rha Seung-Woon , Hahn Joo-Yong
Published: March 2021

Objective

To compare P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after 3-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with 12-month DAPT according to the type of P2Y12 inhibitor in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

The Smart Angioplasty Research Team: Comparison Between P2Y12 Antagonist Monotherapy vs Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Undergoing Implantation of Coronary Drug-Eluting Stents (SMART-CHOICE) randomised trial compared 3-month DAPT followed by P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy with 12-month DAPT. In this trial, 2993 patients undergoing successful PCI with drug-eluting stent were enrolled in Korea. As a prespecified analysis, P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT versus 12-month DAPT were compared among patients receiving clopidogrel and those receiving potent P2Y12 inhibitor (ticagrelor or prasugrel), respectively. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction or stroke at 12 months after the index procedure.

Results

Among 2993 patients (mean age 64 years), 58.2% presented with acute coronary syndrome. Clopidogrel was prescribed in 2312 patients (77.2%) and a potent P2Y12 inhibitor in 681 (22.8%). There were no significant differences in the primary endpoint between the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy group and the DAPT group among patients receiving clopidogrel (3.0% vs 3.0%; HR: 1.02; 95% CI 0.64 to 1.65; p=0.93) as well as among patients receiving potent P2Y12 inhibitors (2.4% vs 0.7%; HR: 3.37; 95% CI 0.77 to 14.78; p=0.11; interaction p=0.1). Among patients receiving clopidogrel, P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy compared with DAPT showed consistent treatment effects across various subgroups for the primary endpoint. Among patients receiving potent P2Y12 inhibitors, the rate of bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium types 2– 5) was significantly lower in the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy group than in the DAPT group (1.5% vs 5.0%; HR: 0.33; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.87; p=0.03).

Conclusions

Compared with 12-month DAPT, clopidogrel monotherapy after 3-month DAPT showed comparable cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing PCI.

Trial registration number

NCT02079194.
Formal neurocognitive function and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies in paediatric lupus
Authors: Nowling Tamara K , Kral Mary , Wolf Bethany , Gilkeson Gary , Ruth Natasha McKerran
Published: March 2021

Objective

SLE is a chronic multisystem autoimmune inflammatory disease impacting a number of organs, including the central nervous system (CNS). The pathophysiology of CNS lupus is multifactorial, making diagnosis problematic. Neurocognitive (NC) testing and specific biomarkers to identify the development of neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms in lupus are needed. Paediatric patients with SLE have high incidence of NP disease . While serum anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies have shown promise as a biomarker of NP in adults with SLE, much less is known with regard to paediatric patients with SLE.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study in paediatric patients with SLE. Serum NMDAR antibodies were measured and compared with levels in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Formal NC testing was performed in accordance with the Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance neuropsychological core test battery. NC functioning was compared in the two groups and with NMDAR antibody levels.

Results

Serum NMDAR antibody levels were significantly higher in paediatric patients with SLE compared with patients with JIA. There were no significant correlations between NMDAR antibody levels and any measure of NC functioning. In an exploratory examination of anti-ribosomal P (RibP) antibody and NC functioning in a subset of patients with SLE, RibP antibody-positive patients exhibited worse scores for Verbal Memory Index and Design Fluency Test Switching compared with RibP antibody-negative patients. A globally significant association between disease status and NC functioning was observed. Specifically, patients with SLE had lower scores compared with patients with JIA for full-scale IQ, letter–word recognition, reading fluency and calculation skills after adjusting for multiple comparisons.

Conclusion

These collective results suggest that although serum NMDAR may serve as a biomarker, formal NC testing is superior in identifying paediatric patients with SLE with NP manifestations. RibP also may potentially serve as a biomarker of NP manifestations in paediatric patients with SLE. Additional and longitudinal studies are needed.
Patient information portal for congenital aortic and pulmonary valve disease: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial
Authors: Etnel Jonathan R G , Bons Lidia R , De Heer Frederiek , Robbers-Visser Daniëlle , Van Beynum Ingrid M , Straver Bart , Jongbloed Monique RM , Kiès Philippine , Slieker Martijn G , Van Dijk Arie P J , Kluin Jolanda , Bertels Robin A , Utens Elisabeth M W J , The Regina , Van Galen Eugene , Mulder Barbara J M , Blom Nico A , Hazekamp Mark G , Roos-Hesselink Jolien W , Helbing Willem A , Bogers Ad J J C , Takkenberg Johanna J M
Published: March 2021

Background

In response to an increased need for patient information in congenital heart disease, we previously developed an online, evidence-based information portal for patients with congenital aortic and pulmonary valve disease. To assess its effectiveness, a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial was conducted.

Methods

Adult patients and caregivers of paediatric patients with congenital aortic and/or pulmonary valve disease and/or tetralogy of Fallot who visited the outpatient clinic at any of the four participating centres in the Netherlands between 1 March 2016–1 July 2017 were prospectively included. The intervention (information portal) was introduced in the outpatient clinic according to a stepped-wedge randomised design. One month after outpatient clinic visit, each participant completed a questionnaire on disease-specific knowledge, anxiety, depression, mental quality of life, involvement and opinion/attitude concerning patient information and involvement.

Results

343 participants were included (221 control, 122 intervention). Cardiac diagnosis (p=0.873), educational level (p=0.153) and sex (p=0.603) were comparable between the two groups. All outcomes were comparable between groups in the intention-to-treat analyses. However, only 51.6% of subjects in the intervention group (n=63) reported actually visiting the portal. Among these subjects (as-treated), disease-specific knowledge (p=0.041) and mental health (p=0.039) were significantly better than in control subjects, while other baseline and outcome variables were comparable.

Conclusion

Even after being invited by their cardiologists, only half of the participants actually visited the information portal. Only in those participants that actually visited the portal, knowledge of disease and mental health were significantly better. This underlines the importance of effective implementation of online evidence-based patient information portals in clinical practice.
Pulmonary vascular proliferation in patients with severe COVID-19: an autopsy study
Authors: Pérez-Mies Belén , Gómez-Rojo María , Carretero-Barrio Irene , Bardi Tommaso , Benito Amparo , García-Cosío Mónica , Caballero Álvaro , de Pablo Raul , Galán Juan Carlos , Pestaña David , Palacios Jose
Published: March 2021

Diffuse alveolar damage and thrombi are the most common lung histopathological lesions reported in patients with severe COVID-19. Although some studies have suggested increased pulmonary angiogenesis, the presence of vascular proliferation in COVID-19 lungs has not been well characterised. Glomeruloid-like microscopic foci and/or coalescent vascular proliferations measuring up to 2 cm were present in the lung of 14 out of 16 autopsied patients. These lesions expressed CD31, CD34 and vascular endothelial cadherin. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β immunohistochemistry and dual immunostaining for CD34/smooth muscle actin demonstrated the presence of pericytes. These vascular alterations may contribute to the severe and refractory hypoxaemia that is common in patients with severe COVID-19.
Perioperative mortality in children in a tertiary teaching hospital in Nigeria: a prospective study
Authors: Talabi Ademola Olusegun , Ojo Olugbenga Olalekan , Aaron Olurotimi Idowu , Sowande Oludayo Adedapo , Faponle Folayemi Aramide , Adejuyigbe Olusanya
Published: March 2021

Background

Perioperative mortality is one of the tools that can help to assess the adequacy of healthcare delivery in a nation. This audit was conducted to determine the 24-hour, 7-day and 30-day perioperative mortality rates and the predictors of mortality in a pediatric surgical cohort.

Methods

This was a prospective study of children whose ages ranged from a few hours to 15 years and who were operated on between May 2019 and April 2020. The primary outcome was to determine the incidence of in-hospital perioperative mortality.

Results

A total of 530 procedures were done in 502 children. Their ages ranged from a few hours to 15 years with a median of 36 months. The 24-hour, 7-day and 30-day mortality rates were 113.2 per 10 000 procedures [95% confidence interval (CI) =40 to 210], 207.6 per 10 000 procedures (95% CI=110 to 320) and 320.8 per 10 000 procedures (95% CI=190 to 470), respectively. Congenital anomalies complicated by postoperative sepsis contributed to death in the majority of cases. The predictors of mortality were neonatal age group [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=19.92, 95% CI=2.32 to 170.37, p=0.006], higher American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status III and above (AOR=21.6, 95% CI=3.05 to 152.91, p=0.002), emergency surgery (AOR=17.1, 95% CI=5.21 to 60.27, p=0.001), congenital anomalies (AOR=12.7, 95% CI=3.37 to 47.52, p=0.001), and multiple surgical procedures (AOR=9.7, 95% CI=2.79 to 33.54, p=0.001).

Conclusion

Perioperative mortality remains high in our institution.
Diatoms and other siliceous indicators track the ontogeny of a “bofedal” (wetland) ecosystem in the Peruvian Andes
Authors: King Connor , Michelutti Neal , Meyer-Jacob Carsten , Bindler Richard , Tapia Pedro , Grooms Christopher , Smol John P.
Published: March 2021

Recent warming in the Andes is affecting the region’s water resources including glaciers and lakes, which supply water to tens of millions of people downstream. High-elevation wetlands, known locally as “bofedales”, are an understudied Andean ecosystem despite their key role in carbon sequestration, maintenance of biodiversity, and regulation of water flow. Here, we analyze subfossil diatom assemblages and other siliceous bioindicators preserved in a peat core collected from a bofedal in Peru’s Cordillera Vilcanota. Basal radiocarbon ages show the bofedal likely formed during a wet period of the Little Ice Age (1520–1680 CE), as inferred from nearby ice core data. The subfossil diatom record is marked by several dynamic assemblage shifts documenting a hydrosere succession from an open-water system to mature peatland. The diatoms appear to be responding largely to changes in hydrology that occur within the natural development of the bofedal, but also to pH and possibly nutrient enrichment from grazing animals. The rapid peat accretion recorded post-1950 at this site is consistent with recent peat growth rates elsewhere in the Andes. Given the many threats to Peruvian bofedales including climate change, overgrazing, peat extraction, and mining, these baseline data will be critical to assessing future change in these important ecosystems.
Morphological and physiological characteristics of abnormal berry development in Vitis amurensis
Authors: Xu P.L. , Han X.Y. , Ai J. , Yang Y.M. , Qin H.Y. , Li C.Y. , Liu Y.X. , Zhao Y. , Zhang B.X. , Fan S.T.
Published: March 2021

Heterogeneity among grape berries directly affects wine quality and restricts the wine grape industry’s development. To study the heterogeneous development of Vitis amurensis berries, the morphology and physiology of three different types—large berry, medium berry, and live green ovary (LGO)—in the same clusters of wine-making cultivar ‘Shuangfeng’ were monitored at different growth stages from June to September. External differences in berry development were distinguishable at 12 days after full bloom (DAF). The pedicel, berry size, fresh weight, and seed length of the medium berries were intermediate between those of large berries and LGOs. Seeds are crucial for fruit set and normal berry development. The activity levels of soluble acid invertase and cell-wall-bound acid invertase in large berries increased earlier, at 18 DAF, than the accumulation of sugar. Abscisic acid concentrations in medium berries and LGOs were greater than that in large berries at 18 DAF. The greater endogenous indole-3-acetic acid concentration in the medium berries compared with LGOs might protect the former from abscission.
The renormalised $$\mathrm{O}(a)$$ improved vector current in three-flavour lattice QCD with Wilson quarks
Authors:   ALPHA Collaboration, Heitger Jochen , Joswig Fabian
Published: March 2021

We present the results of a non-perturbative determination of the improvement coefficient $$c_\mathrm{V}$$

c
V

and the renormalisation factor $$Z_\mathrm{V}$$

Z
V

, which define the renormalised vector current in three-flavour $$\mathrm{O}(a)$$

O
(
a
)

improved lattice QCD with Wilson quarks and tree-level Symanzik-improved gauge action. In case of the improvement coefficient, we consider both lattice descriptions of the vector current, the local as well as the conserved (i.e., point-split) one. Our improvement and normalisation conditions are based on massive chiral Ward identities and numerically evaluated in the Schrödinger functional setup, which allows to eliminate finite quark mass effects in a controlled way. In order to ensure a smooth dependence of the renormalisation constant and improvement coefficients on the bare gauge coupling, our computation proceeds along a line of constant physics, covering the typical range of lattice spacings $$0.04\,\mathrm{fm}\lesssim a\lesssim 0.1\,\mathrm{fm}$$

0.04

fm
≲
a
≲
0.1

fm

that is useful for phenomenological applications. Especially for the improvement coefficient of the local vector current, we report significant differences between the one-loop perturbative estimates and our non-perturbative results.
Shaping the gradients driving phoretic micro-swimmers: influence of swimming speed, budget of carbonic acid and environment
Authors: Möller Nadir , Liebchen Benno , Palberg Thomas
Published: March 2021

pH gradient-driven modular micro-swimmers are investigated as a model for a large variety of quasi-two-dimensional chemi-phoretic self-propelled entities. Using three-channel micro-photometry, we obtain a precise large field mapping of pH at a spatial resolution of a few microns and a pH resolution of $$\sim 0.02~\hbox {pH}$$

∼
0.02

pH

units for swimmers of different velocities propelling on two differently charged substrates. We model our results in terms of solutions of the three-dimensional advection–diffusion equation for a 1:1 electrolyte, i.e. carbonic acid, which is produced by ion exchange and consumed by equilibration with dissolved $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$

CO
2

. We demonstrate the dependence of gradient shape and steepness on swimmer speed, diffusivity of chemicals, as well as the fuel budget. Moreover, we experimentally observe a subtle, but significant feedback of the swimmer’s immediate environment in terms of a substrate charge-mediated solvent convection. We discuss our findings in view of different recent results from other micro-fluidic or active matter investigations. We anticipate that they are relevant for quantitative modelling and targeted applications of diffusio-phoretic flows in general and artificial micro-swimmers in particular.

Graphic Abstract
High-bandwidth beam balance for vacuum-weight experiment and Newtonian noise subtraction
Authors:   Archimedes Collaboration, Calloni Enrico ,   Virgo Collaboration
Published: March 2021

We report the experimental results of a prototype balance for the Archimedes experiment, devoted to measure the interaction between quantum vacuum energy and gravity. The prototype is a beam balance working at room temperature which shares with the final balance several mechanical and optical components. The balance sensitivity has been tested at the site of the Virgo gravitational wave detector in order to benefit from its quiet environment and control facilities. This allowed also the test of the coherence of the balance data with the Virgo interferometer signal and with the environmental data. In the low-frequency regime, the balance has shown a sensitivity of about $$8\times 10^{-12} {\text {Nm}}/\sqrt{\text {Hz}}$$

8
×

10

-
12

Nm
/

Hz

, which is among the best in the world, and it is very promising toward the final Archimedes measurement. In the high-frequency region, above a few Hz, relying on the behavior of the balance as a rotational sensor, the ground tilt has been measured in view of the next work devoted to Newtonian noise subtraction (NNS) in Virgo. The measured ground tilt reaches a minimum of about $$8\times 10^{-11} {\text {rad}}/\sqrt{{\text {Hz}}}$$

8
×

10

-
11

rad
/

Hz

in the few Hz region and ranges from $$10^{-10}$$

10

-
10

to $$10^{-9} {\text {rad}}/\sqrt{{\text {Hz}}}$$

10

-
9

rad
/

Hz

in the 10–20 Hz region, where a very interesting coherence, at some frequencies, with the Virgo interferometer signal is shown.
A spaceborne neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser with nonplanar-ring-oscillator configuration
Authors: Peng Jiankang , Li Liufeng , Chen Lisheng ,   On behalf of The Taiji Scientific Collaboration
Published: March 2021

Due to their excellent noise performance and technical maturity, ultra-stable continuous-wave neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers are one of the major light sources in a series of precision measurements such as ground and space-based gravitational wave detection, inter-satellite laser ranging and coherent optical communication. As the first step of developing an ultra-stable spaceborne laser, we carried out the design, development and environmental test of an all-solid-state Nd:YAG NPRO spaceborne laser. The laser deliveries 11.48 mW of optical power at 1064.405 nm, exhibits intensity and frequency noises less than 1 × 10[Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]Hz and 1 MHz/[Formula: see text]Hz (Fourier frequencies [Formula: see text] 10 mHz), respectively, passed environmental tests and has been onboard the first satellite of the Taiji program for one year. The work laid a solid foundation for realizing ultra-stable lasers for the Taiji program as well as being used in many space applications.
L(3,1)-labeling of circulant graphs
Authors: Bhoumik Soumya , Mitra Sarbari
Published: March 2021

An [Formula: see text]-labeling of a graph [Formula: see text] is an assignment of non-negative integers to the vertices such that if two vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are adjacent then they receive labels that differ by at least [Formula: see text], and when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are not adjacent but there is a two-hop path between them, then they receive labels that differ by at least one. The span [Formula: see text] of such a labeling is the difference between the largest and the smallest vertex labels assigned. Let [Formula: see text] denote the least [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] admits an [Formula: see text]-labeling using labels from [Formula: see text]. A Cayley graph of group [Formula: see text] is called circulant graph of order [Formula: see text], if [Formula: see text]. In this paper initially we investigate the [Formula: see text]-labeling for circulant graphs with “large” connection sets, and then we extend our observation and find the span of [Formula: see text]-labeling for any circulants of order [Formula: see text].
Image-Based Rendering of Cars using Semantic Labels and Approximate Reflection Flow
Authors: Rodriguez Simon , Prakash Siddhant , Hedman Peter , Drettakis George
Published: March 2021

Image-Based Rendering (IBR) has made impressive progress towards highly realistic, interactive 3D navigation for many scenes, including cityscapes. However, cars are ubiquitous in such scenes; multi-view stereo reconstruction provides proxy geometry for IBR, but has difficulty with shiny car bodies, and leaves holes in place of reflective, semi-transparent windows on cars. We present a new approach allowing free-viewpoint IBR of cars based on an approximate analytic reflection flow computation on curved windows. Our method has three components: a refinement step of reconstructed car geometry guided by semantic labels, that provides an initial approximation for missing window surfaces and a smooth completed car hull; an efficient reflection flow computation using an ellipsoid approximation of the curved car windows that runs in real-time in a shader and a reflection/background layer synthesis solution. These components allow plausible rendering of reflective, semi-transparent windows in free viewpoint navigation. We show results on several scenes casually captured with a single consumer-level camera, demonstrating plausible car renderings with significant improvement in visual quality over previous methods.
A Three-Level Approach to Texture Mapping and Synthesis on 3D Surfaces
Authors: Schuster Kersten , Trettner Philip , Schmitz Patric , Kobbelt Leif
Published: March 2021

We present a method for example-based texturing of triangular 3D meshes. Our algorithm maps a small 2D texture sample onto objects of arbitrary size in a seamless fashion, with no visible repetitions and low overall distortion. It requires minimal user interaction and can be applied to complex, multi-layered input materials that are not required to be tileable. Our framework integrates a patch-based approach with per-pixel compositing. To minimize visual artifacts, we run a three-level optimization that starts with a rigid alignment of texture patches (macro scale), then continues with non-rigid adjustments (meso scale) and finally performs pixel-level texture blending (micro scale). We demonstrate that the relevance of the three levels depends on the texture content and type (stochastic, structured, or anisotropic textures).
Arising of Informal Women's Learn-to-code Communities
Authors: Lyon Louise Ann , Clayton Chelsea
Published: March 2021

Female-focused, grassroots communities purporting to help women learn to code are popping up in a variety of settings, indicating the motivation on the part of the participants to evade male-dominated settings while learning. However, little is known about how these groups function as an activity system. With current technology enabling the forming of virtual communities and the meteoric rise in use of the Salesforce CRM (customer relationship management) platform, a group of women have formed a coaching and learning community designed to help women move from Salesforce administrators to software developers through learning to code. We used activity systems analysis (ASA) to investigate this real-world instance of the larger phenomenon using an ethnographic approach. We used ASA to organize and make sense of the data by first creating a table listing the points on the activity system triangle (subject, rules, object, etc.) and filling in the points of the triangle based on the design of the coaching and learning group as described by participants; this gave us a high-level view of the activity system. To understand the subjects’ point of view of the system, we then created a new column in the table to fill in themes that emerged from our qualitative data analysis organized by dimension of the activity system. This process enabled us to capture the activity and the voices of participants as well as tensions that had emerged in the system. Findings show a range of outcomes, from participants crediting the group as a kickstart to the journey to successfully landing a job as a developer to members stalling in their progress after involvement. Results also show that purposeful tensions of welcoming novice questions and offering unsolicited verbal encouragement built into the activity system create a welcoming, safe environment for women learning to code.
ACM Multimedia 2019 and Reproducibility in Multimedia Research
Authors: Larson Martha , Amsaleg Laurent , Jónsson Björn Þór , Huet Benoit , Thomee Bart
Published: March 2021

The first months of the new calendar year, multimedia researchers traditionally are hard at work on their ACM Multimedia submissions. (This year the submission deadline is 1 April.) Questions of reproducibility, including those of data set availability and release, are at the forefront of everyone's mind. In this edition of SIGMM Records, the editors of the "Data Sets and Benchmarks" column have teamed up with two intersecting groups, the Reproducibility Chairs and the General Chairs of ACM Multimedia 2019, to bring you a column about reproducibility in multimedia research and the connection between reproducible research and publicly available data sets. The column highlights the activities of SIGMM towards implementing ACM paper badging. ACM MMSys has pushed our community forward on reproducibility and pioneered the use of ACM badging [1]. We are proud that in 2019 the newly established Reproducibility track will introduce badging at ACM Multimedia.

Complete information on Reproducibility at ACM Multimedia is available at: https://project.inria.fr/acmmmreproducibility/