bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noradrenaline‐induced l‐lactate production requires d‐glucose entry and transit through the glycogen shunt in single‐cultured rat astrocytes
Authors: Fink Katja , Velebit Jelena , Vardjan Nina , Zorec Robert , Kreft Marko
Published: January 2021

During cognitive efforts mediated by local neuronal networks, approximately 20% of additional energy is required; this is mediated by chemical messengers such as noradrenaline (NA). NA targets astroglial aerobic glycolysis, the hallmark of which is the end product l‐lactate, a fuel for neurons. Biochemical studies have revealed that astrocytes exhibit a prominent glycogen shunt, in which a portion of d‐glucose molecules entering the cytoplasm is transiently incorporated into glycogen, a buffer and source of d‐glucose during increased energy demand. Here, we studied single astrocytes by measuring cytosolic L‐lactate ([lac]i) with the FRET nanosensor Laconic. We examined whether NA‐induced increase in [lac]i is influenced by: (a) 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2‐DG, 3 mM), a molecule that enters the cytosol and inhibits the glycolytic pathway; (b) 1,4‐dideoxy‐1,4‐imino‐d‐arabinitol (DAB, 300 µM), a potent inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen degradation; and (c) 3‐nitropropionic acid (3‐NPA, 1 mM), an inhibitor of the Krebs cycle. The results of these pharmacological experiments revealed that d‐glucose uptake is essential for the NA‐induced increase in [lac]i, and that this exclusively arises from glycogen degradation, indicating that most, if not all, d‐glucose molecules in NA‐stimulated cells transit the glycogen shunt during glycolysis. Moreover, under the defined transmembrane d‐glucose gradient, the glycolytic intermediates were not only used to produce l‐lactate, but also to significantly support oxidative phosphorylation, as demonstrated by an elevation in [lac]i when Krebs cycle was inhibited. We conclude that l‐lactate production via aerobic glycolysis is an essential energy pathway in NA‐stimulated astrocytes; however, oxidative metabolism is important at rest.
The risk and severity of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and gout: A National Representative Database study
Authors: Haddadin Faris , Arevalo Ana B. , Jabri Ahmad , Beydoun Hassan , Fram Farah , Munoz Estrella Alba , Karim Saima , Virani Salim , Ali Yousaf
Published: January 2021

Background

It has been shown that gout is associated with left atrium remodeling and a pro‐inflammatory state leading to the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). There is limited evidence whether gout increases the risk of stroke in patients with AF. We assessed the incidence of gout and the risk of stroke in patients with AF.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study using the 2016 US National Inpatient Sample (NIS) based on ICD‐10 codes. The outcomes of the study were the risk and severity of new stroke in patients with pre‐existing AF and gout.

Results

In 2016, we identified 3 844 057 patients admitted to the hospitals in NIS with history of AF, of which 240 875 had history of gout. Patients with AF and gout have higher risk of new stroke (OR 2.07 [1.97‐2.19], P < .001), and this risk remains significantly elevated after adjusting for CHADS2VASC score variables, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, obesity, and race (OR 1.10 [1.01‐1.11], P = .041). However, presence of gout in patients with AF was not associated with all‐cause in‐hospital mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, percutaneous gastrostomy tube insertion, or discharge to skilled nursing facility.

Conclusion

Subjects with AF and gout compared to AF alone had an increased risk of new stroke, but presence of gout was not associated with stroke severity. There is a potential role of gout as a risk factor or a risk marker for stroke in subjects with AF.
Influence of Madden–Julian Oscillation on extreme rainfall events in Spring in southern Uruguay
Authors: Ungerovich Matilde , Barreiro Marcelo , Masoller Cristina
Published: January 2021

The influence of Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) on the dynamics of extreme rainfall events during austral Spring in Uruguay is investigated. The research is focused on the southern region of the country, which includes 15 weather stations. Extreme events are defined as days in which accumulated rainfall exceeds the 90 percentile of rainy days, and MJO is classified according to the Real‐time Multivariate MJO series 1 (RMM1) and 2 (RMM2) indices. Given that the extratropical teleconnections associated with MJO take at least 1 week to set up, we explore the influence of MJO up to 11 days prior to extreme events. A nonlinear time series analysis is performed (using symbolic patterns known as ordinal patterns) in order to consider the effects of the persistence of particular phases of MJO on the dynamic of extreme rainfall events. We find that MJO has the highest influence on extreme rainfall events in the region when it shows a persistence in phases 4 and 5 for more than 5 days, which intensifies the polar jet, influencing the trajectories of the transient waves that propagate in high latitudes, favouring geopotential disturbances over Uruguay. In other cases, the atmospheric pattern that leads to extreme rainfall events is characterized by a blocking episode that prevents transient activity from high latitudes to reach Uruguay, and the disturbances associated with the extreme events propagate along the subtropics.
The morphological variation of acetabular defects in revision total hip arthroplasty—A statistical shape modeling approach
Authors: Meynen Alexander , Vles Georges , Zadpoor Amir A. , Mulier Michiel , Scheys Lennart
Published: January 2021

Classification and evaluation of acetabular defects remain challenging and are primarily based on qualitative classification methods. That is because quantitative techniques describing variations of acetabular defects and accompanying bone loss volume are not available. This study introduces a new method based on statistical shape models (SSMs) to quantitively describe acetabular defects. This method is then applied to 87 acetabular defects to objectively describe the variations in acetabular defects typically encountered during revision total hip arthroplasty. The absolute bone loss volume, relative bone loss volume, and relative bone loss surface area with respect to the SSM‐based pre‐diseased anatomy were used to quantify the acetabular bone defects in different segments of the acetabular surface. The absolute bone loss volume of the average defect shape was equal to 37.0 cm3. The first three principal modes, accounting for 62% of the total shape variation, were found to represent variations in acetabular defect morphology. The first, second, and third principal modes described, respectively, the size of the bone defects, the difference between superomedially and superolaterally migrated defects, and the degree of involvement of the posterior or anterior column. The developed SSM and the introduced approach could be used to create automated and unbiased classification methods based on quantitative data. Moreover, the proposed model and the underlying data provide the basis for a quantitative design approach where the shape and size of new acetabular implants are determined according to clinical variation present in acetabular defects.
Signal‐to‐noise ratio enhancement for Raman spectra based on optimized Raman spectrometer and convolutional denoising autoencoder
Authors: Fan Xian‐guang , Zeng Yingjie , Zhi Yu‐Liang , Nie Ting , Xu Ying‐jie , Wang Xin
Published: January 2021

The signal‐noise ratio plays a key role in acquiring plentiful chemical structural information in the Raman spectrometer. The miniature spectrometer is generally compact at the expense of performance. In this work, we proposed a compact, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) enhancement of the Raman spectrometer by the optimization of optical structure and a noise reduction method. Concerning its optical structure, the Raman spectrometer is increasing the intensity by adding an off‐the‐shelf cylindrical lens. On the other side of the algorithm, a relevant automatic denoising method of convolutional denoising autoencoder (CDAE) is proposed to further advance the SNR in Raman spectra without manual intervention. The results indicate the performance of the compact Raman spectrometer could increase to a certain extent by testing with 785 nm laser and Ne/Ar source. Besides, by using CDAE to deal with contaminated Raman spectra, a higher SNR is obtained. The results demonstrate that the improvement of the hardware and algorithm is effective for removing the noisy Raman signal and achieving higher SNR. This result may be helpful in further improving the performance of integrated Raman spectrometers and research on miniaturized instruments.
Normal‐phase chromatographic separation of pigmented wine tannin by nano‐HPLC quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry and identification of candidate molecular features
Authors: Cave Jonathan R , Parker Evan , Lebrilla Carlito , Waterhouse Andrew L
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

As a wine ages, altered sensory properties lead to changes in perceived quality and value. Concurrent modifications of anthocyanin and tannin occur forming pigmented tannin, softening astringency and retaining persistent color. Wine tannin extracts of 1990 and 2010 vintages of Oakville Station Cabernet Sauvignon have been analyzed using normal‐phase chromatography with tandem quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (QToF) to investigate the compositional differences in their pigmented tannin fractions.

RESULTS

The older wine demonstrates much greater structural diversity and a range of more polar compounds, while the younger wine contains fewer observed ion peaks. Several hundred molecular features are observable, and, as expected, there is progression to higher molecular weights after long aging. Between 7% and 16% of molecular features could be matched to a database of anticipated pigmented tannin compounds. Many signals had multiple possible isomeric identities, but fragmentation to resolve their identity was stymied by low sensitivity of the tandem mass spectrometric capability provided by QToF, so isomeric disambiguation is incomplete.

CONCLUSIONS

The chromatography displayed a high degree of resolution in aged wines, separating many of the known pigment types, including aldehyde bridged compounds, pyranoanthocyanins and direct condensation products among others, as well as resolving a great number of unknown compounds. Expanding our understanding of red wine pigments will lead to better wines as winemakers will be able to associate quality with particular wine pigment profiles once we can distinguish the relevant patterns in those pigments. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Prediction of specialty coffee flavors based on near‐infrared spectra using machine‑ and deep‐learning methods
Authors: Chang Yu‐Tang , Hsueh Meng‐Chien , Hung Shu‐Pin , Lu Juin‐Ming , Peng Jia‐Hung , Chen Shih‐Fang
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Specialty coffee fascinates people with its bountiful flavors. Currently, flavor descriptions of specialty coffee beans are only offered by certified coffee cuppers. However, such professionals are rare, and the market demand is tremendous. The hypothesis of this study was to investigate the feasibility to train machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models for predicting the flavors of specialty coffee using near‐infrared spectra of ground coffee as the input. Successful model development would provide a new and objective framework to predict complex flavors in food and beverage products.

Results

In predicting seven categories of coffee flavors, the models developed using the ML method (i.e. support vector machine) and the deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) achieved similar performance, with the recall and accuracy being 70–73% and 75–77% respectively. Through the proposed visualization method – a focusing plot – the potential correlation among the highly weighted spectral region of the DCNN model, the predicted flavor categories, and the corresponding chemical composition are presented.

Conclusion

This study has proven the feasibility of applying ML and DL methods on the near‐infrared spectra of ground coffee to predict specialty coffee flavors. The effective models provided moderate prediction for seven flavor categories based on 266 samples. The results of classification and visualization indicate that the DCNN model developed is a promising and explainable method for coffee flavor prediction. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Oncogenic miRNA‐1908 targets HDAC10 and promotes the aggressive phenotype of cervical cancer cell
Authors: Yu Dong‐Sheng , Song Xiao‐Lei , Yan Chao
Published: January 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have vital functions in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The significance of miR‐1908 in cervical cancer has not been determined. We revealed that miR‐1908 was notably upregulated in cervical cancer. Upregulation of miR‐1908 increased cervical carcinoma cell growth and invasion. Downregulation of miR‐1908 caused the opposite effects. We confirmed that histone deacetylase 10 (HDAC10) was a potential target of miR‐1908 using bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays. Western blot analysis showed that miR‐1908 regulated the expression of HDAC10 by binding its 3′‐UTR. In addition, ectopic expression of HDAC10 partially reversed the promoting effects of miR‐1908. In conclusion, our findings indicated that miR‐1908 targets HDAC10 in cervical cancer and regulates aggressive cervical cancer cell phenotypes.
Extensive impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on pelvic floor dysfunctions care: A nationwide interdisciplinary survey
Authors: Sacco Emilio , Gandi Carlo , Li Marzi Vincenzo , Lamberti Gianfranco , Serati Maurizio , Agro' Enrico Finazzi , Soligo Marco ,   the Italian Society of Urodynamics (SIUD)
Published: January 2021

Aims

To investigate the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on health‐care provision to patients suffering from pelvic floor dysfunctions in Italy.

Methods

A retrospective web‐based interdisciplinary survey was mailed by the Italian Society of Urodynamics to members involved in pelvic floor dysfunctions management from June 22, 2020 to July 17, 2020. The 84‐item questionnaire investigated the period March–June 2020 (first epidemic wave) and showed high content validity. The primary outcome was the mean rate of cancellation for health‐care services. Secondary outcomes included estimation of the accumulated surgeries backload until return to baseline activity and of the recovery pattern, using linear regression and scenario‐based forecasting.

Results

A total of 85 participants provided complete responses. Respondents were mostly urologists (47%), followed by gynecologists (29.5%) and physiatrists (17.6%). On average, 78.4% of outpatient services and 82.7% of functional surgeries were canceled, without significant differences by geographical distribution. An impact on patients' quality of life was anticipated by most of the respondents (87%) and 48.2% also reported potentially serious health risks for patients. Thirty‐three percent of the respondents reported the use of telemedicine. If the nation‐wide surgical activity increases by 20% postpandemic, it would take 37 months to clear the backlog of functional surgeries. We acknowledge the inherent limitations of the survey methodology and retrospective design.

Conclusions

Access to care for patients suffering from pelvic floor dysfunctions has been dramatically affected by the COVID‐19 outbreak. The indirect effects of this unprecedented disruption on pelvic floor dysfunctions care may last for several months.
Braess' paradox: A cooperative game‐theoretic point of view
Authors: Passacantando Mauro , Gnecco Giorgio , Hadas Yuval , Sanguineti Marcello
Published: January 2021

Braess' paradox is a classical result in the theory of congestion games. It motivates theoretically why adding a resource (e.g., an arc) to a network may sometimes worsen, rather than improve, the overall network performance. Differently from previous literature, which studies Braess' paradox in a non‐cooperative game‐theoretic setting, in this work, a framework is proposed to investigate its occurrence by exploiting cooperative games with transferable utility (TU games) on networks. In this way, instead of focusing on the marginal contribution to the network utility provided by the insertion of an arc when a single initial scenario is considered, the arc average marginal utility with respect to various initial scenarios, that is, its Shapley value in a suitably‐defined TU game, is evaluated. It is shown that, for choices of the utility function of the TU game modeling congestion, there are cases for which the Shapley value associated with an arc is negative, meaning that its average marginal contribution to the network utility is negative.
Weighted integral solvers for elastic scattering by open arcs in two dimensions
Authors: Bruno Oscar P. , Xu Liwei , Yin Tao
Published: January 2021

We present new methodologies for the numerical solution of problems of elastic scattering by open arcs in two dimensions. The algorithms utilize weighted versions of the classical elastic integral operators associated with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions, where the integral weight accounts for (and regularizes) the singularity of the integral‐equation solutions at the open‐arc endpoints. Crucially, the method also incorporates a certain “open‐arc elastic Calderón relation” introduced in this article, whose validity is demonstrated on the basis of numerical experiments, but whose rigorous mathematical proof is left for future work. (In fact, the aforementioned open‐arc elastic Calderón relation generalizes a corresponding elastic Calderón relation for closed surfaces, which is also introduced in this article, and for which a rigorous proof is included.) Using the open‐surface Calderón relation in conjunction with spectrally accurate quadrature rules and the Krylov‐subspace linear algebra solver GMRES, the proposed overall open‐arc elastic solver produces results of high accuracy in small number of iterations, for both low and high frequencies. A variety of numerical examples in this article demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed methodology.
Al2O3‐47 nm and Al2O3‐36 nm characterizations of nonlinear differential equations for biomedical applications: Magnetized peristaltic transport
Authors: Farooq Shahid , Khan Muhammad Ijaz , Alzahrani Faris , Hobiny Aatef
Published: January 2021

Current research models the Al2O3 47nm and Al2O3 36nm nanoparticles transportation through peristalsis with entropy optimization. Conservation laws for mass, momentum and energy are used to model the present flow situation. These equations elaborates the magnetohydrodynamics, Hall, thermal radiation, Joule heating, heat generation and absorption. Convective heat transfer impacts are studied at channel walls. Entropy is modeled in view of thermodynamics second law. Two different expressions for effective viscosity are accounted. Simplification of the modeled equations is done through lubrication assumptions. Solution for momentum equation is obtained analytically and for numerically for temperature equation. Built‐in shooting procedure is utilized to obtain the desired numerical results. Later on these obtained results are used to sketch and discussed the flow quantities of interest for the influential parameters accounted in the problem.
A Genome‐Wide Association Study of Childhood Body Fatness
Authors: Warner Erica T. , Jiang Lai , Adjei David Nana , Turman Constance , Gordon William , Wang Lu , Tamimi Rulla , Kraft Peter , Lindström Sara
Published: January 2021

Objective

This study aimed to uncover genetic contributors to adiposity in early life.

Methods

A genome‐wide association study of childhood body fatness in 34,401 individuals within the Nurses’ Health Studies and the Health Professionals Follow‐up Study was conducted. Data were imputed to the 1000 Genomes Phase 3 version 5 reference panel.

Results

A total of 1,354 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (P < 10−4) were selected for replication in a previously published genome‐wide association study of childhood BMI. Nineteen significant genome‐wide (P < 5 × 10−8) regions were observed, fourteen of which were previously associated with childhood obesity and five were novel: BNDF (P = 7.58 × 10−13), PRKD1 (P = 1.43 × 10−10), 20p13 (P = 2.05 × 10−10), FHIT (P = 1.77 × 10−8), and LOC101927575 (P = 3.22 × 10−8). The BNDF, FHIT, and PRKD1 regions were previously associated with adult BMI. LOC101927575 and 20p13 regions have not previously been associated with adiposity phenotypes. In a transcriptome‐wide analysis, associations for POMC at 2p23.3 (P = 3.36 × 10−6) and with TMEM18 at 2p25.3 (P = 3.53 × 10−7) were observed. Childhood body fatness was genetically correlated with hip (rg = 0.42, P = 4.44 × 10−16) and waist circumference (rg = 0.39, P = 5.56 × 10−16), as well as age at menarche (rg = −0.37, P = 7.96 × 10−19).

Conclusions

Additional loci that contribute to childhood adiposity were identified, further explicating its genetic architecture.
Finding Useful Features in Vibration Signals for Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Sperber Christian , Weber Wilhelm , Eberhard Peter
Published: January 2021

This contribution presents a selection of characteristic values derived from vibration signals that are useful for diagnosis of unbalance and coupling bend in hydropower rotors. The characteristic values are used with machine learning techniques for the estimation of fault type as well as fault intensity.
Interaction of cutting disc with heterogeneous ground
Authors: Butt Sahir , Meschke Günther
Published: January 2021

In this contribution, the peridynamic theory [1] is utilized to analyze the interaction of cutting disc of a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) with mixed (heterogeneous) ground conditions. Peridynamic formulations, in contrast to classical continuum theory, do not contain spatial derivatives [1,2], which makes it a preferable tool for modeling phenomena involving discontinuities, such as complex fracture and fragmentation processes [3]. The model was initially used to simulate a full‐scale Linear Cutting Machine (LCM) test for various penetration levels [4]. The cutting forces obtained were in agreement with the experiment [5]. Excavation process in mixed ground conditions is analyzed using simulations in which a cutting disc moves from a soft ground (soil, weathered rock or soft rock) region into a hard rock region. There is a sudden increase in the force on the cutting disc as it moves from a soft to hard ground, this abnormal peak in force is further investigated with respect to various tool penetrations.
Damage Optimisation for Air Bending
Authors: Guhr Fabian , Barthold Franz-Joseph
Published: January 2021

Load and shape optimisation are applied to the process of air bending to optimise the damage state in the formed component. The enhanced process of elastomer bending is optimised, which yields a reduced damage state due to the superimposed radial stresses in the critical area of the forming process. The optimisation presented here is twofold. First, the elastomer is replaced by nodal loads to generate optimised loads for a reduced damage state. Second, the elastomer itself is optimised via shape optimisation by adjusting the layer for two kinds of elastomer of varying stiffness. The optimisation is accomplished with the commercial FEM software Abaqus as the solver for the mechanical problem and Matlab is used for optimisation.
Simulation of a tool shank for HSC‐milling under the influence of an unbalance
Authors: Schmidt Rico , Ams Alfons
Published: January 2021

HSC (High Speed Cutting) milling is one of the most common production processes in tool‐making and mold‐making industries. One aim of current investigations is a better understanding of the dynamics of a tool shank with high slenderness. Often the revolution speed is higher than the lowest eigenfrequencies of the tool shank, so that resonance can appear during run‐up or run‐out.

The focus will be placed on the influence of an unbalance. Starting with the geometrical nonlinear kinematics for the strains, the Hamilton's principle is evaluated to obtain the variational formulation of the tool shank. The unbalance is implemented with a stochastic WEDIG‐DIMENTBERG model. In the following‐up RITZ approach is used for discretization and the eigenfrequencies are computed. Afterwards the results are discussed for certain examples.
Numerical modelling of electro‐viscoelasticity for fibre reinforced electro‐active polymers
Authors: Kanan Anas , Kaliske Michael
Published: January 2021

Electro‐active polymers (EAP) are smart materials that can deform dramatically and quasi‐instantaneously in response to an applied electric field. These properties make them suitable to be used as soft robotic actuators. As any passive rubber‐like material, those electro‐sensitive components are quasi‐incompressible and may show pronounced time‐dependent hysteresis behaviour. The direction of the electric field induced deformation can be tuned by incorporating stiff fibres in a relatively soft EAP, which renders an anisotropic mechanical response of the whole composite. The contribution at hand presents a constitutive model which is suitable for the simulation of an electro‐viscoelastic behaviour of transversely isotropic EAP. The material model is based on an additive split of the total energy function into purely mechanical, electrical and coupled electro‐mechanical contributions. The mechanical part of the energy is further decomposed into isotropic and anisotropic parts. For the electrical and the coupled contributions, formulations for both the perfectly linear dielectric and the nonlinear (deformation dependent) electrical response are presented. Regarding the numerical implementation, a mixed quasi‐incompressible and quasi‐inextensible electro‐mechanical finite element is developed. In addition to the displacement and electric potential, four additional field variables are introduced. The capabilities of the proposed theory and its numerical treatment are demonstrated through simulations of several electro‐mechanical actuator structures. The utilization of a quasi‐inextensible finite element is shown to improve the convergence behaviour of the numerical solution, allowing for the simulation of complex loading scenarios of fibre reinforced EAP in an efficient manner.
Flow instability in high‐Prandtl‐number thermocapillary liquid bridges exposed to a coaxial ambient gas stream
Authors: Stojanovic Mario , Kuhlmann Hendrik C.
Published: January 2021

Numerical studies have been conducted in order to investigate the linear stability of thermocapillary flow in a liquid bridge suspended between two coaxial, solid rods of different temperatures. We address the full two‐phase flow problem in which both the rods and the liquid bridge are placed in a concentric cylinder and exposed to a nominally axial flow field. Two features distinguish our linear stability analysis from earlier investigations. Firstly, our computational model allows the liquid–gas interface of the basic flow to be dynamically deformable, being affected by the basic temperature and velocity fields. Beyond that, our model accounts for the full temperature dependence of all thermophysical properties of the fluids. Since the problem involves many parameters, we consider a liquid bridge of 5 cSt silicone oil (Pr = 68) and focus on the effect of the ambient gas (Argon) on the flow instability that leads to the onset of three‐dimensional flow. Critical modes are analyzed for a length‐to‐radius aspect ratio of Γ = 1.
Seismic exploration in tunneling using full waveform inversion with a frequency domain model
Authors: Riedel Christopher , Musayev Khayal , Baitsch Matthias , Hackl Klaus
Published: January 2021

With the knowledge of the geology in front of a tunnel, the excavation process can be optimized to avoid damage at the tunnel boring machine and settlements on the surface. Therefore, dwell times can be decreased and additional expenses can be avoided. Transmitted seismic waves will be spread, reflected and refracted due to geological changes. By utilizing geophones, the seismic waves will be captured and information about the geological structure in front of the tunnel can be extracted from the measured seismograms using e.g. the concept of full waveform inversion. A frequency domain model has been employed to demonstrate the potential of full waveform inversion for seismic reconnaissance in a tunnel environment. The success of the inversion procedure depends strongly on the positions of the utilized sender and receiver stations, the chosen initial material parameter distribution, and on the selected frequency groups for the inversion. Further challenges are an accurate representation of the reflecting surfaces and the application of absorbing borders to oppress reflections from the artificial boundaries, which delimit the analyzed domain. The results of the performed full waveform inversion for synthetic models of a 3D tunnel configuration with different disturbances ahead of the front tunnel face will be discussed. Additionally, the influence of different locations of the sender and receiver stations will be analyzed.
The differentiation index of nonlinear differential‐algebraic equations versus the relative degree of nonlinear control systems
Authors: Chen Yahao , Trenn Stephan
Published: January 2021

It is claimed in [1] that the notion of the relative degree in nonlinear control theory is closely related to that of the differentiation index for nonlinear differential‐algebraic equations (DAEs). In this paper, we give more insights on this claim via a recent proposed concept (see [2]) called the explicitation of DAEs. The explicitation attaches a class of control systems to a given DAE, we show that the relative degree of the systems in the explicitation class is invariant in some sense and that the differentiation index of the original DAE coincides with the maximum of the relative degree of the explicitation systems.
Biopolymer segmentation from CLSM microscopy images using a convolutional neural network
Authors: Asgharzadeh Pouyan , Birkhold Annette I. , Özdemir Bugra , Reski Ralf , Röhrle Oliver
Published: January 2021

Confocal microscopy allows visualization of biopolymer networks at the nano scale. Analyzing the structure and assembly of protein networks from images requires a segmentation process. This has proven to be challenging due to multiple possible sources of noise in images as well as exhibition of out‐of‐focus planes. Here, we present a deep learning‐based segmentation procedure for confocal laser scanning microscopy images of biopolymer networks. Utilizing an encoder‐decoder network architecture, our deep neural network achieved a dice score of 0.88 in segmenting images of filamentous temperature sensitive Z proteins from chloroplasts of Physcomitrella patens, a moss.
The moving particles method for reliability estimation: recent advances
Authors: Proppe Carsten
Published: January 2021

In the following, recent advances of the moving particles method are highlighted. A multi level version of the estimator is introduced that balances the statistical error and the numerical approximation error by computing a telescoping sum of estimates for the number of moves. An extension to general model classes in the sense of a multi fidelity method is obtained based on the estimation of bivariate Poisson distributions for censored data. Finally, the local sensitivity of the reliability estimate with respect to the parameters of the probability characteristics of the model input is considered. It is shown how to obtain estimates of the local sensitivity without any additional function evaluations.
Determination of the effective 2D material stiffness matrix using ABAQUS
Authors: Horn Tobias Daniel , Bartelt Matthias , Wulf Hans , Ihlemann Jörn
Published: January 2021

A cross‐scale homogenization approach for multi‐phase materials is to calculate an effective material stiffness in the smaller scale for the multiple states. These detailed results are used to identify a calculation rule for the effective material stiffness in the larger scale.

The calculation of the stiffness matrix using ABAQUS for 3D finite elements was already described by [1]. This can be transferred to the calculation of the 2D stiffness matrix in ℝ3×3 without much effort. However, some 2D elements in ABAQUS require the specification of a matrix in ℝ4×4. In this article, the methods for calculating this type of stiffness matrix in 2D are presented.
Ecosystem services, well‐being benefits and urbanization associations in a Small Island Developing State
Authors: Lapointe Marie , Gurney Georgina G. , Coulthard Sarah , Cumming Graeme S.
Published: January 2021

Urbanization is a key driver of social and environmental change world‐wide. However, our understanding of its impacts on the multidimensional well‐being benefits that people obtain from ecosystems remains limited.

We explored how the well‐being contributions from land‐ and seascapes varied with urbanization level in the Solomon Islands, a fast‐urbanizing Small Island Developing State. Drawing on the social well‐being framework, we compared perceived well‐being benefits derived from ecosystem services in paired urban and rural sites.

Our analysis of 200 semi‐structured interviews revealed complex associations between provisioning, regulating and cultural services and well‐being benefits, with all ecosystem services contributing to material, relational and subjective well‐being dimensions.

Although patterns of associations between ecosystem services and well‐being benefits were similar between urban and rural dwellers, urban dwellers reported significantly fewer material, relational and subjective well‐being benefits. The most important differences between urban and rural dwellers were in terms of meeting basic material needs (e.g. income and material comfort), feeling connected to nature and feeling happy and satisfied.

With urbanization, livelihood activities transition from being subsistence‐based to income‐generating, which is also associated with increased wealth in urban areas. Similar to the relationship between ecosystem service well‐being benefits and urbanization, material wealth was negatively associated with perceptions of well‐being benefits. People with less material wealth appeared more reliant on nature for their multidimensional well‐being.

Our findings demonstrate that the altered human–nature relationships in urban areas are associated with decreases in multidimensional well‐being that people derive from nature. Improving access to particular ecosystem services, which make clear contributions to multidimensional well‐being, could be a focus for urban planners and environmental management where enhanced human–nature relationships and poverty alleviation are central goals.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Providing implementation supports to intensify instruction in an autism classroom
Authors: Dyer Kathleen , Redpath Caroline
Published: January 2021

This study evaluated whether an implementation support package using collaborative goal setting, nondirective consultation, feedback, and reinforcement would result in an increase in the implementation of planned speech and language programs in a classroom for students with autism spectrum disorders. Additional measures were collected to assess generalization to other skill‐building programs in the students' schedules that were not targeted in the intervention. The results of a multiple‐baseline analysis revealed that the implementation supports were successful in increasing the frequency of implementation of speech and language programs to goal levels. Further, these gains were maintained when staff support was faded to a weekly schedule for two of the students. The third student required weekly staff support to maintain goal levels. Discontinuation of direct staff support in the maintenance phase resulted in higher and more consistent implementation frequency than seen in the baseline. Similar trends in the generalization targets were evidenced. The results are discussed in relation to implementation science for students with autism.
GmDNJ1, a type‐I heat shock protein 40 (HSP40), is responsible for both Growth and heat tolerance in soybean
Authors: Li Kwan‐Pok , Wong Cheuk‐Hon , Cheng Chun‐Chiu , Cheng Sau‐Shan , Li Man‐Wah , Mansveld Sandra , Bergsma Alex , Huang Tengfang , van Eijk Michiel J. T. , Lam Hon‐Ming
Published: January 2021

Global warming poses severe threats to agricultural production, including soybean. One of the major mechanisms for organisms to combat heat stress is through heat shock proteins (HSPs) that stabilize protein structures at above‐optimum temperatures, by assisting in the folding of nascent, misfolded, or unfolded proteins. The HSP40 subgroups, or the J‐domain proteins, functions as co‐chaperones. They capture proteins that require folding or refolding and pass them on to HSP70 for processing. In this study, we have identified a type‐I HSP40 gene in soybean, GmDNJ1, with high basal expression under normal growth conditions and also highly inducible under abiotic stresses, especially heat. Gmdnj1‐knockout mutants had diminished growth in normal conditions, and when under heat stress, exhibited more severe browning, reduced chlorophyll contents, higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents, and higher induction of heat stress‐responsive transcription factors and ROS‐scavenging enzyme‐encoding genes. Under both normal and heat‐stress conditions, the mutant lines accumulated more aggregated proteins involved in protein catabolism, sugar metabolism, and membrane transportation, in both roots and leaves. In summary, GmDNJ1 plays crucial roles in the overall plant growth and heat tolerance in soybean, probably through the surveillance of misfolded proteins for refolding to maintain the full capacity of cellular functions.
Proteome‐wide analyses reveal diverse functions of acetylation proteins in Neurospora crassa
Authors: Wang Tielin , Guan Wei , Du Yongxi , Xu Yang , He Zhen , Zhang Yan , Kang Chuanzhi , Wan Xiufu , Chi Xiulian , Sun Kai , Zhang Xiaobo
Published: January 2021

Quantitative acetyl‐proteomics, a newly identified post‐translational modification, is known to regulate transcriptional activity in different organisms. Neurospora crassa is a model ascomycete fungus maintained for biochemistry and molecular biology research; however, extensive studies of the functions of its acylation proteins have yet to be performed. In this study, using LC‐MS/MS qualitative proteomics strategies, we identified 1909 modification sites on 940 proteins in N. crassa and analysed the functions of these proteins using GO enrichment, KEGG pathway, and subcellular location experiments. We classified the acetylation protein involvement in diverse pathways, and protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network analysis further demonstrated that these proteins participate in diverse biological processes. In summary, our study comprehensively profiles the crosstalk of modified sites, and PPI among these proteins may form a complex network with both similar and distinct regulatory mechanisms, providing improved understanding of their biological functions in N. crassa.
Prevalence/Incidence of Low Back Pain and Associated Risk Factors Among Nursing and Medical Students: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wong Arnold Y. L. , Chan Lloyd L. Y. , Lo Cathy W. T. , Chan Winnie W. Y. , Lam Kelvin C. K. , Bao Jackie C. H. , Ferreira Manuela L. , Armijo‐Olivo Susan
Published: January 2021

Objective

To summarize evidence regarding the prevalence and incidence of low back pain and associated risk factors in nursing and medical students.

Type

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Literature Survey

The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42015029729). Its reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Seven databases were searched until August 2020 to identify relevant studies.

Methodology

Two independent reviewers screened, extracted, and evaluated the risk of bias of the selected studies. Meta‐analyses were used to estimate 12‐month prevalence/incidence rates of low back pain and associated risk factors in these students. Levels of evidence for risk factors were determined by the updated Guidelines for Systematic Reviews in the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group.

Synthesis

Sixteen studies involving 7072 students were included. The pooled 12‐month prevalence rates of low back pain for nursing and medical students were 44% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 27%‐61%) and 53% (95% CI: 44%‐62%), respectively. The 12‐month incidence of low back pain in nursing students ranged from 29% to 67%. No incidence rate was reported in medical students. Strong/moderate‐quality evidence supported that final year of study (pooled odds ratio [OR] from five studies, 1.96, 95% CI: 1.13‐3.40), anxiety (OR ranging from 3.12 to 4.61), or high mental pressure or psychological distress (OR ranging from 1.37 to 4.52) was associated with a higher 12‐month low back pain prevalence in both student groups. Moderate‐quality evidence suggested that prior history of low back pain (pooled OR from two studies: 3.46, 95% CI: 1.88‐6.36) was associated with a higher 12‐month low back pain incidence in nursing students. Similarly, moderate‐quality evidence suggested that female medical students (pooled OR from two studies: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.09‐2.86) demonstrated a higher 12‐month low back pain prevalence than male counterparts.

Conclusions

Although it is impossible to alter nonmodifiable risk factors for low back pain, universities may develop and implement proper strategies to mitigate modifiable risk factors in these students.
How nurses use reassurance to support the management of acute and chronic pain in children and young people: An exploratory, interpretative qualitative study
Authors: Carter Bernie , Harris Jane , Jordan Abbie
Published: January 2021

Reassurance in the context of pediatric pain is regarded to promote distress. Typically, spoken reassurance is reported as short, generic statements (“it's ok,” “don't worry”); little research has considered wider reassuring behaviors and actions undertaken by nurses. Most studies focus on unidirectional, dyadic relationships between reassurance and pain (parent‐to‐child, professional‐to‐child) failing to capture the inherent complexities. Adopting an exploratory, interpretative, and qualitative approach, this paper reports on findings from the qualitative interview component of a mixed‐methods study, concerning how nurses actively use reassurance when talking to children and their parents about pain. Eighteen nurses with experience of managing children's pain were recruited on completion of an international online survey (distributed by pain and children's nursing networks and via newsletter, email, and social media). All 18 nurses completed a semi‐structured interview concerning their experiences of managing children's pain working in the UK (n = 14), Canada (n = 3), and Australia (n = 1) in primary, secondary, and tertiary settings with nursing experience ranging from pre‐qualification to >20 years. Thematic analysis generated three themes which reflect the main ways in which nurses focus their reassurance within encounters with children and their parent(s): (a) on child and parent(s), (b) on the child, and (c) on the parent. Nurses generated reassurance using language, gesture, relationship building, individualizing approaches, education, and preparation. The study highlights the diversity of reassurance provided by nurses in relation to children's pain. Our study finds that when nurses reassure children about pain, they focus their reassurance in three distinct directions (child, parents, and children and parents in partnership); this has not been specifically acknowledged by previous research. We highlight the wide range of implicit and explicit reassurance actions undertaken by nurses and propose that reassurance that extends beyond limited vocalizations is part of a complex package of care that can support children's current and future pain experiences.
A new flavonoid derivative exerts antitumor effects against androgen‐sensitive to cabazitaxel‐resistant prostate cancer cells
Authors: Naito Renato , Kano Hiroshi , Shimada Takashi , Makino Tomoyuki , Kadomoto Suguru , Iwamoto Hiroaki , Yaegashi Hiroshi , Izumi Kouji , Kadono Yoshifumi , Nakata Hiroki , Saito Yohei , Goto Masuo , Nakagawa‐Goto Kyoko , Mizokami Atsushi
Published: January 2021

Background

Our previous report has shown that the flavonoid 2′‐hydroxyflavanone (2′‐HF) showed inhibition of androgen receptor (AR) activity against androgen‐sensitive prostate cancer (PCa) cells, LNCaP, and exhibited antitumor effects against androgen‐insensitive PCa cells, PC‐3, and DU145. In the present study, we prepared a derivative of 2′‐HF, 16MS7F1924, and confirmed the effects of this derivative on PCa cells.

Methods

The antiproliferation effects of 16MS7F1924 were investigated in PCa cells using LNCaP, PC‐3, DU145 and docetaxel‐resistant and cabazitaxel‐resistant cell lines of PC‐3‐TxR/CxR and DU145‐TxR/CxR. Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and AR expression level in whole cells and the nucleus were confirmed in LNCaP by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. AR activity in LNCaP cells was confirmed by luciferase assay using PSA promoter‐driven reporter. To analyze the antiproliferative effects, cell‐based assays using flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and TUNEL assay as well as Western blot analysis were employed. Furthermore, PC‐3, DU145 and each chemoresistant strain of human PCa cells were subcutaneously xenografted. The antitumor effects of 16MS7F1924 were evaluated in vivo.

Results

16MS7F1924 showed antitumor effect on all PCa cells in a dose‐dependent manner. 16MS7F1924 reduced the expression of PSA messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein and inhibited AR activity in a dose‐dependent manner, while expression of AR protein and mRNA was reduced by 16MS7F1924. 16MS7F1924 induced mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis. Apoptotic cells were increased in a dose‐dependent manner, and the apoptosis was mediated through the Akt pathway. Tumor growth was safely and significantly inhibited by both intraperitoneal and oral administration of 16MS7F1924 in vivo.

Conclusion

16MS7F1924 had sufficient antitumor activity against androgen‐sensitive and cabazitaxel‐resistant PCa cells and may be useful as a novel therapeutic agent overcoming hormone‐ and chemoresistant PCas.
Topical mitomycin‐C as an adjuvant to multimodal endoscopic treatment for tracheobronchial stenosis secondary to endobronchial tuberculosis
Authors: Huan Nai‐Chien , Ng Khai Lip , Nasaruddin Mona Zaria , Muhammad Noorul Afidza , Daut Ummi Nadira , Abdul Rahaman Jamalul Azizi
Published: January 2021

Tracheobronchial stenosis secondary to endobronchial tuberculosis (TSTB) is a rare but debilitating complication of endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB). Topical mitomycin‐C (TMC) has been successfully utilized to restore airway patency and to prevent recurrence of TSTB, although little is known about its exact efficacy. Here, we report the biggest case series to date involving seven patients who received TMC as part of multimodality endoscopic treatment for TSTB with varying levels of success. All patients presented with dyspnoea during or after treatment completion for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Four patients had short‐segment concentric membranous TSTB while two patients had concurrent bronchomalacia. Another one patient had a thick fibrotic band adjacent to luminal opening. We hypothesize that TMC is more efficacious in short membranous stenosis without concurrent bronchomalacia and/or thick fibrotic bands. More studies are needed to bridge the current gaps in knowledge regarding the optimal role and benefits of TMC for TSTB patients.