bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trogbrücke über die Broye – Eine Fußgänger‐ und Fahrradbrücke aus wetterfestem Stahl mit lasergeschnittenen Stegen
Authors: Guscetti Gabriele , Bouleau Etienne , Colomer Pierre , Bigelow Hetty
Published: April 2022

Die Fußgänger‐ und Fahrradbrücke über die Broye (Schweiz) bindet das neue Wohnviertel Rives de la Broye an die in der Nähe gelegene Stadt Payerne an. Der Überbau der 36 m langen Trogbrücke besteht aus 26 t wetterfestem Stahl. Die Ausführung als Stahltrog stellt sicher, dass sich der Brückenüberbau oberhalb des Hochwasserpegels befindet. Die Stege und die Oberflansche des Trogs haben dabei nicht nur eine statische Funktion, sondern sind gleichzeitig die Geländer bzw. Handläufe der Brücke. Die Stege sind von einem Lochmuster durchzogen, welches am Computer generiert und mittels einer CNC‐Lasermaschine ausgeschnitten wurde. Die Lochverteilung wurde in Abhängigkeit von den Kraftverläufen in den Stegen gewählt. Das verbleibende Material folgt den Spannungstrajektorien in den Stegen. Die jeweilige Lochgröße richtet sich dabei nach der lokalen Beanspruchung der Stege. Das Muster lässt die Brücke nicht nur transparenter und optisch leichter erscheinen, sondern trägt auch zur Gewichtsreduktion und Materialersparnis bei. Der Überbau der Brücke wurde vollständig im Werk vorfabriziert und anschließend innerhalb weniger Stunden mithilfe eines Autokrans auf die Widerlager gesetzt. An den Widerlagern wird jeweils durch ein Druck‐ und ein Zugauflager eine Einspannwirkung erzeugt, welche sich positiv auf die Durchbiegung in Feldmitte und die dynamischen Eigenschaften des Überbaus auswirkt. Die Lager sind in Lagerebene verschieblich, um Temperaturunterschiede auszugleichen.
RNA splicing regulators play critical roles in neurogenesis
Authors: Fisher Emily , Feng Jian
Published: April 2022

Alternative RNA splicing increases transcript diversity in different cell types and under varying conditions. It is executed with the help of RNA splicing regulators (RSRs), which are operationally defined as RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) that regulate alternative splicing, but not directly catalyzing the chemical reactions of splicing. By systematically searching for RBPs and manually identifying those that regulate splicing, we curated 305 RSRs in the human genome. Surprisingly, most of the RSRs are involved in neurogenesis. Among these RSRs, we focus on nine families (PTBP, NOVA, RBFOX, ELAVL, CELF, DBHS, MSI, PCBP, and MBNL) that play essential roles in the neurogenic pathway. A better understanding of their functions will provide novel insights into the role of splicing in brain development, health, and disease. This comprehensive review serves as a stepping‐stone to explore the diverse and complex set of RSRs as fundamental regulators of neural development.

This article is categorized under:

RNA‐Based Catalysis > RNA Catalysis in Splicing and Translation

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing
Simulation and Control of Deformable Autonomous Airships in Turbulent Wind
Authors: Price Eric , Liu Yu Tang , Black Michael J. , Ahmad Aamir
Published: April 2022

Fixed wing and multirotor UAVs are common in the field of robotics. Solutions for simulation and control of these vehicles are ubiquitous. This is not the case for airships, a simulation of which needs to address unique properties, i) dynamic deformation in response to aerodynamic and control forces, ii) high susceptibility to wind and turbulence at low airspeed, iii) high variability in airship designs regarding placement, direction and vectoring of thrusters and control surfaces. We present a flexible framework for modeling, simulation and control of airships. It is based on Robot operating system (ROS), simulation environment (Gazebo) and commercial off the shelf (COTS) electronics, all of which are open source. Based on simulated wind and deformation, we predict substantial effects on controllability which are verified in real-world flight experiments. All our code is shared as open source, for the benefit of the community and to facilitate lighter-than-air vehicle (LTAV) research. (Source code:https://github.com/robot-perception-group/airship_simulation.)
Supersymmetric vortex loops in 3D gauge theories
Authors: Hosomichi Kazuo , Suzuki Kohei
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We give a precise definition of BPS vortex loops in 3D non-abelian gauge theories with $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SUSY by the path integral over fields with a prescribed singular behavior. We compute the expectation value of a BPS vortex loop on an ellipsoid. Using the result we revisit the known equivalence between Wilson and vortex loops in pure Chern-Simons theory. Naive computations of expectation values in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 theory leads to an unwanted shift of parameters in the rule of correspondence. We resolve the problem by relating the shift to the global anomaly of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SUSY quantum mechanics. For theories with U(N) gauge group we also develop an alternative description of vortex loops in terms of 1D $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SUSY quantum mechanics on their worldline. For vortex loops in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 theories, our construction reproduces some of the quiver GLSMs of Assel and Gomis.
Structural mechanism of TRPM7 channel regulation by intracellular magnesium
Authors: Schmidt Eva , Narangoda Chamali , Nörenberg Wolfgang , Egawa Miyuki , Rössig Anna , Leonhardt Marion , Schaefer Michael , Zierler Susanna , Kurnikova Maria G. , Gudermann Thomas , Chubanov Vladimir
Published: April 2022

Zn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ are essential divalent cations implicated in many metabolic processes and signalling pathways. An emerging new paradigm is that the organismal balance of these cations predominantly depends on a common gatekeeper, the channel-kinase TRPM7. Despite extensive electrophysiological studies and recent cryo-EM analysis, an open question is how the channel activity of TRPM7 is activated. Here, we performed site-directed mutagenesis of mouse TRPM7 in conjunction with patch-clamp assessment of whole-cell and single-channel activity and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to show that the side chains of conserved N1097 form an inter-subunit Mg2+ regulatory site located in the lower channel gate of TRPM7. Our results suggest that intracellular Mg2+ binds to this site and stabilizes the TRPM7 channel in the closed state, whereas the removal of Mg2+ favours the opening of TRPM7. Hence, our study identifies the structural underpinnings through which the TRPM7 channel is controlled by cytosolic Mg2+, representing a new structure–function relationship not yet explored among TRPM channels.
Prolonged exposure to simulated microgravity promotes stemness impairing morphological, metabolic and migratory profile of pancreatic cancer cells: a comprehensive proteomic, lipidomic and transcriptomic analysis
Authors: Masini Maria Angela , Bonetto Valentina , Manfredi Marcello , Pastò Anna , Barberis Elettra , Timo Sara , Vanella Virginia Vita , Robotti Elisa , Masetto Francesca , Andreoli Francesca , Fiore Alessandra , Tavella Sara , Sica Antonio , Donadelli Massimo , Marengo Emilio
Published: April 2022

Background

The impact of the absence of gravity on cancer cells is of great interest, especially today that space is more accessible than ever. Despite advances, few and contradictory data are available mainly due to different setup, experimental design and time point analyzed.

Methods

Exploiting a Random Positioning Machine, we dissected the effects of long-term exposure to simulated microgravity (SMG) on pancreatic cancer cells performing proteomic, lipidomic and transcriptomic analysis at 1, 7 and 9 days.

Results

Our results indicated that SMG affects cellular morphology through a time-dependent activation of Actin-based motility via Rho and Cdc42 pathways leading to actin rearrangement, formation of 3D spheroids and enhancement of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that SMG may activates ERK5/NF-κB/IL-8 axis that triggers the expansion of cancer stem cells with an increased migratory capability. These cells, to remediate energy stress and apoptosis activation, undergo a metabolic reprogramming orchestrated by HIF-1α and PI3K/Akt pathways that upregulate glycolysis and impair β-oxidation, suggesting a de novo synthesis of triglycerides for the membrane lipid bilayer formation.

Conclusions

SMG revolutionizes tumor cell behavior and metabolism leading to the acquisition of an aggressive and metastatic stem cell-like phenotype. These results dissect the time-dependent cellular alterations induced by SMG and pave the base for altered gravity conditions as new anti-cancer technology.
Risk of coronary stenosis after adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Wennstig A.-K. , Garmo H. , Wadsten L. , Lagerqvist B. , Fredriksson I. , Holmberg L. , Blomqvist C. , Nilsson G. , Sund M.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer is associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease. We examined the risk of coronary artery stenosis in a large cohort of women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant RT.

Methods

A cohort of women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1992 and 2012 in three Swedish health care regions (n = 57,066) were linked to the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR) to identify women receiving RT who subsequently underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to coronary stenosis. Cox regression analyses were performed to examine risk of a coronary intervention and competing risk analyses were performed to calculate cumulative incidence.

Results

A total of 649 women with left-sided breast cancer and 494 women with right-sided breast cancer underwent a PCI. Women who received left-sided RT had a significantly higher risk of a PCI in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) compared to women who received right-sided RT, hazard ratio (HR) 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–1.77, p < 0.001). For the proximal, mid, and distal LAD, the HRs were 1.60 (95% CI 1.22–2.10), 1.38 (95% CI 1.07–1.78), and 2.43 (95% CI 1.33–4.41), respectively. The cumulative incidence of coronary events at 25 years from breast cancer diagnosis were 7.0% in women receiving left-sided RT and 4.4% in women receiving right-sided RT.

Conclusion

Implementing and further developing techniques that lower cardiac doses is important in order to reduce the risk of long-term side effects of adjuvant RT for breast cancer.
The role of the individual TOM subunits in the association of PINK1 with depolarized mitochondria
Authors: Maruszczak Klaudia K. , Jung Martin , Rasool Shafqat , Trempe Jean-François , Rapaport Doron
Published: April 2022

Mitochondria dysfunction is involved in the pathomechanism of many illnesses including Parkinson’s disease. PINK1, which is mutated in some cases of familial Parkinsonism, is a key component in the degradation of damaged mitochondria by mitophagy. The accumulation of PINK1 on the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) of compromised organelles is crucial for the induction of mitophagy, but the molecular mechanism of this process is still unresolved. Here, we investigate the association of PINK1 with the TOM complex. We demonstrate that PINK1 heavily relies on the import receptor TOM70 for its association with mitochondria and directly interacts with this receptor. The structural protein TOM7 appears to play only a moderate role in PINK1 association with the TOM complex, probably due to its role in stabilizing this complex. PINK1 requires the TOM40 pore lumen for its stable interaction with the TOM complex and apparently remains there during its further association with the MOM. Overall, this study provides new insights on the role of the individual TOM subunits in the association of PINK1 with the MOM of depolarized mitochondria.

Key messages

TOM70 is the main receptor for the import of PINK1 into mitochondria.

TOM20 plays only a minor role in PINK1 recognition at the organellar outer membrane.

PINK1 association with the TOM complex is reduced upon knock-down of TOM7.

The lumen of the TOM pore is crucial for PINK1 association with the outer membrane. TcPINK1 blocks the TOM pore in depolarized mitochondria.
Convergent star products on cotangent bundles of Lie groups
Authors: Heins Michael , Roth Oliver , Waldmann Stefan
Published: April 2022

For a connected real Lie group G we consider the canonical standard-ordered star product arising from the canonical global symbol calculus based on the half-commutator connection of G. This star product trivially converges on polynomial functions on $$T^*G$$

T
∗

G

thanks to its homogeneity. We define a nuclear Fréchet algebra of certain analytic functions on $$T^*G$$

T
∗

G

, for which the standard-ordered star product is shown to be a well-defined continuous multiplication, depending holomorphically on the deformation parameter $$\hbar $$
ħ
. This nuclear Fréchet algebra is realized as the completed (projective) tensor product of a nuclear Fréchet algebra of entire functions on G with an appropriate nuclear Fréchet algebra of functions on $${\mathfrak {g}}^*$$

g

∗

. The passage to the Weyl-ordered star product, i.e. the Gutt star product on $$T^*G$$

T
∗

G

, is shown to preserve this function space, yielding the continuity of the Gutt star product with holomorphic dependence on $$\hbar $$
ħ
.
Impact of a Microbial Pest Control Product Containing Bacillus thuringiensis on Brood Development and Gut Microbiota of Apis mellifera Worker Honey Bees
Authors: Steinigeweg Charlotte , Alkassab Abdulrahim T. , Erler Silvio , Beims Hannes , Wirtz Ina P. , Richter Dania , Pistorius Jens
Published: April 2022

To avoid potential adverse side effects of chemical plant protection products, microbial pest control products (MPCP) are commonly applied as biological alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the biosafety of a MPCP with the active organism Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawai (strain: ABTS-1857). An in-hive feeding experiment was performed under field-realistic conditions to examine the effect of B. thuringiensis (B. t.) on brood development and the bacterial abundance of the core gut microbiome (Bifidobacterium asteroids, Gilliamella apicola, the group of Lactobacillus and Snodgrasella alvi) in Apis mellifera worker bees. We detected a higher brood termination rate and a non-successful development into worker bees of treated colonies compared to those of the controls. For the gut microbiome, all tested core members showed a significantly lower normalized abundance in bees of the treated colonies than in those of the controls; thus, a general response of the gut microbiome may be assumed. Consequently, colony exposure to B. t. strain ABTS-1857 had a negative effect on brood development under field-realistic conditions and caused dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Further studies with B. t.–based products, after field-realistic application in bee attractive crops, are needed to evaluate the potential risk of these MPCPs on honey bees.
Intraoperative MET-receptor targeted fluorescent imaging and spectroscopy for lymph node detection in papillary thyroid cancer: novel diagnostic tools for more selective central lymph node compartment dissection
Authors: Jonker Pascal K. C. , Metman Madelon J. H. , Sondorp Luc H. J. , Sywak Mark S. , Gill Anthony J. , Jansen Liesbeth , Links Thera P. , van Diest Paul J. , van Ginhoven Tessa M. , Löwik Clemens W. G. M. , Nguyen Anh H. , Coppes Robert P. , Robinson Dominic J. , van Dam Gooitzen M. , van Hemel Bettien M. , Fehrmann Rudolf S. N. , Kruijff Schelto
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Patients undergoing prophylactic central compartment dissection (PCLND) for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are often overtreated. This study aimed to determine if molecular fluorescence-guided imaging (MFGI) and spectroscopy can be useful for detecting PTC nodal metastases (NM) and to identify negative central compartments intraoperatively.

Methods

We used a data-driven prioritization strategy based on transcriptomic profiles of 97 primary PTCs and 80 normal thyroid tissues (NTT) to identify tumor-specific antigens for a clinically available near-infrared fluorescent tracer. Protein expression of the top prioritized antigen was immunohistochemically validated with a tissue microarray containing primary PTC (n = 741) and NTT (n = 108). Staining intensity was correlated with 10-year locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS). A phase 1 study (NCT03470259) with EMI-137, targeting MET, was conducted to evaluate safety, optimal dosage for detecting PTC NM with MFGI, feasibility of NM detection with quantitative fiber-optic spectroscopy, and selective binding of EMI-137 for MET.

Results

MET was selected as the most promising antigen. A worse LRFS was observed in patients with positive versus negative MET staining (81.9% versus 93.2%; p = 0.02). In 19 patients, no adverse events related to EMI-137 occurred. 0.13 mg/kg EMI-137 was selected as optimal dosage for differentiating NM from normal lymph nodes using MFGI (p < 0.0001) and spectroscopy (p < 0.0001). MFGI identified 5/19 levels (26.3%) without NM. EMI-137 binds selectively to MET.

Conclusion

MET is overexpressed in PTC and associated with increased locoregional recurrence rates. Perioperative administration of EMI-137 is safe and facilitates NM detection using MFGI and spectroscopy, potentially reducing the number of negative PCLNDs with more than 25%.

Clinical trial registration.

NCT03470259.
Sweet cherry flesh cells burst in non-random clusters along minor veins
Authors: Brinkmann Tobias , Kuhnke Felix , Grimm Eckhard , Knoche Moritz
Published: April 2022

Main conclusion

Sweet cherry flesh cells burst when exposed to water but they do so in clusters indicating heterogeneity with respect to osmotic concentration, which depends on proximity to a minor vein.

Water plays a key role in cracking in sweet cherry fruit. Magnetic resonance imaging has previously indicated preferential partitioning of water along veins. A more negative osmotic potential along veins seems the likely explanation. Here we establish if cell bursting in mature sweet cherry fruit is also associated with the veins. Cell bursting was identified by a novel light microscope technique involving exposure of a cut fruit surface to water or to sucrose solutions. Upon exposure to water there was no bursting of skin cells but for cells of the flesh (mesocarp) bursting increased with time. When the cut surface was exposed to sucrose solutions of decreasing osmotic concentrations (increasing water potentials) the incidence of cell bursting increased from hypertonic (no bursting), to isotonic, to hypotonic. Cell bursting in the outer mesocarp occurred primarily in the vicinity of minor veins that in the inner mesocarp was primarily between radial veins. The median distance between a minor vein and a bursting cell (mean diameter 0.129 mm) was about 0.318 mm that between a radial vein and a bursting cell was about 0.497 mm. In contrast, the distance between adjacent minor veins averaged 2.57 mm, that between adjacent radial veins averaged 0.83 mm. Cell bursting tends to occur in clusters. Mapping of cell bursting indicates (1) that a seemingly uniform population of mesocarp cells actually represents a heterogeneous population with regard to their cell osmotic potentials and (2) cell bursting afflicts clusters of neighbouring cells in the vicinities of minor veins.
Molecular mechanisms of skin wound healing in non-diabetic and diabetic mice in excision and pressure experimental wounds
Authors: Baldassarro Vito Antonio , Lorenzini Luca , Giuliani Alessandro , Cescatti Maura , Alastra Giuseppe , Pannella Micaela , Imbimbo Bruno Pietro , Villetti Gino , Calzà Laura , Giardino Luciana
Published: April 2022

Experimental models for chronic skin lesions are excision and pressure ulcer, defined as “open” and “closed” lesions, respectively, only the latter characterized by tissue hypoxia. Moreover, systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, affect wound repair. Thus, models for testing new therapies should be carefully selected according to the expected targets. In this study, we present an extensive and comparative histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characterization of these two lesions in diabetic (db/db) and non-diabetic (C57BL/6 J) mice. In db/db mice, we found significant reduction in PGP9.5-IR innervation, reduction of capillary network, and reduced expression of NGF receptors. We found an increase in VEGF receptor Kdr expression, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway at the core of the altered molecular network. Db/db mice with pressure ulcers showed an impairment in the molecular regulation of hypoxia-related genes (Hif1a, Flt1, and Kdr), while extracellular matrix encoding genes (Itgb3, Timp1, Fn1, Col4a1) were upregulated by hyperglycemia and lesions. Overall, the molecular analysis suggests that db/db mice have a longer inflammatory phase of the wound repair process, delaying the progression toward the proliferation and remodeling phases.
Gamma-convergence of a gradient-flow structure to a non-gradient-flow structure
Authors: Peletier Mark A. , Schlottke Mikola C.
Published: April 2022

We study the asymptotic behaviour of a gradient system in a regime in which the driving energy becomes singular. For this system gradient-system convergence concepts are ineffective. We characterize the limiting behaviour in a different way, by proving $$\Gamma $$
Γ
-convergence of the so-called energy-dissipation functional, which combines the gradient-system components of energy and dissipation in a single functional. The $$\Gamma $$
Γ
-limit of these functionals again characterizes a variational evolution, but this limit functional is not the energy-dissipation functional of any gradient system. The system in question describes the diffusion of a particle in a one-dimensional double-well energy landscape, in the limit of small noise. The wells have different depth, and in the small-noise limit the process converges to a Markov process on a two-state system, in which jumps only happen from the higher to the lower well. This transmutation of a gradient system into a variational evolution of non-gradient type is a model for how many one-directional chemical reactions emerge as limit of reversible ones. The $$\Gamma $$
Γ
-convergence proved in this paper both identifies the ‘fate’ of the gradient system for these reactions and the variational structure of the limiting irreversible reactions.
SPINE20 recommendations 2021: spine care for people’s health and prosperity
Authors: Costanzo Giuseppe , Misaggi Bernardo , Ricciardi Luca , AlEissa Sami I. , Tamai Koji , Alhelal Fahad , Alqahtani Yahya , Alsobayel Hana I. , Arand Markus , Balsano Massimo , Blattert Thomas R. , Brayda-Bruno Marco , Busari Jamiu O. , Campello Marco , Chhabra Harvinder S. , Tamburrelli Francesco Ciro , Côté Pierre , Darwono Bambang , Kandziora Frank , La Maida Giovanni A. , Muehlbauer Eric J. , Mulukutla Raghava D. , Pereira Paulo , Rajasekaran Shanmuganathan , Rothenfluh Dominique A. , Sullivan William J. , Truumees Eeric , Dohring Edward J. , Pigott Tim , Shetty Ajoy P. , Teli Marco G. A. , Wang Jeffrey C. , Ames Christopher , Anema Johannes R. , Bang Anand , Cheung Kenneth M. C. , Gross Douglas P. , Haldeman Scott , Minisola Salvatore , Mullerpatan Rajani , Negrini Stefano , Salmi Louis-Rachid , Spinelli M. Silvia , Vlok Adriaan , Yankey Kwadwo P. , Zaina Fabio , Alturkistany Ahmed , Franke Jörg , Liljenqvist Ulf R. , Piccirillo Michael , Nordin Margareta
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The focus of SPINE20 is to develop evidence-based policy recommendations for the G20 countries to work with governments to reduce the burden of spine disease, and disability.

Methods

On September 17–18, 2021, SPINE20 held its annual meeting in Rome, Italy. Prior to the meeting, the SPINE20 created six proposed recommendations. These recommendations were uploaded to the SPINE20 website 10 days before the meeting and opened to the public for comments. The recommendations were discussed at the meeting allowing the participants to object and provide comments.

Results

In total, 27 societies endorsed the following recommendations. SPINE20 calls upon the G20 countries: (1) to expand telehealth for the access to spine care, especially in light of the current situation with COVID-19. (2) To adopt value-based interprofessional spine care as an approach to improve patient outcomes and reduce disability. (3) To facilitate access and invest in the development of a competent rehabilitation workforce to reduce the burden of disability related to spine disorders. (4) To adopt a strategy to promote daily physical activity and exercises among the elderly population to maintain an active and independent life with a healthy spine, particularly after COVID-19 pandemic. (5) To engage in capacity building with emerging countries and underserved communities for the benefit of spine patients. (6) To promote strategies to transfer evidence-based advances into patient benefit through effective implementation processes.

Conclusions

SPINE20’s initiatives will make governments and decision makers aware of efforts to reduce needless suffering from disabling spine pain through education that can be instituted across the globe.
Participatory design and evaluation of virtual reality physical rehabilitation for people living with dementia
Authors: Matsangidou Maria , Frangoudes Fotos , Schiza Eirini , Neokleous Kleanthis C. , Papayianni Ersi , Xenari Katerian , Avraamides Marios , Pattichis Constantinos S.
Published: April 2022

Emerging research confirms the need for technologically enhanced solutions to support non-pharmacological interventions which can improve the quality of life, the mental and physical health of demented people. Several types of research examined if virtual reality can be an effective solution. This paper aims to present the cyclic process of prototyping, testing, analysing, and refining the VR system in real-world clinical settings. Seven people with moderate to severe dementia were recruited. The experiment required the patients to attend three virtual reality iterations of rapid prototyping with user testing. All three iterations involved training activities with upper body movements similar to their usual physical training. A mixed-methods design measured affect and emotional behaviour using the Observed Emotion Rating Scale and the Visual Analog Scale. Content analysis was conducted following observations and interviews. During each iteration of rapid prototyping with user testing, quantitative measurements of performance, independence and time were recorded. Eye tracking and movement information were captured by the system. Finally, a simplified version of the presence and usability scales evaluated the system. The results of this study provide further evidence that virtual reality can play a significant role in the improvement of people’s with dementia physical training and emotional health when is appropriately designed. The results present the vital factors which should be incorporated in a virtual reality system which are: 1) a simple interactions modality; 2) visible visual targets and continuous feedback; 3) personalized virtual environments; 4) personalized range of movements.
Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Open Holes on the Impact Response of CFRP Laminates
Authors: Rezasefat M. , Giglio M. , Manes A.
Published: April 2022

The presence of open holes changes the behaviour of composite laminates when subjected to mechanical loads creating critical zones with a high probability of interlaminar and intralaminar damage initiation. While open holes in composite laminates are a requirement in many situations such as assembly needs, wiring, and maintenance access, their influence on the impact response of composite laminates is still poorly understood. In this paper, a numerical study was performed on Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composite laminates with open holes subjected to low velocity impacts. The influence of the distance between open holes to impact origin, hole diameter, and the number of open holes on mechanical response and failure was studied using a FE model based on the inter-fibre failure criterion of Cuntze to account for the progressive intralaminar failure. The interlaminar failure was considered by using zero thickness cohesive elements based on the cohesive zone model. The results showed that i) open holes change the shape and size of the damage caused by low velocity impact and ii) that the presence of an open hole close to the impact origin in-plane spread of damage is stopped resulting in more severe damage and a smaller projected damage area compared to the control specimen. In addition, the presence of open holes in most cases did not change the locality of the low velocity impact but rather changed the severity of the damage in the local impact zone.
Insight into Crosstalk Between Mitophagy and Apoptosis/Necroptosis: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yang Yan-di , Li Zi-xin , Hu Xi-min , Wan Hao , Zhang Qi , Xiao Rui , Xiong Kun
Published: April 2022

Ischemic stroke is a serious cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality. As a result of ischemia-reperfusion, a cascade of pathophysiological responses is triggered by the imbalance in metabolic supply and demand, resulting in cell loss. These cellular injuries follow various molecular mechanisms solely or in combination with this disorder. Mitochondria play a driving role in the pathophysiological processes of ischemic stroke. Once ischemic stroke occurs, damaged cells would respond to such stress through mitophagy. Mitophagy is known as a conservatively selective autophagy, contributing to the removal of excessive protein aggregates and damaged intracellular components, as well as aging mitochondria. Moderate mitophagy may exert neuroprotection against stroke. Several pathways associated with the mitochondrial network collectively contribute to recovering the homeostasis of the neurovascular unit. However, excessive mitophagy would also promote ischemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, mitophagy is a double-edged sword, which suggests that maximizing the benefits of mitophagy is one of the direction of future efforts. This review emphasized the role of mitophagy in ischemic stroke, and highlighted the crosstalk between mitophagy and apoptosis/necroptosis.
Fast and Reliable Ag–Sn Transient Liquid Phase Bonding by Combining Rapid Heating with Low-Power Ultrasound
Authors: Rheingans Bastian , Jeurgens Lars P. H. , Janczak-Rusch Jolanta
Published: April 2022

Ag–Sn transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding is capable of producing joints with excellent mechanical and thermal properties, and with operation temperatures at or even above the processing temperature. However, reduction of the comparatively long processing times required to achieve high-quality joints is highly desirable. To this end, the use of fast heating and low-power ultrasonic (US) pulses for accelerated Ag–Sn TLP bonding is investigated with particular focus on defect generation and avoidance. Employing rapid heating with$$20\,{\text {K s}}^{-1}$$20K s-1, the process time can indeed be strongly reduced, yielding a high average shear strength of$$(58 \pm 22)$$(58±22)MPa. The large variance of the shear strength is caused by gas entrapment and pronounced lateral squeeze-out of liquid Sn, facilitated by the suppression of$${\text{Ag}}_{3} {\text{Sn}}$$Ag3Snformation upon rapid heating. Introduction of a weak US pulse leads to enhanced$${\text{Ag}}_{3} {\text{Sn}}$$Ag3Snformation and efficient removal of entrapped gas, and thus to avoidance of large-scale bond defects, which results in an enhanced shear strength of$$(104 \pm 8)$$(104±8)MPa.
Material dependent surface and subsurface properties of hybrid components
Authors: Budde Laura , Prasanthan Vannila , Merkel Paulina , Kruse Jens , Faqiri Mohamad Yusuf , Lammers Marius , Kriwall Mareile , Hermsdorf Jörg , Stonis Malte , Hassel Thomas , Breidenstein Bernd , Behrens Bernd-Arno , Denkena Berend , Overmeyer Ludger
Published: April 2022

Tailored forming is used to produce hybrid components in which the materials used are locally adapted to the different types of physical, chemical and tribological requirements. In this paper, a Tailored Forming process chain for the production of a hybrid shaft with a bearing seat is investigated. The process chain consists of the manufacturing steps laser hot-wire cladding, cross-wedge rolling, turning and deep rolling. A cylindrical bar made of mild steel C22.8 is used as the base material, and a cladding of the martensitic valve steel X45CrSi9-3 is applied in the area of the bearing seat to achieve the strength and hardness required. It is investigated how the surface and subsurface properties of the hybrid component, such as hardness, microstructure and residual stress state, change within the process chain. The results are compared with a previous study in which the austenitic stainless steel X2CrNiMo19-12 was investigated as a cladding material. It is shown that the residual stress state after hot forming depends on the thermal expansion coefficients of the cladding material.
Development of a Novel Technique for the Measurement of Neuromuscular Junction Functionality in Isotonic Conditions
Authors: Forconi Flavia , Apa Ludovica , Pisu Simona , Casola Irene , Musarò Antonio , Rizzuto Emanuele , Del Prete Zaccaria
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a chemical synapse responsible for converting electrical pulses generated by the motor neuron into electrical activity in muscle fibers, and is severely impaired in various diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Here, we proposed a novel technique to measure, for the first time, NMJ functionality in isotonic conditions, which better reflect muscle physiological activity.

Methods

We employed the in-situ testing technique, studied a proper placing of two pairs of wire electrodes for nerve and muscle stimulation, developed an extensive testing protocol, and proposed a novel parameter, the Isotonic Neurotransmission Failure (INF), to properly capture the impairments in neurotransmission during isotonic fatigue. We employed wild-type mice to assess the feasibility of the proposed technique, and the ALS model SOD1G93A mice to demonstrate the validity of the INF.

Results

Results confirmed the measurement accuracy in term of average value and coefficient of variation of the parameters measured through nerve stimulation in comparison with the corresponding values obtained for membrane stimulation. The INF values computed for the SOD1G93A tibialis anterior muscles pointed out an impairment of ALS mice during the isotonic fatigue test, whereas, as expected, their resistance to fatigue was higher.

Conclusions

In this work we devised a novel technique and a new parameter for a deep assessment of NMJ functionality in isotonic conditions, including fatigue, which is the most crucial condition for the neuronal signal transmission. This technique may be applied to other animal models, to unravel the mechanisms behind muscle-nerve impairments in other neurodegenerative pathologies.
Regionale verschillen in gezondheid nader verklaard
Authors: Meisters Rachelle , Putrik Polina , Westra Daan , Bosma Hans , Ruwaard Dirk , Jansen Maria
Published: April 2022

Samenvatting

Nederland kent gezondheidsverschillen tussen regio’s. Het verklaren van deze verschillen kan beleidsmakers helpen om gericht te interveniëren en deze verschillen te verkleinen. Bij het verklaren van deze regionale gezondheidsverschillen wordt veelal gekeken naar de bijdrage van verschillen in demografische opbouw en sociaaleconomische status (SES). Tegelijkertijd worden leefstijl en psychosociale factoren ook in verband gebracht met de gezondheid van het individu. Daarom analyseert dit onderzoek, naast demografie en SES, de bijdrage van leefstijl, eenzaamheid en zelfregie aan de verklaring van regionale verschillen in zelfervaren gezondheid, aanwezigheid van chronische ziekten en het risico op het ontwikkelen van een angststoornis of depressie. We gebruiken daarvoor een gekoppelde dataset van de GGD, het CBS en het RIVM voor het jaar 2016 (n = 334.721). Uit de resultaten blijkt dat leefstijl, eenzaamheid en zelfregie ook bijdragen aan het verklaren van regionale verschillen in zelfervaren gezondheid (prevalentieratio’s (PR) variërend van 0,72–0,93 tot 0,83–0,95) en chronische ziekten (PR’s van 0,81–0,95 tot 0,85–0,96). Voor het risico op een angststoornis of depressie blijken vooral eenzaamheid en zelfregie bij te dragen aan de verklaring van regionale gezondheidsverschillen (oddsratio’s van 0,65–1,27 tot 0,76–1,22). Leefstijl- en psychosociale factoren kunnen dan ook beleidsmatige aanknopingspunten bieden voor de aanpak van regionale gezondheidsverschillen. In dit artikel is de regio Zuid-Limburg de referentieregio. Met de Regiovergelijker gezondheid en zorgkosten kunnen alle regio’s als referentieregio worden gekozen.
Bestaansonzekerheid en regionale gezondheidsverschillen
Authors: Kooiker Sjoerd
Published: April 2022

Samenvatting

Deze forumbijdrage reflecteert op de wetenschappelijke artikelen in dit nummer, in het bijzonder het artikel van Meisters et al. over regionale gezondheidsverschillen en dat van Goijaerts et al. over bestaansonzekerheid en gezondheid. Regionale gezondheidsverschillen en de veranderingen daarin kunnen voor een deel worden toegeschreven aan selectieve migratie naar aantrekkelijke steden (en bepaalde buurten in die steden) die tegemoetkomen aan de behoeften van de hoog opgeleide en relatief gezonde winnaars van de globalisering. Dat gaat ten koste van minder aantrekkelijke en vooral landelijke regio’s. De provincie Friesland lijkt bij deze processen een gunstige uitzondering te vormen. De inwoners koppelen een relatief laag inkomen aan een als goed ervaren gezondheid. Een groot verschil met Zuid-Limburg, waar de ervaren gezondheid juist vaak slechter is dan elders, wat deels toe te schrijven is aan het relatief lage opleidingsniveau. Door deze twee provincies in meer detail te vergelijken, zouden we meer inzicht kunnen krijgen in de sociaal-economische en sociaal culturele oorzaken voor gezondheidsverschillen. In de bespreking van het artikel van Goijaerts et al. wijs ik erop dat het in aanvulling op de gerapporteerde cliëntervaringen waardevol zou zijn om ook naar de ervaringen van de sociaal werkers te kijken, om zo een completer beeld te krijgen.
Handgrip strength predicts length of hospital stay in an abdominal surgical setting: the role of frailty beyond age
Authors: Marano Luigi , Carbone Ludovico , Poto Gianmario Edoardo , Gambelli Margherita , Nguefack Noudem Leonelle Lore , Grassi Giulia , Manasci Fabiana , Curreri Giulia , Giuliani Alessandra , Piagnerelli Riccardo , Savelli Vinno , Marrelli Daniele , Roviello Franco , Boccardi Virginia
Published: April 2022

Background

Chronological age per se cannot be considered a prognostic risk factor for outcomes after elective surgery, whereas frailty could be. A simple and easy-to-get marker for frailty, such as handgrip strength (HGS), may support the surgeon in decision for an adequate healthcare plan.

Aims

The aims of this study were to: (1) determine the prevalence of frailty in an abdominal surgery setting independent of age; (2) evaluate the predictive validity of HGS for the length of hospital stay (LOS).

Methods

This is a retrospective study conducted in subjects who underwent abdominal surgical procedures. Only subjects with complete cognitive, functional, nutritional assessments and available measurement of HGS at admission were included. A final cohort of 108 patients were enrolled in the study.

Results

Subjects had a mean age of 67.8 ± 15.8 years (age range 19–93 years old) and were mostly men. According to Fried’s criteria, 17 (15.7%, 4F/13 M) were fit, 58 (23.7%; 24F/34 M) were pre-frail and 33 (30.6%; 20F/13 M) were frail. As expected, HGS significantly differed between groups having frail lower values as compared with pre-frail and fit persons (fit: 32.99 ± 10.34 kg; pre-frail: 27.49 ± 10.35 kg; frail: 15.96 ± 9.52 kg, p < 0.0001). A final regression analysis showed that HGS was significantly and inversely associated with LOS (p = 0.020) independent of multiple covariates, including age.

Discussion

Most of the population undergoing abdominal surgery is pre-frail or frail. The measurement of handgrip strength is simple and inexpensive, and provides prognostic information for surgical outcomes. Muscle strength, as measured by handgrip dynamometry, is a strong predictor of LOS in a surgical setting.
A global method for deterministic and stochastic homogenisation in BV
Authors: Cagnetti Filippo , Dal Maso Gianni , Scardia Lucia , Zeppieri Caterina Ida
Published: April 2022

In this paper we study the deterministic and stochastic homogenisation of free-discontinuity functionals underlineargrowth and coercivity conditions. The main novelty of our deterministic result is that we work under very general assumptions on the integrands which, in particular, are not required to be periodic in the space variable. Combining this result with the pointwise Subadditive Ergodic Theorem by Akcoglu and Krengel, we prove a stochastic homogenisation result, in the case of stationary random integrands. In particular, we characterise the limit integrands in terms of asymptotic cell formulas, as in the classical case of periodic homogenisation.
Photoplethysmography-Based Respiratory Rate Estimation Algorithm for Health Monitoring Applications
Authors: Iqbal Talha , Elahi Adnan , Ganly Sandra , Wijns William , Shahzad Atif
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Respiratory rate can provide auxiliary information on the physiological changes within the human body, such as physical and emotional stress. In a clinical setup, the abnormal respiratory rate can be indicative of the deterioration of the patient's condition. Most of the existing algorithms for the estimation of respiratory rate using photoplethysmography (PPG) are sensitive to external noise and may require the selection of certain algorithm-specific parameters, through the trial-and-error method.

Methods

This paper proposes a new algorithm to estimate the respiratory rate using a photoplethysmography sensor signal for health monitoring. The algorithm is resistant to signal loss and can handle low-quality signals from the sensor. It combines selective windowing, preprocessing and signal conditioning, modified Welch filtering and postprocessing to achieve high accuracy and robustness to noise.

Results

The Mean Absolute Error and the Root Mean Square Error of the proposed algorithm, with the optimal signal window size, are determined to be 2.05 breaths count per minute and 2.47 breaths count per minute, respectively, when tested on a publicly available dataset. These results present a significant improvement in accuracy over previously reported methods. The proposed algorithm achieved comparable results to the existing algorithms in the literature on the BIDMC dataset (containing data of 53 subjects, each recorded for 8 min) for other signal window sizes.

Conclusion

The results endorse that integration of the proposed algorithm to a commercially available pulse oximetry device would expand its functionality from the measurement of oxygen saturation level and heart rate to the continuous measurement of the respiratory rate with good efficiency at home and in a clinical setting.
Induced abortion among unmarried women in China
Authors: Tang Mengjun
Published: April 2022

This study uses a literature review to probe the prevalence and trends of induced abortions among unmarried women since the 1980s. Premarital pregnancy has become more and more common, and this has pushed the premarital abortion rate still higher. With the premarital abortion rate remaining markedly high in China, the percentage of women who have experienced premarital abortions has risen steadily with the passage of time. Not only has the prevalence of premarital abortions increased in China on the whole, but there is evidence that some young women have had multiple abortions. Premarital abortion is more prevalent in urban areas and among migrants and less-educated women. The huge number of premarital abortions not only signifies a palpable, unmet need for contraceptives, but also represents an immense number of unrealized births. In the years to come, it is imperative to strengthen research into premarital abortions, to optimize the approaches to data collection and analysis, and to improve reproductive health services for unmarried women.
The Constitutional Boundaries of European Fiscal Federalism
Authors: Gordon Brady
Published: April 2022

This book bridges the study of European constitutionalism with the study of 'fiscal federalism' – the subfield of public economics concerned with structuring public finances between different levels of government in federal states. On one axis, this book delves into European Union and Member State constitutional law from all EU Member States in order to investigate and identify the existence of permanent constitutional boundaries that will impinge upon the selection of proposed models for EU fiscal federalism. On the second axis, this book engages the study of fiscal federalism in order to determine which institutional configurations known to that field remain legally and economically implementable within those boundaries. It provides a far-reaching investigation of which models of fiscal federalism are compatible with the constitutional boundaries of the European legal order.
The Trump Self-Coup Attempt: Comparisons and Civil–Military Relations
Authors: Pion-Berlin David , Bruneau Thomas , Goetze Richard B.
Published: April 2022

The storming of the US Capitol building in January 2021 was a presidential attempt at a self-coup. To make the case, this article reviews elements of the Capitol assault and the events leading up to it, in light of the key conceptual components of a self-coup, and how those compare to attributes of other kinds of attacks on governments. The Trump self-coup will then be compared and contrasted empirically to other self-coups perpetrated by leaders. It is found that what separates successful self-coups from those that fail is whether the military backs the undertaking. Thus, a section is included on US military behaviour in response to Trump's attempts to gain military adherence for his political actions.
Associations between intakes of foods and their relations to overweight/obesity in 16-year-old adolescents
Authors: Tell Maria Norburg , Hedin Katarina , Nilsson Mats , Golsäter Marie , Lingfors Hans
Published: April 2022

There is limited knowledge about the associations between intakes of different foods and inconsistency in the literature of the relation between the quality of food intake and bodyweight in adolescents. The aim of this study is to explore how healthy self-reported food intakes are associated with each other and with overweight/obesity in adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study of seven cohorts of adolescents (n 13 451) who turned sixteen from 2009/2010 up to 2015/2016 and responded to a health questionnaire used by the School Health Services in southeast Sweden. Associations between intakes of ten self-reported foods as well as between food intakes and weight groups based on the International Obesity Task Force standards (isoBMI) were explored by multivariable logistic regression. Healthy intakes of different foods were mostly associated with each other with the strongest association between a high intake of fruit and a high intake of vegetables (odds ratio (OR) = 25 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 20⋅0–33⋅1)). A low-frequency intake of sweets/snacks (OR = 2⋅35 (95 % CI 1⋅84–3⋅00)) was associated with overweight/obesity as well as a healthy choice of butter/margarine (≤40 % fat) (OR = 1⋅82 (95 % CI 1⋅39 to 2⋅41)), but a high-frequency intake of vegetables was negatively associated with overweight/obesity 0⋅77 (0⋅62–0⋅95). To promote health and achieve a healthy weight among adolescents, it is important to take both diet quality and total food amount into consideration.