bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wearable Motion Capture System Evaluation for Biomechanical Studies for Hip Joints
Authors: Mihcin Senay , Ciklacandir Samet , Kocak Mertcan , Tosun Aliye
Published: December 2020

Human motion capture (MOCAP) systems are vital while determining the loads occurring at the joints. Most of the clinical MOCAP systems are very costly, requiring investment and infrastructure. Therefore, alternative technologies are in demand. In this study, a novel markerless wearable MOCAP system was assessed for its compatibility with a biomechanical modeling software. To collect evidence, experiments were designed in two stages for quantifying the range of motion (ROM) of the hip joint, in vitro and in vivo. Three constrained single-plane motions—abduction/adduction, flexion/extension, and internal/external rotation movements of the active leg—were analyzed. The data were collected from 14 healthy volunteers, using the wearable system and a medical grade optoelectronic MOCAP system simultaneously and compared against. For the in vitro study, the root-mean-square error (RMSE) for the abduction/adduction motion of the hip joint was calculated as 0.11 deg/0.30 deg and 0.11 deg/0.09 deg, respectively, for the wearable and the opto-electronic system. The in vivo Bland–Altman plots showed that the two system data are comparable. The simulation software is found compatible to run the simulations in offline mode. The wearable system could be utilized in the field of biomechanics software for running the kinetic simulations. The results demonstrated that the wearable system could be an alternative in the field of biomechanics based on the evidence collected.
Uncertainty Analysis of Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvesters Using a Finite Element Level-Based Maximum Entropy Approach
Authors: Wang X. Q. , Liao Yabin , Mignolet Marc P.
Published: December 2020

Quantifying effects of system-wide uncertainties (i.e., affecting structural, piezoelectric, and/or electrical components) in the analysis and design of piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters have recently been emphasized. The present investigation proposes first a general methodology to model these uncertainties within a finite element model of the harvester obtained from an existing finite element software. Needed from this software are the matrices relating to the structural properties (mass, stiffness), the piezoelectric capacitance matrix as well as the structural-piezoelectric coupling terms of the mean harvester. The thermal analogy linking piezoelectric and temperature effects is also extended to permit the use of finite element software that do not have piezoelectric elements but include thermal effects on structures. The approach is applied to a beam energy harvester. Both weak and strong coupling configurations are considered, and various scenarios of load resistance tuning are discussed, i.e., based on the mean model, for each harvester sample, or based on the entire set of harvesters. The uncertainty is shown to have significant effects in all cases even at a relatively low level, and these effects are dominated by the uncertainty on the structure versus the one on the piezoelectric component. The strongly coupled configuration is shown to be better as it is less sensitive to the uncertainty and its variability in power output can be significantly reduced by the adaptive optimization, and the harvested power can even be boosted if the target excitation frequency falls into the power saturation band of the system.
An Inerter-Based Dynamic Vibration Absorber With Concurrently Enhanced Energy Harvesting and Motion Control Performances Under Broadband Stochastic Excitation Via Inertance Amplification
Authors: Giaralis Agathoklis
Published: December 2020

This paper examines the performance of a regenerative dynamic vibration absorber, dubbed energy harvesting-enabled tuned mass-damper-inerter (EH-TMDI), for simultaneous vibration suppression and energy harvesting in white-noise-excited damped linear primary structures. Both single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structures under force and base excitations and multi-degrees-of-freedom (MDOF) structures under correlated random forces are studied. The EH-TMDI includes an electromagnetic motor (EM), assumed to behave as a shunt damper, sandwiched between a secondary mass and an inerter element connected in series. The latter element resists relative acceleration at its ends through a constant termed inertance known to be readily scalable in actual inerter device implementations. In this regard, attention is herein focused on gauging the available energy for harvesting at the EM and the displacement variance of the primary structure as the inertance increases through comprehensive parametric investigations. This is supported by adopting simplified inertance-dependent tuning formulae for the EH-TMDI stiffness and damping properties and deriving in closed-form the response of white-noise-excited EH-TMDI-equipped SDOF and MDOF systems through linear random vibration analyses. It is found that lightweight EH-TMDIs, having 1% the mass of the primary structure, achieve improved vibration suppression and energy harvesting performance as inertance amplifies. For SDOF structures with grounded inerter, the rate of improvement is higher as the inherent structural damping reduces and the EM shunt damping increases. For MDOF structures with nongrounded inerter, improvement rate is higher as the primary structure flexibility between the two EH-TMDI attachment points increases.
Fitness for Service Assessment of a Propylene Heat Exchanger Subjected to Fire Damage
Authors: Shao Shanshan , Cao Luowei , Jia Guodong , Han Zhiyuan
Published: December 2020

Pressurized equipments maybe deform partially or wholly, and the mechanical properties of the construction material would be degraded due to a fire event. Fitness for service assessment can help to minimize reconstruction costs and allow safe resumption of unit operation as fast as possible. A propylene heat exchanger was exposed to overheating for about 3 hours due to a fire accident five or six meters far away. A fitness for service assessment was conducted according to API 579-1/ASME FFS-1. The material of the propylene heat exchanger is 09MnNiDR. The possible damage was examined by dimensional checks, hardness testing, in-situ field metallography, ultrasonic testing and magnetic particle testing. The heat exposure temperature of the propylene heat exchanger during the fire accident was estimated through the comparison between the results of in-situ field metallography examination and heat exposure simulation experiments. The heat exposure zones were identified based on the results of visual inspection and conjectural heat exposure temperature. The level 2 assessment was adopted to evaluate the heat exposure zones of V and VI. The approximate ultimate tensile strengths for the shell and the eastern head were converted from the hardness testing results. The caculated MAWP of the shell side is higher than the design pressure of the heat exchanger. The finite element method was adopted to evaluate the influence of the bulge in the upper part of the shell. The analytical results showed that the bulge had no significant effect on the operation of the heat exchanger before next inspection.
Fracture Toughness Characterization in the Transition and Ductile Regime of an A508 Type Weld Metal With the Mini-CT Geometry Before and After Irradiation
Authors: Lambrecht Marlies , Chaouadi Rachid , Uytdenhouwen Inge , Gérard Robert
Published: December 2020

The mini-CT geometry is being adopted worldwide for application to measure the fracture toughness properties. This geometry is particularly adapted for irradiated materials given the limited space available for irradiation in high flux material test reactors such as the BR2 reactor. A series of twenty (20) mini-CT specimens taken from an A508-type weld were irradiated in the BR2 reactor at 290 °C to a fluence level of ∼5 × 1019 n/cm2, E > 1MeV. They were precracked and 20 % side grooved before irradiation. In parallel, twenty four (24) unirradiated mini-CT specimens were available for testing.

The main objective of this paper is to measure fracture toughness in the transition and ductile regime before and after irradiation and to compare the results with low flux surveillance data.
Further Development of Fatigue Crack Growth Expressions for Austenitic Stainless Steels in PWR Water and Additional Validation of the WTKR Method
Authors: Mann Jonathan , Currie Chris , Borg Jennifer , Platts Norman
Published: December 2020

The primary water environment in a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) can have a significantly detrimental effect on the Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG) rates of Austenitic Stainless Steels. Expressions to describe FCG in these materials are provided in ASME Code Case N-809, which was based on results from tests performed under isothermal, simple waveform loading. A previous re-analysis of a much larger database of FCG results highlighted improvements to the N-809 model for nominally low carbon material grades. For non-isothermal and/or complex mechanical loading conditions, further improvements of the prediction of FCG rates were demonstrated by using the Weighted Temperature and K-Rate (WTKR) method. The combined use of improved FCG expressions and the WTKR method is expected to provide significant reductions in over-conservatism when used to assess plant-realistic loading transients.

This paper describes the further development of revised expressions to describe the effect of PWR environments on FCG in austenitic stainless steels. The analysis is extended to a wider range of different types of stainless steel, including nominally high carbon 304 variants and 316-type materials. The analysis highlights that previously specified differences in FCG behaviour between nominally low and high carbon materials are minimal, and that 316-type materials exhibit improved performance in these environments.

Further testing has also been performed using non-isothermal and complex waveform loading conditions, and these results are used as additional validation of the WTKR methodology.
Application of ASME Code Section XI Appendix L Using 3-D Finite Element Analyses
Authors: Fourcade Charles , Fong Minji , Axline James , Shim Do Jun , Lohse Chris , Tomes Charles , Farooq Mohammed
Published: December 2020

As part of a fatigue management program for subsequent license renewal, a flaw tolerance evaluation based on ASME Code, Section XI, Appendix L may be performed. The current ASME Code, Section XI, Appendix L flaw tolerance methodology requires determination of the flaw aspect ratio for initial flaw size calculation. The flaw aspect ratios listed in ASME Section XI, Appendix L, Table L-3210-2, for austenitic piping for example, are listed as a function of the membrane-to-gradient cyclic stress ratio. The Code does not explicitly describe how to determine the ratio, especially when utilizing complex finite element analyses (FEA), involving different loading conditions (i.e. thermal transients, piping loads, pressure, etc.). The intent of the paper is to describe the methods being employed to determine the membrane-to-gradient cyclic stress ratios, and the corresponding flaw aspect ratios (a/l) listed in Table L-3210-2, when using finite element analysis methodology. Included will be a sample Appendix L evaluation, using finite element analysis of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) pressurizer surge line, including crack growth calculations for circumferential flaws in stainless steel piping. Based on this example, it has been demonstrated that, unless correctly separated, the membrane-to-gradient cyclic stress ratios can result in extremely long initial flaw lengths, and correspondingly short crack growth durations.
An Assessment of Uncertainty in Design Factors and Strain-Rate Inputs for Environmentally-Assisted Fatigue and Related Margins
Authors: Garud Y. S.
Published: December 2020

In the case of ASME Class 1 pressure vessels and piping code, as in other similar codes, the design adequacy for fatigue is based on the cumulative usage factor (CUF), with recent augmentation to account for possible environmental effects. This deterministic quantification utilizes several engineering parameters (inputs) and (multiplicative) empirical factors. Although the fixed values of some of these design factors and S–N curves are based on underlying experimental data, the associated uncertainties are not explicit in the resulting fatigue assessment that is effectively based on the singular, calculated quantities of CUF and Fen, projected for a specified service. As such, the resulting fatigue margin and associated conservatism remain implicit or inconsistent and unquantifiable.

At the same time, there is an increased demand for either extending the life of existing systems or for new systems with economically viable or better optimized fatigue designs. One approach to address this is to use a more realistic evaluation offered by probabilistic techniques that take into account the various uncertainties. Such an approach to supplement the deterministic analysis was recently proposed by the author keeping the existing and familiar framework of CUF based assessment, while satisfying acceptable component reliability to meet the fatigue design adequacy. The CUF formulation includes an explicit consideration of the k-factors (for material, loading history, surface and size effects) as adjustments to the S–N data. The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of k-factors and their uncertainty on the failure probability and on the number of load-cycles for specified target reliability. Also, similar assessment is made for the impact of strain-rate variable and its uncertainty on the allowable load-cycles. This is illustrated with a typical application of the CUF analysis of a safety injection nozzle safe-end. The approach taken consists of parametric analysis of the CUF-based probability of failure by individually removing the factors and/or their uncertainty, and comparing the results with the base case where all factors and associated uncertainties are maintained at their original values. Results of this analysis and their implications are discussed, along with a generally applicable relation between the deterministic CUF and the probability of failure.
Example Application of Code Case N-894 Rules for Weld Overlay of Thermal Fatigue Cracking
Authors: Lohse Christopher , Bax Richard , Fong Minji , Fourcade Charles , Shim Do Jun
Published: December 2020

The ASME Code, Section XI is working on guidance for application of weld overlay repairs to repair thermal fatigue cracking in nuclear piping systems. This new guidance will eventually be published as Code Case N-894 with the original technical basis in PVP2019-93360. Weld overlays have been extensively used in boiling water reactors (BWRs) and pressurized water reactors (PWRs) to mitigate stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The weld overlays applied to date mitigate SCC by putting the flaw into compression and they use materials that are resistant to SCC. Mitigation of thermal fatigue requires the crack to be in compression so that it does not achieve tensile cycling under the thermal fatigue loading condition. Code Case N-894 allows for the use of either stainless steel or nickel alloy filler metals to repair thermal fatigue flaws. This paper will evaluate the use of both filler metals for the weld overlay process to assess the performance difference between the two filler metals such that the welding advantages of stainless steel over nickel alloys can be quantified. Specifically, this paper assesses the residual stress state difference for nominal sized weld overlays on a six-inch pipe. Various cyclic thermal loading conditions are postulated, and the stress intensity factors are determined for both filler metals to assess the difference in mitigation of thermal fatigue flaws.
Anomalous enhancement of focused ion beam etching by single raster propagating toward ion beam at glancing incidence
Authors: Favata Joseph , Ray Valery , Shahbazmohamadi Sina
Published: December 2020

Focused ion beam (FIB) sample preparation for electron microscopy often requires large volumes of materials to be removed. Prior efforts to increase the rate of bulk material removal were mainly focused on increasing the primary ion beam current. Enhanced yield of etching at glancing ion beam incidence is known but has not found widespread use in practical applications. In this study, etching at glancing ion beam incidence was explored for its advantages in increasing the rate of bulk material removal. Anomalous enhancement of material removal at glancing angles of ion beam incidence was observed with single-raster etching in along-the-slope direction with toward-FIB direction of raster propagation. Material removal was inhibited in an away-from-FIB direction of raster propagation. The effects of glancing angles and ion doses on depth of cut and volume of removed materials were also recorded. We demonstrated that the combination of single-raster FIB etching at glancing incidence in along-the-slope direction with toward-FIB raster propagation and a “staircase” type of etching strategy holds promise for reducing the processing time for bulk material removal in FIB sample preparation applications.
Ultrasound super resolution imaging of nanodroplets with a multi-frequency hemispherical phased array
Authors: Deng Lulu , Lea-Banks Harriet , Jones Ryan , O'Reilly Meaghan , An Ran , Hynynen Kullervo
Published: December 2020

High resolution imaging of microvasculature is desirable for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the brain. Here, we investigated the use of a 256-module sparse hemispherical transducer array to map the emissions of lipid-coated Decafluorobutane nanodroplets (∼210 ± 80 nm, 107–109 droplets/ml) flowing through tube phantoms (0.8 mm inner diameter). Each array module comprised 4 concentric cylindrical PZT-4 elements (55/306/612/1224 kHz). Droplets were vaporized at 55 kHz (0.10–0.18 MPa, 145 μs bursts every 2 s) and the resulting emissions were received on either the 306, 612 or 1224 kHz subarrays. Low-resolution 3-D images were formed using delay-and-sum passive beamforming, and super-resolved images were obtained via Gaussian fitting of the estimated point-spread-function to the low-resolution data. With super-resolution techniques, the mean lateral (axial) full-width-at-half-maximum image intensity was 35 ± 6 (67 ± 11), 16 ± 3 (32 ± 6), and 7 ± 1 (15 ± 2) μm from 160 (2970), 241 (2970), and 117 (4950) vaporization events (total frames), corresponding to ∼1/85 of normal resolution at 306, 612 and 1224 kHz, respectively. The mean positional uncertainties were ∼1/350 (lateral) and ∼1/180 (axial) of the receive wavelength in water. The pressure threshold for vaporization detection increased with increasing receive frequency. This study demonstrates the feasibility of mapping vaporized nanodroplets with passive beamforming and super-resolution imaging techniques.
Prediction of long-range infrasound propagation from tornadoes based on new atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel experiments
Authors: Zhang Tianshu , Miller Steven A. , Ojeda Mariel T. , Gurley Kurtis
Published: December 2020

Tornadoes generate infrasonic noise that propagates over long distances. NOAA is developing tornado early warning systems via infrasound microphone arrays. Accurate detection must be coupled with a propagation algorithm that accounts for infrasound distortion due to the effects of atmospheric turbulence. Numerical solutions of the generalized Burgers' equation and the acoustic ray equations are used to predict changes to infrasonic tornado noise within the turbulent atmosphere. The effects of nonlinearity, refraction, attenuation, dispersion, and scattering are captured by the solver. We define a new parameter to model the alteration of infrasound that depends on atmospheric turbulence. Turbulent kinetic energy, integral length scale, integral time scale, and local speed of sound are arguments of the model and vary along each ray path. A series of tests are designed and conducted at the University of Florida Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel to calibrate and validate the model at scale. Predictions show satisfactory agreement with measurements with varying wind speed, turbulence intensity, humidity, and temperature. Finally, we present a parametric study for propagation of sinusoidal signals at 90 dB and 7 Hz in regions of the United States using realistic weather.
A gamified Motherese-based method for teaching the expression of emotion in English to speakers of tonal languages
Authors: Mosseri Natalie
Published: December 2020

Tonal languages employ different F0 contours to produce linguistic contrasts. Studies suggest native tone language speakers use a more restricted F0 range for expressing emotions in English (Annoli et al., 2008, Chong etal., 2015). These differences can create communication difficulties between foreign and native speakers, obscuring the paralinguistic content of their messages. However, intonation training, specifically the expression of emotion, are rarely practiced in ESL classrooms. We test a novel method of teaching intonation without direct native speaker instruction by having learners imitate exaggerated (Motherese-like) sad, happy, and angry sentences, in a gamified format presenting them with appropriate smiley faces. Following training, the participants were tested by reading new sentences in the absence of audio prompts. We included a non-exaggerated version of the stimuli to serve as a control group. The study is currently underway, with 12 ESL learners already tested (target sample size = 24). We scored the non-native productions perceptually, assessing accuracy (the match between perceived emotion and intended emotion). We also visually compared the participants' pitch tracks with those of the native model speech. Both measures converge in revealing the Motherese-based method results in increased accuracy of the various emotions, compared to the method using natural recordings.
Histone H3.3 beyond cancer: Germline mutations in
Histone 3 Family 3A and 3B
cause a previously unidentified neurodegenerative disorder in 46 patients
Authors: Bryant Laura , Li Dong , Cox Samuel G. , Marchione Dylan , Joiner Evan F. , Wilson Khadija , Janssen Kevin , Lee Pearl , March Michael E. , Nair Divya , Sherr Elliott , Fregeau Brieana , Wierenga Klaas J. , Wadley Alexandrea , Mancini Grazia M. S. , Powell-Hamilton Nina , van de Kamp Jiddeke , Grebe Theresa , Dean John , Ross Alison , Crawford Heather P. , Powis Zoe , Cho Megan T. , Willing Marcia C. , Manwaring Linda , Schot Rachel , Nava Caroline , Afenjar Alexandra , Lessel Davor , Wagner Matias , Klopstock Thomas , Winkelmann Juliane , Catarino Claudia B. , Retterer Kyle , Schuette Jane L. , Innis Jeffrey W. , Pizzino Amy , Lüttgen Sabine , Denecke Jonas , Strom Tim M. , Monaghan Kristin G. ,   DDD Study, Yuan Zuo-Fei , Dubbs Holly , Bend Renee , Lee Jennifer A. , Lyons Michael J. , Hoefele Julia , Günthner Roman , Reutter Heiko , Keren Boris , Radtke Kelly , Sherbini Omar , Mrokse Cameron , Helbig Katherine L. , Odent Sylvie , Cogne Benjamin , Mercier Sandra , Bezieau Stephane , Besnard Thomas , Kury Sebastien , Redon Richard , Reinson Karit , Wojcik Monica H. , Õunap Katrin , Ilves Pilvi , Innes A. Micheil , Kernohan Kristin D. ,   Care4Rare Canada Consortium, Costain Gregory , Meyn M. Stephen , Chitayat David , Zackai Elaine , Lehman Anna , Kitson Hilary ,   CAUSES Study, Martin Martin G. , Martinez-Agosto Julian A. ,   Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Nelson Stan F. , Palmer Christina G. S. , Papp Jeanette C. , Parker Neil H. , Sinsheimer Janet S. , Vilain Eric , Wan Jijun , Yoon Amanda J. , Zheng Allison , Brimble Elise , Ferrero Giovanni Battista , Radio Francesca Clementina , Carli Diana , Barresi Sabina , Brusco Alfredo , Tartaglia Marco , Thomas Jennifer Muncy , Umana Luis , Weiss Marjan M. , Gotway Garrett , Stuurman K. E. , Thompson Michelle L. , McWalter Kirsty , Stumpel Constance T. R. M. , Stevens Servi J. C. , Stegmann Alexander P. A. , Tveten Kristian , Vøllo Arve , Prescott Trine , Fagerberg Christina , Laulund Lone Walentin , Larsen Martin J. , Byler Melissa , Lebel Robert Roger , Hurst Anna C. , Dean Joy , Schrier Vergano Samantha A. , Norman Jennifer , Mercimek-Andrews Saadet , Neira Juanita , Van Allen Margot I. , Longo Nicola , Sellars Elizabeth , Louie Raymond J. , Cathey Sara S. , Brokamp Elly , Heron Delphine , Snyder Molly , Vanderver Adeline , Simon Celeste , de la Cruz Xavier , Padilla Natália , Crump J. Gage , Chung Wendy , Garcia Benjamin , Hakonarson Hakon H. , Bhoj Elizabeth J.
Published: December 2020

Germ line mutations in H3F3A and H3F3B cause a previously unidentified neurodevelopmental syndrome.
Mud on the move
Authors: Malakoff David , Desai Nirja , Liu Xing
Published: December 2020

A graphical look at the world of mud.
Next up: a phone powered by microbial wires?
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Electric bacteria show potential for a wide range of practical applications.
Abrupt CO
2
release to the atmosphere under glacial and early interglacial climate conditions
Authors: Nehrbass-Ahles C. , Shin J. , Schmitt J. , Bereiter B. , Joos F. , Schilt A. , Schmidely L. , Silva L. , Teste G. , Grilli R. , Chappellaz J. , Hodell D. , Fischer H. , Stocker T. F.
Published: December 2020

Pulses of the past

Bursts of carbon dioxide, released into the atmosphere and occurring on centennial time scales, were seen during the cold periods of the last glacial cycle but not in older or warmer conditions. Nehrbass-Ahles
et al.
present a record of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations retrieved from the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica Dome C ice core showing that these carbon dioxide jumps occurred during both cold and warm periods between 330,000 and 450,000 years ago. They relate these pulses to disruptions of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation caused by freshwater discharge from ice sheets. Such rapid carbon dioxide increases could occur in the future if global warming also disrupts this ocean circulation pattern.

Science
, this issue p.
1000
An orally available non-nucleotide STING agonist with antitumor activity
Authors: Pan Bo-Sheng , Perera Samanthi A. , Piesvaux Jennifer A. , Presland Jeremy P. , Schroeder Gottfried K. , Cumming Jared N. , Trotter B. Wesley , Altman Michael D. , Buevich Alexei V. , Cash Brandon , Cemerski Saso , Chang Wonsuk , Chen Yiping , Dandliker Peter J. , Feng Guo , Haidle Andrew , Henderson Timothy , Jewell James , Kariv Ilona , Knemeyer Ian , Kopinja Johnny , Lacey Brian M. , Laskey Jason , Lesburg Charles A. , Liang Rui , Long Brian J. , Lu Min , Ma Yanhong , Minnihan Ellen C. , O’Donnell Greg , Otte Ryan , Price Laura , Rakhilina Larissa , Sauvagnat Berengere , Sharma Sharad , Tyagarajan Sriram , Woo Hyun , Wyss Daniel F. , Xu Serena , Bennett David Jonathan , Addona George H.
Published: December 2020

Targeting STING for cancer therapy

Activation of the STING (stimulator of interferon genes) protein by cyclic dinucleotide metabolites plays a critical role in antitumor immunity. The development of synthetic STING agonists is therefore being pursued as a strategy for cancer therapy, but the inherent instability of dinucleotides has limited current efforts. Pan
et al.
and Chin
et al.
identified stable STING agonists that act in a “closed” conformation similar to the natural STING ligand, cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate (see the Perspective by Gajewski and Higgs). The small molecules can be given orally—an advantage over previously developed STING agonists, which required intratumoral administration. After oral or systemic administration in mice, the agonists activated STING and diverse immune cell types to promote antitumor immunity. These studies represent progress toward clinically viable STING agonists for cancer immunotherapy.

Science
, this issue p.
eaba6098
, p.
993
; see also p.
921
Shaping colloidal bananas to reveal biaxial, splay-bend nematic, and smectic phases
Authors: Fernández-Rico Carla , Chiappini Massimiliano , Yanagishima Taiki , de Sousa Heidi , Aarts Dirk G. A. L. , Dijkstra Marjolein , Dullens Roel P. A.
Published: December 2020

Controlling the curvature

Molecular chirality is often required to make chiral liquid crystalline phases, but liquid crystallinity has also been obtained using curved elongated rods known as bent-core or banana-shaped molecules. Fernández-Rico
et al.
developed a method to controllably alter the curvature of the rods using ultraviolet light and a photoresponsive polymer (see the Perspective by Godinho). From a single starting batch can come a family of rods with different curvatures but similar overall rod thickness, length, and length distribution. The researchers explored a range of liquid crystalline phases, including the splay-bend nematic phase that was predicted more than 40 years ago.

Science
, this issue p.
950
; see also p.
918
Nonlinearity-induced photonic topological insulator
Authors: Maczewsky Lukas J. , Heinrich Matthias , Kremer Mark , Ivanov Sergey K. , Ehrhardt Max , Martinez Franklin , Kartashov Yaroslav V. , Konotop Vladimir V. , Torner Lluis , Bauer Dieter , Szameit Alexander
Published: December 2020

Switching on topology

Ways to control and design topological features in various systems are being studied intensively because the resulting properties tend to be robust against things such as scattering and defects, endowing the system with topological protection. Maczewsky
et al.
now look to another regime in optics to show that optical nonlinearity can induce a topological change in the properties of a photonic lattice. At low excitation power, probe light uniformly leaks into the rest of the lattice, an optically trivial phase. Above a threshold power, optical nonlinearity induces a topological change in the properties of the photonic lattice, and probe light is confined to propagate along the edge of the structure. These results illustrate a route to dynamically control the propagation of light.

Science
, this issue p.
701
Transomics analysis reveals allosteric and gene regulation axes for altered hepatic glucose-responsive metabolism in obesity
Authors: Kokaji Toshiya , Hatano Atsushi , Ito Yuki , Yugi Katsuyuki , Eto Miki , Morita Keigo , Ohno Satoshi , Fujii Masashi , Hironaka Ken-ichi , Egami Riku , Terakawa Akira , Tsuchiya Takaho , Ozaki Haruka , Inoue Hiroshi , Uda Shinsuke , Kubota Hiroyuki , Suzuki Yutaka , Ikeda Kazutaka , Arita Makoto , Matsumoto Masaki , Nakayama Keiichi I. , Hirayama Akiyoshi , Soga Tomoyoshi , Kuroda Shinya
Published: December 2020

Obesity shifts glucose-responsive hepatic metabolism from rapid regulation by metabolites to slower changes in gene expression.
Unlike LGR4, LGR5 potentiates Wnt–β-catenin signaling without sequestering E3 ligases
Authors: Park Soohyun , Wu Ling , Tu Jianghua , Yu Wangsheng , Toh Yukimatsu , Carmon Kendra S. , Liu Qingyun J.
Published: December 2020

LGR5 does not potentiate Wnt signaling by inhibiting the E3 ligases RNF43 and ZNRF3.
Variation in very preterm extrauterine growth in a European multicountry cohort
Authors: El Rafei Rym , Jarreau Pierre-Henri , Norman Mikael , Maier Rolf Felix , Barros Henrique , Reempts Patrick Van , Pedersen Pernille , Cuttini Marina , Zeitlin Jennifer
Published: December 2020

Objective

Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) among very preterm infants is related to poor neurodevelopment, but lack of consensus on EUGR measurement constrains international research. Our aim was to compare EUGR prevalence in a European very preterm cohort using commonly used measures.

Design

Population-based observational study.

Setting

19 regions in 11 European countries.

Patients

6792 very preterm infants born before 32 weeks’ gestational age (GA) surviving to discharge.

Main outcome measures

We investigated two measures based on discharge-weight percentiles with (1) Fenton and (2) Intergrowth (IG) charts and two based on growth velocity (1) birth weight and discharge-weight Z-score differences using Fenton charts and (2) weight-gain velocity using Patel’s model. We estimated country-level relative risks of EUGR adjusting for maternal and neonatal characteristics and associations with population differences in healthy newborn size, measured by mean national birth weight at 40 weeks’ GA.

Results

About twofold differences in EUGR prevalence were observed between countries for all indicators and these persisted after case-mix adjustment. Discharge weight <10th percentile using Fenton charts varied from 24% (Sweden) to 60% (Portugal) and using IG from 13% (Sweden) to 43% (Portugal), while low weight-gain velocity ranged from 35% (Germany) to 62% (UK). Mean term birth weight strongly correlated with both percentile-based measures (Spearman’s rho=−0.90 Fenton, −0.84 IG, p<0.01), but not Patel’s weight-gain velocity (rho: −0.38, p=0.25).

Conclusions

Very preterm infants have a high prevalence of EUGR, with wide variations between countries in Europe. Variability associated with mean term birth weight when using common postnatal growth charts complicates international benchmarking.
TT-Topper: a low-cost infection barrier for tracheostomies
Authors: Gomez Gaurav , Thomas Samuel , Zachariah Kurian
Published: December 2020

A simple, practical, low cost barrier device is presented called the TT-Topper (Tracheostomy Tube Topper) to protect healthcare professionals and other caregivers from droplet infection via tracheostomies. The testing of the device using an ultraviolet lit simulation is also demonstrated. The TT-Topper was found to be very effective in curbing droplet spread. It could be used with ease in the community as well as in the hospital setting and could potentially be an adjunct to routine protection standards in clinical care.
Do childhood socioeconomic circumstances moderate the association between childhood cognitive ability and all-cause mortality across the life course? Prospective observational study of the 36-day sample of the Scottish Mental Survey 1947
Authors: Iveson Matthew Henry , Altschul Drew , Deary Ian
Published: December 2020

Background

There is growing evidence that higher childhood cognitive ability predicts lower all-cause mortality risk across the life course. Whereas this association does not appear to be mediated by childhood socioeconomic circumstances, it is unclear whether socioeconomic circumstances moderate this association.

Methods

The moderating role of childhood socioeconomic circumstances was assessed in 5318 members of the 36-day sample of the Scottish Mental Survey 1947. Univariate, sex-adjusted and age-adjusted, and mutually adjusted Cox models predicting all-cause mortality risk up to age 79 years were created using childhood IQ scores and childhood social class as predictors. Moderation was assessed by adding an interaction term between IQ scores and social class and comparing model fit.

Results

An SD advantage in childhood IQ scores (HR=0.83, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.86, p<0.001) and a single-class advantage in childhood social class (HR=0.92, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.97, p<0.001) independently predicted lower mortality risk. Adding the IQ–social class interaction effect did not improve model fit (χ2Δ=1.36, p=0.24), and the interaction effect did not predict mortality risk (HR=1.03, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.07, p=0.25).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that the association between higher childhood cognitive ability and lower all-cause mortality risk is not conditional on childhood social class. Whereas other measures of socioeconomic circumstances may play a moderating role, these findings suggest that the benefits of higher childhood cognitive ability for longevity apply regardless of the material socioeconomic circumstances experienced in childhood.
How do cancer screening guidelines trade off benefits versus harms and burdens of screening? A systematic survey
Authors: Zeng Linan , Helsingen Lise Mørkved , Kenji Nampo Fernando , Wang Yuting , Yao Liang , Siemieniuk Reed Alexander , Bretthauer Michael , Guyatt Gordon H
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Cancer screening guidelines differ in their recommendations for or against screening. To be able to provide explicit recommendations, guidelines need to specify thresholds for the magnitude of benefits of screening, given its harms and burdens. We evaluated how current cancer screening guidelines address the relative importance of benefits versus harms and burdens of screening.

Data source

We searched the Guidelines International Network, International Guideline Library, ECRI Institute and Medline. Two pairs of reviewers independently performed guideline selection and data abstraction.

Eligibility criteria

We included all cancer screening guidelines published in English between January 2014 and April 2019.

Results

Of 68 eligible guidelines, 25 included a statement regarding the trade-off between screening benefits versus harms and burdens (14 guidelines), or a statement of direction of the net effect (defined as benefits minus harms or burdens) (13 guidelines). None of these 25 guidelines defined how large a screening benefit should be to recommend screening, given its harms and burdens. 11 guidelines performed an economic evaluation of screening. Of these, six identified a key benefit outcome; two specified a cost-effectiveness threshold for recommending a screening option. Eight guidelines commented on people’s values and preferences regarding the trade-off between benefits versus harms and burdens.

Conclusions

Current cancer screening guidelines fail to specify the values and preferences underlying their recommendations. No guidelines provide a threshold at which they believe the benefits of screening outweigh its harms and burdens.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019138590.
Functional MRI in the effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for patients with schizophrenia: a meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Zhong Siqian , Hu Yiru , Fu Yu , Cao Liping , Zhang Bin
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric illness associated with brain function alterations and varying degree of treatment resistance, often leading to severe social malfunctioning. In recent decades, numerous studies have been investigating the therapeutic potential of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a non-invasive therapy for schizophrenia. However, its clinical efficacy remains controversial, as a number of clinical trials indicated moderate therapeutic effect while others failed to reproduce the positive result. Moreover, the neurobiological mechanism of action remains unclear, possibly constricting the application of TMS in clinical practice. The present protocol of meta-analysis aims to investigate the TMS-related functional neuroimaging (ie, functional MRI) features and alterations in subjects with schizophrenia, and to discuss the potential of functional MRI in TMS researches.

Methods and analysis

The study selection process will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Meta-Analyses guideline and quality assessment will be conducted with a customised checklist. We plan to search in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, OVID, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data, from their respective dates of inception to 1 May 2020, with language restricted to English and Chinese. Studies focusing on the brain functional alterations in patients with schizophrenia treated by TMS will be retrieved.

Ethics and dissemination

This work does not require ethics approval as it will be based on published studies. This systematic review will be publicly disseminated in peer-reviewed journals.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020166288.
Restaurant interventions for salt reduction in China: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Du Wenwen , Zhang Jiguo , Li Yuan , He Feng J , Zhou Xue , Xu Zhihua , Gao Yifu , Yin Lei , Chang Xiaoyu , Yan Wei , Tan Monique , MacGregor Graham A , Luo Rong , Zhang Puhong , Wang Huijun
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Salt intake in China is high, and most of it comes from that added by consumers. Nevertheless, recent years have seen a rapid increase in the frequency at which people eat out. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions designed for salt reduction in restaurants through a randomised controlled trial in China.

Methods and analysis

As a randomised controlled trial with restaurants as study subjects, we recruited 192 restaurants from 12 counties of 6 provinces in China. After the baseline survey, restaurants were randomly assigned to intervention or control group. Using social cognitive theory, comprehensive intervention activities were designed to encourage salt reduction in all restaurant foods, and at the same time, to encourage consumers to choose lower salt options when eating out. The interventions will be conducted only in restaurants of the intervention group during the first year. The follow-up assessment will be conducted at the end of the trial. The primary outcome is the change in the average salt content of the five best-selling dishes of the restaurant, as measured by laboratory tests. Secondary outcomes include differences in the monthly use of salt and salty condiments between intervention and control restaurants, and the knowledge, attitude and practice on salt among restaurant consumers.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was reviewed and approved by the Review Board of the National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Queen Mary Research Ethics Committee. Results will be disseminated through presentations, publications and social media.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1800019694; Pre-results.
Feasibility and acceptability study on the use of a smartphone application to facilitate balance training in the ageing population
Authors: Papi Enrica , Chiou Shin-Yi , McGregor Alison H
Published: December 2020

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of using an app-based technology to train balance in the older population.

Design

Prospective feasibility study.

Setting

The study was conducted in a university setting and participants’ homes.

Participants

Thirty-five volunteers ≥55 years old were recruited.

Intervention

Participants were asked to follow a balance exercise programme 7 days a week for 3 weeks using a phone application. Seventeen participants trained for a further 3 weeks.

Outcome measures

Postural sway measures during quiet standing with feet at shoulder width apart and feet together, one leg standing and tandem stance were measured at baseline, and at the end of the 3 and 6 training weeks; the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) assessed participants’ physical activity level before training; and app acceptability was recorded using a user experience questionnaire.

Results

Participants on the 3 and 6-week programme on average completed 20 (±5) and 38 (±11) days of training, respectively, and all scored moderate to high on the IPAQ. Between baseline and the 3-week assessments, statistically significant improvements were observed for anteroposterior sway, mediolateral sway, sway area during tandem stance, for anteroposterior sway during one leg standing and for sway area during feet together stance. Improvements were observed at 6 week compared with baseline but those between 3 and 6 weeks were not significant. Based on the questionnaire, participants reported that the app is an appropriate tool for balance training (77%), they reported benefits from the training (50%) and found it easy to fit it into daily routine (88%).

Conclusion

The high level of adherence and improvements observed in the analysed measures demonstrate the feasibility of using an app to train balance in moderately to highly physically active older participants. This demonstrates that given appropriate tools the older population is positive towards and receptive of digital interventions aimed to improve balance.
Healthcare for migrant workers in destination countries: a comparative qualitative study of China and Malaysia
Authors: Loganathan Tharani , Rui Deng , Pocock Nicola Suyin
Published: December 2020

Objectives

This paper explores policies addressing migrant worker’s health and barriers to healthcare access in two middle-income, destination countries in Asia with cross-border migration to Yunnan province, China and international migration to Malaysia.

Design

Qualitative interviews were conducted in Rui Li City and Tenchong County in Yunnan Province, China (n=23) and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (n=44), along with review of policy documents. Data were thematically analysed.

Participants

Participants were migrant workers and key stakeholders with expertise in migrant issues including representatives from international organisations, local civil society organisations, government agencies, medical professionals, academia and trade unions.

Results

Migrant health policies at destination countries were predominantly protectionist, concerned with preventing transmission of communicable disease and the excessive burden on health systems. In China, foreign wives were entitled to state-provided maternal health services while female migrant workers had to pay out-of-pocket and often returned to Myanmar for deliveries. In Malaysia, immigration policies prohibit migrant workers from pregnancy, however, women do deliver at healthcare facilities. Mandatory HIV testing was imposed on migrants in both countries, where it was unclear whether and how informed consent was obtained from migrants. Migrants who did not pass mandatory health screenings in Malaysia would runaway rather than be deported and become undocumented in the process. Excessive attention on migrant workers with communicable disease control campaigns in China resulted in inadvertent stigmatisation. Language and financial barriers frustrated access to care in both countries. Reported conditions of overcrowding and inadequate healthcare access at immigration detention centres raise public health concern.

Conclusions

This study’s findings inform suggestions to mainstream the protection of migrant workers’ health within national health policies in two middle-income destination countries, to ensure that health systems are responsive to migrants’ needs as well as to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation towards ensuring better migration management.
Randomised controlled trial for high-dose intravenous zinc as adjunctive therapy in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) positive critically ill patients: trial protocol
Authors: Perera Marlon , El Khoury John , Chinni Vidyasagar , Bolton Damien , Qu Liang , Johnson Paul , Trubiano Jason , McDonald Christine F , Jones Daryl , Bellomo Rinaldo , Patel Oneel , Ischia Joseph
Published: December 2020

Introduction

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has caused an international pandemic of respiratory illness, resulting in significant healthcare and economic turmoil. To date, no robust vaccine or treatment has been identified. Elemental zinc has previously been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on coronaviruses and other viral respiratory infections due to its effect on RNA polymerase. Additionally, zinc has well-demonstrated protective effects against hypoxic injury—a clear mechanism of end-organ injury in respiratory distress syndrome. We aimed to assess the effect of high-dose intravenous zinc (HDIVZn) on SARS-CoV-2 infection. The end of study analyses will evaluate the reduction of impact of oxygen saturations or requirement of oxygen supplementation.

Methods and analysis

We designed a double-blind randomised controlled trial of daily HDIVZn (0.5 mg/kg) versus placebo. Primary outcome measures are lowest oxygen saturation (or greatest level of supplemental oxygenation) for non-ventilated patients and worst PaO2/FiO2for ventilated patients. Following power calculations, 60 hospitalised patients and 100 ventilated patients will be recruited to demonstrate a 20% difference. The duration of follow-up is up to the point of discharge.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained through the independent Human Research Ethics Committee. Participant recruitment will commence in May 2020. Results will be published in peer-reviewed medical journals.

Trial registration number

ACTRN126200000454976.