bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A revision of maximal oxygen consumption and exercise capacity at altitude 70 years after the first climb of Mount Everest
Authors: Ferretti Guido , Strapazzon Giacomo
Published: February 2024

On the 70th anniversary of the first climb of Mount Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay, we discuss the physiological bases of climbing Everest with or without supplementary oxygen. After summarizing the data of the 1953 expedition and the effects of oxygen administration, we analyse the reasons why Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler succeeded without supplementary oxygen in 1978. The consequences of this climb for physiology are briefly discussed. An overall analysis of maximal oxygen consumption () at altitude follows. In this section, we discuss the reasons for the non‐linear fall of at altitude, we support the statement that it is a mirror image of the oxygen equilibrium curve, and we propose an analogue of Hill's model of the oxygen equilibrium curve to analyse the fall. In the following section, we discuss the role of the ventilatory and pulmonary resistances to oxygen flow in limiting , which becomes progressively greater while moving toward higher altitudes. On top of Everest, these resistances provide most of the limitation, and the oxygen equilibrium curve and the respiratory system provide linear responses. This phenomenon is more accentuated in athletes with elevated , due to exercise‐induced arterial hypoxaemia. The large differences in that we observe at sea level disappear at altitude. There is no need for a very high at sea level to climb the highest peaks on Earth.

image
A New Physics-Informed Condition Indicator for Cost-Effective Direct Current Solenoid Valves Using Significant Points of the Excitation Current
Authors: Maurelli Luca , Mazzoleni Mirko , Previdi Fabio , Camisani Andrea
Published: February 2024

This paper proposes a new condition indicator (CI) for cost-effective industrial direct current (DC)-powered solenoid valves (SVs). First, a literature review of the failure modes for SVs is reported. The failure regarding the impeded movement of the valve plunger is considered. The proposed CI for this failure mode is computed from only some significant points of the SVs excitation current and their time instants. The proposed CI is evaluated by a large endurance campaign on a set of SVs. Then, a Remaining Useful Life (RUL) estimation algorithm is proposed and evaluated on the experimental data. Experimental results show the goodness of the proposed CI for RUL estimation of cost-effective industrial DC SVs.
Laser-Driven Impacts to Characterize Protection Materials
Authors: Mallick Debjoy D. , McKee Phillip J. , Wetzel Eric D.
Published: February 2024

We detail the development of a pulsed-laser-driven spherical projectile launcher to perform characterization experiments on ceramic and polymer protection materials with high experimental throughput. Prior researchers have successfully demonstrated launches of projectiles up to 50 μm in diameter, but the microstructures of protection materials for Military applications contain features (inclusions, composite layers, etc.) on larger scales. We build upon their work to launch Ti, steel, and WC spheres with diameters in the 100s of microns, albeit at slower velocities up to approximately 500 m/s, to perform impact experiments on materials with thicknesses in the 100s of microns with an emphasis on comparing our smaller length scale results to application-scale results in the literature. The developed strain rate is within the 104 to 107 s-1 regime, nicely encompassing the strain rates expected from impacts spanning small caliber to hypervelocity applications, but at an experimental scale that enables more experiments than conventional tests.
Numerical and Experimental Evaluation of the Hypervelocity Impact Performance of an Aluminum Foam and Uhmwpe Stuffed Sandwich Panel
Authors: Moonen Jarrod , Ryan Shannon , Barter Simon , Mouritz Adrian , Marzocca Pier , Forrester Crystal
Published: February 2024

As the instances of Orbital Debris (OD) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) continues to increase, so does their risk of impacting orbiting platforms. Therefore, designers of these platforms need more diverse tools to manage the risk posed by OD. Aluminum foam and Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) woven composite, trademarked as Spectra and Dyneema, are potential shielding materials with promise to increase orbiting platforms’ protection against foreign object impact damage. This may be achieved without significant weight penalty when inserted between the two spaced Aluminum plates that compose a Whipple Shield, the historical means of OD protection. A numerical model of a 40 ppi 7.2% relative density Aluminum Foam Sandwich Panel (AFSP) has been built using LS-DYNA via Voronoi tessellation, with impact analysis conducted using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) FEA. This model was validated against published Aluminum foam hypervelocity impact (HVI) data. Using the validated model, a layer of Dyneema stuffing was (will be) added to the shielding structure using a proprietary polyethylene material model, and HVI simulations were (will be) conducted. The hypervelocity damage resistance was (will be) assessed via a series of HVI tests against targets consisting of Aluminum 6061-T6 7.2% relative density AFSPs, stuffed with Dyneema HB210. All experimental HVI tests were (will be) carried out with a Light Gas Gun at the Fraunhofer Ernst-Mach-Institute in Freiburg, Germany. The results of these tests will also be compared against published HVI data on CFRP honeycomb sandwich panels (HCSPs) and Kevlar 258HPP stuffed AFSPs, which are currently examples of sophisticated shields used in uncrewed and crewed orbiting platforms, respectively. All tested samples have areal densities identical to the CFRP HCSPs and Kevlar 258HPP AFSPs from published HVI impact data, 0.59g/cm2 and 1.12g/cm2, respectively, so that relative performance may be determined by comparison on the same ballistic limit curves. The performance characteristics of the Dyneema-stuffed AFSPs relative to the test data on the flown samples and the numerical simulations will be presented, providing insights for the next generation of UHMWPE-based composites for HVI shielding applications, and validating the numerical model for further work.
Hypervelocity Impact of Aluminum Projectiles Against Soil with Frozen Water
Authors: Nechitailo Nicholas
Published: February 2024

Deep Impact was a NASA spacecraft that released an impactor into the Tempel 1 comet. According to NASA's predictive models, the collision should have excavated a 100-m wide crater. However, post-impact images revealed a much larger crater. In addition, the impact released a far greater amount of water than originally predicted. It caused a brilliant flash of light and an increase in the brightness of the inner cloud of dust and gas. The photo records revealed a bright spray. The plume opacity and the amount of the produced light were surprising. The brightness of the visible data was explained by the melting of silicates. It was also suggested that the visible selfluminous plume could be due to carbon from thermally disassociated organics. This paper offers a different explanation for the larger than expected released energy, ejecta, and plume luminosity. It appears that similar phenomena were observed in our hypervelocity tests involving aluminum projectiles and wet sand at freezing temperatures. We recorded a large fireball, when no fireball was expected, and powerful luminous sand ejecta.
Shock Response of Architectured Interpenetrating Phase Composites
Authors: Taylor Spencer V , Gonzales Manny , Cordero Zachary C
Published: February 2024

Architectured interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) show promise for structural aerospace components, but their structure-dynamic property relations are not well understood. In this work, we examine the macroscale and fine-scale dynamic response of interpenetrating phase composites comprising a body-centered cubic steel lattice embedded in an aluminum matrix. Through plate impact simulations, we find that the complex mesoscale geometry reduces shock velocity relative to monolithic constituents, slowing and spreading the shock front via reflection and redirection. In the fine-scale, we can predict several aspects of the oscillatory pressure and longitudinal velocity responses by tracking internal wave reflections. Finally, we observe that the post-shock maximum temperature increases with structural openness, and thermal hotspots form at interfaces parallel to the shock direction, with preferred orientation to maximize the deviatoric strain contribution. The findings in this work provide novel structure-property linkages in the dynamic response of architectured interpenetrating phase composites.
Effect of FeCrAl sublayer composition on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of FeCrAl/yttria-stabilized zirconia composite coatings
Authors: Zhu Changda , Qiu Xi , Li Yuanming , Zhang Wei , Yang Jian , Zhong Yilong , Deng Jiuguo , Zhou Mingyang , Liu Ning , Yang Jijun
Published: February 2024

The effect of FeCrAl sublayer composition on the microstructure and lead-bismuth eutectic corrosion behavior of the FeCrAl/YSZ (Yttria-stabilized zirconia) composite coatings was systematically investigated by SEM and XRD. The results show that the FeCrAl sublayer as a diffusion barrier and a bonding layer is beneficial to improve the corrosion resistance of the coatings. After corrosion, a slow-growing, continuous, and protective Al-rich oxide is formed at the interface between the YSZ and FeCrAl sublayer, which effectively hinders the inward diffusion of oxygen atoms and the outward diffusion of iron atoms. Especially, the Fe-12Cr-7Al/YSZ coating exhibits the best corrosion resistance even after corrosion at 700 °C. The microscopic corrosion mechanism of FeCrAl/YSZ coatings is elucidated.
Trailing-edge far-field noise and noise source characterization in high inflow turbulence conditions
Authors: Botero-Bolívar Laura , dos Santos Fernanda L. , Venner Cornelis H. , de Santana Leandro D.
Published: February 2024

Airframe noise currently is a bottle neck in various applications, e.g., wind energy, maritime applications, and aircraft. Airframe noise is significantly increased by the presence of inflow turbulence. High inflow turbulence influences the boundary layer and wall-pressure fluctuations close to the trailing edge of airfoils. In this research, measurements of boundary layer and wall-pressure fluctuations near the trailing edge of an airfoil are conducted to investigate how the inflow turbulence affects the trailing-edge noise generation mechanism. Far-field noise measurements of additional three airfoils are shown to understand the role of the airfoil geometry in the dominant noise source for the cases of inflow turbulence and to generalize the observed increase in trailing-edge noise. Inflow turbulence leads to an increase in both the wall-pressure spectrum and spanwise correlation length. Trailing-edge noise increases due to the inflow turbulence in the entire frequency range at least 2 dB up to more than 15 dB for all the cases. The contribution of leading- and trailing-edge noise to the total noise varies with the airfoil geometry and inflow velocity, with the trailing-edge noise dominating in a larger frequency range for the thickest airfoil and for lower velocities.
On the validity of periodic boundary conditions for modelling finite plate-type acoustic metamaterials
Authors: Langfeldt Felix
Published: February 2024

Plate-type acoustic metamaterials (PAMs) are thin structures that exhibit antiresonances with high sound transmission loss (STL) values, making PAMs a promising new technology for controlling tonal noise in the challenging low-frequency regime. A PAM consists of rigid masses periodically attached to a thin baseplate. The periodicity of PAM can be exploited in simulations, allowing to model only a single unit cell using periodic boundary conditions. This approach essentially represents the PAM as an infinite structure, but real PAM implementations will always be finite and influenced by boundary conditions. In this paper, extensive numerical simulations of different PAM configurations have been performed to study the performance of finite PAM compared to infinite PAM. The results indicate that as the number of unit cells in a finite PAM increase, the STL converges toward that of an infinite PAM. The impact of the finite PAM edge boundary conditions becomes negligible at some point. Based on the numerical results, a simple criterion is proposed to determine a priori how many unit cells are required in a finite PAM design to consider it quasi-infinite. This criterion aids in justifying unit cell models with periodic boundary conditions for efficient design optimizations in practical PAM applications.
Trans Women and/in Sport: Exploring Sport Feminisms to Understand Exclusions
Authors: Caudwell Jayne
Published: February 2024

This paper explores past and present conceptual aspects of sport feminisms to understand trans women and/in sport. The adverse treatment of trans sportswomen now runs through governing bodies, sport media, individuals who are in decision-making roles, policy formation, and public social attitude. The move to exclude and/or restrict trans women from sport is apparent at national and international levels and demonstrates shifts in sport policy. The aim of the paper is to explore past and present developments in sport feminism to highlight the value of its dynamism to explain, critique, and challenge the current treatment of trans women athletes. The paper highlights the need to further develop, within sport sociology, a de-colonial transfeminism. De-colonial in this context involves postcolonial feminism, Black feminism, and queer of color critical approaches.
Functional traits—not nativeness—shape the effects of large mammalian herbivores on plant communities
Authors: Lundgren Erick J. , Bergman Juraj , Trepel Jonas , le Roux Elizabeth , Monsarrat Sophie , Kristensen Jeppe Aagaard , Pedersen Rasmus Østergaard , Pereyra Patricio , Tietje Melanie , Svenning Jens-Christian
Published: February 2024

Large mammalian herbivores (megafauna) have experienced extinctions and declines since prehistory. Introduced megafauna have partly counteracted these losses yet are thought to have unusually negative effects on plants compared with native megafauna. Using a meta-analysis of 3995 plot-scale plant abundance and diversity responses from 221 studies, we found no evidence that megafauna impacts were shaped by nativeness, “invasiveness,” “feralness,” coevolutionary history, or functional and phylogenetic novelty. Nor was there evidence that introduced megafauna facilitate introduced plants more than native megafauna. Instead, we found strong evidence that functional traits shaped megafauna impacts, with larger-bodied and bulk-feeding megafauna promoting plant diversity. Our work suggests that trait-based ecology provides better insight into interactions between megafauna and plants than do concepts of nativeness.
Plastics that lose their temper on demand
Authors: McAllister Haley P. , Kalow Julia A.
Published: February 2024

Multiple properties can be programmed into a single dynamic material by using heat
In Europe, an early, cold dawn for modern humans
Authors: Curry Andrew
Published: February 2024

Moderns made mysterious ice age artifacts—implying overlap with Neanderthals
Limitations of antifungal prophylaxis in preventing invasive
Candida
surgical site infections after liver transplant surgery
Authors: Carugati M. , Arif S. , Yarrington M. E. , King L. Y. , Harris M. , Evans K. , Barbas A. S. , Sudan D. L. , Perfect J. R. , Miller R. A. , Alexander B. D.
Published: February 2024

Invasive primary
Candida
surgical site infections (IP-SSIs) are a common complication of liver transplantation, and targeted antifungal prophylaxis is an efficient strategy to limit their occurrence. We performed a retrospective single-center cohort study among adult single liver transplant recipients at Duke University Hospital in the period between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2020. The study aimed to determine the rate of
Candida
IP-SSI according to the peri-transplant antifungal prophylaxis received. Of 470 adult single liver transplant recipients, 53 (11.3%) received micafungin prophylaxis, 100 (21.3%) received fluconazole prophylaxis, and 317 (67.4%) did not receive systemic antifungal prophylaxis in the peri-transplant period. Ten
Candida
IP-SSIs occurred among 5 of 53 (9.4%) micafungin recipients, 1 of 100 (1.0%) fluconazole recipients, and 4 of 317 (1.3%) recipients who did not receive antifungal prophylaxis. Our study highlights the limitations of antifungal prophylaxis in preventing invasive
Candida
IP-SSI after liver transplant surgery. We hypothesize that pathogen, host, and pharmacokinetic-related factors contributed to the occurrence of
Candida
IP-SSI despite antifungal prophylaxis. Our study reinforces the need for a risk-based, multi-pronged approach to fungal prevention, including targeted antifungal administration in patients with risks for invasive candidiasis and close monitoring, especially among patients with surgically complex procedures, with timely control of surgical leaks.
Evolving mechanisms and presentations of cardiovascular disease in people with HIV: implications for management
Authors: Nazari Ilana , Feinstein Matthew J.
Published: February 2024

People with HIV (PWH) are at elevated risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including myocardial infarction, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death, among other CVD manifestations. Chronic immune dysregulation resulting in persistent inflammation is common among PWH, particularly those with sustained viremia and impaired CD4+ T cell recovery. This inflammatory milieu is a major contributor to CVDs among PWH, in concert with common comorbidities (such as dyslipidemia and smoking) and, to a lesser extent, off-target effects of antiretroviral therapy. In this review, we discuss the clinical and mechanistic evidence surrounding heightened CVD risks among PWH, implications for specific CVD manifestations, and practical guidance for management in the setting of evolving data.
Retrospective validation of MetaSystems’ deep-learning-based digital microscopy platform with assistance compared to manual fluorescence microscopy for detection of mycobacteria
Authors: Desruisseaux Claudine , Broderick Conor , Lavergne Valéry , Sy Kim , Garcia Duang-Jai , Barot Gaurav , Locher Kerstin , Porter Charlene , Caza Mélissa , Charles Marthe K.
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to validate Metasystems’ automated acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy scanning and deep-learning-based image analysis module (Neon Metafer) with assistance on respiratory and pleural samples, compared to conventional manual fluorescence microscopy (MM). Analytical parameters were assessed first, followed by a retrospective validation study. In all, 320 archived auramine-O-stained slides selected non-consecutively [85 originally reported as AFB-smear-positive, 235 AFB-smear-negative slides; with an overall mycobacterial culture positivity rate of 24.1% (77/320)] underwent whole-slide imaging and were analyzed by the Metafer Neon AFB Module (version 4.3.130) using a predetermined probability threshold (PT) for AFB detection of 96%. Digital slides were then examined by a trained reviewer blinded to previous AFB smear and culture results, for the final interpretation of assisted digital microscopy (a-DM). Paired results from both microscopic methods were compared to mycobacterial culture. A scanning failure rate of 10.6% (34/320) was observed, leaving 286 slides for analysis. After discrepant analysis, concordance, positive and negative agreements were 95.5% (95%CI, 92.4%–97.6%), 96.2% (95%CI, 89.2%–99.2%), and 95.2% (95%CI, 91.3%–97.7%), respectively. Using mycobacterial culture as reference standard, a-DM and MM had comparable sensitivities: 90.7% (95%CI, 81.7%–96.2%) versus 92.0% (95%CI, 83.4%–97.0%) (
P
-value = 1.00); while their specificities differed 91.9% (95%CI, 87.4%–95.2%) versus 95.7% (95%CI, 92.1%–98.0%), respectively (
P
-value = 0.03). Using a PT of 96%, MetaSystems’ platform shows acceptable performance. With a national laboratory staff shortage and a local low mycobacterial infection rate, this instrument when combined with culture, can reliably triage-negative AFB-smear respiratory slides and identify positive slides requiring manual confirmation and semi-quantification.

IMPORTANCE

This manuscript presents a full validation of MetaSystems’ automated acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy scanning and deep-learning-based image analysis module using a probability threshold of 96% including accuracy, precision studies, and evaluation of limit of AFB detection on respiratory samples when the technology is used with assistance. This study is complementary to the conversation started by Tomasello et al. on the use of image analysis artificial intelligence software in routine mycobacterial diagnostic activities within the context of high-throughput laboratories with low incidence of tuberculosis.
The gut microbiota contributes to the infection of bovine viral diarrhea virus in mice
Authors: Zhang Zecai , Huang Jiang , Li Chuang , Zhao Zhicheng , Cui Yueqi , Yuan Xueying , Wang Xue , Liu Yu , Zhou Yulong , Zhu Zhanbo
Published: February 2024

Whether the high infection rate of BVDV is related to gut microbiota has not been reported. In addition, most studies on BVDV focus on
in vitro
experiments, which limits the study of its prevention and control strategy and its pathogenic mechanism. In this study, we successfully confirmed the causal relationship between gut microbiota and BVDV infection as well as the potential molecular mechanism based on a mouse model of BVDV infection and a mouse model of gut microbiota dysbiosis. Meanwhile, a mouse model which is more susceptible to BVDV provided in this study lays an important foundation for further research on prevention and control strategy of BVDV and its pathogenesis. In addition, the antiviral effect of butyrate, the metabolites of butyrate-producing bacteria, has been further revealed. Overall, our findings provide a promising prevention and control strategy to treat this infectious disease which is distributed worldwide.
The intersection of host
in vivo
metabolism and immune responses to infection with kinetoplastid and apicomplexan parasites
Authors: Ewald Sarah , Nasuhidehnavi Azadeh , Feng Tzu-Yu , Lesani Mahbobeh , McCall Laura-Isobel
Published: February 2024

Protozoan parasite infection dramatically alters host metabolism, driven by immunological demand and parasite manipulation strategies. Immunometabolic checkpoints are often exploited by kinetoplastid and protozoan parasites to establish chronic infection, which can significantly impair host metabolic homeostasis. The recent growth of tools to analyze metabolism is expanding our understanding of these questions. Here, we review and contrast host metabolic alterations that occur
in vivo
during infection with
Leishmania
, trypanosomes,
Toxoplasma
,
Plasmodium,
and
Cryptosporidium
. Although genetically divergent, there are commonalities among these pathogens in terms of metabolic needs, induction of the type I immune responses required for clearance, and the potential for sustained host metabolic dysbiosis. Comparing these pathogens provides an opportunity to explore how transmission strategy, nutritional demand, and host cell and tissue tropism drive similarities and unique aspects in host response and infection outcome and to design new strategies to treat disease.
Draft genome sequence ofDietziasp. strain CH92 isolated from oil reservoir
Authors: Xiang Wei , Zhang Quan , Wang Jianxin , Xue Yanfen , Yu Bo
Published: February 2024

We report the draft genome sequence ofDietziasp. strain CH92, isolated from a high temperature oil well in Baolige oilfield, China. The estimated genome is 3.73 Mb, with 3,479 protein-coding sequences.
Differential analysis of IBV-infected primary chicken embryonic fibroblasts and immortalized DF-1
Authors: Yang Qingcheng , Gong Huiling , Liu Song , Huang Siyu , Yan Wenjun , Wang Kailu , Li Hao , Lei Chang-Wei , Wang Hong-Ning , Yang Xin
Published: February 2024

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), the causative agent of infectious bronchitis, is responsible for major economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. While IBVs can usually be passaged in primary chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEFs), most of the wild ones cannot adapt to passaged cell lines. In this study, the wild strain CK/CH/MY/2020 was used to infect primary CEF and immortalize DF-1 CEF cells. Results indicated that IBV was able to cause lesions and pass onto CEF, but not DF-1. Indeed, the virus could enter DF-1 cells and synthesize the associated structural gene but could not assemble into complete viral particles for release. Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing analysis showed significant differences in gene expression between CEF and DF-1 cells after viral infection, although the corresponding antiviral responses could be activated in both cell types. The biggest difference was in terms of the amino acid biosynthesis pathway and the cytokine receptor interaction pathway, which were significantly and specifically activated in CEF. This could actually explain why intact viruses can be assembled but not in DF-1. In addition,
SLBP
and
P2RX7
affect the replication of IBV’s structural genes to some extent. Overall, IBV can enter CEF and DF-1 cells, but the complex intracellular cytokine interactions affect the assembly and release of viral particles. The insight will be useful for the study of IBV through
in vitro
transmission and pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is responsible for high morbidity and mortality as well as substantial economic losses worldwide. Transcriptome sequencing of IBV-infected chicken embryonic fibroblast and DF-1 cells revealed that the virus elicits antiviral immunity in cells after viral infection, but IBV cannot activate DF-1 cells to produce sufficient amounts of viral structures to assemble into complete virions, which may be caused by the interactions between cytokines. The study of IBV cellular adaptations is important for vaccine development and investigation of the pathogenesis of IBV.
Bulldoze and rebuild: Modifying cratonic lithosphere via removal and replacement induced by continental subduction
Authors: Meng Lingtong , Chu Yang , Lin Wei , Mitchell Ross N. , Zhao Liang
Published: February 2024

Establishing the mechanisms for craton modification is critical for understanding cratonic stability and architecture. It is well known that oceanic subduction and mantle plumes can destroy and destabilize the overriding cratonic lithosphere, but the role of continental subduction in craton modification remains unclear. In the North China craton (NCC), which experienced deep continental subduction of the Yangtze block (YB) during the early Mesozoic, we report the presence of the YB crust embedded in the overriding craton. Combining our new results with previous observations, we argue that during 250–220 Ma, a 200-km-long tract of the NCC lithosphere was bulldozed by the subducted YB, resulting in a lithospheric suture far from the suture zone at the surface. This lithospheric removal occurred at middle-lower crustal levels (16–20 km depth)—much shallower than previously thought possible. The bulldozed NCC lithosphere was replenished by the subducted YB continental lithosphere rather than the asthenosphere, thus terminating the lithosphere modification. With essentially no net loss of lithosphere during deep continental subduction, the NCC maintained its stability until Early Cretaceous paleo-Pacific oceanic subduction. This “bulldoze and rebuild” model can thus account for how a craton maintains stability during a collision with another continental plate.
UK endoscopy trainer survey: perspectives on current endoscopy training delivery, experience, barriers and opportunities
Authors: Brown Fraser , Weidner Alice , Wells Christopher , Ghumman Rumneet , McConnell Susan , Ngu Wee Sing , Ratcliffe Elizabeth , Subramaniam Sharmila , Barbour Jamie
Published: February 2024

Objective

UK endoscopy training is delivered by trainers possessing well developed endoscopy and teaching skills to help learners perform high-quality endoscopy. Train The Trainer (TTT) courses are effective, but additional trainer support is variable with little formal quality assurance. We performed a survey to map UK endoscopy training, assess trainer perspectives on training delivery and identify factors that would enhance training.

Design/Method

An online survey was designed by trainer representatives, in collaboration with the JAG training committee, and collected responses from trainers registered on JAG endoscopy training system e-portfolio from April to June 2022.

Results

There were 1024 responses from all trainer disciplines, with 813 (79%) completing TTT courses and 584 (57%) having job planned dedicated training lists (DTLs). Clinical endoscopists most frequently had job-planned DTLs (71%), and DTLs occurring at least weekly (58%). 293 (29%) respondents participated as course faculty. Trainers reported high levels of pre-procedure preparation, effective dialogue and frequent feedback. The DOPS forms were ‘always/often’ completed by 81% of clinical endoscopists, 73% of gastroenterologist and 58% of surgeons. 435 (42%) trainers never had peer feedback. Responses suggested training could improve by protecting training time, attending courses, participating as faculty and receiving feedback from experienced trainers.

Conclusion

This survey demonstrates substantial proportions of highly motivated UK trainers who value time spent teaching and learning how to teach. Skills taught on the TTT courses are often actively used in everyday training. Improved trainer course access, protected training time and formal use of existing feedback tools by peers were highlighted as measures that could support trainers’ development.
Endovascular therapy of acute vertebrobasilar occlusions: influence of first-line strategy in the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) Registry
Authors: Bekri Imen , Finitsis Stefanos , Pizzuto Silvia , Maier Benjamin , Piotin Michel , Eker Omer F , Marnat Gaultier , Sibon Igor , Dargazanli Cyril , Bourcier Romain , Lapergue Bertrand , Pop Raoul , Caroff Jildaz , Gory Benjamin , Pico Fernando , Consoli Arturo
Published: February 2024

Background

The choice of the first-line technique in vertebrobasilar occlusions (VBOs) remains challenging. We aimed to report outcomes in a large cohort of patients and to compare the efficacy and safety of contact aspiration (CA) and combined technique (CoT) as a first-line endovascular technique in patients with acute VBOs.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed clinical and neuroradiological data of patients with VBOs from the prospective, multicenter, observational Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) Registry in France between January 2015 and August 2023. The primary outcome was the first pass effect (FPE) rate, whereas modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b-3 and 2c-3, number of passes, need for rescue strategy, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) were secondary outcomes. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to investigate differences between the two groups.

Results

Among the 583 included patients (mean age 66.2 years, median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 13, median posterior circulation Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS) 8), 393 were treated with CA alone and 190 with CoT. Procedures performed with CA were shorter compared with CoT (28 vs 47 min, P<0.0001); however, no differences were observed in terms of FPE (CA 43.3% vs CoT 38.4%, P=0.99), and successful final recanalization (mTICI 2b-3, CA 92.4% vs CoT 91.8%, P=0.74) did not differ between the two groups. Functional independence and sICH rates were also similar, whereas mortality was significantly lower in the CA group (34.5% vs 42.9%; OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.11).

Conclusions

We observed no differences in FPE, mTICI 2b-3, sICH, and functional independence between the two study groups. First-line CA was associated with shorter procedures and lower mortality rates than CoT.
PMI-funded foundation for a smoke-free world: application of criteria to assess funding models that include financial support from the tobacco industry
Authors: Cohen Joanna E , Eissenberg Thomas , Zeller Mitch
Published: February 2024

Recent changes to the leadership and the terms of tobacco industry financing of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW) have called for a revisiting of a paper published in 2009 where we proposed criteria and other considerations to assess possible funding models for research that include financial support from the tobacco industry. This paper reviews and attempts to apply the elements laid out in 2009 to the current state of FSFW. After discussing each criterion and consideration we conclude that, at this point in time, conducting a thorough assessment using our 2009 paper is not possible because critical details related to FSFW governance, decision-making and process have not been announced. Nonetheless, we hope this paper will remind the tobacco control community that the 2009 criteria exist and highlight the information needed and questions that might be asked of FSFW to help form judgements about this new iteration of the foundation. We further hope this will put the FSFW on notice that they need to address each of these criteria and speak publicly about their plans regarding the specific issues raised in the 2009 paper.
Cross-linked polymer film on copper stubs as a reusable substrate enabling imaging and quantitative analyses of aluminosilicate particles
Authors: Filewood Taylor , Rea Alex J.G. , Kaur Gurbinder , Hadley Annabelle M.K. , Agnes George R. , Gates Byron D.
Published: February 2024

Access issues to potable waters around the planet is the motivation for research in desalination technologies. One class of materials that is a research focus for desalination membranes are zeolites that are comprised of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), and oxygen, and have structures that include regular pores of varying sizes dependent on the type of zeolite. A motivation for this study was to enable characterization of non-conductive materials containing Si or Al (e.g., zeolites) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. To avoid significant background signals directly overlapping with these samples, common sample supports and preparation protocols involving Al or Si were precluded. Cross-linked polymer coatings applied via spin coating onto polished copper (Cu) stubs are shown to be durable for reuse even with the use of aggressive cleaning techniques between samples. SEM and EDS analyses of Cu stubs were performed before and after applying the polymer coating, after drop-cast application of zeolite particles and after their subsequent removal by sonication-based techniques. The data from those trials confirmed there was no background signal from Si or Al and no cross-contamination between samples during these analyses, enabling quantitation of Al and Si in the samples.
$$B_{(s)}$$ to light $$2^{--}$$ tensor meson form factors via LCSR in HQEFT and relevant semileptonic decays
Authors: Zuo Ya-Bing , Zhu Jia-Li , Hu Shan-Shan , Liu Cheng-Cheng , Zou Jia-Yu
Published: February 2024

In this study, the form factors of $$B_{(s)}$$

B

(
s
)

to light D-wave tensor mesons with $$J^{PC} = 2^{--}$$

J

PC

=

2

-
-

($$\rho _2$$

ρ
2

, $$\omega _2$$

ω
2

, $$K_2$$

K
2

and $$\phi _2$$

ϕ
2

) are calculated via the light cone sum rules (LCSR) in the framework of heavy quark effective eld theory (HQEFT). Firstly, the expressions of form factors in terms of the light cone distribution amplitudes (LCDAs) of tensor mesons are derived via the LCSR at the leading order of heavy quark expansion. Similar to the case of $$2^{++}$$

2

+
+

tensor mesons, the penguin type form factors can be obtained directly from the corresponding semileptonic ones. Considering the light tensor meson LCDAs to twist-3 and quark mass corrections, we give the numerical results of form factors systematically. Based on the form factors given here, we investigate the branching ratios, longitudinal polarization fractions and forward-backward asymmetries of relevant charged current induced semileptonic decays. Our results may be tested by more precise experiments in the future.
Heavy quark dominance in orbital excitation of singly and doubly heavy baryons
Authors: Li Zhen-Yu , Yu Guo-Liang , Wang Zhi-Gang , Gu Jian-Zhong
Published: February 2024

A mechanism of the heavy quark dominance in the orbital excitation is proposed in this paper which is testified to be reasonable for singly and doubly heavy baryons. In the relativistic quark model, an analysis of the Hamiltonian figures out the mechanism that the excitation mode with lower energy levels is always associated with the heavy quark(s), and the splitting of the energy levels is suppressed by the heavy quark(s). So, the heavy quarks dominate the orbital excitation of singly and doubly heavy baryons. Furthermore, a physical understanding of this mechanism is given in a semi-classical way. Accordingly, the predicted mass spectra of singly and doubly heavy baryons confirm the rationality of this mechanism. In addition, an interesting consequence of this mechanism is that a heavy-light meson is more likely to be produced in the strong decay of the high-orbital excited states, which is supported by experiments. This mechanism is rooted in the breakdown of the mass symmetry. Therefore, it may be also valid for other multi-quark systems, such as the tetraquarks Qqqq and QQqq, or the pentaquarks Qqqqq and QQqqq.
Is There a Correlation between the Radiological and Clinical Outcome after Core Decompression of the Radius for Kienböck Disease?
Authors: MANIGLIO Mauro , ZAIDENBERG Ezequiel E. , RONER Simon , HABIB Nermine , BORETTO Jorge , DE CARLI Pablo
Published: February 2024

Background: Despite the good clinical results in the treatment of Kienböck disease with distal radius core decompression, a radiological progression to a certain degree in the long-term follow-up is possible. Is there a negative correlation between the clinical improvement of the patients and the radiological progression?

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the radiological and clinical results of 24 patients (mean age: 38 years; 10 women) treated with core decompression for Kienböck disease. The mean follow-up was 10 years.

Results: A radiologic progression in the Lichtman classification was seen in nine patients. The Spearman correlation did not show any correlation between this radiological progression and the clinical outcome. Namely −0.06 between Mayo and Lichtman classification and 0.16 between VAS and Lichtman classification.

Conclusions: We found that the clinical outcomes do not deteriorate despite a radiological progression of patients treated with core decompression for Kienböck disease

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)
Association Between Thenar Musculature and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: HALPERN Robert A. , HUANG Shengnan , DUNHAM Kevin , PETCHPRAPA Catherine , WOLLSTEIN Ronit
Published: February 2024

Background: Dynamic forces acting on the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) may influence the mechanics of the carpal tunnel (CT), thus affecting the occurrence of CT syndrome (CTS). Previous studies demonstrated an association between muscle overlying the CT and the diagnosis of CTS. Understanding the location of insertion/origin of the thenar musculature will allow mechanical analysis of the forces applied to the TCL during performance of individual tasks. Our purpose was to determine the location of muscle overlying the CT on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in CTS and controls.

Methods: Case-control study of 21 normal adult wrist MRI scans. MRI measurements were performed on an axial cut at the level of the hook-of-hamate. Median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA), median nerve shape and increased signal intensity within the CT were associated with CTS. The amount and length of muscle crossing the midline and the CT on the same cut was measured and the association with the occurrence of CTS was analysed.

Results: We found an inverse relationship between the amount of muscle crossing the midline and the size of the CT, and a direct relationship with occurrence of CTS p less than 0.01, but no differences regarding length of muscle crossing the midline.

Conclusions: This study supports an association between the thenar musculature location relative to the CT and the predictors of CTS on MRI. Since the location of muscle origin/insertion is variable, their effect may differ accordingly, therefore, further study is needed to describe the exact location of origin/insertion and its differential dynamic or static effect on the pathogenesis of CTS.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Diagnostic)
Integration of electromagnetic, resistivity-based and production logging data for validating lithofacies and permeability predictive models with tree ensemble algorithms in heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs
Authors: Al-Mudhafar Watheq J. , Abbas Mohammed A. , Wood David A.
Published: February 2024

This study develops an innovative workflow to identify discrete lithofacies distributions with respect to the well-log records exploiting two tree-based ensemble learning algorithms: extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and adaptive boosting (AdaBoost). In the next step, the predicted discrete lithofacies distribution is further assessed with well-log data using an XGBoost regression to predict reservoir permeability. The input well-logging records are gamma ray, neutron porosity, bulk density, compressional slowness, and deep and shallow resistivity. These data originate from a carbonate reservoir in the Mishrif Basin of southern Iraq's oilfield. To achieve a solid prediction of lithofacies permeability, random subsampling cross-validation was applied to the original dataset to formulate two subsets: training for model tuning and testing for the prediction of subsets that are not observed during the model training. The values for the total correct percentage (TCP) of lithofacies predictions for the entire dataset and testing subset were 98 and 93% using the XGBoost algorithm, and 97 and 89% using the AdaBoost classifier, respectively. The XGBoost predictive models led in attaining the least uncertain lithofacies and permeability records for the cored data. For further validation, the predicted lithofacies and reservoir permeability were then compared with porosity–permeability values derived from the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) log, the secondary porosity of the full-bore micro imager (FMI) and the production contribution from the production–logging tool (PLT). Therefore, it is believed that the XGBoost model is capable of making accurate predictions of lithofacies and permeability for the same well's non-cored intervals and other non-cored wells in the investigated reservoir.
GMS-3DQA: Projection-Based Grid Mini-patch Sampling for 3D Model Quality Assessment
Authors: Zhang Zicheng , Sun Wei , Wu Haoning , Zhou Yingjie , Li Chunyi , Chen Zijian , Min Xiongkuo , Zhai Guangtao , Lin Weisi
Published: February 2024

Nowadays, most three-dimensional model quality assessment (3DQA) methods have been aimed at improving accuracy. However, little attention has been paid to the computational cost and inference time required for practical applications. Model-based 3DQA methods extract features directly from the 3D models, which are characterized by their high degree of complexity. As a result, many researchers are inclined towards utilizing projection-based 3DQA methods. Nevertheless, previous projection-based 3DQA methods directly extract features from multi-projections to ensure quality prediction accuracy, which calls for more resource consumption and inevitably leads to inefficiency. Thus, in this article, we address this challenge by proposing a no-reference (NR) projection-based

G
rid
M
ini-patch
S
ampling
3D
Model
Q
uality
A
ssessment (GMS-3DQA)

method. The projection images are rendered from six perpendicular viewpoints of the 3D model to cover sufficient quality information. To reduce redundancy and inference resources, we propose a multi-projection grid mini-patch sampling strategy (MP-GMS), which samples grid mini-patches from the multi-projections and forms the sampled grid mini-patches into one quality mini-patch map (QMM). The Swin-Transformer tiny backbone is then used to extract quality-aware features from the QMMs. The experimental results show that the proposed GMS-3DQA outperforms existing state-of-the-art NR-3DQA methods on the point cloud quality assessment databases for both accuracy and efficiency. The efficiency analysis reveals that the proposed GMS-3DQA requires far less computational resources and inference time than other 3DQA competitors. The code is available at
https://github.com/zzc-1998/GMS-3DQA
.
Cannabis containing THC impairs 20-min cycling time trial performance irrespective of the method of inhalation
Authors: Cheung Christian P. , Baker Ryleigh E. , Coates Alexandra M. , Burr Jamie F.
Published: February 2024

Inhalation of cannabis containing THC alters physiological responses to both submaximal and maximal exercise and reduces mean power output during a 20-min time trial, regardless of whether it is inhaled as smoke or aerosol. In contrast, cannabis devoid of THC and predominantly containing CBD has no effect on physiological responses to exercise or performance.
Exploring the Linkages between Animal Abuse, Domestic Abuse, and Sexual Offending: A Scoping Review
Authors: Diemer Kristin , Gallant David , Mosso Tupper Nicolas , Hammond Kate , Ramamurthy Ashrita , Humphreys Cathy
Published: February 2024

The abuse of animals is evident in different contexts. This article takes two discrete bodies of literature: threats and actual harm to animals in the context of domestic abuse and sex offending in the context of animal abuse. The reviews focus on the implications for risk assessment and risk management and explore the following questions: What is the international evidence base for threats or violence towards animals, with a specific focus on risk assessment, in the context of domestic abuse? What is the international evidence base for threats or violence towards animals, with a specific focus on risk assessment, in the context of sex offending? What similarities and differences are evident in the approaches in the two bodies of literature? A scoping review methodology was applied to the two bodies of animal abuse literature. The domestic abuse literature elicited 27 studies for full inclusion, while the sex‐offending literature examined 15 papers. A broad analysis of the literature was taken to understand the implications for risk assessment and risk management. In the context of risk assessment, the literature indicates that threats or harm towards animals, including the sex abuse of animals, has the potential to be used in four ways: (1) animal abuse as an indicator of domestic abuse; (2) childhood animal abuse as a signal of other problems within a household; (3) animal abuse as an indicator of more severe domestic abuse; and (4) the inclusion of pet abuse as a unique form of domestic abuse. The comparison of the literature on animal abuse and animal sex abuse highlighted not only different approaches theoretically and methodologically but also important similarities. Both literature highlighted gaps in risk assessment, risk management, and the lack of identification and training in this neglected area of the service system prevention and response.