bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent Rotary Steerable System, Coupled with an Instrumented Bit, Delivers Section Plan in Deepwater GOM Project
Authors: Snyder John , Salmon Graeme
Published: December 2021

The challenging offshore drilling environment has increased the need for cost-effective operations to deliver accurate well placement, high borehole quality, and shoe-to-shoe drilling performance. As well construction complexity continues to develop, the need for an improved systems approach to delivering integrated performance is critical.

Complex bottom hole assemblies (BHA) used in deepwater operations will include additional sensors and capabilities than in the past. These BHAs consist of multiple cutting structures (bit/reamer), gamma, resistivity, density, porosity, sonic, formation pressure testing/sampling capabilities, as well as drilling dynamics systems and onboard diagnostic sensors. Rock cutting structure design primarily relied on data capture at the surface. An instrumented sensor package within the drill bit provides dynamic measurements allowing for better understanding of BHA performance, creating a more efficient system for all drilling conditions. The addition of intelligent systems that monitor and control these complex BHAs, makes it possible to implement autonomous steering of directional drilling assemblies in the offshore environment.

In the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM), this case study documents the introduction of a new automated drilling service and Intelligent Rotary Steerable System (iRSS) with an instrumented bit. Utilizing these complex BHAs, the system can provide real-time (RT) steering decisions automatically given the downhole tool configuration, planned well path, and RT sensor information received. The 6-3/4-inch nominal diameter system, coupled with the instrumented bit, successfully completed the first 5,400-foot (1,650m) section while enlarging the 8-1/2-inch (216mm) borehole to 9-7/8 inches (250mm). The system delivered a high-quality wellbore with low tortuosity and minimal vibration, while keeping to the planned well path. The system achieved all performance objectives and captured dynamic drilling responses for use in an additional applications.

This fast sampling iRSS maintains continuous and faster steering control at high rates of penetration (ROP) providing accurate well path directional control. The system-matched polycrystalline diamond (PDC) bit is engineered to deliver greater side cutting efficiency with enhanced cutting structure improving the iRSS performance. Included within the bit is an instrumentation package that tracks drilling dynamics at the bit. The bit dynamics data is then used to improve bit designs and optimize drilling parameters.
Research On Energy Distribution and Solidification Characteristics During Laser Cladding Based On Numerical Simulation
Authors: Yang Wenhui , Cheng Yanhai , Zhang Yipeng , Yang Jinyong , Liang Xiubing
Published: December 2021

Laser cladding as an emerging surface modification technology can be widely adopted for surface modification. In this study, 27SiMn was selected as the substrate, the powder was a self-made iron-based alloy, and the thermophysical properties of the material were predicted by the CALPHAD algorithm. The numerical model of the laser cladding process is established by setting reasonable hypothetical condition, initial condition, boundary condition, and solver parameters. In order to verify the accuracy of the numerical model, 10 sets of experiments have been carried out, and the agreement between the model calculation results and the experimental results reached 92%. Through the study of energy distribution in the laser cladding process, it is found that about 10% of the laser energy is used to heat the substrate to form a melt-pool, and at least 53% of the energy is radiated into the environment. Finally, the effects of temperature gradient and solidification rate on the microstructure of the cladding layer were explored.
Genome Wide Identification and Characterization of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Genes Reveals Their Potential in Enhancing Drought and Salt Stress Tolerance in Gossypium Hirsutum
Authors: Salisu Sadau Bello , Mehari Teame Gereziher , Ahmad Adeel , Tajo Sani Muhammad , Ibrahim Sani , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Elasad Mohammed , Zhang Jingjing , Wei Hengling , Yu Shuxun
Published: December 2021

Background: Cotton crop is universally considered as protein and edible oil source besides the major contributor of natural fiber and is grown all around the globe. Unpredicted environmental stresses are becoming a significant threat to sustainable cotton production, ultimately leading to a substantial irreversible economic loss. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), generally considered essential for recognizing environmental stresses through phosphorylating downstream signal pathways.Results: In the current study, we have identified 74 MAPK genes across cotton, 41 from G. hirsutum, 19 from G. raimondii, whereas 14 have been identified through G. arboreum. The MAPK gene-proteins have been further interrogated to determine their physicochemical characteristics and other essential features. In this perspective, characterization, phylogenetic relationship, chromosomal mapping, gene motif, cis-regulatory element, and subcellular localization were carried out. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the MAPK family in cotton is usually categorized as A, B, C, D, and E clades. Seven GHMAPK genes (GH_A07G1527, GH_D02G1138, GH_D03G0121, GH_D03G1517, GH_D05G1003, GH_D11G0040, and GH_D12G2528) were selected, and specific tissue expression and profiling were performed across drought and salt stress.Conclusions : RNA sequence and qPCR results represented genes as differentially expressed across both vegetative and reproductive plant parts. Similarly, the qPCR analysis showed that six genes had been upregulated substantially through drought treatment while all the genes were upregulated across salt treatment.
"Hand as Foot Teaching Method" Application in Upper Cervical Anatomy and Common Diseases
Authors: Hao Haijing , Xu Lu , Wang Haohui , Wang Zhe , Liu Xingyu , Wang Pengpeng , Liu Xiaoqi
Published: December 2021

Background“Hand as Foot teaching method” has been applied to the clinical teaching of various orthopaedic subspecialties and achieved good results, but it has not been carried out in the specialized teaching of spine surgery, especially the upper cervical spine. The orthopedics teaching team of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University applied this teaching method to the clinical teaching of atlantoaxial anatomical relationships and common atlantoaxial diseases.MethodsThe "Hand as Foot Teaching Method" was used to teach key and difficult points for master students of osteology in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, supplemented by PPT + anatomical specimens to assist the teaching process.Results"Hand as Foot Teaching Method" can concretize the complex anatomical structure of upper cervical vertebra, thus deepening students' understanding and memory of difficult points, enhancing teacher-student interaction and activating the teaching atmosphere.Conclusion"Hand as Foot Teaching Method" can be applied to the clinical teaching of atlantoaxial knowledge. Compared with the simple application of PPT + model teaching, this teaching method is more helpful for students to grasp difficulties quickly and in three dimensions, significantly improve the teaching quality, and can even be applied to preoperative doctor-patient communication. It has application and promotion value in clinical teaching of spinal surgery.
Projection of Droughts in Amu Darya River Basin for Shared Socioeconomic Pathways
Authors: Salehie Obaidullah , Hamed Mohammed Magdy , Ismail Tarmizi bin , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: December 2021

Droughts significantly affect socioeconomic and the environment primarily by decreasing the water availability of a region. This study aims to assess the changes in drought characteristics in Central Asia's transboundary Amu Darya river basin for four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5). The precipitation, maximum and minimum temperature (Pr, Tmx and Tmn) simulations of 19 global climate models (GCMs) of the coupled model intercomparison project phase 6 (CMIP6) were used to select the best models to prepare the multimodel ensemble (MME). The standard precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) was used to estimate droughts for multiple timescales from Pr and potential evapotranspiration (PET) derived from Tmx and Tmn. The changes in the frequency and spatial distribution of droughts for different severities and timescales were evaluated for the two future periods, 2020–2059 and 2060-2099, compared to the base period of 1975-2014. The study revealed four GCMs, AWI-CM-1-1-MR, CMCC-ESM2, INM-CM4-8 and MPI-ESM1-2-LR, as most suitable for projections of droughts in the study area. The multimodel ensemble (MME) mean of the selected GCMs showed a decrease in Pr by -3 to 12% in the near future and a change in the range of 3 to -9% in the far future in most parts of the basin for different SSPs. The PET showed almost no change in most parts of the basin in the near future and an increase in the range of 10 to 70% in the far future. The change (%) in projected drought occurrence showed to noticeably decrease in the near future, particularly for moderate droughts by up to ≤-50% for SSP5-8.5 and an increase in the far future by up to ≥30% for SSP3-7.0. The increase in all severities of droughts was projected mostly in the center and northwest of the basin. Overall, the results showed a drought shift from the east to the northwest of the basin in the future.
Dynamic Two-sided Matching Group Decision-making Model with Multi-form Preference Information for Configuring Tasks and Resources in Cloud Manufacturing
Authors: Zhang Xuejiao , Yang Yu
Published: December 2021

Enterprises have been faced with the problem of how to optimize resource allocation in an uncertain environment by the expanding of manufacturing informatization. In the process of cloud manufacturing matching, group decision making organizations may provide uncertain preference information. However, preference information at various points have led to differing impacts of the final matching decision. it is necessary to study the dynamic two-sided matching. In this paper, the dynamic two-sided matching problem under the multi-form preference information was studied. Primarily, the problem of two-sided matching is described, then through group decision-making and uncertain preference information, an ordinal vector matrix is constructed. Afterwards, the comprehensive satisfaction matrix is calculated by using dynamic time-series weight and matching competition degree. Further, by introducing stable matching constraints, a multi-objective optimization model considering the satisfaction, fairness and stability of matching is constructed. Then the optimal matching result is obtained by solving the model. In addition, the presented method was verified through a case of cloud manufacturing. At the end, advantages of the presented model were demonstrated by comparison. Research results of this paper enrich the theoretical research of two-sided matching and provide an effective solution for cloud manufacturing matching in uncertain environments.
Complex Drivers of Riparian Soil Oxygen Variability Revealed Using Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Lancellotti Brittany Victoria , Underwood Kristen , Perdrial Julia , Adair Carol , Schroth Andrew , Roy Eric
Published: December 2021

Oxygen (O2) is a key regulator of soil reduction-oxidation processes and therefore modulates biogeochemical cycles. The difficulties associated with accurately characterizing soil O2 variability have prompted the use of soil moisture as a proxy for soil O2, based on the low solubility of O2 in water. Due to seasonal shifts in soil O2 depletion mechanisms, the use of soil moisture alone as a proxy measurement could result in inaccurate O2 estimations. For example, soil O2 may remain high during cool months when soil respiration rates are low. We analyzed high-frequency sensor data (e.g., soil moisture, temperature, CO2, O2) with a machine learning technique, the Self-Organizing Map, to pinpoint suites of soil conditions that are associated with contrasting O2 regimes. At two low-lying riparian sites in contrasting land use and topographic settings of northern Vermont, we found that soil O2 levels varied seasonally, and with soil moisture. For example, forty-seven percent of low O2 levels were associated with cool and wet soil conditions, whereas 32% were associated with warm and dry conditions. Contrastingly, the majority (62%) of high O2 conditions occurred under warm and dry conditions. High soil moisture levels did not always lead to low O2, however, as 38% of high O2 values occurred under cool and wet conditions. Our results highlight challenges associated with predicting soil O2 solely based on soil moisture, as variable combinations of soil and site-specific hydrologic conditions can complicate the relationship between soil water content and O2. This indicates that process-based ecosystem and denitrification models that rely solely on soil moisture to estimate O2 availability will, in some cases, need to incorporate other site and climate-specific drivers to accurately predict soil O2.
Syphilis Trigram: a domain-specific visualisation to combat syphilis epidemic and improve the quality of maternal and child health in Brazil
Authors: Morais Cleber Matos , Teixeira Igor Vitor , Endo Patricia Takako , Kelner Judith
Published: December 2021

Background: The Brazilian health system is a large and complex system, especially considering its mixed public and private funding. The number of syphilis cases has been increasing greatly in the last four years, even though it has a cheap and simple treatment. Syphilis notification is compulsory by law, and public health surveillance pays great importance to syphilis notification during pregnancy. Syphilis infection can cause severe newborn conditions, premature births, and abortions. Methods: The Action Research methodology was applied to deal with the complex syphilis surveillance reality in Pernambuco, Brazil. Iterative learning cycles were used, totalling six cycles with a formal validation of an operational version of the Syphilis Trigram visualisation at the end of the process. The original data source was analysed and prepared for use without any new data or changes in the ordinary procedure of the current system. Results: The main result of this study is the Syphilis Trigram, a domain-specific infographic for presenting gestational and birth data. The second contribution of this study is the Average Trigram, an organised pie chart which synthesises the Syphilis Trigram relationship in an aggregated manner. Both visualisations are presented in an Infographic User Interface, a tool that gathers an infographic broad visualisation sense for data visualisation. These interfaces also gather selection and filter tools to assist and refine the presented information. The user can experience a specific case-by-case view and an aggregated perspective by any city monitored by the system. Conclusions: The proposed domain-specific visualisation amplifies the understanding of each syphilis case and the overall case characteristics of a city. This new information produced by the Trigram can clarify the reinfection/relapse cases, optimise resource allocation, and enhance syphilis healthcare policies without any new data. Therefore, health surveillance professionals can see the broad tendency, understand the key patterns through visualisation, and take action in a feasible time.
Combining a Locally Restricted Anisotropic Spatial Kernel with an ETAS Incomplete Model for Better Forecasts of the 2019 Ridgecrest Sequence
Authors: Grimm Christian , Hainzl Sebastian , Käser Martin , Küchenhoff Helmut
Published: December 2021

Strong earthquakes cause aftershock sequences that are clustered in time according to a power decay law, and in space along their extended rupture, shaping a typically elongate pattern of aftershock locations. A widely used approach to model seismic clustering is the Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) model, that shows three major biases: First, the conventional ETAS approach assumes isotropic spatial triggering, which stands in conflict with observations and geophysical arguments for strong earthquakes. Second, the spatial kernel has unlimited extent, allowing smaller events to exert disproportionate trigger potential over an unrealistically large area. Third, the ETAS model assumes complete event records and neglects inevitable short-term aftershock incompleteness as a consequence of overlapping coda waves. These three effects can substantially bias the parameter estimation and particularly lead to underestimated cluster sizes. In this article, we combine the approach of Grimm (2021), which introduced a generalized anisotropic and locally restricted spatial kernel, with the ETAS-Incomplete (ETASI) time model of Hainzl (2021), to define an ETASI space-time model with flexible spatial kernel that solves the abovementioned shortcomings. We apply different model versions to a triad of forecasting experiments of the 2019 Ridgecrest sequence, and evaluate the prediction quality with respect to cluster size, largest aftershock magnitude and spatial distribution. The new model provides the potential of more realistic simulations of on-going aftershock activity, e.g.~allowing better predictions of the probability and location of a strong, damaging aftershock, which might be beneficial for short term risk assessment and desaster response.
Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Adsorption Capacity and Regeneration / Desorption of Sulphate and Phosphate Ions Using Smart Hydrogel.
Authors: Eid Mona , Elarnaouty Magda , Hassouna Mohamed , Hafez Afaf , Salem Mohamed
Published: December 2021

Co-polymeric hydrogels containing poly (Acrylamide /Epichlorohydrine) P(AAm/EPI) with different acrylamide and Epichlorohydrine content were fabricated by gamma radiation at different irradiation doses as adsorbent materials for wastewater treatment. The mechanisms of radiation-induced crosslinking of hydrogel in aqueous solution has been evaluated. The gel contents and the swelling/diffusion kinetic parameters were evaluated at different irradiation doses, and the result confirm a non-fichian mechanism. The shape, surface morphology, and porosity of P (AAm/ Epi) hydrogel were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Adsorption experiments were carried out for the removal of sulphate and phosphate ions from wastewater using P(AAm/EPI) hydrogels as adsorbent materials. The isotherm data were analyzed by Freundlich equation. The equilibrium isotherm results show a better fitting (R2 > 0.9) to the Freundlich model for all anions. The calculated regeneration efficiency (%) values of sulphate and phosphate ions found to be ranged between 63.2 (%) and 46 (%).The relatively higher regeneration efficiency (%) and keeping the hydrogels its shape without any deformation promising to use the same hydrogels further times which decrease the economic cost.
Pulmonary Delivery of Engineered Exosomes to Suppress Postoperative Melanoma Lung Metastasis through Preventing Premetastatic Niche Formation
Authors: Han Xiaoqing , Bi Luopeng , Wu Yunyun , Yan Jiao , Wu Xiaqing , Zheng Runxiao , Sun yingying , Wang Yanbo , Zhang Haiyuan
Published: December 2021

Premetastatic niche (PMN) is a prerequisite for initiation of tumor metastasis. Targeting prevention of PMN formation in distant organs is becoming a promising strategy to suppress metastasis of primary tumor. Based on “organotropic metastasis”, melanoma tends to metastasize to lungs, where granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs) recruitment in lungs significantly contributes to the PMN formation. Herein, functional exosomes (GExoI) were designed to present pulmonary targeting peptide GFE1 on the membrane and load PI3Kγ inhibitor (IPI549) inside, aiming at suppressing postoperative lung metastasis of melanoma. In postoperative mice model, intravenously injected GExoI could significantly accumulate in lungs and release IPI549 to block G-MDSCs recruitment through interfering with CXCLs/CXCR2/PI3Kγ signaling. The increased percentages of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in lungs could transform microenvironment from immunosuppression to immunostimulation, leading to metastasis inhibition. This study suggests an effective anti-metastasis strategy of targeting prevention of PMN formation through specifically blocking G-MDSCs recruitment.
A Standardized Approach to Orthotopic (Life-Supporting) Porcine Cardiac Xenotransplantation in a Non-Human Primate Model
Authors: Goerlich Corbin E. , Griffith Bartley P. , Treffalls John A. , Zhang Tianshu , Singh Avneesh K. , Lewis Billeta , Tatarov Ivan , Hershfeld Alena , Sentz Faith , Braileanu Gheorghe , Ayares David , Mohiuddin Muhammad M.
Published: December 2021

There are 5.7 million people in the United States with heart failure, which is life-limiting in 20% of patients.1 While data is most robust in the United States for this cohort, it is known to be a global problem with over 23 million people carrying the diagnosis.1 For end-stage heart failure, many require a heart transplantation, however, there is a shortage in the supply of organ donors. Cardiac xenotransplantation has been proposed to “bridge the gap” in supply for these patients requiring transplantation. Recent pre-clinical success using genetically modified pig donors in baboon recipients has demonstrated survival greater than 6 months.2–5 First-in-human transplantation of a genetically modified pig kidney demonstrated 54 hour rejection-free function when perfused by a deceased human recipient, demonstrating the feasibility of cross-species transplantation and invigorating enthusiasm further to utilize this new organ source for a population that would otherwise die waiting for a human organ.6 While this human study demonstrated proof-of-principle of overcoming hyperacute rejection, further regulatory oversight by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may be required with pre-clinical trials in large animal models of xenotransplantation with long-term survival. These studies not only require a multi-disciplinary team and expertise in orthotopic transplantation (cardiac surgery, anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass), immunology and genetic engineering; but also, specifically handling large animal recipients that cannot communicate their symptoms. Here we detail our approach to pig-to-primate large animal model of orthotopic cardiac xenotransplantation perioperatively and in the months thereafter in long-term surviving animals. We also detail xenograft surveillance methods and common issues that arise in the postoperative period specific to this model and ways to overcome them.
Impairment of Neutrophil Functions and Homeostasis in COVID-19 Patients: Association With Disease Severity
Authors: Loyer Chloé , Lapostolle Arnaud , Urbina Tomas , Elabbadi Alexandre , Lavillegrand Jean-Rémi , Chaigneau Thomas , Simoes Coraly , Dessajan Julien , Desnos Cyrielle , Morin-Brureau Mélanie , Chantran Yannick , Aucouturier Pierre , Guidet Bertrand , Voiriot Guillaume , Ait-Oufella Hafid , Elbim Carole
Published: December 2021

Background Emerging data based on analyses of peripheral and pulmonary immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 increasingly suggest that a dysregulated immune response underpins the development of severe disease in COVID-19 patients. Neutrophils are key components of early innate immunity that, if not tightly regulated, contribute to uncontrolled systemic inflammation. We sought to decipher the role of neutrophil phenotypes, functions, and homeostasis in COVID-19 disease severity and outcome. Methods This longitudinal study compares study compares peripheral whole-blood neutrophils from 90 COVID-19 ICU patients with those of 22 SARS-CoV-2 – patients hospitalized for severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and 38 healthy controls. We also assessed correlations between these phenotypic and functional indicators and markers of endothelial damage as well as disease severity. Results At ICU admission, the circulating neutrophils of the COVID-19 patients showed continuous basal hyperactivation not seen in CAP patients, associated with higher circulating levels of soluble E- and P-selectin, which reflect platelet and endothelial activation. Furthermore, COVID-19 patients had expanded aged-angiogenic and reverse transmigrated neutrophil subsets — both involved in endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation. Simultaneously, COVID-19 patients had significantly lower levels of neutrophil oxidative burst in response to bacterial formyl peptide, an abnormality that was greater in superinfected than non-superinfected COVID-19 patients. Moreover, patients dying of COVID-19 had significantly higher expansion of aged-angiogenic neutrophil subset and greater impairment of oxidative burst response than survivors. Conclusions These data suggest that neutrophil exhaustion may play a central role in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 and identify angiogenic neutrophils as a potentially harmful subset involved in fatal outcome.
Identification of the Yield Traits Related Haplotype Combinations of Transcription Factor Genes TaHDZ34 in Common Wheat
Authors: Yu Ming , Wang Xiaolong , Zhou Hongwei , Yu Yang , Wei Fan , Zhang Shuangxing , Song Tianqi , Wang Yukun , Zhang Xiaoke
Published: December 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Influence of a Catalyst in Obtaining a Post-Consumer Pet-Based Alkyd Resin That Meets Circular Economy Principles
Authors: Senra Elaine Meireles , Silva Antônio E. F. A. da , Visconte Leila Lea Yuan , Pacheco Elen Beatriz Acordi Vasques
Published: December 2021

The paper studied the influence of a catalyst, comparing it with its traditional counterparts, in the process of obtaining a polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based alkyd resin from post-consumer beverage bottles and how it consumes raw materials and generates waste. The resin was obtained in two phases: 1) glycerol and soybean oil alcoholysis reaction, a renewable material, for polyalcohol production, and 2) polyalcohol and polyacid esterification reaction to obtain the alkyd resin (reaction via solvent). A lithium octoate catalyst (OctLi) was used, not traditional in the alcoholysis reaction, and a fraction of the polyacid replaced by post-consumer PET at a proportion of up to 24% by weight in the esterification reaction. The OctLi catalyst caused a reaction in 30 min, compared to zinc acetate (120 min) and lithium hydroxide (LiOH, 60 min). Using post-consumer PET in obtaining the alkyd resin also decreased the esterification reaction time by 22% (8% PET), 67% (16% PET) and 72% (24% PET), compared to esterification without PET. The reaction time, considering alcoholysis with OctLi and partial esterification with PET (with 24% PET), was 180 min. Adding alcoholysis time with the LiOH catalyst and esterification without PET raises the reaction time to 600 min. Process water formed during the esterification stage declined by 15% (8% PET), 50% (16% PET) and 77% (24% PET), compared to the reaction without PET. The shorter reaction time resulted in less equipment use and consequent lower energy consumption. Another result was that the alkyd resin obtained with 8% PET was adequate for paint formulations.
Dynamic Performance-exposure Algorithm for Falling Risk Assessment and Fall Prevention in Community-dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Pereira Catarina , Rosado Hugo , Almeida Gabriela , Bravo Jorge
Published: December 2021

Background: Several models and algorithms were designed to identify older adults at risk of falling supported on an intrinsically and extrinsically traditional approach. However, the dynamic interaction between multiple risk factors for falls must be considered. The present study aimed to design a dynamic performance-exposure algorithm for falling risk assessment and fall prevention in community-dwelling older adults.Methods: The study involved 1) a cross-sectional survey assessing retrospective falls, performance-related risk factors for falls (sociodemographic such as gender and age, cognitive, health conditions, body composition, physical fitness, and dual-task outcomes), exposure risk factors (environmental hazards and (in)physical activity), and performance-exposure risk factors (affordance perception), and 2) follow-up survey assessing prospective falls. Participants were Portuguese community dwellings (≥ 65 years). Data were reported based upon descriptive statistics, curve estimation regression, binary logistic regression, and ROC curve.Results: The selected and ordered outcomes included in the algorithm and respective cutoffs were: (1) falls in previous year (high risk: n>1, moderated: n=1, low risk: n=0); (2) health conditions (high risk: n >3, moderated: n=3, low risk: n<3); (3) multidimensional balance (high risk: score <32 points, moderated risk: 32 points ≤ score ≤33 points, low risk: score>33); (4) lower body strength (high risk: rep/30s< 11, moderated risk: 11≤ rep/30s ≤14, low risk: rep/30s >4); (5) perceiving action boundaries (high risk: overestimation bias, moderated risk: not applied, low risk: underestimation bias); (6) fat body mass (high risk: % fat >38, moderated risk: 37≤ % fat ≤38, low risk: % fat <7); (7) environmental hazards (high risk: n>5, moderated risk: n=5, low risk: n<5); (8) rest period (high risk: hours/day >4.5, moderated risk: 4≤ hours/day ≤4.5, low risk: hours/day <4); (9) physical activity metabolic expenditure (high risk: MET-min/week <2300 or >5200, moderated risk: 2300≤ MET-min/week <2800, low risk: 2800≤ MET-min/week ≤5200).Conclusions: Results demonstrated a dynamic relationship between older adults’ performance capacity and the exposure to falls opportunity, supporting the build algorithm’s conceptual framework. Fall prevention measures should consider the above factors that most contribute to the individual risk of falling, relative weights, and their distance from low-risk value, as proposed in the dynamic algorithm.
TRAAC framework for regulatory acceptance and wider usability of tools and methods for safe innovation and sustainability of manufactured nanomaterials
Authors: Shandilya Neeraj , Barreau Marie-Sophie , Suarez-Merino Blanca , Porcari Andrea , Pimponi Daniela , Jensen Keld , Fransman Wouter , Franken Remy
Published: December 2021

There has been an unprecedented use of advanced materials, particularly manufactured nanomaterials, in industrial applications and consumer products across several sectors in the last two decades. It has instigated concerns about the sustainability, in particular, risks and uncertainties regarding the interactions of the manufactured nanomaterials with humans and the environment. Consequently, significant resources in Europe and beyond have been invested into the development of tools and methods to support risk mitigation and risk management, and thus facilitate the research and innovation process of the manufactured nanomaterials. The level of risk analysis is increasing, including assessment of socio-economic impacts, and sustainability aspects, moving from a conventional risk-based approach to a wider safety-and-sustainability-by-design perspective. Despite these efforts on tools and methods development, the level of awareness and use of the majority of such tools and methods by stakeholders is limited. Issues of user-friendliness, trust, implementation training, regulatory or authority compliance needs, regulatory acceptance and unsuitability to the users’ needs are some of the factors which have been traditionally known to hinder their widespread use. Therefore, a framework is presented to quantify the readiness of different tools and methods towards their wider regulatory acceptance and downstream use by different stakeholders. The framework diagnoses barriers which hinder regulatory acceptance and wider usability of a tool/method based on their Transparency, Reliability, Accessibility, Applicability and Completeness (TRAAC framework). Each TRAAC pillar consists of criteria which help in evaluating the overall quality of the tools and methods for their (i) compatibility with regulatory frameworks and, (ii) usefulness and usability for end-users, through a calculated TRAAC score based on the assessment. Fourteen tools and methods were assessed using the TRAAC framework as proof-of-concept. The results provide insights into any gaps, opportunities, and challenges in the context of each of the 5 pillars of the TRAAC framework.
Reliability Evaluation of CNC Machine Tools Considering Competing Failures of Fault Failure Data and Machining Accuracy Degradation Data
Authors: Feng Cong , Yang Zhaojun , Chen Chuanhai , Guo Jinyan , Leng Jiangong , Zhou Jie
Published: December 2021

Traditional reliability evaluation of CNC machine tools usually considers a single failure mode of fault failure or degradation failure, or considers fault failure and degradation failure to be independent of each other. However, in the actual working conditions, fault failure and degradation failure are mutually affected, and the reliability evaluation of the competing failure models of CNC machine tools by considering the two failure modes comprehensively can get more accurate evaluation results. Therefore, this paper proposes a reliability evaluation method for CNC machine tools considering fault failure data competing with machining accuracy degradation data. A fault failure model of CNC machine tools is established based on a non-homogeneous Poisson process. The fault failure model is updated according to the different effects of each maintenance result of the failure on machining accuracy. By integrating multiple geometric errors of CNC machine tools through multi-body system theory, the amount of machining accuracy degradation is extracted. A machining accuracy degradation failure model is established using the Wiener process. Considering the correlation between fault failure and degradation failure, a competing failure model based on the Coupla function is developed for evaluating the reliability of CNC machine tools. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by example analysis.
Perceptions of Community Health Workers (CHW) On Barriers And Enablers To Care For People With Psychosis In Rural Mozambique: Findings of a Focus Group Discussion Study Using The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behavior Framework (COM-B Framework).
Authors: Mabunda Dirceu , Oliveira Déborah , Sidat Mohsin , Cournos Francine , Wainberg Milton , Mari Jair de Jesus
Published: December 2021

Background: Psychotic disorders contribute significantly to the global disease burden by causing disability, impaired quality of life, and higher mortality in affected people compared with the general population. In rural settings, where there is limited or no access to healthcare, individuals living with psychotic disorders often seek support from Community Health Workers (CHWs). However, little is known about what CHWs know about psychosis and how they manage such cases. This study aimed to explore the CHWs perception of psychosis and their experiences and beliefs about the factors that might enable or hinder care taking for patients with psychosis in rural settings in Mozambique. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in rural districts of Maputo Province, a southern region of Mozambique, using six focus group discussions with participation of 79 CHWs. Thematic analysis was used informed by the Capabilities, Opportunities, Motivation and Behavior framework (COM-B).Results: Nine primary themes were identified. Overall, CHWs perceived psychosis as treatable medical conditions and held a positive attitude about being part of the care taking process of patients with psychosis in rural settings. Partnerships with key-stakeholders such as traditional healers, health care workers and families, were perceived by CHWs as enablers to improve access to care in rural areas. However, stigma, myths, and lack of competencies to treat people with psychosis were perceived by CHWs as barriers for appropriate care. Conclusion: CHWs, with adequate support, can play an important role in the care of patients with psychosis in rural settings, including identification of patients requiring care and referring them to appropriate healthcare professionals, and follow-up of medicated patients with psychosis within the rural remote setting. Training of CHWs should consider inclusion of basic mental health care competencies.
Morphological Changes in Blood Cells as Indicators for Disease Progression in COVID 19
Authors: A ABINAYA SUNDARI , M KARTHIKEYN T
Published: December 2021

A novel highly pathogenic human corona virus (COVID19) has been recently recognised in Wuhan, China as the cause of corona disease outbreak. It has rapidly spread from China to various countries across the world evolving as a pandemic. In our study we have categorized the covid positive patients into mild, moderate and severe based on the clinical criteria suggested by WHO. The coagulation parameters of the patients were analysed and documented. A peripheral smear was made for every patient and the morphological changes in blood cells were documented. The peripheral smear findings were then correlated with the disease stage and coagulation parameters. There were significant differences in the total WBC count and the differential WBC count between stages 1 &2 and stages 1 & 3 (p<0.005). Leucocytosis, neutrophilia and toxic changes in neutrophils were seen in severe stage of the disease and in covid coagulopathy suggesting these are important indicators of disease severity. Schistocytes an important finding in any other coagulopathy was not present in covid associated coagulopathy. Activated lymphocytes was found to be the most common morphological presentation seen in all covid patients irrespective of the disease stage whereas plasmacytoid lymphocytes was an important finding in severe stage disease. Monocyte cytoplasmic vacuoles, large/giant platelets were other morphological findings observed but these findings did not have any significant correlation with disease stage. Since follow up smears of the same patient were not analysed during disease progression and also post recovery, additional research in this field will provide further insights.
Oxygen Reduction Reaction Causes Iron Leaching from Fe-N-C Electrocatalysts
Authors: Ku Yu-Ping , Ehelebe Konrad , Bierling Markus , Speck Florian , Seeberger Dominik , Mayrhofer Karl , Thiele Simon , Cherevko Serhiy
Published: December 2021

The electrochemical activity of modern Fe-N-C electrocatalysts in alkaline media is on par with that of platinum. For successful application in fuel cells, however, also high durability and longevity must be demonstrated. Currently, design and synthesis of simultaneously active and stable platinum group metal-free electrocatalysts is hindered by a limited understanding of Fe-N-C degradation, especially under operando conditions. In this work, using a gas diffusion electrode half-cell coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry setup, Fe dissolution is studied under more realistic conditions, i.e. real catalyst layer and current densities up to 125 mA·cm-2. Varying the rate of oxygen reduction reaction, we show a remarkable correlation between Faradaic electrode charge and Fe dissolution. This finding is rationalized assuming that oxygen reduction and Fe dissolution reactions are interlinked, likely through a common intermediate formed during the Fe3+/Fe2+ redox transitions in coordinated Fe cations. Moreover, such linear correlation allows an introduction and use of a simple metric (stability number). Hence, in the current work, a powerful tool for a more applied stability screening of different electrocatalysts is introduced, which allows on the one hand fast performance investigations under more realistic conditions, and on the other hand more advanced mechanistic understanding of Fe-N-C degradation in catalyst layers.
Comprehensive Analysis of Aberrantly Expressed CircRNAs in the Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Authors: Gao Qi-Chang , Zhang Zhi-Zhuang , Shao Tuo , Tang Wei-Long , Hu Yu-Hang , Li Fu-Chun , Shen Hong-Tao , Gu Jia-Ao , Yu Zhan-Ge
Published: December 2021

Introduction With causing severe neurological deficits, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) has attracted attention in mounting numbers. Increasing evidence shows that circRNAs act as a vital regulatory role in the biological process of human disease development. However, the potential mechanism of circRNAs in OPLL was not fully revealed.MethodsIn this study, 3 OPLL patients and 3 controls were selected for Microarray analysis, and the expression profiles of circRNAs were established. TargetScan and Miranda's miRNA target prediction software were used to predict the circRNA-microRNA interaction. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were used to identify the biological process and key pathways. we used the STRING database to analyze and construct a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network. Several circRNAs were randomly selected for quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) validation. ResultsMicroarray data profiling indicated that 489 circRNAs (234 up and 255 down) were highly differentially expressed with setting screening criteria (FC ≥ 2.0 and p-value ≤ 0.05). GO enrichment and KEGG pathways analysis revealed some processes and pathways that might influence the progress of OPLL such as osteoclast differentiation, vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption, Wnt, MAPK, VEGF signaling pathway. We have obtained some significant genes such as AKT3, ACVR1, RBPJ, NFATC1, PTK2, SLC8A1. Extended sample verification results were consistent with sequencing data.Conclusions It is the first study for portraying circRNAs expression profiles of OPLL. This provides new ideas for the prevention and alleviation of OPLL. The specific functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in OPLL should be further verified to provide more clinical treatment options for OPLL patients.
Hydrotropic Root Behavior in Water-saving Cultivation: a High-resolution Monitoring Study of Soil Water Dynamics
Authors: Li Qichen , Sugihara Toshiaki , Shibusawa Sakae , Li Minzan
Published: December 2021

PurposeSubsurface irrigation has been confirmed to have high water use efficiency (WUE) due to it irrigating only the crop root zone. This study investigated hydrotropic root behavior when a wet zone was produced around the roots by subsurface irrigation to clarify the dynamics of soil water content in the wet zone caused by water absorption of the growing plant. ResultsWe conducted a feasibility study of a high-resolution soil moisture sensing prototype and gathered data to analyze hydrotropism and plant water absorption activity. We applied signal processing, high pass filtering, and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to the acquired high-resolution soil moisture data. The results showed distinct fluctuation of moisture at the boundary area, which indicated plant’s biological rhythm of photosynthetic activities. We also quantified root distribution inside and outside the wet zone and observed the shape of the root system from the cross-section of the wet zone. The results show that hydrotropism restricted most of the roots to the inside of the wet zone. Furthermore, root hydrotropic response is nonuniform for all roots of an individual plant. ConclusionsThe results suggest a new method to study hydrotropic root behavior and plant photosynthetic activities. We assumed a mechanical, push-and-pull model of water dynamics at the wetting front and the root mass accumulated by hydrotropism is an important system parameter. To further evaluate a plant’s hydrotropic performance, it is necessary to use stochastic analysis and/or a non-deterministic approach.
Identification of Ten-lncRNA Signatures Predict Disease-free and Overall Survival for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Yang Si-shu , Lu Jiong , Xiong Xian-ze
Published: December 2021

Background: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is bleak though it has been improved over recent years. Early diagnosis could improve the survival. Plenty of researches indicate that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) could play an important role in prognostic prediction of cancer as a kind of biomarker. Results: We identified and validated ten-lncRNAs based signatures to predict disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of HCC respectively from lncRNA expression data of HCC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Stratified survival analysis showed that the performance of lncRNAs related signatures was better than tumor, node, metastasis(TNM) staging system. Functional enrichment analysis showed that organelle fission and regulation of mRNA metabolic process were significantly enriched in differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs). Transcriptional misregulation in cancer and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway were significantly enriched pathways in the pathway enrichment analysis. Conclusion: we constructed two lncRNAs based signatures which could predict prognosis of HCC more accurate than the traditional ways.
The SARS-CoV-2 Host Cell Membrane Fusion Protein TMPRSS2 is A Tumor Suppressor and its Downregulation Promotes Antitumor Immunity and Immunotherapy Response in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Zhixian , Zhang Zhilan , Feng Qiushi , Wang Xiao-Sheng
Published: December 2021

TMPRSS2, a key molecule for SARS-CoV-2 invading human host cells, has an association with cancer. However, its association with lung cancer remains unexplored. In five lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) genomics datasets, we explored associations between TMPRSS2 expression and immune signatures, tumor progression phenotypes, and clinical prognosis in LUAD by the bioinformatics approach. We found that TMPRSS2 expression levels correlated negatively with the enrichment levels of both immune-stimulatory and immune-inhibitory signatures, while they correlated positively with the ratios of immune-stimulatory/immune-inhibitory signatures. It indicated that TMPRSS2 levels had a stronger negative correlation with immune-inhibitory than with immune-stimulatory signatures. TMPRSS2 downregulation correlated with increased proliferation, stemness, genomic instability, tumor progression, and worse survival in LUAD. We further validated that TMPRSS2 was downregulated with tumor progression in the LUAD dataset we collected. In vitro and in vivo experiments verified the association of TMPRSS2 deficiency with increased tumor cell proliferation and invasion and antitumor immunity in LUAD. Moreover, in vivo experiments demonstrated that TMPRSS2-knockdown tumors were more sensitive to BMS-1, an inhibitor of PD-1/PD-L1. In conclusion, TMPRSS2 is a tumor suppressor, while its downregulation is a positive biomarker of immunotherapy in LUAD. Our data provide a link between lung cancer and pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.