bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical management and results of glenohumeral combination fractures of the anterior glenoid rim and the proximal humerus
Authors: Kerkhoff Eileen , Ull Christopher , Rausch Valentin , Bernstorff Maria Alexandra , Seybold Dominik , Schildhauer Thomas Armin , Königshausen Matthias
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The combination of anterior large glenoid rim fractures (GRF) and proximal humerus fractures (PHF) is rare, with limited data available on specific treatments for these glenohumeral combination fractures (GCF). This study aimed to evaluate the treatment approaches for GCF, analyze patient outcomes, and outline surgical management strategies for different fracture types.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included patients with GCF, excluding those with fossa glenoidalis fractures, isolated greater tuberosity fractures, or small glenoid rim fractures (< 5 mm). Preoperative radiographs, CT scans, and follow-up radiographs were reviewed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Constant-Murley Score (CMS), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), Rowe Score (RS), and Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS).

Results

Sixteen patients with 17 GCFs (mean age 62 years) were followed for an average of 39 months. PHFs were categorized into three-part (76%), four-part (12%), and two-part fractures (12%). The average medial displacement of GRF was 5 mm, with an average dehiscence of 4 mm in the sagittal plane. Fourteen patients (88%) underwent surgical treatment; 35% had only the PHF surgically addressed, while 53% had both lesions surgically treated. Two patients (12%) received non-operative treatment. Complications were observed in 29% of cases, primarily involving the humeral side. The average CMS was 68 points, WOSI was 75%, RS was 77 points, and OSS was 41 points.

Conclusion

Treating GCF is complex and routinely necessitates surgical intervention, with or without GRF refixation. CT imaging is crucial for precise assessment of fracture morphology. The involvement of the minor tuberosity is critical in selecting the optimal surgical approach and managing the subscapularis muscle.
Inertial microfluidic mixer for biological CubeSat missions
Authors: Graja Adrianna , Gumieniak Mateusz , Dzimira Maciej , Janisz Tymon , Krakos Agnieszka
Published: October 2024

Nanosatellites of CubeSat type due to, i.a., minimized costs of space missions, as well as the potential large application area, have become a significant part of the space economy sector recently. The opportunity to apply miniaturized microsystem (MEMS) tools in satellite space missions further accelerates both the space and the MEMS markets, which in the coming years are considered to become inseparable. As a response to the aforementioned perspectives, this paper presents a microfluidic mixer system for biological research to be conducted onboard CubeSat nanosatellites. As a high complexity of the space systems is not desired due to the need for failure-free and remotely controlled operation, the principal concept of the work was to design an entirely passive micromixer, based on lab-on-chip technologies. For the first time, the microfluidic mixer that uses inertial force generated by rocket engines during launch to the orbit is proposed to provide an appropriate mixing of liquid samples. Such a solution not only saves the space occupied by standard pumping systems, but also reduces the energy requirements, ultimately minimizing the number of battery modules and the whole CubeSat size. The structures of the microfluidic mixers were fabricated entirely out of biocompatible resins using MultiJet 3D printing technology. To verify the functionality of the passive mixing system, optical detection consisting of the array of blue LEDs and phototransistors was applied successfully. The performance of the device was tested utilizing an experimental rocket, as a part of the Spaceport America Cup 2023 competition.

Graphical abstract
Influence of isolation on the resilience of tank bromeliad ecosystems to drought in a Neotropical rainforest
Authors: Séguigne Marie , Leroy Céline , Carrias Jean-François , Corbara Bruno , Rota Thibaut , Céréghino Régis
Published: October 2024

Little is known of how Neotropical freshwater ecosystems will respond to future climate scenarios. In Neotropical rainforests, a substantial fraction of the freshwater available to the aquatic fauna is found within phytotelmata, plant-held waters that form aquatic islands in a terrestrial matrix. We hypothesized that phytotelmata in close proximity have higher resilience capacity to severe drought than the isolated ones, under the assumption that immigration from nearby sources promotes faster recovery. We used rainshelters to emulate an extreme drought (67 days without rainfall) in tank-forming bromeliads arranged in patches of 1, 3 or 6 plants in a primary forest of French Guiana. Habitat size was a stronger determinant of invertebrate species richness and biomass per bromeliad than patch size. Larger bromeliad patches attenuated the adverse effect of drought on the biomass of predators, probably because short-range migration within dense patches allowed individuals to find moist refuges. However, the recovery of aquatic communities and ecosystem functions was mostly supported by in situ resistance, and a rescue effect of immigration was weak. Whilst environmental management plans tend to focus on dense networks of connected water bodies, our study shows that efforts should not omit the isolated ones.
Prolactin deficiency in the context of other pituitary hormone abnormalities
Authors: Shimon Ilan
Published: October 2024

Prolactin deficiency is rare. It generally occurs when pituitary disorders, such as large pituitary tumors, pituitary apoplexy, and other conditions associated with sellar mass effect lead to global failure of pituitary function and hypopituitarism. In these situiations, prolactin is commonly the last pituitary hormone affected, after growth hormone and gonadotropins are lost and thyroid-stimulating hormone and adrenocorticotopic hormone secretion is impaired. Prolactin deficiency accompanies several congenital syndromes due to mutations in PROP1 and Pit1/ POU1F and in X-linked IGSF1 deficiency syndrome, and several aqcuired conditions including Sheehan syndrome, IgG4-related hypophysitis, and immune checkpoint-inhibitor-induced hypophysitis. In women, prolactin deficiency prevents lactation following childbirth among other symptoms associated with hypopituitarism. Human prolactin is not available commercially as replacement therapy. However, recombinant human prolactin administered daily to women with hypoprolactinemia and alactogenesis was found to lead to the production of significant milk volume sufficient for lactation.
Transforming the feeding regime towards low-input increases the environmental impact of organic milk production on a case study farm in central germany
Authors: Eisert Johannes , Sahraei Amir , Knob Deise Aline , Lambertz Christian , Zollitsch Werner , Hörtenhuber Stefan , Kral Iris , Breuer Lutz , Gattinger Andreas
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Despite the direct effect of the feeding regime on the environmental impacts of dairy farming systems, its level of intensity, particularly in organic systems, has rarely been investigated. This study compares the environmental impact of a high-input feeding regime with a grassland-based, low-input feeding regime scenario within an organic milk production system conducted on Gladbacherhof, the research farm of Justus Liebig University Giessen, in Central Germany.

Methods

An integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis was performed from a cradle-to-farm gate perspective to quantify five environmental impacts, namely Global Warming (GW), Non-Renewable Energy Use (NREU), Land Use (LU), Terrestrial Acidification (TA), and Freshwater Eutrophication (FE). All agronomic data of the Gladbacherhof research farm, averaged over the years 2010–2017, were included. When not directly measured on the farm, ecoinvent data were included.

Results and discussion

Contrary to our hypothesis, the results suggest that a grassland-based low-input system has a higher environmental impact as compared to a high-input system for each of the five impact categories when using fat and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) as the functional unit. A 50% reduction in concentrates and exclusion of maize silage from the feed ration in the modelled low-input production system lead to a 20% drop in milk yield. To balance the energy content in low-input feeding ration, longer grazing period and higher amount of hay, alfalfa, and grass silage are required. This in turn results in higher emissions from enteric fermentation, manure management, and feed production and hence in higher environmental impact, particularly for GW, TA, and FE.

Conclusions

This study is one of the few that directly explores the environmental impact of feeding intensity in an organic milk production system. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research on consolidated emission factors for several greenhouse gas (GHG) sources in organic livestock and cropping systems to perform more robust carbon footprint calculations that comply with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 3 GHG reporting guidelines. To generalize the results at the regional or national scale, direct comparisons with a larger number of organic farms representative of high-input and low-input intensities are still essential.
Romanian jurisprudence on cybercrime: focus on illegal access to an information system
Authors: Zlati George
Published: October 2024

The Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and Directive 2013/40/EU are central in tackling cybercrime, yet they are starting to be left behind by the technological advancements and new modus operandi. This article tackles the offence of illegal access to an information system under Romanian criminal law, emphasising ongoing debates and legal controversies in Romania, mirroring wider issues in cybercrime legislation. The article delves into the meanings of ‘access’, ‘information system’, and ‘without right’ as they are interpreted with reference to the existing legal framework on cybercrime, exploring how these concepts influence the scope of the offence. Romania is a relevant case study because the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and Directive 2013/40/EU were transposed almost verbatim into national law. Thus, the issues raised in this article are relevant in many jurisdictions across Europe.
Computed tomography and coronary artery calcium score for screening of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular risk management in asymptomatic individuals
Authors: Pinto-Sietsma Sara-Joan , Velthuis Birgitta K. , Nurmohamed Nick S. , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn , Martens Fabrice M. A. C.
Published: October 2024

Several risk prediction models exist to predict atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic individuals, but systematic reviews have generally found these models to be of limited utility. The coronary artery calcium score (CACS) offers an improvement in risk prediction, yet its role remains contentious. Notably, its negative predictive value has a high ability to rule out clinically relevant atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Nonetheless, CACS 0 does not permanently reclassify to a lower cardiovascular risk and periodic reassessment every 5 to 10 years remains necessary. Conversely, elevated CACS (> 100 or > 75th percentile adjusted for age, sex and ethnicity) can reclassify intermediate-risk individuals to a high risk, benefiting from preventive medication. The forthcoming update to the Dutch cardiovascular risk management guideline intends to re-position CACS for cardiovascular risk assessment as such in asymptomatic individuals. Beyond CACS as a single number, several guidelines recommend coronary CT angiography (CCTA), which provides additional information about luminal stenosis and (high-risk) plaque composition, as the first choice of test in symptomatic patients and high-risk patients. Ongoing randomised studies will have to determine the value of atherosclerosis evaluation with CCTA for primary prevention in asymptomatic individuals.
Photon-counting detector computed tomography in cardiac imaging
Authors: Sharma Simran P. , Lemmens Marie-Julie D. K. , Smulders Martijn W. , Budde Ricardo P. J. , Hirsch Alexander , Mihl Casper
Published: October 2024

Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) has emerged as a revolutionary technology in CT imaging. PCD-CT offers significant advancements over conventional energy-integrating detector CT, including increased spatial resolution, artefact reduction and inherent spectral imaging capabilities. In cardiac imaging, PCD-CT can offer a more accurate assessment of coronary artery disease, plaque characterisation and the in-stent lumen. Additionally, it might improve the visualisation of myocardial fibrosis through qualitative late enhancement imaging and quantitative extracellular volume measurements. The use of PCD-CT in cardiac imaging holds significant potential, positioning itself as a valuable modality that could serve as a one-stop-shop by integrating both angiography and tissue characterisation into a single examination. Despite its potential, large-scale clinical trials, standardisation of protocols and cost-effectiveness considerations are required for its broader integration into clinical practice. This narrative review provides an overview of the current literature on PCD-CT regarding the possibilities and limitations of cardiac imaging.
Exploring Financial Realities: A Qualitative Study on Income Strategies of Female Sex Workers in Rotterdam’s Unlawful Sex Industry
Authors: Eggens Nina
Published: October 2024

Introduction

For many sex workers, money is the most important reason to engage in sex work. Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and aims to regulate its sex industry by distinguishing licensed, unlicensed, and illegal sex work; the latter in this article is referred to as unlawful sex work. This article focuses on female unlawfully working sex workers in Rotterdam and examines the financial advantages and disadvantages of working unlawfully, their consideration to pay taxes or not and their ways to increase their income.

Methods

From November 2021 to March 2022, 38 qualitative in-depth interviews and 17 qualitative observations were carried out with sex workers, social workers and authorities.

Results

The results indicate that the income is higher when working unlawfully but has disadvantages. Sex workers differ in whether they pay taxes. Moreover, there are different ways in which a sex worker can increase her income, including competition and mobility.

Conclusions

Though the Municipality of Rotterdam aimed for a regulated, lawful sex industry, unlawful sex work can still be an important means of income. There are different aspects these sex workers need to consider, and sex workers can do this in different ways for different reasons.

Policy Implications.

Income as the most important reason to engage in sex work underscores the need for policies addressing sex workers’ financial vulnerability, access to lawful employment opportunities in the sex industry, and financial stability.
Widespread Wolbachia infection is correlated with increased mtDNA diversity in native bees across the Fijian archipelago
Authors: Freedman Elisha H. , Davies Oliva K. , Stevens Mark I. , Dorey James B.
Published: October 2024

Insects have a complex coevolutionary history with bacterial symbionts, among which Wolbachia pipientis stands out for its prevalence and role in reproductive manipulation. Wolbachia can induce cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminisation, male killing, and parthenogenesis, greatly influence the population genetics of their hosts and are potential drivers of invertebrate speciation. We might then assume that Wolbachia could act synergistically with other factors, such as niche conservation and isolation by distance, to drive speciation in hyper-diverse invertebrate taxa. The Fijian archipelago hosts a remarkable and recently diverged clade of Lasioglossum (Homalictus) bees. Some of these Lasioglossum have highly unusual species-level sex ratios and mitochondrial diversities, which can be hallmarks of infection by a bacterial reproductive manipulator. To examine the role of Wolbachia in Fijian Lasioglossum speciation, we screened the endemic Fijian bees for Wolbachia using the Wolbachia surface protein gene (wsp). We compare the distribution of Wolbachia infection across species with host mitochondrial haplotype diversity and conducted phylogenetic analyses to determine the relationship of host relatedness and symbiont infection status. We found that Wolbachia haplotypes probably span across supergroups A and B. In addition, we found multiple haplotypes were highly similar, with the most abundant group of wsp haplotypes being closely related with the drosophila Wolbachia strain wHa. We found evidence of mostly horizontal and limited vertical transmission, and little evidence for Wolbachia-host cospeciation. We show that, contrary to general patterns, Wolbachia-infected Lasioglossum species have higher mitochondrial diversity. Finally, we present evidence for the potential of multiple modes of host manipulation in this clade.
Galileo—an Artificial Intelligence tool for evaluating pre-implantation kidney biopsies
Authors: Eccher Albino , L’Imperio Vincenzo , Pantanowitz Liron , Cazzaniga Giorgio , Del Carro Fabio , Marletta Stefano , Gambaro Giovanni , Barreca Antonella , Becker Jan Ulrich , Gobbo Stefano , Della Mea Vincenzo , Alberici Federico , Pagni Fabio , Dei Tos Angelo Paolo
Published: October 2024

Background

Pre-transplant procurement biopsy interpretation is challenging, also because of the low number of renal pathology experts. Artificial intelligence (AI) can assist by aiding pathologists with kidney donor biopsy assessment. Herein we present the “Galileo” AI tool, designed specifically to assist the on-call pathologist with interpreting pre-implantation kidney biopsies.

Methods

A multicenter cohort of whole slide images acquired from core-needle and wedge biopsies of the kidney was collected. A deep learning algorithm was trained to detect the main findings evaluated in the pre-implantation setting (normal glomeruli, globally sclerosed glomeruli, ischemic glomeruli, arterioles and arteries). The model obtained on the Aiforia Create platform was validated on an external dataset by three independent pathologists to evaluate the performance of the algorithm.

Results

Galileo demonstrated a precision, sensitivity, F1 score and total area error of 81.96%, 94.39%, 87.74%, 2.81% and 74.05%, 71.03%, 72.5%, 2% in the training and validation sets, respectively. Galileo was significantly faster than pathologists, requiring 2 min overall in the validation phase (vs 25, 22 and 31 min by 3 separate human readers, p < 0.001). Galileo-assisted detection of renal structures and quantitative information was directly integrated in the final report.

Conclusions

The Galileo AI-assisted tool shows promise in speeding up pre-implantation kidney biopsy interpretation, as well as in reducing inter-observer variability. This tool may represent a starting point for further improvements based on hard endpoints such as graft survival.

Graphical Abstract
Essentials of Water
Authors: Blanken Peter
Published: October 2024

Water shapes the planet and all life upon it. Breaking down traditional disciplinary barriers, this accessible, holistic introduction to the role and importance of water in Earth's physical and biological environments assumes no prior knowledge. It provides the reader with a clear and coherent explanation of the unique properties of water and how these allow it to affect landscapes and underpin all life on Earth. Contemporary issues surrounding water quality – such as the rise of microplastics and climate change – are highlighted, ensuring readers understand current debates. Giving all of the necessary background and up-to-date references, and including numerous examples and illustrations to explain concepts, worked mathematical calculations, and extensive end-of-chapter questions, this is the ideal introductory textbook for students seeking to understand the inextricable links between water and the environment.
Engaging Environmental Education Through PISA: Leveraging Curriculum as a Political Process
Authors: Eames Chris W. , Monroe Martha C. , White Peta J. , Ardoin Nicole M.
Published: October 2024

The Organisation for Economic and Cultural Development (OECD) works with countries worldwide to implement testing in the areas of science, mathematics and reading through the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) every three years, and this process is recognised to influence education systems through areas such as curriculum. Over the past decade, the OECD increasingly has acknowledged the need to include a greater emphasis on environmental issues, including developing student competencies specifically in this area. For the 2025 PISA round, we were invited as environmental science education experts to contribute to the Science Framework, which underpins the science assessment. This paper explains how we responded to that invitation, including foregrounding the urgent need to understand the competencies of 15 year-olds to address critical socio-ecological challenges such as climate change. We argue that this provides environmental education practitioners and scholars with a powerful opportunity to gain world-scale data for research and advocacy, which could enhance the visibility and leverage for our field in curriculum, whilst also recognising the political process within which we were engaged.
Estimation of travel time reduction for ice-breaking ships when considering ice information data
Authors: Schmitz Bernhard , Eis Christine , Bünger H. Jakob , Büskens Christof
Published: October 2024

In light of the recent increase in polar shipping and potential future increase with continued climate change reliable routing in ice-covered waters becomes increasingly important for environmental, economic and safety concerns. Dependable route suggestions have the potential to reduce travel times through polar waters significantly. We apply the Anytime Repairing A* pathfinding algorithm to classified Copernicus Sentinel 1 radar images to estimate how much travel times can be reduced. For multiple example scenarios, it is quantified how much the travel time is reduced if a ship follows these suggestions compared to navigating without any ice information available exterior to the visual range (VR). It was found that having ice information available is most beneficial in complex ice situations, where it can reduce travel time by up to 34% for a VR of 2 km.
Comparison of the impact of a system tele-antimicrobial stewardship program on the conversion of intravenous-to-oral antimicrobials in community hospitals
Authors: Maldonado Yanez Brenda V. , Ferrara Kendall E. , Lueking Richard , Morrisette Taylor , Brewer Erin E. , Lewis Nicole H. , Burgoon Rachel , Mediwala Hornback Krutika , Hamby Aaron C.
Published: October 2024

Objectives:

Evaluate system-wide antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) update impact on intravenous (IV)-to-oral (PO) antimicrobial conversion in select community hospitals through pre- and postimplementation trend analysis.

Methods:

Retrospective study across seven hospitals: region one (four hospitals, 827 beds) with tele-ASP managed by infectious diseases (ID)-trained pharmacists and region two (three hospitals, 498 beds) without. Data were collected pre- (April 2022–September 2022) and postimplementation (April 2023–September 2023) on nine antimicrobials for the IV to PO days of therapy (DOTs). Antimicrobial administration route and (DOTs)/1,000 patient days were extracted from the electronical medical record (EMR). Primary outcome: reduction in IV DOTs/1,000 patient days. Secondary outcomes: decrease in IV usage via PO:total antimicrobial ratios and cost reduction.

Results:

In region one, IV usage decreased from 461 to 209/1,000 patient days (P = < .001), while PO usage increased from 289 to 412/1,000 patient days (P = < .001). Total antimicrobial use decreased from 750 to 621/1,000 patient days (P = < .001). In region two, IV usage decreased from 300 to 243/1,000 patient days (P = .005), and PO usage rose from 154 to 198/1,000 patient days (P = .031). The PO:total antimicrobial ratios increased in both regions, from .42–.52 to .60–.70 in region one and from .36–.55 to .46–.55 in region two. IV cost savings amounted to $19,359.77 in region one and $4,038.51 in region two.

Conclusion:

The ASP intervention improved IV-to-PO conversion rates in both regions, highlighting the contribution of ID-trained pharmacists in enhancing ASP initiatives in region one and suggesting tele-ASP expansion may be beneficial in resource-constrained settings.
The redemption of The Accidental Republic: 70 years of Chinese Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Authors: Wang Leyao , Sun Ninghao , Tong Ruipeng
Published: October 2024

The Accidental Republic is a concern for all industrialised countries, and China is no exception. To solve this problem, Workers’ Compensation Insurance (WCI) is a perfect option. The redemption of The Accidental Republic can be understood through the development of WCI. However, little attention has been paid to the development of Chinese WCI. Starting from labour insurance regulations promulgated in 1951, this research explores over 70 years of reform and development of Chinese WCI, explicitly dividing reforms into three phases – establishment and implementation, exploration and practice, and adaptation and formation – that aligned with stages of China’s economic development. Further, the insurance fund performance in the last decade is evaluated by Data envelopment analysis and Malmquist (DEA-Malmquist), through the static and dynamic results, yielding generally average results. Subsequently, five major problems of WCI are identified and discussed and five suggestions offered drawing on international comparison and the national situation. Lastly, the accidental and inevitable aspects of China’s WCI system during the redemption of The Accidental Republic are summarised.
Team-based infection preventionist review improves inter-rater reliability in identification of healthcare-associated infections
Authors: Castillo Alyssa , Hudziec Meghan , Totten Sarah Elizabeth , Pisney Larissa
Published: October 2024

Accurate reporting of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) is a critical function of infection prevention and control (IPC) teams. Validation was performed to increase inter-rater reliability in HAI adjudication among infection preventionists. Benefits included improved data integrity, enhanced team performance, and individual growth.
Sustainment of perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis guidelines in children following discontinuation of an educational intervention to support stewardship
Authors: Dimopoulou Anastasia , Kourlaba Georgia , Chronopoulou Irini , Avloniti Anastasia , Mavrigiannaki Eleftheria , Georgopoulos Ioannis , Zaoutis Theoklis
Published: October 2024

Adherence to perioperative antimicrobial guidelines among Greek children was markedly decreased years after the discontinuation of an antimicrobial stewardship (AS) intervention. An educational intervention is effective to improve the perioperative antimicrobial use, but the continuous implementation of AS is important for its long-term sustainability.
Linear stability theory and molecular simulations of nanofilm dewetting with disjoining pressure, strong liquid–solid slip and thermal fluctuations
Authors: Zhang Yixin
Published: October 2024

The dewetting of thin nanofilms is significantly affected by thermal fluctuations, liquid–solid slip and disjoining pressure, which can be described by lubrication equations augmented by appropriately scaled noise terms, known as stochastic lubrication equations. Here molecular dynamics simulations along with a newly proposed slip-generating method are adopted to study the instability of nanofilms with arbitrary slip. These simulations show that strong-slip dewetting is distinct from weak-slip dewetting by faster growth of perturbations and fewer droplets after dewetting, which cannot be predicted by the existing stochastic lubrication equation. A new stochastic lubrication equation considering the strong-slip boundary condition is thus derived using a long-wave approximation to the equations of fluctuating hydrodynamics. The linear stability analysis of this equation, i.e. surface spectrum, agrees well with molecular simulations. Interestingly, strong slip can break down the usual Stokes limits adopted in weak-slip dewetting and bring the inertia into effect. The evolution of the standard deviation of the film height

$W^2(t)={\overline {h^2}-{\bar {h}}^2}$

at the initial stage of the strong-slip dewetting is found to be

$W\sim t^{1/4}$

in contrast to

$W\sim t^{1/8}$

for the weak-slip dewetting.
Drag reduction utilizing a wall-attached ferrofluid film in turbulent channel flow
Authors: Neamtu-Halic Marius M. , Holzner Markus , Stancanelli Laura M.
Published: October 2024

This study explores the application of a wall-attached ferrofluid film to decrease skin-friction drag in turbulent channel flow. We conduct experiments using water as a working fluid in a turbulent channel flow set-up, where one wall is coated with a ferrofluid layer held in place by external permanent magnets. Depending on the flow conditions, the interface between the two fluids is observed to form unstable travelling waves. While ferrofluid coating has been previously employed in laminar and moderately turbulent flows (Reynolds number

$Re<4000$

) to reduce drag by creating a slip condition at the fluid interface, its effectiveness in fully developed turbulent conditions, particularly when the interface exhibits instability, remains uncertain. Our primary objective is to assess the effectiveness of ferrofluid coating in reducing turbulent drag with particular focus on scenarios when the ferrofluid layer forms unstable waves. To achieve this, we measure flow velocity using two-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry (2D-PTV), and the interface contour between the fluids is determined using an interface tracking algorithm. Our results reveal the significant potential of ferrofluid coating for drag reduction, even in scenarios where the interface between the surrounding fluid and ferrofluid exhibits instability, with observed drag reduction rates up to 95 %. In particular, waves with an amplitude significantly smaller than a viscous length scale positively contribute to drag reduction, while larger waves are detrimental, because of induced turbulent fluctuations. However, for the latter case, slip outcompetes the extra turbulence so that drag is still reduced.
Direct numerical simulation of drag reduction in rotating pipe flow up to
Authors: Xiao Maochao , Ceci Alessandro , Orlandi Paolo , Pirozzoli Sergio
Published: October 2024

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of rotating pipe flows up to

$Re_\tau \approx 3000$

is carried out to investigate drag reduction effects associated with axial rotation, extending previous studies carried out at a modest Reynolds number (Orlandi & Fatica, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 343, 1997, pp. 43–72; Orlandi & Ebstein, Intl J. Heat Fluid Flow, vol. 21, 2000, pp. 499–505). The results show that the drag reduction, which we theoretically show to be equivalent to net power saving assuming no mechanical losses, monotonically increases as either the Reynolds number or the rotation number increases, proportionally to the inner-scaled rotational speed. Net drag reduction up to approximately

$70\,\%$

is observed, while being far from flow relaminarisation. Scaling laws for the mean axial and azimuthal velocity are proposed, from which a predictive formula for the friction factor is derived. The formula can correctly represent the dependency of the friction factor on the Reynolds and rotation numbers, maintaining good accuracy for low-to-moderate rotation numbers. Examination of the turbulent structures highlights the role of rotation in widening and elongating the small-scale streaks, with subsequent suppression of sweeps and ejections. In the core part of the flow, clear weakening of large-scale turbulent motions is observed at high Reynolds numbers, with subsequent suppression of the outer-layer peak in the pre-multiplied spectra. The Fukagata–Iwamoto–Kasagi decomposition indicates that, consistent with a theoretically derived formula, the outer layer yields the largest contribution to drag reduction at increasingly high Reynolds numbers. In contrast, both the inner and the outer layers contribute to drag reduction as the rotation number increases.
Learning fluid physics from highly turbulent data using sparse physics-informed discovery of empirical relations (SPIDER)
Authors: Gurevich Daniel R. , Golden Matthew R. , Reinbold Patrick A.K. , Grigoriev Roman O.
Published: October 2024

We show how a complete mathematical model of a physical process can be learned directly from data via a hybrid approach combining three simple and general ingredients: physical assumptions of smoothness, locality and symmetry, a weak formulation of differential equations and sparse regression. To illustrate this, we extract a complete system of governing equations of fluid dynamics – the Navier–Stokes equation, the continuity equation and the boundary conditions – as well as the pressure-Poisson and energy equations, from numerical data describing a highly turbulent channel flow in three dimensions. Whether they represent known or unknown physics, relations discovered using this approach take the familiar form of partial differential equations, which are easily interpretable and readily provide information about the relative importance of different physical effects. The proposed approach offers insight into the quality of the data, serving as a useful diagnostic tool. It is also remarkably robust, yielding accurate results for very high noise levels, and should thus be well suited for analysis of experimental data.
Dynamic modeling of wheeled biped robot and controller design for reducing chassis tilt angle
Authors: Mao Nan , Chen Junpeng , Spyrakos-Papastavridis Emmanouil , Dai Jian S.
Published: October 2024

The wheeled-legged robot combines the advantages of wheeled and legged robots, making it easier to assist people in completing repetitive and time-consuming tasks in their daily lives. This paper presents a study on the kinematic and dynamic modeling, as well as the controller design, of a wheeled biped robot with a parallel five-bar linkage mechanism as its leg module. During the motion of the robot, the robot relies on the tilt angle of the inverted pendulum, and this angle often results in the tilting of the chassis of the robot, presenting challenges for the installation of upper-body payloads and sensor systems. The controller proposed in this paper, which is developed by decoupling the primary motions of the robot and designing a multi-objective, multilevel controller, addresses this issue. This controller employs the pendulum pitch angle of the equivalent inverted pendulum model as the control variable and compensates for the chassis tilt angle (CTA). This control method can effectively reduce the CTA of such robots and eliminate the need for additional counterweights. It also provides a more spacious structural design for accommodating upper-body devices. The effectiveness of this control framework is verified through variable height control, walking on flat ground, and carrying loads over rough terrain and slopes.
Anchoring guide catheter to facilitate recanalising occluded pulmonary vein in small children: a novel technique
Authors: Mohammad Nijres Bassel , Muller Samantha , Karimi Mohsen , Aldoss Osamah
Published: October 2024

Transcatheter pulmonary vein recanalisation is challenging. Herein, we described a novel technique facilitating the recanalisation of occluded three pulmonary veins in two small children. This technique enhances the catheter’s alignment and stability during the recanalisation process. Referred to as the “anchoring guide catheter” technique, it can be applied only when the ipsilateral vein is patent.
Impact of the mother’s voice on sedation need and stress during cardiologic examination of children (SMUSS study): a prospective, interventional, randomised, controlled, monocentric study
Authors: Massoth Gregor , Vorhofer Emma , Spuck Nikolai , Mikus Marian , Mini Nathalie , Strassberger-Nerschbach Nadine , Wittmann Maria , Neumann Claudia , Schindler Ehrenfried
Published: October 2024

Introduction:

Cardiac catheterisation is crucial for diagnosing and treating paediatric heart diseases, but it is poorly tolerated by small children, infants, and newborns without sedation. This study investigated whether maternal voice during sedation could lower stress and pain in children undergoing cardiac catheterisation and also assessed mothers’ stress levels before and after the procedure.

Methods:

This was a prospective, monocentric, randomised, controlled interventional study at the University Hospital Bonn. Children aged 4 years or younger scheduled for elective cardiac catheterisation under procedural sedation and American Society of Anaesthesiologists class between 1 and 3 were eligible.

Results:

At the end of cardiac catheterisation, the intervention group showed a higher Newborn Infant Parasympathetic Evaluation index with an adjusted mean difference of 9.5 (± 4.2) (p = 0.026) and a lower median Children’s and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale score of 2.0 (IQR: 0.0–5.0) versus 4.5 (IQR: 3.0–6.0) than the control group (p = 0.027). No difference in the children’s cortisol level was found (p = 0.424). The mothers in the intervention group had a lower cortisol level than those in the control group before cardiac catheterisation (adjusted mean difference: −4.5 nmol/l (± 1.8 nmol/l), p = 0.011).

Conclusion:

Listening to the maternal voice during cardiac catheterisation could lead to less postoperative pain and significantly lower stress and discomfort level in children. Less pain could reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium.

Additionally, mothers perceived involvement as positive. A reduced stress level of mothers can positively influence children and possibly reduce pain and anxiety.
Coronary artery compression by dilated pulmonary artery in an early infantile case of tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve: ventricular fibrillation as the initial symptom of myocardial ischaemia
Authors: Yamada Yuya , Kurosaki Kenichi
Published: October 2024

Coronary artery compression by a dilated pulmonary artery is a rare complication in patients with tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve. We present a case in which this condition manifested at two months of age, with ventricular fibrillation as the initial symptom of myocardial ischaemia. It is important to recognise that this potentially fatal complication can occur in early infancy.
Development of the Local Food Systems Policy Index (Local Food-EPI+) tool and assessment process to benchmark the implementation of local government policies for creating healthy, equitable and environmentally sustainable food systems
Authors: Ruffini Oriana , Relf Chanel , Mann Davina , Blake Miranda R , Carrad Amy , Reeve Belinda , Barbour Liza , Vanderlee Lana , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Sacks Gary
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Local governments have an important role to play in creating healthy, equitable and environmentally sustainable food systems. This study aimed to develop and pilot a tool and process for local governments in Australia to benchmark their policies for creating healthy, equitable and environmentally sustainable food systems.

Design:

The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI), developed in 2013 for national governments, was tailored to develop the Local Food Systems Policy Index (Local Food-EPI+) tool for local governments. To incorporate environmental sustainability and the local government context, this process involved a literature review and collaboration with an international and domestic expert advisory committee (n 35) and local government officials.

Setting:

Local governments.

Results:

The tool consists of sixty-one indicators across ten food policy domains (weighted based on relative importance): leadership; governance; funding and resources; monitoring and intelligence; food production and supply chain; food promotion; food provision and retail in public facilities and spaces; supermarkets and food sources in the community; food waste reuse, redistribution and reduction; and support for communities. Pilot implementation of the tool in one local government demonstrated that the assessment process was feasible and likely to be helpful in guiding policy implementation.

Conclusion:

The Local Food-EPI+ tool and assessment process offer a comprehensive mechanism to assist local governments in benchmarking their actions to improve the healthiness, equity and environmental sustainability of food systems and prioritise action areas. Broad use of this tool will identify and promote leading practices, increase accountability for action and build capacity and collaborations.
Patients with diabetes struggling to afford food and control their HbA1c in food-insecure areas in Bronx, NY
Authors: Chambers Earle C , Levano Samantha R , Cohen Nevin , Maroko Andrew R , Telzak Andrew , Stephenson-Hunter Cara , Fiori Kevin P
Published: October 2024

Objective:

To characterise the association between risk of poor glycaemic control and self-reported and area-level food insecurity among adult patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design:

We performed a retrospective, observational analysis of cross-sectional data routinely collected within a health system. Logistic regressions estimated the association between glycaemic control and the dual effect of self-reported and area-level measures of food insecurity.

Setting:

The health system included a network of ambulatory primary and speciality care sites and hospitals in Bronx County, NY.

Participants:

Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who completed a health-related social need (HRSN) assessment between April 2018 and December 2019.

Results:

5500 patients with type 2 diabetes were assessed for HRSN with 7·1 % reporting an unmet food need. Patients with self-reported food needs demonstrated higher odds of having poor glycaemic control compared with those without food needs (adjusted OR (aOR): 1·59, 95 % CI: 1·26, 2·00). However, there was no conclusive evidence that area-level food insecurity alone was a significant predictor of glycaemic control (aOR: 1·15, 95 % CI: 0·96, 1·39). Patients with self-reported food needs residing in food-secure (aOR: 1·83, 95 % CI: 1·22, 2·74) and food-insecure (aOR: 1·72, 95 % CI: 1·25, 2·37) areas showed higher odds of poor glycaemic control than those without self-reported food needs residing in food-secure areas.

Conclusions:

These findings highlight the importance of utilising patient- and area-level social needs data to identify individuals for targeted interventions with increased risk of adverse health outcomes.
Mechanism exploration and model construction for small cell transformation in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinomas
Authors: Li Yan , Xie Tongji , Wang Shouzheng , Yang Lin , Hao Xuezhi , Wang Yan , Hu Xingsheng , Wang Lin , Li Junling , Ying Jianming , Xing Puyuan
Published: October 2024

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) transformation accounts for 3–14% of resistance in EGFR-TKI relapsed lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs), with unknown molecular mechanisms and optimal treatment strategies. We performed transcriptomic analyses (including bulk and spatial transcriptomics) and multiplex immunofluorescence on pre-treated samples from LUADs without transformation after EGFR-TKI treatment (LUAD-NT), primary SCLCs (SCLC-P) and LUADs with transformation after EGFR-TKI treatment (before transformation: LUAD-BT; after transformation: SCLC-AT). Our study found that LUAD-BT exhibited potential transcriptomic characteristics for transformation compared with LUAD-NT. We identified several pathways that shifted during transformation, and the transformation might be promoted by epigenetic alterations (such as HDAC10, HDAC1, DNMT3A) within the tumor cells instead of within the tumor microenvironment. For druggable pathways, transformed-SCLC were proved to be less dependent on EGF signaling but more relied on FGF signaling, while VEGF-VEGFR pathway remained active, indicating potential treatments after transformation. We also found transformed-SCLC showed an immuno-exhausted status which was associated with the duration of EGFR-TKI before transformation. Besides, SCLC-AT exhibited distinct molecular subtypes from SCLC-P. Moreover, we constructed an ideal 4-marker model based on transcriptomic and IHC data to predict SCLC transformation, which obtained a sensitivity of 100% and 87.5%, a specificity of 95.7% and 100% in the training and test cohorts, respectively. We provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of SCLC transformation and the differences between SCLC-AT and SCLC-P, which might shed light on prevention strategies and subsequent therapeutic strategies for SCLC transformation in the future.
Bacteria from the Amycolatopsis genus associated with a toxic bird secrete protective secondary metabolites
Authors: Seibel Elena , Um Soohyun , Bodawatta Kasun H. , Komor Anna J. , Decker Tanya , Fricke Janis , Murphy Robert , Maiah Gibson , Iova Bulisa , Maus Hannah , Schirmeister Tanja , Jønsson Knud Andreas , Poulsen Michael , Beemelmanns Christine
Published: October 2024

Uropygial gland secretions of birds consist of host and bacteria derived compounds and play a major sanitary and feather-protective role. Here we report on our microbiome studies of the New Guinean toxic bird Pachycephala schlegelii and the isolation of a member of the Amycolatopsis genus from the uropygial gland secretions. Bioactivity studies in combination with co-cultures, MALDI imaging and HR-MS/MS-based network analyses unveil the basis of its activity against keratinolytic bacteria and fungal skin pathogens. We trace the protective antimicrobial activity of Amycolatopsis sp. PS_44_ISF1 to the production of rifamycin congeners, ciromicin A and of two yet unreported compound families. We perform NMR and HR-MS/MS studies to determine the relative structures of six members belonging to a yet unreported lipopeptide family of pachycephalamides and of one representative of the demiguisins, a new hexapeptide family. We then use a combination of phylogenomic, transcriptomic and knock-out studies to identify the underlying biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for the production of pachycephalamides and demiguisins. Our metabolomics data allow us to map molecular ion features of the identified metabolites in extracts of P. schlegelii feathers, verifying their presence in the ecological setting where they exert their presumed active role for hosts. Our study shows that members of the Actinomycetota may play a role in avian feather protection.
Reinforcement learning in cold atom experiments
Authors: Reinschmidt Malte , Fortágh József , Günther Andreas , Volchkov Valentin V.
Published: October 2024

Cold atom traps are at the heart of many quantum applications in science and technology. The preparation and control of atomic clouds involves complex optimization processes, that could be supported and accelerated by machine learning. In this work, we introduce reinforcement learning to cold atom experiments and demonstrate a flexible and adaptive approach to control a magneto-optical trap. Instead of following a set of predetermined rules to accomplish a specific task, the objectives are defined by a reward function. This approach not only optimizes the cooling of atoms just as an experimentalist would do, but also enables new operational modes such as the preparation of pre-defined numbers of atoms in a cloud. The machine control is trained to be robust against external perturbations and able to react to situations not seen during the training. Finally, we show that the time consuming training can be performed in-silico using a generic simulation and demonstrate successful transfer to the real world experiment.