bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The numerical simulation of the changes of lock-in phenomenon produced from an in-line oscillating circular cylinder by the vortex method
Authors: Yokoi Yoshifumi
Published: August 2020

This study carries out a numerical simulation about changes of the lock-in phenomenon of the single circular cylinder which is oscillating in the direction of a flow. As for the calculation method of this study, the vortex method was used. The calculation was carried out by Reynolds number Re= 500. The oscillating amplitude ratio was 2a/d = 0.25 and the range of oscillating frequency ratio f/fK
was 0 to 3. In order to know the reliability of the calculation method, the flow aspect and fluid force of the stationary single circular cylinder were investigated, and it compared with the existing experimental result. The result was well in agreement. Also in calculation of the oscillating single circular cylinder, two typical flow patterns when a lock-in occurs were expressed. The relationship of the drag and lift was also found. The aspects of the flow of the situation which the lock-in does not produce were investigated. In the situation which the lock-in does not produce, there is no particular flow pattern and it became clear that two typical vortex shedding configurations interchanged and appeared. It was found that the character of such a complicated flow can also be expressed by the vortex method.
Computational-experimental model of fatigue growth of the welded joint crack
Authors: Kuts Mikhail S. , Andrienko Ludmila A. , Annenkov Phillip M. , Alexandrov Yaroslav V.
Published: August 2020

Welded joints are commonly used in various industries, and in many cases, they contain an initial crack, which could lead to huge damage. For this reason, it is essential to have a model to predict fatigue evolution of the welded joint crack. This paper is dedicated to the method of constructing the computational-experimental model of the fatigue growth of the welded joint crack. The described method is based on a numerical calculation using finite element modelling and Paris-Erdogan equation of the crack growth. Besides, the fatigue experiments of the test sample with a welded joint were conducted and the model of crack growth was constructed with the use of the obtained experimental data.
Research dynamic motion of a landing vehicle during the final landing stage
Authors: Koryanov Vsevolod V. , Hermosilla Heras Maria
Published: August 2020

Landing systems for future space missions in Earth and Mars require trustable technologies capable of achieving its aim in the most accurate way possible. Using the software Universal Mechanism (developed by Bryansk State Technical University) and the classic mechanics theory on a model based on the geometry of the ExoMars vehicle, a series of different landing situations have been simulated varying the initial conditions, the approach to the surface and the surface itself. As a result, the values of the arising overloads and forces acting on the descent vehicle and its payload were calculated during the landing stage in Earth and Mars. The information collected would help understand to what extent it is crucial to know the characteristics of the landing zone (type of soil, slope, etc.) and to control the vehicle’s inclination (measured from the radial axis) to provide successful landings for future missions.
Expanding sacrificially printed microfluidic channel-embedded paper devices for construction of volumetric tissue models in vitro
Authors: Li Hongbin , Cheng Feng , Li Wanlu , Cao Xia , Wang Zixuan , Wang Mian , Robledo-Lara Juan Antonio , Liao Junlong , Chávez-Madero Carolina , Hassan Shabir , Xie Jingwei , Trujillo-de Santiago Grissel , Álvarez Mario Moisés , He Jinmei , Zhang Yu Shrike
Published: August 2020

We report a method for expanding microchannel-embedded paper devices using a precisely controlled gas-foaming technique for the generation of volumetric tissue models in vitro. We successfully fabricated hollow, perfusable microchannel patterns contained in a densely entangled network of bacterial cellulose nanofibrils using matrix-assisted sacrificial three-dimensional printing, and demonstrated the maintenance of their structural integrity after gas-foaming-enabled expansion in an aqueous solution of NaBH4. The resulting expanded microchannel-embedded paper devices showed multilayered laminar structures with controllable thicknesses as a function of both NaBH4 concentration and expansion time. With expansion, the thickness and porosity of the bacterial cellulose network were significantly increased. As such, cellular infiltration was promoted comparing to as-prepared, non-expanded devices. This simple technique enables the generation of truly volumetric, cost-effective human-based tissue models, such as vascularized tumor models, for potential applications in preclinical drug screening and personalized therapeutic selection.
BoneMA—synthesis and characterization of a methacrylated bone-derived hydrogel for bioprinting of in-vitro vascularized tissue constructs
Authors: Parthiban S Prakash , Athirasala Avathamsa , Tahayeri Anthony , Abdelmoniem Reyan , George Anne , Bertassoni Luiz E
Published: August 2020

It has long been proposed that recapitulating the extracellular matrix (ECM) of native human tissues in the laboratory may enhance the regenerative capacity of engineered scaffolds in-vivo. Organ- and tissue-derived decellularized ECM biomaterials have been widely used for tissue repair, especially due to their intrinsic biochemical cues that can facilitate repair and regeneration. The main purpose of this study was to synthesize a new photocrosslinkable human bone-derived ECM hydrogel for bioprinting of vascularized scaffolds. To that end, we demineralized and decellularized human bone fragments to obtain a bone matrix, which was further processed and functionalized with methacrylate groups to form a photocrosslinkable methacrylate bone ECM hydrogel— bone-derived biomaterial (BoneMA). The mechanical properties of BoneMA were tunable, with the elastic modulus increasing as a function of photocrosslinking time, while still retaining the nanoscale features of the polymer networks. The intrinsic cell-compatibility of the bone matrix ensured the synthesis of a highly cytocompatible hydrogel. The bioprinted BoneMA scaffolds supported vascularization of endothelial cells and within a day led to the formation of interconnected vascular networks. We propose that such a quick vascular network formation was due to the host of pro-angiogenic biomolecules present in the bone ECM matrix. Further, we also demonstrate the bioprintability of BoneMA in microdimensions as injectable ECM-based building blocks for microscale tissue engineering in a minimally invasive manner. We conclude that BoneMA may be a useful hydrogel system for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
RETRACTED: Synthesis of cubic boron nitride diffused-D2 steel surface composite by thermo-chemical diffusion process to enhance the wear resistance
Authors: Saggu Harminder Singh , Prakash Chander , Kang Amardeep Singh , Pruncu Catalin I
Published: August 2020

The diffusion of cubic boron nitride (c-BN) on the D2 tool steel surface was investigated using a thermo-chemical process in order to enhance the tribological properties of tool steel surfaces. The c-BN was diffused on the tool steel surface applying the thermochemical diffusion process using argon controlled furnace. The effect of temperature and soaking time on the diffusion process, micro-hardness, and wear resistance were the main parameters evaluated. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to analyze the morphology and elemental composition of the as-synthesized c-BN-D2 surface composite. Here, the micro-hardness of manufactured coatings was investigated using a Vickers hardness tester. The wear resistance of surface composite was studied using a pin-on-disk apparatus. The morphological investigation revealed that c-BN was successfully diffused in the surface of tool steel in the form of white globular precipitates. The best surface hardness produced has a values of 1570 GPa. The diffused layer thickness varies between 50–90 μm and is very dense. It has mechanical interlocking properties suitable against delamination process and wear formation. The superior performances of novel c-BN-D2 tool steel surface composite permits to extend the machine tool life, especially when is applied on the single-point cutting tools.
Few-cycle high-harmonic generation in liquids: in-operando thickness measurement of flat microjets
Authors: Yin Zhong , Luu Tran Trung , Wörner Hans Jakob
Published: August 2020

Extreme ultraviolet high-harmonic generation (HHG) from bulk liquids has only recently been demonstrated (T.T. Luu, Z. Yin et al, Nat. Comm. 9, 3724, (2018)). This has opened new prospects for the development of bright high-harmonic sources and the development of liquid-phase high-harmonic spectroscopy (HHS). Here, we report on the first observation of HHG in liquids driven by few-cycle (∼7 fs) pulses. We observe the emission of a broad quasi-continuum in the extreme ultraviolet, which is strongly modulated on a photon-energy scale much finer than the central photon energy of the driver. We show that these modulations arise from an etalon effect inside the flat microjet, which we use to perform an in-operando measurement of the flat-jet’s thickness. The possibility to directly characterize flat microjets during HHG will greatly support their optimization for light-source applications and facilitate the development of liquid-phase HHS.
Effect of the core thickness on the flexural behaviour of polymer foam sandwich structures
Authors: Gupta Yash , Paul V Varghese , Jacob Ashish , Mohanty Akash
Published: August 2020

In this study, the effect of the core thickness of the sandwich composite on its flexural strength was investigated. E-glass fibre reinforced epoxy-based laminates were used as the skin materials whereas a polyurethane foam was used as the core material with varying thickness of 5, 7, and 9 mm. The experimental/theoretical and FEA analysis were carried out. Results indicated that as core thickness increased, the axial face stresses/core shear stresses and total deformation decreased. This improved the composite structural properties. This improvement was accompanied by a minor increase in weight. A good concurrence was observed between theoretical and FEA results. These results allow us to compare and select optimum parameters for aerospace applications.
5. The ghetto in America
Authors: Cheyette Bryan
Published: August 2020

How did the ‘city within a city’ concept move from early modern Venice to Harlem? ‘The ghetto in America’ looks at Chicago and New York after the African-American Great Migration of 1916 transformed the cities of the north. In prosperous times, the ghetto could be a place of entrepreneurship, culture, and social advancement—qualities seen as ‘ghetto fabulous’. In lean times, already vulnerable inhabitants had little access to loans or housing. Mid-20th-century African-American writers argued about whether they lived in a ‘ghetto’ or not, as some feared that the term limited the life chances of those who were already impoverished and segregated. Music ‘from the ghetto’—the rap of the 1980s and 1990s—blurred the lines between hedonism and dissent, making the ghetto a symbol of both injustice and transgression.
6. The global ghetto
Authors: Cheyette Bryan
Published: August 2020

‘The global ghetto’ reminds us to beware the temptation of removing the concept of ‘ghetto’ from its place-specific roots. The recent appropriation of ‘ghetto style’ and hip-hop by young black South Africans in townships illustrates this duality—how ghetto crosses borders and is also located in specific places and signs. The rural Eastern and Central Europeans, who were subjects of ghetto literature, would have seen themselves as living not in ghettos but shtetls. The difference lies in whether the term ‘ghetto’ is imposed on a powerless population, or consciously adopted as a form of cultural expression and a badge of power.
Philosophical Method: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Williamson Timothy
Published: August 2020

What is philosophy and what are philosophers trying to achieve? Philosophical Method: A Very Short Introduction looks at the history of philosophy, including examples from history charting the successes and failures of philosophical thinking. Themes explored in detail include philosophy’s relationship to mathematics and science, common sense and its misinterpretations, the role of debate in the search for truth, and the importance of thought experiments to philosophical arguments. This VSI provides a contemporary look at philosophical methodology, asking if philosophy is always an ‘armchair-based’ discipline or if real-life thought experiments can help us solve philosophical problems.
Deducing
Authors: Williamson Timothy
Published: August 2020

Detective work is an important tool in philosophy. ‘Deducing’ explains the difference between valid and sound arguments. An argument is valid if its premises are true but is only sound if the conclusion is true. The Greek philosophers identified disjunctive syllogism—the idea that if something is not one thing, it must be another. This relates to another philosophical concept, the ‘law of the excluded middle’. An abduction is a form of logical inference which attempts to find the most likely explanation. Modal logic, an extension of classical logic, is a popular branch of logic for philosophical arguments.
Using the history of philosophy
Authors: Williamson Timothy
Published: August 2020

Why is history more central to the study of philosophy than of mathematics or science? ‘Using the history of philosophy’ argues for the importance of history for giving students ideas to build on, whereas mathematics and science tend to focus on new ideas. Alan Turing invented his universal computing machines in response to a philosophical question. History gives us evidence of whether ideas were any good, through accounts of contemporary support or opposition, and how they have fared since. The battle of ideas between religious and scientific world views has been fought within philosophy. Has contemporary philosophy absorbed all the significant insights of earlier work?
Conclusion
Authors: Williamson Timothy
Published: August 2020

Philosophy is a science, interconnected with others and as autonomous as others. The Conclusion looks at the future of philosophy, and whether it will withstand the pressures on it to be something else—pop science, literature, or alternative religion. Humans are naturally curious—we wonder about things and ask questions, whether we are philosophers or not. This curiosity may help philosophy to survive, through an iterative human-led journey of improvement like the trajectory it has taken already. Philosophical methods can be improved, just as other scientific methods can be improved; the only remaining question is how.
3. Populations
Authors: Ghazoul Jaboury
Published: August 2020

‘Populations’ considers the factors behind animal, plant, and insect population outbreaks. Influenced by weather and food, population outbreaks fast exceed available resources and populations crash. It is difficult to determine whether predators control the prey population or vice versa. Competition is a more persuasive argument for population control, acting through density-dependent processes. Carrying capacity is the population size that can be maintained given available resources, which might well be affected by environmental factors. Ecologists define two types of species—r species which reproduce early and produce many offspring, and k species which inhabit more tranquil environments. The picture is complicated by life trade-offs between two variables, such as reproduction and growth or survival.
4. Communities
Authors: Ghazoul Jaboury
Published: August 2020

‘Communities’ begins by looking at mutualisms, collaborative interactions between species, and goes on to explore ecosystem structure and change. True mutualism is rare, and cooperative relationships easily become exploitative. Entire communities can depend on a ‘keystone’ species, the loss of which has impacts that cascade across the biological system. Succession is the sequential development of increasingly complex ecological communities. Raymond Lindeman’s great insight was to interpret complex ecosystems as flows of energy and matter between living and non-living system components. Successional processes, ecosystem structures, and energy transfers all arise from the myriad of antagonistic and mutualistic interactions among individual organisms.
8. Future ecology
Authors: Ghazoul Jaboury
Published: August 2020

Ecological science is evolving. ‘Future ecology’ looks at how new technologies, from satellites to software, have increased the depth and breadth of ecological science, increased its spatial outlook, and provided new opportunities to track climate change and engage with society. The prevalence of mathematical modelling, DNA reference libraries and remotely sourced data has provided scientists with new tools but has paradoxically taken them away from the ecological fieldwork that allows them to observe the complex reactions of ecosystems. The coming decades will experience extreme disturbances, and their ability to respond is based on their resilience, itself affected by human activities that alter ecosystem composition.
Identification and Estimation of Causal Effects Using a Negative-Control Exposure in Time-Series Studies With Applications to Environmental Epidemiology
Authors: Yu Yuanyuan , Li Hongkai , Sun Xiaoru , Liu Xinhui , Yang Fan , Hou Lei , Liu Lu , Yan Ran , Yu Yifan , Jing Ming , Xue Hao , Cao Wuchun , Wang Qing , Zhong Hua , Xue Fuzhong
Published: August 2020

The initial aim of environmental epidemiology is to estimate the causal effects of environmental exposures on health outcomes. However, due to lack of enough covariates in most environmental data sets, current methods without enough adjustments for confounders inevitably lead to residual confounding. We propose a negative-control exposure based on a time-series studies (NCE-TS) model to effectively eliminate unobserved confounders using an after-outcome exposure as a negative-control exposure. We show that the causal effect is identifiable and can be estimated by the NCE-TS for continuous and categorical outcomes. Simulation studies indicate unbiased estimation by the NCE-TS model. The potential of NCE-TS is illustrated by 2 challenging applications: We found that living in areas with higher levels of surrounding greenness over 6 months was associated with less risk of stroke-specific mortality, based on the Shandong Ecological Health Cohort during January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. In addition, we found that the widely established negative association between temperature and cancer risks was actually caused by numbers of unobserved confounders, according to the Global Open Database from 2003–2012. The proposed NCE-TS model is implemented in an R package (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) called NCETS, freely available on GitHub.
Position Paper on Critical Care Pharmacy Services (Executive Summary): 2020 Update
Authors: Lat Ishaq , Paciullo Christopher , Daley Mitchell J , MacLaren Robert , Bolesta Scott , McCann Jennifer , Stollings Joanna L , Gross Kendall , Foos Sarah A , Roberts Russel J , Acquisto Nicole M , Taylor Scott , Bentley Michael , Jacobi Judith , Meyer Tricia A
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Provide a multiorganizational statement to update the statement from a paper in 2000 about critical care pharmacy practice and make recommendations for future practice.

Design

The Society of Critical Care Medicine, American College of Clinical Pharmacy Critical Care Practice and Research Network, and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists convened a joint task force of 15 pharmacists representing a broad cross-section of critical care pharmacy practice and pharmacy administration, inclusive of geography, critical care practice setting, and roles. The Task Force chairs reviewed and organized primary literature, outlined topic domains, and prepared the methodology for group review and consensus. A modified Delphi method was used until consensus (>66% agreement) was reached for each practice recommendation. Previous position statement recommendations were reviewed and voted to either retain, revise, or retire. Recommendations were categorized by level of ICU service to be applicable by setting, and grouped into five domains: patient care, quality improvement, research and scholarship, training and education, and professional development.

Main Results

There are 82 recommendation statements: forty-four original recommendations and 38 new recommendation statements. Thirty-four recommendations were made for patient care, primarily relating to critical care pharmacist duties and pharmacy services. In the quality improvement domain, 21 recommendations address the role of the critical care pharmacist in patient and medication safety, clinical quality programs, and analytics. Nine recommendations were made in the domain of research and scholarship. Ten recommendations are in the domain of training and education and eight recommendations regarding professional development.

Conclusions

The statements recommended by this taskforce delineate the activities of a critical care pharmacist and the scope of pharmacy services within the ICU. Effort should be made from all stakeholders to implement the recommendations provided, with continuous effort toward improving the delivery of care for critically ill patients.
In silico tools for accurate HLA and KIR inference from clinical sequencing data empower immunogenetics on individual-patient and population scales
Authors: Chen Jieming , Madireddi Shravan , Nagarkar Deepti , Migdal Maciej , Vander Heiden Jason , Chang Diana , Mukhyala Kiran , Selvaraj Suresh , Kadel Edward E , Brauer Matthew J , Mariathasan Sanjeev , Hunkapiller Julie , Jhunjhunwala Suchit , Albert Matthew L , Hammer Christian
Published: August 2020

Immunogenetic variation in humans is important in research, clinical diagnosis and increasingly a target for therapeutic intervention. Two highly polymorphic loci play critical roles, namely the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system, which is the human version of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and the Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) that are relevant for responses of natural killer (NK) and some subsets of T cells. Their accurate classification has typically required the use of dedicated biological specimens and a combination of in vitro and in silico efforts. Increased availability of next generation sequencing data has led to the development of ancillary computational solutions. Here, we report an evaluation of recently published algorithms to computationally infer complex immunogenetic variation in the form of HLA alleles and KIR haplotypes from whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing data. For both HLA allele and KIR gene typing, we identified tools that yielded >97% overall accuracy for four-digit HLA types, and >99% overall accuracy for KIR gene presence, suggesting the readiness of in silico solutions for use in clinical and high-throughput research settings.
Publishing Environmental Assessment and Management Science: Crossing the Hurdles
Authors: Efroymson Rebecca A , Peterson Mark J
Published: August 2020

Benefits accrue to scientists, resource managers, companies, and policymakers when environmental scientists publish in peer-reviewed journals. However, environmental scientists and practitioners face challenges, including the sometimes low value placed on journal articles, institutional vested interests in outcomes, and the changing priorities of employers and project sponsors. Confidentiality agreements can also lead scientists to assume publication is not an option. Case studies may be viewed by potential authors as too routine for peer-reviewed journals. On the basis of 30 years of experience, we suggest that publishing hurdles can be overcome and that environmental scientists have a range of options. The topics of manuscripts can include not only results from case studies and perspectives based on them but also byproducts of assessments, including definitions, plans, monitoring methods and models, and decision frameworks. Environmental scientists have unique opportunities to move science forward with their practical knowledge if they can move across the institutional, logistical, data-related, and content-related hurdles.
Against Stultifying Classifications, for a ‘New Humanism’: Frantz Fanon’s Contribution to Social Work’s Commitment to ‘Liberation’
Authors: Garrett Paul Michael
Published: August 2020

Efforts to ‘decolonize’ social work, along with the contemporary resurgence of racism and fascism, might prompt a return to the work of Frantz Fanon. Mostly focusing on Black Skin, White Masks and a recent collection, Alienation and Freedom, it is argued that Fanon’s commitment to liberation and the creation of a ‘new humanism’ was reflected in both his anti-colonial politics and in his practice as a psychiatrist. A defining characteristic of Fanon’s professional role is that he tried to imbue it with same values and progressive aspirations central to his political project. It is maintained that Fanon’s aspiration to dismantle obstacles to democracy is reflected in his aspiration to confront oppressive categories pertaining to ‘race’ and also those rooted in the ‘common sense’ of the Psychiatric Hospital. In both contexts, his political and professional contributions convey significant messages for social work and chime with the ethical commitments of the profession to promote the ‘liberation of people’.
Off-label use of reduced dose direct oral factor Xa inhibitors in subjects with atrial fibrillation: a review of clinical evidence
Authors: Bo Mario , Corsini Alberto , Brunetti Enrico , Isaia Gianluca , Gibello Maddalena , Ferri Nicola , Poli Daniela , Marchionni Niccolò , De Ferrari Gaetano Maria
Published: August 2020

In real-world clinical practice, underdosing, i.e. off-label use of reduced doses (RDs), of oral factor Xa inhibitors (oFXaIs) is quite common in stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, possibly reflecting the hope to increase safety without reducing efficacy in selected patients. To assess whether this strategy is associated with some clinical benefit, we used a physician-centred approach to evaluate whether current evidence supports the hypothesis that a substantial proportion of underdosing may be voluntary rather than casual, whether and to what extent oFXaIs’ dose rather than patients’ characteristics are associated with bleeding events, and which are the safety and efficacy clinical implications of oFXaIs’ underdosing. Our review found consistent evidence that underdosing is often an intentional strategy; however, available studies do not demonstrate a sizeable net clinical benefit of using off-label RD oFXaIs.
Final 5-year outcomes following aortic valve replacement with a RESILIA™ tissue bioprosthesis
Authors: Bartus Krzysztof , Litwinowicz Radoslaw , Bilewska Agata , Stapor Maciej , Bochenek Maciej , Rozanski Jacek , Sadowski Jerzy , Filip Grzegorz , Kusmierczyk Mariusz , Kapelak Boguslaw
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVES

Long-term durability of bioprosthetic valves is predominantly limited by structural valve deterioration. RESILIA™ tissue has exhibited reduced calcification in pre-clinical and early clinical studies. This study evaluated the 5-year clinical and haemodynamic outcomes of an aortic valve with this tissue.

METHODS

This was a prospective, non-randomized, single-arm study of 133 patients implanted with a RESILIA aortic bioprosthesis between July 2011 and February 2013 at 2 sites in Poland. Clinical outcomes and haemodynamic performance were assessed annually for 5 years post-implant. Safety events were adjudicated by a Clinical Events Committee and echocardiographic data were assessed by an independent core laboratory.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 65.3 ± 13.5 years, with 34 patients (25.6%) ≤60. The mean follow-up was 4.2 ± 1.5 years. Early (≤30 days) and late (>30 days) all-cause mortality were 2.3% (N = 3) and 3.2%/late patients-years (N = 18) respectively. Early events included thromboembolism in 3 patients (2.3%). Late valve-related events included endocarditis in 1 patient, which led to explant, and valve thrombosis in another patient. There were no events of structural valve deterioration throughout the study. At 5 years, mean gradient was 14.8 ± 7.6 mmHg and effective orifice area was 1.4 ± 0.5 cm2, a marked improvement over baseline values. All New York Heart Association class III patients and most class II patients at baseline had improved classifications at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The bioprosthesis with RESILIA tissue demonstrated a good safety profile with excellent haemodynamic performance over 5 years of follow-up. These encouraging outcomes warrant additional investigation of this novel tissue.

Clinical trial registration number

NCT01651052
Outcomes of tricuspid valve surgery in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation
Authors: Pahwa Siddharth , Saran Nishant , Pochettino Alberto , Schaff Hartzell , Stulak John , Greason Kevin , Daly Richard , Crestanello Juan , King Katherine , Dearani Joseph
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVES

Functional tricuspid regurgitation (fTR) has been amenable to tricuspid valve repair (TVr), with fewer patients needing tricuspid valve replacement (TVR). We sought to review our experience of tricuspid valve surgery for fTR.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent primary tricuspid valve surgery for fTR (n = 926; mean age 68.6 ± 12.5 years; 67% females) from January 1993 through June 2018 was conducted. There were 767 (83%) patients who underwent TVr (ring annuloplasty, 67%; purse-string annuloplasty, 33%) and 159 (17%) underwent TVR (bioprosthetic valves, 87%; mechanical valves, 13%). The median follow-up was 8.2 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.2–8.9 years].

RESULTS

A greater proportion of patients who underwent TVR had severe right ventricular dysfunction (P < 0.001), severe tricuspid regurgitation (P < 0.001) and congestive heart failure (P = 0.001) while the TVr cohort had a greater proportion with severe mitral valve (MV) regurgitation (P < 0.001) and concomitant cardiac procedures. Early mortality (TVR, 9% vs TVr, 3%; P = 0.004), renal failure (TVR, 10% vs TVr, 5%; P = 0.014) and hospital stay (TVR, 15 ± 15 days vs TVr, 12 ± 11 days; P < 0.001) were greater in TVR patients. The TVR cohort had worse survival [hazard ratio (HR) 1.57; 95% CI 1.23–1.99]. Multivariable analysis identified congestive heart failure (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.10–1.72), renal failure (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.14–2.82), previous MV surgery (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.05–1.72) and TVR (HR 1.36; 95% CI 1.03–1.79) as independent risk factors for late mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Tricuspid repair for fTR appears to have better early and late outcomes. Since previous MV surgery and TVR are identified as independent risk factors for late mortality, concomitant TVr at the time of index MV surgery may be considered. Early referral before the onset of advanced heart failure may improve outcomes.
A toddler SHIME® model to study microbiota of young children
Authors: Bondue Pauline , Lebrun Sarah , Taminiau Bernard , Everaert Nadia , LaPointe Gisele , Crevecoeur Sebastien , Daube Georges , Delcenserie Veronique
Published: August 2020

The ‘first 1000 days of life’ determine the gut microbiota composition and can have long-term health consequences. In this study, the simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME®) model, which represents the main functional sections of the digestive tract, was chosen to study the microbiota of young children. The aim of this study was to reproduce the digestive process of toddlers and their specific colonic environment. The ascending, transverse and descending colons of SHIME® model were inoculated with feces from three donors aged between 1 and 2 years-old, in three separate runs. For each run, samples from colon vessels were collected at days 14, 21 and 28 after microbiota stabilization period. Short chain fatty acid concentrations determined by HPLC showed that microbiota obtained in SHIME® model shared characteristics between adults and infants. In addition, microbial diversity and bacterial populations determined by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were specific to each colon vessel. In conclusion, the SHIME® model developed in this study seemed well adapted to evaluate prebiotic and probiotic impact on the specific microbiota of toddlers, or medicine and endocrine disruptor metabolism. Moreover, this study is the first to highlight some biofilm development in in vitro gastrointestinal modelling systems.
Chromosome-Level Assembly of the Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) Genome
Authors: Yurchenko Andrey A , Recknagel Hans , Elmer Kathryn R
Published: August 2020

Squamate reptiles exhibit high variation in their phenotypic traits and geographical distributions and are therefore fascinating taxa for evolutionary and ecological research. However, genomic resources are very limited for this group of species, consequently inhibiting research efforts. To address this gap, we assembled a high-quality genome of the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara (Lacertidae), using a combination of high coverage Illumina (shotgun and mate-pair) and PacBio sequencing data, coupled with RNAseq data and genetic linkage map generation. The 1.46-Gb genome assembly has a scaffold N50 of 11.52 Mb with N50 contig size of 220.4 kb and only 2.96% gaps. A BUSCO analysis indicates that 97.7% of the single-copy Tetrapoda orthologs were recovered in the assembly. In total, 19,829 gene models were annotated to the genome using a combination of ab initio and homology-based methods. To improve the chromosome-level assembly, we generated a high-density linkage map from wild-caught families and developed a novel analytical pipeline to accommodate multiple paternity and unknown father genotypes. We successfully anchored and oriented almost 90% of the genome on 19 linkage groups. This annotated and oriented chromosome-level reference genome represents a valuable resource to facilitate evolutionary studies in squamate reptiles.
Gender Divides in Engagement With COVID-19 Information on the Internet Among U.S. Older Adults
Authors: Campos-Castillo Celeste
Published: August 2020

Objective

Gender and age disparities in older adults’ exposure to pandemic stressors may create different needs for engaging with COVID-19 information, yet mitigation strategies to curb spreading COVID-19 inhibit their access to preferred in-person information networks. To inform the design of Internet-based interventions for older adults, the current study of U.S. older adults examines gender and age divides in searching for and sharing COVID-19 information on the Internet.

Method

A secondary analysis of survey data from the Pew Research Center fielded March 19–24, 2020. Bivariate probit regressions jointly estimated how searching for and sharing information on the Internet about COVID-19 were associated with the age and gender of U.S. older adults (50 or older), adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Consistent with previous research, younger older adults (50–64) were more likely than their older counterparts (65 or older) to search for and share information about COVID-19 and men, regardless of age, were less likely than women to share information. While men are usually more likely than women to search for information, women who are younger older adults were most likely to search for COVID-19 information.

Discussion

Internet-based interventions for older adults should consider how gender shapes their exposure to pandemic stressors. Men, who were already at risk of social isolation before the pandemic, may be candidates for interventions encouraging social uses of the Internet. Women between 50 and 64 were most likely among adults to provide care for another adult before the pandemic, which may be shaping their online information needs.
Conscientiousness, Activity Engagement, and Momentary Affect in Oldest-Old Adulthood
Authors: Windsor Tim D , Curtis Rachel G , Gerstorf Denis , Hoppmann Christiane A , Luszcz Mary A
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Remaining engaged with life is a hallmark of aging well and pursuing personally meaningful activities is presumably important for late-life affect. We examined how moment-to-moment variability in meaning and degree of challenge ascribed to daily activities relate to positive and negative affect in very old adults. Possible moderating effects of between-person differences in conscientiousness on meaning-affect associations were also examined.

Methods

Participants were 73 adults aged 89 years on average from the Australian Daily Life Time-Sampling module of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Aging. Participants provided self-report data on activity engagement (meaning and challenge associated with activities) and affect, on 5 occasions per day for a period of 7 consecutive days.

Results

Within-person associations of activity meaning with affect varied as a function of within-person challenge ratings. Specifically, gains in positive affect associated with meaningful activity were more strongly evident when activities were regarded as more challenging. In contrast, meaningful activity was associated with higher negative affect when activities were regarded as more challenging and lower negative affect when activities were regarded as less challenging. Conscientiousness did not moderate associations of activity meaning with affect.

Discussion

Our findings shed light on the intricate interplay between maintaining meaningful engagement and daily emotional experiences in very old age. We discuss theoretical and practical implications and consider the role of late-life conscientiousness for self- and emotion regulation.
A hybrid pipeline for reconstruction and analysis of viral genomes at multi-organ level
Authors: Pratas Diogo , Toppinen Mari , Pyöriä Lari , Hedman Klaus , Sajantila Antti , Perdomo Maria F
Published: August 2020

Background

Advances in sequencing technologies have enabled the characterization of multiple microbial and host genomes, opening new frontiers of knowledge while kindling novel applications and research perspectives. Among these is the investigation of the viral communities residing in the human body and their impact on health and disease. To this end, the study of samples from multiple tissues is critical, yet, the complexity of such analysis calls for a dedicated pipeline. We provide an automatic and efficient pipeline for identification, assembly, and analysis of viral genomes that combines the DNA sequence data from multiple organs. TRACESPipe relies on cooperation among 3 modalities: compression-based prediction, sequence alignment, and de novo assembly. The pipeline is ultra-fast and provides, additionally, secure transmission and storage of sensitive data.

Findings

TRACESPipe performed outstandingly when tested on synthetic and ex vivo datasets, identifying and reconstructing all the viral genomes, including those with high levels of single-nucleotide polymorphisms. It also detected minimal levels of genomic variation between different organs.

Conclusions

TRACESPipe's unique ability to simultaneously process and analyze samples from different sources enables the evaluation of within-host variability. This opens up the possibility to investigate viral tissue tropism, evolution, fitness, and disease associations. Moreover, additional features such as DNA damage estimation and mitochondrial DNA reconstruction and analysis, as well as exogenous-source controls, expand the utility of this pipeline to other fields such as forensics and ancient DNA studies. TRACESPipe is released under GPLv3 and is available for free download at https://github.com/viromelab/tracespipe.
Technical workflows for hyperspectral plant image assessment and processing on the greenhouse and laboratory scale
Authors: Paulus Stefan , Mahlein Anne-Katrin
Published: August 2020

Background

The use of hyperspectral cameras is well established in the field of plant phenotyping, especially as a part of high-throughput routines in greenhouses. Nevertheless, the workflows used differ depending on the applied camera, the plants being imaged, the experience of the users, and the measurement set-up.

Results

This review describes a general workflow for the assessment and processing of hyperspectral plant data at greenhouse and laboratory scale. Aiming at a detailed description of possible error sources, a comprehensive literature review of possibilities to overcome these errors and influences is provided. The processing of hyperspectral data of plants starting from the hardware sensor calibration, the software processing steps to overcome sensor inaccuracies, and the preparation for machine learning is shown and described in detail. Furthermore, plant traits extracted from spectral hypercubes are categorized to standardize the terms used when describing hyperspectral traits in plant phenotyping. A scientific data perspective is introduced covering information for canopy, single organs, plant development, and also combined traits coming from spectral and 3D measuring devices.

Conclusions

This publication provides a structured overview on implementing hyperspectral imaging into biological studies at greenhouse and laboratory scale. Workflows have been categorized to define a trait-level scale according to their metrological level and the processing complexity. A general workflow is shown to outline procedures and requirements to provide fully calibrated data of the highest quality. This is essential for differentiation of the smallest changes from hyperspectral reflectance of plants, to track and trace hyperspectral development as an answer to biotic or abiotic stresses.
The Relationship between Allegations of Economic Crimes in Foreign Investments and the Adjudicative Power of Investor–State Tribunals
Authors: Christofi Despina
Published: August 2020

The article falls within the broad areas of investment and financial law and, in particular, it focuses on various challenges that emerge from allegations of economic crime in investor–State arbitration. In particular, what is examined is how the adjudicative power and authority of investor–State tribunals is affected by alleged investors’ economic crimes. The two examples of economic crimes discussed are money laundering and corruption, due to their growing prominence in the field of investment arbitration. The existing legal framework regarding corruption and money laundering at international and multinational levels is analysed first, as arbitrators should base their decisions on it when they face an allegation of the two aforementioned economic crimes. Afterwards, the article identifies and evaluates three possible options for arbitrators: first, to deny jurisdiction over the particular dispute; second, to refer to relevant principles of international public policy; and, third, to apply the mandatory provisions of a law other than the one applicable in the particular dispute. After critically analysing each of the three options, the article concludes with some suggestions on how arbitrators should deal with alleged cases of economic crime, and, further, how bilateral and multilateral investment treaties could be adjusted so as to tackle this evolving problem.
Work and works on digital platforms in capitalism: conceptual and regulatory challenges for labour and copyright law
Authors: Adams Zoe , Grosse Ruse-Khan Henning
Published: August 2020

This article explores the challenges associated with creative work in the digital economy at both a conceptual and practical level, through the conjoined lenses of labour law and copyright law. We begin by developing a conception of the capitalist work relation and the distinct struggles intrinsic to it. This allows us to better understand the functions of creative work in contemporary ‘digital’ capitalism and the various regulatory challenges to which these different functions give rise. We then use this analysis to explore some of the conceptual and practical challenges that arise in both labour and copyright law when it comes to regulating creative work in an age of ‘digital platforms’, with a particular focus on the question of how to secure creators a fair remuneration, and potentially, a living, for their work. The concluding section discusses the potential and limits of new European Union rules on mandatory protections for authors and users to deal with these challenges.
LIMK1/2 in the mPFC Plays a Role in Chronic Stress-Induced Depressive-Like Effects in Mice
Authors: Gao Ting-Ting , Wang Yuan , Liu Ling , Wang Jin-Liang , Wang Ying-Jie , Guan Wei , Chen Ting-Ting , Zhao Jie , Jiang Bo
Published: August 2020

Background

Depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness and also a leading cause of disability worldwide. Developing novel antidepressant targets beyond the monoaminergic systems is now popular and necessary. LIM kinases, including LIM domain kinase 1 and 2 (LIMK1/2), play a key role in actin and microtubule dynamics through phosphorylating cofilin. Since depression is associated with atrophy of neurons and reduced connectivity, here we speculate that LIMK1/2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of depression.

Methods

In this study, the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), chronic restraint stress (CRS), and chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) models of depression, various behavioral tests, stereotactic injection, western blotting, and immunofluorescence methods were adopted.

Results

CUMS, CRS, and CSDS all significantly enhanced the phosphorylation levels of LIMK1 and LIMK2 in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) but not the hippocampus of mice. Administration of fluoxetine, the most commonly used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in clinical practice, fully reversed the effects of CUMS, CRS, and CSDS on LIMK1 and LIMK2 in the mPFC. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of LIMK1 and LIMK2 in the mPFC by LIMKi 3 infusions notably prevented the pro-depressant effects of CUMS, CRS, and CSDS in mice.

Conclusions

In summary, these results suggest that LIMK1/2 in the mPFC has a role in chronic stress-induced depressive-like effects in mice and could be a novel pharmacological target for developing antidepressants.
Hepatitis C Virus Treatment: Simplifying the Simple and Optimizing the Difficult
Authors: Falade-Nwulia Oluwaseun , Sulkowski Mark S
Published: August 2020

The availability of safe, efficacious, oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have ushered in a new era of hepatitis C treatment with potential to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat. To achieve population-level effectiveness of these oral DAAs, hepatitis C treatment by a wide range of providers in different settings will be essential to increase the number of persons treated. We provide a clinical review of hepatitis C treatment with a focus on practical tools for management of hepatitis C in majority of currently infected individuals who can be easily cured and optimization of treatment for those in whom treatment may not be as simple.