bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Notes on Sailing Ship Hlstory: Academy Versus Shipyard
Authors: Stephens Olin J.
Published: May 2021

The history of sailing ships exhibits separate, but roughly parallel, paths toward the present: the academic or technical and the actual, i.e. the way vessels have been built. It is this paper's objective to sketch the development of these two courses and to suggest the interaction of theory and experience as one approach influenced the other, and to point out the growing influence of theory and the still required place of experience and even art.
The A-Class Catamaran: Development of Serious Fun
Authors: Beadling Robert G. , Beadling Walter H.
Published: May 2021

The A-Class Catamaran is the most popular development class of sailing catamaran in the world today. This paper is a comprehensive look at the history of the class in terms of both its technical development and the progression of its racing activity. Discussion of design elements and performance characteristics of this 18 foot single hander are also provided along with speculation on the direction of future development.
YACHT97: A Fully Viscous Nonlinear Free-Surface Analysis Tool for IACC Yacht Design
Authors: Farmer J. , Martinelli L. , Jameson A.
Published: May 2021

A novel free-surface computer program, used to calculate the viscous flow field about a full configuration sailing yacht, is presented. The numerical techniques incorporated into the computer program - YACHT97 - facilitate accurate quantification of the residuary and the frictional drag components through the use of a "moving" computational grid which conforms to the exact wetted surface area of the hull. Use of a full field approach, whereby the entire flow domain is discretized, permits the simulation of the boundary layer and wavemaking interaction as well as the onset of vortex structures which appear downstream of lift producing appendages. A recently implemented free-surface discretization permits the bow wave evolution to proceed to the near-breaking point. Computed results include comparisons between the inviscid and viscous flowfields about a bare-hull configuration and a full configuration with keel and rudder appendages.
Drawing with Performance Prediction
Authors: Schwenn Peter , Hazen George
Published: May 2021

We describe some advances in Performance Prediction Programs - "PPP"1 for sailing yachts2 - primarily integrating PPP analysis into drawing and providing new sculpting operations in which fairness and desired hydrostatic and on her performance determining characteristics are maintained - the shape remains a boat or a ship of the desired kind during reshaping.

Our building blocks for such an integration are: a thousand-fold increase in PPP speed3, new editing tools which maintain Boatness4 , and an accessible modularization of the engineering physics of the PPP within a new programming environment which allows immediate changes by designers.

Specifically, these new functions are introduced at the boundary of Drawing and the PPP:

- A live knotmeter is displayed with each design variant on the drawing boar, - alongside it's antagonist - Rating.

- Continuously updated hydrotatics (including the speed determining factors LSM, wetted surface, stability, prismatics, .. ) are displayed with the knotometer, with the 'positive' factors (like length) graphically opposing the 'negative' (like wetted surface.) Dimensions for PPP use are calculated automatically from the shape at hand - in particular: appendage dimensions, hydrostatics, and so forth.

- Bounding limits are set for a design optimization by drawing two or more outlier yacht forms. The space in between can be explored by hand or automatically.

- Local optimums of Speed against rating are provided as a 'Snap' function. This is the one dimensional version of automatic exploration for optima.

- Intermediate shapes are also controlled during design optimization to maintain realism and performance constraints on type, fairness, 'look', speed producing shape measures like prismatic and displacement etc., and even handicap.

- Immediate feedback is available if one chooses to exploit the new programming environment to make aero hydro model changes or extensions to the internal PPP mechanisms while drawing and exploring.
Design, Construction, and Performance of a 27' MORC Boat
Authors: Jones Brian A.
Published: May 2021

This paper describes the design, construction, and performance of the 27 foot sailboat "Problem Child". The design segment includes the reasons for undertaking such a project, the thought processes that shaped the boat, and the tools used to put the ideas on paper. The construction portion describes building the strongback, laying up the hull and attaching the keel, deck hardware and mast and the launching. A description of construction materials and processes is also included. Finally, an analysis of the performance, strengths and weaknesses and lessons learned provide feedback to assess the original design concept.
Corticothalamic gating of population auditory thalamocortical transmission in mouse
Authors: Ibrahim Baher A , Murphy Caitlin A , Yudintsev Georgiy , Shinagawa Yoshitaka , Banks Matthew I , Llano Daniel A
Published: May 2021

The mechanisms that govern thalamocortical transmission are poorly understood. Recent data have shown that sensory stimuli elicit activity in ensembles of cortical neurons that recapitulate stereotyped spontaneous activity patterns. Here, we elucidate a possible mechanism by which gating of patterned population cortical activity occurs. In this study, sensory-evoked all-or-none cortical population responses were observed in the mouse auditory cortex in vivo and similar stochastic cortical responses were observed in a colliculo-thalamocortical brain slice preparation. Cortical responses were associated with decreases in auditory thalamic synaptic inhibition and increases in thalamic synchrony. Silencing of corticothalamic neurons in layer 6 (but not layer 5) or the thalamic reticular nucleus linearized the cortical responses, suggesting that layer 6 corticothalamic feedback via the thalamic reticular nucleus was responsible for gating stochastic cortical population responses. These data implicate a corticothalamic-thalamic reticular nucleus circuit that modifies thalamic neuronal synchronization to recruit populations of cortical neurons for sensory representations.
Wnt- and glutamate-receptors orchestrate stem cell dynamics and asymmetric cell division
Authors: Junyent Sergi , Reeves Joshua C , Szczerkowski James LA , Garcin Clare L , Trieu Tung-Jui , Wilson Matthew , Lundie-Brown Jethro , Habib Shukry J
Published: May 2021

The Wnt-pathway is part of a signalling network that regulates many aspects of cell biology. Recently, we discovered crosstalk between AMPA/Kainate-type ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) and the Wnt-pathway during the initial Wnt3a-interaction at the cytonemes of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Here, we demonstrate that this crosstalk persists throughout the Wnt3a-response in ESCs. Both AMPA and Kainate receptors regulate early Wnt3a-recruitment, dynamics on the cell membrane, and orientation of the spindle towards a Wnt3a-source at mitosis. AMPA receptors specifically are required for segregating cell fate components during Wnt3a-mediated asymmetric cell division (ACD). Using Wnt-pathway component knockout lines, we determine that Wnt co-receptor Lrp6 has particular functionality over Lrp5 in cytoneme formation, and in facilitating ACD. Both Lrp5 and 6, alongside pathway effector β-catenin act in concert to mediate the positioning of the dynamic interaction with, and spindle orientation to, a localised Wnt3a-source. Wnt-iGluR crosstalk may prove pervasive throughout embryonic and adult stem cell signalling.
Erythrocyte CD55 mediates the internalization of Plasmodium falciparum parasites
Authors: Shakya Bikash , Patel Saurabh D , Tani Yoshihiko , Egan Elizabeth S
Published: May 2021

Invasion of human erythrocytes by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is a multi-step process. Previously, a forward genetic screen for P. falciparum host factors identified erythrocyte CD55 as essential for invasion, but its specific role and how it interfaces with the other factors that mediate this complex process are unknown. Using CRISPR-Cas9 editing, antibody-based inhibition, and live cell imaging, here we show that CD55 is specifically required for parasite internalization. Pre-invasion kinetics, erythrocyte deformability, and echinocytosis were not influenced by CD55, but entry was inhibited when CD55 was blocked or absent. Visualization of parasites attached to CD55-null erythrocytes points to a role for CD55 in stability and/or progression of the moving junction. Our findings demonstrate that CD55 acts after discharge of the parasite’s rhoptry organelles, and plays a unique role relative to all other invasion receptors. As the requirement for CD55 is strain-transcendent, these results suggest that CD55 or its interacting partners may hold potential as therapeutic targets for malaria.
Place-cell capacity and volatility with grid-like inputs
Authors: Yim Man Yi , Sadun Lorenzo A , Fiete Ila R , Taillefumier Thibaud
Published: May 2021

What factors constrain the arrangement of the multiple fields of a place cell? By modeling place cells as perceptrons that act on multiscale periodic grid-cell inputs, we analytically enumerate a place cell’s repertoire – how many field arrangements it can realize without external cues while its grid inputs are unique – and derive its capacity – the spatial range over which it can achieve any field arrangement. We show that the repertoire is very large and relatively noise-robust. However, the repertoire is a vanishing fraction of all arrangements, while capacity scales only as the sum of the grid periods so field arrangements are constrained over larger distances. Thus, grid-driven place field arrangements define a large response scaffold that is strongly constrained by its structured inputs. Finally, we show that altering grid-place weights to generate an arbitrary new place field strongly affects existing arrangements, which could explain the volatility of the place code.
Introduction to the EQIPD quality system
Authors: Bespalov Anton , Bernard René , Gilis Anja , Gerlach Björn , Guillén Javier , Castagné Vincent , Lefevre Isabel A , Ducrey Fiona , Monk Lee , Bongiovanni Sandrine , Altevogt Bruce , Arroyo-Araujo María , Bikovski Lior , de Bruin Natasja , Castaños-Vélez Esmeralda , Dityatev Alexander , Emmerich Christoph H , Fares Raafat , Ferland-Beckham Chantelle , Froger-Colléaux Christelle , Gailus-Durner Valerie , Hölter Sabine M , Hofmann Martine CJ , Kabitzke Patricia , Kas Martien JH , Kurreck Claudia , Moser Paul , Pietraszek Malgorzata , Popik Piotr , Potschka Heidrun , Prado Montes de Oca Ernesto , Restivo Leonardo , Riedel Gernot , Ritskes-Hoitinga Merel , Samardzic Janko , Schunn Michael , Stöger Claudia , Voikar Vootele , Vollert Jan , Wever Kimberley E , Wuyts Kathleen , MacLeod Malcolm R , Dirnagl Ulrich , Steckler Thomas
Published: May 2021

While high risk of failure is an inherent part of developing innovative therapies, it can be reduced by adherence to evidence-based rigorous research practices. Supported through the European Union’s Innovative Medicines Initiative, the EQIPD consortium has developed a novel preclinical research quality system that can be applied in both public and private sectors and is free for anyone to use. The EQIPD Quality System was designed to be suited to boost innovation by ensuring the generation of robust and reliable preclinical data while being lean, effective and not becoming a burden that could negatively impact the freedom to explore scientific questions. EQIPD defines research quality as the extent to which research data are fit for their intended use. Fitness, in this context, is defined by the stakeholders, who are the scientists directly involved in the research, but also their funders, sponsors, publishers, research tool manufacturers, and collaboration partners such as peers in a multi-site research project. The essence of the EQIPD Quality System is the set of 18 core requirements that can be addressed flexibly, according to user-specific needs and following a user-defined trajectory. The EQIPD Quality System proposes guidance on expectations for quality-related measures, defines criteria for adequate processes (i.e. performance standards) and provides examples of how such measures can be developed and implemented. However, it does not prescribe any pre-determined solutions. EQIPD has also developed tools (for optional use) to support users in implementing the system and assessment services for those research units that successfully implement the quality system and seek formal accreditation. Building upon the feedback from users and continuous improvement, a sustainable EQIPD Quality System will ultimately serve the entire community of scientists conducting non-regulated preclinical research, by helping them generate reliable data that are fit for their intended use.
The landscape of tumors-infiltrate immune cells in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its prognostic value
Authors: Huang Yanyi , Yi Tao , Liu Yushu , Yan Mengyun , Peng Xinli , Lv Yunxia
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Thyroid cancer is a very common malignant tumor in the endocrine system, while the incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) throughout the world also shows a trend of increase year by year. In this study, we constructed two models: ICIscore and Riskscore. Combined with these two models, we can make more accurate and reasonable inferences about the prognosis of PTC patients.

Methods

We selected 481 PTC samples from TCGA and 147 PTC samples from GEO (49 samples in GSE33630, 65 samples in GSE35570 and 33 samples in GSE60542). We performed consistent clustering for them and divided them into three subgroups and screened differentially expressed genes from these three subgroups. Then we divided the differential genes into three subtypes. We also distinguished the up-regulated and down-regulated genes and calculated ICIscore for each PTC sample. ICIscore consists of two parts: (1) the PCAu was calculated from up-regulated genes. (2) the PCAd was calculated from down-regulated genes. The PCAu and PCAd of each sample were the first principal component of the relevant gene. What’s more, we divided the patients into two groups and constructed mRNA prognostic signatures. Additionally we also verified the independent prognostic value of the signature.

Results

Though ICIscore, we were able to observe the relationship between immune infiltration and prognosis. The result suggests that the activation of the immune system may have both positive and negative consequences. Though Riskscore, we could make more accurate predictions about the prognosis of patients with PTC. Meanwhile, we also generated and validated the ICIscore group and Riskscore group respectively.

Conclusion

All the research results show that by combining the two models constructed, ICIscore and Riskscore, we can make a more accurate and reasonable inference about the prognosis of patients with clinical PTC patients. This suggests that we can provide more effective and reasonable treatment plan for clinical PTC patients.
Gestalt Theory: Its Past, Stranding, and Future
Authors: Mungan Esra
Published: May 2021

This article focuses on the contributions of the founders of Gestalt theory, not only for the high value they carried even back then, but also for the strong relevance they have today. The main purpose is to point to the deficient, even wrong transmission of this perspective particularly in the past 50 years and to highlight its potential to connect the immense amount of accumulated but disconnected scientific facts and pieces within psychology as of today. The first part of this article discusses Max Wertheimer’s important 1912 “phi phenomenon” article, and recounts the Gestalt theorists’ launch of their influential journal Psychologische Forschungen in 1922, the rise of the oppressive and life-threatening Nazi regime in Germany, and the resulting emmigration of the Gestalt founders to the US where they had to face a radically different perspective to psychology. The second part discusses the main postulates of the theory. Since this requires a rather wide scope of analysis, the present article is the first of a series of three articles, focusing on how the movement emerged, its main theoretical perspective, and its work on perception. In a second and third article (in preparation), I will review their intriguing research and conceptualizations on memory and productive thinking, respectively. Hence, the current article should be read as the first in a series of three. Keywords Gestalt theory, parts and wholes, figure-ground, principles of grouping
Is Tunneled Cuffed Catheter a Viable Link to AV Fistula? An Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre
Authors: Sowrabha R , Prashant GK , Kedlaya Arpana
Published: May 2021

Introduction: The Tunneled Cuffed Catheter (TCC) is used as a bridge access for haemodialysis. Non-availability of fluoroscopy for insertion of TCC results in unnecessary waiting times and inappropriate use of non-tunneled catheters. Recently, ultrasound guidance is being used widely in developed countries for TCC insertions for urgent haemodialysis initiation. Aim: The aim of the present study was to look at whether ultrasound guided TCC is a useful bridge to Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) in haemodialysis patients and also to look at the incidence of catheter insertion complications, infective and bleeding complications and have data on catheter longevity. Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective observational study. 106 TCC insertion procedures were performed between July 2017 and December 2018 in Nephrology interventional suite at St Johns MedicalCollege and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, using ultrasound guidance for accessing Internal Jugular Vein (IJV) by Nephrologist. Fluoroscopy was used in none. The success rate, insertion complications, infections and other catheter outcomes like bleeding, catheter blocks and catheter longevity of TCC inserted using ultrasound guidance alone were studied. Further, the patients were followed-up for a minimum period of nine months. Data was recorded in the predesigned Epi info version 7.0 proforma and analysed by SPSS software version 24. Results: There was 100% success rate for uncomplicated insertions of right IJV. No increase in major/minor bleeding complications was noted. Of the 106 insertions, only a single patient had a catheter kink. Mean blood flow was 230.3 ml/min. Cather Related Blood Stream Infecton (CRBSI) rate was 1.65 per 1000 catheter days. On follow-up, 59 of 72 patients underwent AVF creation, five underwent renal transplant and another five were converted to Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and three patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) requiring prolonged dialysis had renal recovery. Conclusion: TCCs for haemodialysis initiation can be safely placed by using ultrasound guidance. It can be used for longer period and is a useful bridge to AV fistula. There is 100% success rate for right-sided jugular TCC insertions using ultrasound alone. There are very less infective and bleeding complications with TCC usage.
Ergonomic Evaluation of Women Farm Workers Using Different Manual Weeding Tools in Maize Crop of Udaipur District
Authors: Anusha M. , Mehta A. K. , Sharma A. K. , Mathur S. M.
Published: May 2021

Women play a major and crucial role in doing the agricultural operations. The women workers in Udaipur district mostly uses sickle and kudali for doing weeding operations. This study was conducted in 2019-20 at instructional Farm, CTAE, Udaipur with women farm workers during the manual weeding operation by using different traditional tools like hand hoe (kudali) along with technically and ergonomically designed wheel hand hoe. The main objective of the study was to investigate the most drudgery prone tool and to recommend the proper tool for doing weeding operations in maize crop. Use of proper tools not only reduce the drudgery but also improves the operating efficiency along with the comfort, besides improving the productivity of the women farm workers in doing the operation. In view of this, an effort has been made to assess the physical and physiological parameters of women farm workers who are using traditional farm tools along with the improved tools for doing weeding operation in maize crop. The whole study was conducted on ten female farm workers identified from the population of workers in the age group of 18 to 45 years. During the experiment, physiological workload i.e., heart rate, oxygen consumption rate, energy expenditure rate and physical workload i.e., overall discomfort rate, rate of perceived exertion and Musculo-skeletal problems were measured. The Pratap wheel hand hoe saves nearly 36% of the cardiac cost of the worker per unit of output and wheel hand hoe saves nearly 38% of the cardiac cost of the worker per unit of output which is nothing but reduction in drudgery by 36% and 38% by both the weeding tools over kudali. Area covered with Pratap wheel hand hoe and wheel hand hoe were 1.70 and 1.69 times more over kudali.
A Study on the extent of adoption of ANGRAU Technologies in Groundnut crop by Farmers of Rayalaseema Zone of Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Chowdary K. Raghavendra , Vemaraju . , Tejaswini M. , Kumar M. Reddi
Published: May 2021

Globally India ranks first in area and second in production. India, accounts for 31 % of the total groundnut area in the world with 26.4 Mha with a total production of 37.1 million MT. The average productivity is 1400 kg/ha. The annual global export of groundnuts is of two million MT valued at 2,600 million US $. In the present study, an attempt was made to find out the extent of adoption of ANGRAU technologies in Anantapur and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh. Ex-post facto research design was selected as an appropriate research design to investigate the variables influencing extent of adoption of ANGRAU technologies in groundnut cultivation. Two districts were selected purposively from Andhra Pradesh based on the highest area under groundnut cultivation. The names of the selected districts were Anantapur and Chittoor. Two mandals from each district were purposively selected based on the highest area of cotton cultivation thus constituting four mandals. Three villages from each mandal were selected by following simple random sampling procedure. The sample constituted to a total of twelve villages. From each of the selected village, ten farmers were selected by following lottery method of simple random sampling procedure. The sample constituted to a total of 120 respondents. Study showed that overwhelmingly (88.00%) of the members had adopted tractor drawn sowing, followed by two-thirds (66.00%) had adopted K-6 variety and seed treatment, 52.00 per cent had adopted Integrated pest management, 46.00 per cent adopted water management practices, 38.00 per cent had adopted water management practices, 28.00  per cent had adopted fertilizer management,  23.00 per cent had adopted Dharani variety, 18.00 per cent had adopted K-9 and 12.00 per cent of the respondents adopted sub soiler for land preparation and Anantha gorru for sowing of seed and groundnut stripper and minute (3.33%) had adopted recommended varieties of SAU.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and College Libraries in Bhutan for Educational Achievement: A Comparative Study
Authors: Sharma Dhanapati , Dorji Phub , Wangchuck Nima
Published: May 2021

Information is a vital and indispensable component of any education system. College libraries  and internet facilities are the two information retrieval sources for academic works. This study   aims to identify the preferable option (internet facilities vs library) for students for academic purposes. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study recruited faculties, non-faculty staff, and students of Gedu College of Business Studies. The questionnaire was self-administered  and responses were collected. Descriptive test was used for statistical analysis. The responses of 181 participants (male 53.6%; female 46.4%) were used for analysis (response rate 95.2%). Participants responded that internet was more easily accessible (74.1% vs 24.9%), more frequently used (78.5% vs 21.5%), for academic purpose (74.1% vs 24.9%), and holds more value in life of learners (60.7% vs 39.3%). Participants remain divided on the reliability of the source of information (internet 53.6 % vs library 46.4). However, the library was considered  the cheaper (72.9% vs 27.1%) source of information. While 96.1 % of respondentsuse both sources, most (71.3%) participants feel that college should focus on developing internet facilities.Both libraries and the internet are used for academic purposes in college.  However, there is a greater need to prioritize and invest in internet facilities for future educational needs.
Comparitive Field Evaluation of Roto Drill Cum Herbicide Applicator
Authors: Deekshithulu N. V. Gowtham , Samreen . , Kiran B. Raj , Prasad L. R. V.
Published: May 2021

Individual field operations such as ploughing, clod breaking, stubble clearance and leveling are necessary for the preparation of even and fine seed bed. These operations consume time and labor which become more economical. Strip tillage, direct paddy sowing, Zero tillage, requires minimum soil manipulation and no tillage respectively, where there incur reduced cost of operation. Timely sowing and proper weed control results in bringing out good returns. Farmers have many options for choosing equipment that is required to grow and harvest a crop. Farmers may own their own equipment, lease it, or have the field operations completed using custom operators. Considering the above facts and importance of paddy, in-order to reduce cost of cultivation a multi crop roto drill cum herbicide applicator was developed by combining three varied machines such as rotovator, seed drill and herbicide applicant or equipment at College of Agricultural Engineering, Bapatla. A tractor drawn roto drill cum herbicide sprayer was developed, evaluated and compared its cost economics with individual operations. Roto drill is the combination of rotavator, seed hopper and rocker sprayer pump. It pulverizes the soil, drills the seed and applies herbicide in single pass of tractor. The cost activity of multi crop roto drill cum herbicide applicator for performing three tasks was estimated as Rs/h. 641.00. While the individual costs of operation for tillage, sowing and herbicide application were computed as Rs/h. 571.00, 540.00 and 95.00 respectively. The cost of operation per one hour for developed multi crop roto drill cum herbicide applicator was 46.72% less when compared with costs of individual tasks.
Cytokine Profile in Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Elfar A. , El-Bendary Amal , Abdel-Hafez M. A. , Hana N. Abo El
Published: May 2021

Background: Cytokines have an important role in immune system dysregulation in SLE because they act on the differentiation, maturation, and activation of several effector cells, culminating in inflammation and subsequent tissue damage.The aim of the work was to evaluate cytokine profile (IL2, IL10 and IL13) in children with SLE and their possible role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.

Methods: This is a cross sectional case-control study conducted on 60 children with SLE and 30 healthy children of matched age and sex served as a control group. The presence of lupus nephritis was confirmed by renal biopsy and histopathological examination. The SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score for each patient was used to evaluate disease activity. Serum IL2, IL-10 & IL-13levels were measured using ELISA.

Results: There was a significant increase in serum IL-10 levels in SLE patients compared to healthy controls and in patients with lupus nephritis compared to patients without lupus nephritis. Also, there were significant positive correlation between IL-10 and SLEDAI Score and between IL-10 and 24-hour urinary protein collection. There was no statistically significant difference in IL-2 levels in SLE patients compared to healthy controls. However, IL2 levels were significantly lower in active patients without lupus nephritis compared to active patients with lupus nephritis. There was no correlation between IL-2 and 24-hour urinary protein collection. The levels of IL13 were significantly higher in SLE patients compared to healthy controls and in patients with lupus nephritis compared to patients without lupus nephritis. There were significant positive correlations between Il 13 and SLEDAI Score and between IL-13and 24-hour urinary protein collection.

Conclusions: Soluble IL10 and IL-13 could be used as a measure of disease activity. Further studies are needed to evaluate SLE pathophysiology including measurement of cytokine profile.
Ultrasound Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Transverses Abdominis Plane Block for Post-Operative Analgesia in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Badawy Nashwa Atef , Mourad Mona Blough El , Gebaly Ahmed Said AL , Amr Yasser Mohamed
Published: May 2021

Background: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures in the pediatric age group and it is associated with significant post-operative discomfort. The aim of this study is to compare the safety, reliability, and efficacy of ultrasound-guided transverses abdominis plane (TAP) block versus erector spinae plane (ESP) block for postoperative pain control in pediatrics undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Methods: This prospective randomized study was carried out on 90 pediatric patients of both sexes aged (2 -7) years with ASA physical status I/II scheduled for elective laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Patients were divided into 3 equal groups. Group C received general anesthesia alone. group T received bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block after induction of general anesthesia with the injection of 0.4 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.25%. group E received bilateral ultrasound-guided ESP block after induction of general anesthesia with the injection of 0.4 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.25%.

Results: According to CHEOPS, we found no statistically significant difference between ESP and TAP groups but significant increase in the control group. also, There was a significant decrease in total rescue analgesia (intra-operative & postoperative ) in the T group and E as compared to group C. Also there was a significant delay in onset of first rescue analgesia post operatively between group T&E in comparison to group C. The mean value of heart rate between the 3 groups showed no statistically significant difference between TAP and ESP groups intra-operatively but significant increase in heart rate in the control group in all stages of the operation as compared to T& E groups. Mean arterial blood pressure changes were insignificant between three groups in all stages of operation.

Conclusions: TAP block and ESP block are effective and safe techniques for postoperative pain control in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair with more hemodynamic stability, less intra and postoperative analgesia requirement.
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Differentiation of Ovarian Cystic Lesions
Authors: Shaban Hala Abd El-Hamid Mohamed Moharam , Radwan Samah Ahmed Ibrahim , Moustafa Moustafa Zein ElAabden , Dabees Naglaa Mohamed Lotfy
Published: May 2021

Background: MRI can specifically diagnose some certain pathologic types by providing accurate information on fat, collagen and hemorrhage. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, an emerging non-invasive MRI technique, is of the capability to evaluate the extent of microscopic diffusion which might exist in biologic tissues. Evidence has shown that DWI-MRI and ADC were beneficial in differentiating malignant from benign ovarian lesions and may be helpful to predict suboptimal cytoreduction in ovarian cancer. The aim of this study to assess the role of magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion weighted images in the assessment and differentiation of ovarian cystic lesions.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 30 female patients who are proved by ultrasound to have ovarian cystic lesions.  Selected patients were given butylscopolamine bromide (20mg) administered IV or intramuscularly at the beginning of the examination. Imaging is performed with the patient in the supine position with an empty urinary bladder. A distended urinary bladder is not recommended because it increases phase ghost artifacts and can compress the uterus.

Results: As regards diagnosis according to Ultrasound examination, revealed that ovarian cancer and simple cyst were the most frequent (26.7% and 20% respectively), followed by Tubo-ovarian hydrosalpinx and Hemorrhagic cyst (10%) each. Ovarian serous cyst adenoma constituted (6.7%), while pyosalpinx, PCO, hydrosalpinx, and endometrial cyst constitutes (3.3%) each.

As regards diagnosis according to MRI examination, Simple cyst and ovarian cancer were the most frequent (13.3%) each, followed by Tubo-ovarian hydrosalpinx and Hemorrhagic cyst (10%) each. Krekenberg tumor, Ovarian dermoid, and Ovarian serous cyst adenoma constituted 6.7% each. As regards the ADC value was significantly lower in the malignant lesions (0.7*103) than benign ones (0.9*103). As regards histopathologic confirmation, 23 cases of the studied women, Ovarian cancer (17.4%), Tubo-ovarian hydrosalpinx (13.0%), and Hemorrhagic cyst (13.0%) were the most common diagnosis. Ovarian dermoid, Krekenberg tumor, and Ovarian serous cyst adenoma constituted 8.7% each. Other less frequent diagnosis included Endometeriotic cyst, Hydrosalpnix, Mucinous cystadenoma, Ovarian serous cyst adenocarcinoma, Ovarian dysgerminoma and Terato-dermoid (4.3%) each. The mean ADC value was significantly lower in the malignant lesions than benign ones. At a cut off ≤0.7, ADC showed a significant good diagnostic value of malignant lesions with sensitivity, Specificity, and an accuracy.

Conclusions: DWI to conventional MRI is an important tool. It improves the specificity of MRI and thus increasing radiologist’s confidence in image interpretation which will finally reflect on patients’outcome and prognosis. Cost effective technique (no additional cost to MRI examination), was easily added to MR study protocols.
Multiplexed digital spatial profiling of invasive breast tumors from Black and White women
Authors: Omilian Angela R. , Sheng Haiyang , Hong Chi‐Chen , Bandera Elisa V. , Khoury Thaer , Ambrosone Christine B. , Yao Song
Published: May 2021

The NanoString GeoMx digital spatial profiling is a new multiplexed platform that quantifies the abundance of tumor‐ and immune‐related proteins in a spatially resolved manner. We performed DSP for the simultaneous assessment of 52 analytes within spatially resolved tissue compartments defined by pan‐cytokeratin expression. We compared protein targets between 94 African American/Black and 65 European American/White cases, tumor and stromal tissue compartments, estrogen receptor alpha (ER)‐positive and ER‐negative cases, and explored potential biomarkers of survival. Of 33 analytes with robust signal for analysis, results were highly replicable. For a subset of markers, correlative analyses between DSP analytes and traditional immunohistochemistry scores revealed moderate to very strong associations between the two platforms. Similarly, DSP analytes and gene expression scores were concordant for 21 of 25 markers with overlap between the two datasets. Several analytes varied by ER status, and across the 25 immune markers surveyed, 14 had a significant inverse association with ER expression. B7 homolog 3 (B7‐H3; encoded by CD276) was the only analyte to show a significant difference by race, being lower in both the tumor and stromal compartments in Black women. DSP markers that were associated with survival included CD8, CD25, CD56, CD127, EpCAM, ER, Ki‐67, and STING. We conclude that DSP is an efficient tool for screening tumor‐ and immune‐related markers in a simultaneous fashion and yields results that are concordant with established immune profiling assays. DSP immune analytes were inversely associated with ER expression, in agreement with a substantial body of previous work that documents higher immune infiltration in ER‐negative breast cancers. This technology revealed that scores of the B7‐H3 protein were significantly lower in breast cancers from Black women compared with White women, an intriguing finding that requires replication in independent and racially diverse female populations.
Skeletal muscle and childhood cancer: Where are we now and where we go from here
Authors: Goodenough Chelsea G. , Partin Robyn E. , Ness Kirsten K.
Published: May 2021

Skeletal muscle (muscle) is essential for physical health and for metabolic integrity, with sarcopenia (progressive muscle mass loss and weakness), a precursor of aging and chronic disease. Loss of lean mass and muscle quality (force generation per unit of muscle) in the general population are associated with fatigue, weakness, and slowed walking speed, eventually interfering with the ability to maintain physical independence, and impacting participation in social roles and quality of life. Muscle mass and strength impairments are also documented during childhood cancer treatment, which often persist into adult survivorship, and contribute to an aging phenotype in this vulnerable population. Although several treatment exposures appear to confer increased risk for loss of mass and strength that persists after therapy, the pathophysiology responsible for poor muscle quantity and quality is not well understood in the childhood cancer survivor population. This is partly due to limited access to both pediatric and adult survivor muscle tissue samples, and to difficulties surrounding noninvasive investigative approaches for muscle assessment. Because muscle accounts for just under half of the body's mass and is essential for movement, metabolism, and metabolic health, understanding mechanisms of injury responsible for both initial and persistent dysfunction is important and will provide a foundation for intervention. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the available evidence describing associations between childhood cancer, its treatment, and muscle outcomes, identifying gaps in current knowledge.
Spinocerebellar ataxia clinical trials: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Brooker Sarah M. , Edamakanti Chandrakanth Reddy , Akasha Sara M. , Kuo Sheng‐Han , Opal Puneet
Published: May 2021

The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of dominantly inherited diseases that share the defining feature of progressive cerebellar ataxia. The disease process, however, is not confined to the cerebellum; other areas of the brain, in particular, the brainstem, are also affected, resulting in a high burden of morbidity and mortality. Currently, there are no disease‐modifying treatments for the SCAs, but preclinical research has led to the development of therapeutic agents ripe for testing in patients. Unfortunately, due to the rarity of these diseases and their slow and variable progression, there are substantial hurdles to overcome in conducting clinical trials. While the epidemiological features of the SCAs are immutable, the feasibility of conducting clinical trials is being addressed through a combination of strategies. These include improvements in clinical outcome measures, the identification of imaging and fluid biomarkers, and innovations in clinical trial design. In this review, we highlight current challenges in initiating clinical trials for the SCAs and also discuss pathways for researchers and clinicians to mitigate these challenges and harness opportunities for clinical trial development.
Comparative Assessment of Ionic Liquid‐Based Soft Actuators Prepared by Film Casting Versus Direct Ink Writing
Authors: Correia Daniela M. , Barbosa João C. , Serra João P. , Pinto Rafael S. , Fernandes Liliana C. , Tubio Carmen R. , Lanceros-Mendez Senentxu , Costa Carlos M.
Published: May 2021

The growing demand for improved performance, miniaturization and more environmental friendlier devices lead to the search for better materials and processing techniques. Ionic liquid‐polymer hybrid materials allow the development of advanced materials suitable for sensors and actuators compatible with additive manufacturing techniques, allowing reduced materials waste and the fabrication of materials in a variety of shapes. In this work, ionic liquids (ILs) blended with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were prepared by doctor blade and direct ink writing. The selected ILs were 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dicyanamide [Bmim][N(CN)2] and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium thiocyanate [Bmim][SCN], based on their high conductivity value. The effects on microstructure, morphology, thermal, mechanical and electrochemical properties were evaluated, together with the actuator bending. It is shown that the printing process limits the PVDF spherulites growth, leading to lower degrees of crystallinity, which increase the ionic conductivity of the samples. The electromechanical measurements demonstrate the suitability of the developed samples to be applied as actuators, the highest displacement (7.5 mm) being obtained for [Bmim][N(CN)2]/PVDF for an applied voltage of 4 Vpp at a frequency of 0.1 Hz. The large bending (2%) is in line with the best results in the literature, confirming the suitability of printing technologies for the fabrication of high‐performance soft actuators.
Nanowire Assisted Mechanotyping of Cellular Metastatic Potential
Authors: Paria Debadrita , Convertino Annalisa , Raj Piyush , Glunde Kristine , Chen Yun , Barman Ishan
Published: May 2021

Nanotechnology has provided tools for next generation biomedical devices which rely on nanostructure interfaces with living cells. In vitro biomimetic structures have enabled observation of cell response to various mechanical and chemical cues, and there is a growing interest in isolating and harnessing the specific cues that 3D microenvironments can provide without the requirement for such culture and the experimental drawbacks associated with it. Here, a randomly oriented gold coated Si nanowire substrate with patterned hydrophobic–hydrophilic areas for the differentiation of isogenic breast cancer cells of varying metastatic potential is reported. When considering synthetic surfaces for the study of cell‐nanotopography interfaces, randomly oriented nanowires more closely resemble the isotropic architecture of a natural extracellular matrix. In the study reported here, the authors show that primary cancer cells preferably attach to the hydrophilic region of randomly oriented nanowire substrate while secondary cancer cells do not adhere. Using machine learning analysis of fluorescence images, cells are found to spread and elongate on the nanowire substrates as compared to a flat substrate, where they mostly remain round. Such platforms can not only be used for developing bioassays but also as stepping stones for tissue printing technologies where cells can be selectively patterned at desired locations.
Recent Advances in Printing Technologies of Nanomaterials for Implantable Wireless Systems in Health Monitoring and Diagnosis
Authors: Herbert Robert , Lim Hyo‐Ryoung , Park Sehyun , Kim Jong‐Hoon , Yeo Woon‐Hong
Published: May 2021

The development of wireless implantable sensors and integrated systems, enabled by advances in flexible and stretchable electronics technologies, is emerging to advance human health monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. Progress in material and fabrication strategies allows for implantable electronics for unobtrusive monitoring via seamlessly interfacing with tissues and wirelessly communicating. Combining new nanomaterials and customizable printing processes offers unique possibilities for high‐performance implantable electronics. Here, this report summarizes the recent progress and advances in nanomaterials and printing technologies to develop wireless implantable sensors and electronics. Advances in materials and printing processes are reviewed with a focus on challenges in implantable applications. Demonstrations of wireless implantable electronics and advantages based on these technologies are discussed. Lastly, existing challenges and future directions of nanomaterials and printing are described.
Biowaste‐Derived Carbonized Bone for Solar Steam Generation and Seawater Desalination
Authors: Zafar Muhammad Shajih , Zahid Muhammad , Athanassiou Athanassia , Fragouli Despina
Published: May 2021

Interfacial solar steam generation is an emerging strategy to improve the global freshwater supply. Herein, for the first time, a plausible alternative based on bone waste is presented for low‐cost solar steam generation and seawater desalination. This is accomplished via the exploration of the appropriate carbonization conditions for the successful bone transformation into a porous carbon‐based photothermal material. The carbonized bone (CB) not only is composed of inherent interlinked mesoporous microchannels for efficient water transportation but also displays broadband light absorption, photothermal conversion, and reduced vaporization enthalpy due to its special interactions with water. The as‐prepared CB shows an apparent evaporation rate of 1.82 kg m−2 h−1 under one‐sun illumination, attributed not only to its interaction with the sunlight but also to its performance in the dark field, and a solar‐to‐vapor conversion efficiency of 80%. Furthermore, CB desalinates water with an efficiency of 99.99%. Such performance combined with its wide availability, facile fabrication, and stability makes this biowaste‐based porous material a promising system for the production of freshwater. In this way, a valuable alternative for the valorization of bone‐based food‐waste is offered, paving the way to new routes for the management of such, continuously growing, food‐waste products.
Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane‐Modified P3CT‐K as an Efficient Hole‐Transport Layer for Inverted Planar MAPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: You Gengshu , Liu Le , Wang Jin , Zhao Min , Zhao Chengjie , Cai Xu , Tang Jin , Lu Fushen , Jiu Tonggang
Published: May 2021

Polythiophene‐acid‐based conjugated polyelectrolytes have shown great potential as hole‐transport materials for the fabrication of inverted planar perovskite devices with decent power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), benefiting from their tunable structure and functional properties. In contrast to the current progress mainly from side functional group modification, here a simple and effective strategy is reported to effectively regulate the aggregation of P3CT‐K through the modification of the thiophene units in the main chain. A small molecule tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (TPB) is applied as the Lewis acid to interact with the thiophene unit of polythiophene chain and regulate the aggregation of conjugated polyelectrolytes. The control of aggregation of P3CT‐K not only elevates the hole mobility of P3CT‐K, but also suppresses charge recombination in P3CT‐K composite films. Consequently, the high efficiency of inverted MAPbI3 perovskite solar cells is achieved with a peak power conversion efficiency of 20.7% and simultaneously improved short‐circuit current density and fill factor. This work provides an effective method for the aggregation control of the polyelectrolyte hole materials to promote the performance of inverted planar perovskite solar cells.