bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tocilizumab in COVID‐19 interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Pomponio G. , Ferrarini A. , Bonifazi M. , Moretti M. , Salvi A. , Giacometti A. , Tavio M. , Titolo G. , Morbidoni L. , Frausini G. , Onesta M. , Amico D. , Rocchi M. L. B. , Menzo S. , Zuccatosta L. , Mei F. , Menditto V. , Svegliati S. , Donati A. , D'Errico M. M. , Pavani M. , Gabrielli A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Published reports on tocilizumab in COVID‐19 pneumonitis show conflicting results due to weak designs or heterogeneity in critical methodological issues.

Methods

This open‐label trial, structured according to Simon's optimal design, aims to identify factors predicting which patients could benefit from anti‐IL6 strategies and to enhance the design of unequivocal and reliable future randomized trials. A total of 46 patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia needing of oxygen therapy to maintain SO2 > 93% and with recent worsening of lung function received a single infusion of tocilizumab. Clinical and biological markers were measured to test their predictive values. Primary end point was early and sustained clinical response.

Results

Twenty‐one patients fulfilled pre‐defined response criteria. Lower levels of IL‐6 at 24 h after tocilizumab infusion (P = 0.049) and higher baseline values of PaO2/FiO2 (P = 0.008) predicted a favourable response.

Conclusions

Objective clinical response rate overcame the pre‐defined threshold of 30%. Efficacy of tocilizumab to improve respiratory function in patients selected according to our inclusion criteria warrants investigations in randomized trials.
Prevalence of HPV in patients affected by oral Lichen planus: A prospective study using two different chair‐side sampling methods
Authors: della Vella Fedora , Lauritano Dorina , Pannone Giuseppe , Del Prete Raffaele , Di Stasio Dario , Contaldo Maria , Petruzzi Massimo
Published: January 2021

Background

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) role in oral potentially malignant lesions remains unclear. Aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of HPV infection in a cohort of patients affected by oral lichen planus, to analyze the genotypes involved, and to compare the performance of two specimen collection methods: brushing and biopsy.

Methods

Consecutive patients with oral lichen planus were enrolled. Each patient's clinical and anamnestic data were recorded before he/she underwent brushing and biopsy procedures. The collected samples were analyzed using RT‐PCR. Prevalence of HPV infection was evaluated considering cytobrush and biopsy outcomes alone and combined. Correlation between HPV presence and sex, age, smoke, alcohol, kind of lichen planus, Hepatitis C virus, and involved mucosae was analyzed using chi‐square test (significance at P < .05). Cohen's k coefficient was employed to compare brushing and biopsy.

Results

Fifty‐two patients affected by oral lichen planus were enrolled. Total HPV prevalence was 17%, when considering only the biopsy and the cytobrush the prevalence was 15% and 6%, respectively. None of the considered variables showed significant correlation with HPV (P > .05). The concordance between the two methods was “fair” (k = .305).

Conclusions

The biopsy appears more reliable than cytobrush to detect HPV in course of oral lichen planus. No statistical correlation emerged with the analyzed variables. The most frequently detected genotypes were HPV 6 and 11, while only two cases presented with HPV 16 and 53, known as human oncogenic.
Effect of Emotion Regulation on Mental Health of Couples in Long‐Term Marriages: One‐Year Follow‐up Study
Authors: Masumoto Kouhei , Harada Kazuhiro , Shiozaki Mariko
Published: January 2021

This study investigated: (a) the effect of emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) on psychological distress and well‐being of couples in long‐term marriages, using longitudinal data; and (b) the influence of spouses' emotion regulation on psychological outcomes in the actor–partner interdependence model. In this longitudinal study, we conducted a baseline survey and a 1‐year follow‐up to analyze data of 66 couples (N = 132; duration of marriage, M = 36.82 years, SD = 6.83 years; husband's age, M = 64.50 years, SD = 4.05 years; and wife's age, M = 61.39 years, SD = 4.82 years) living in Japan. Emotion regulation, psychological well‐being, psychological distress, and various control variables (age, education level, duration of the marriage, and household income) were assessed. Hierarchical linear modeling with distinguishable dyads was used to determine actor–partner interdependence in the effect of emotion regulation on mental health. The actor effect was observed in both husbands and wives when baseline cognitive reappraisal was predicted to positively influence psychological well‐being in the follow‐up. However, this effect was not observed for expression suppression. Additionally, regarding psychological distress, there were no actor or partner effects in either reappraisal or suppression. Possible reasons for these findings, including cultural differences, are discussed in this study.
Ingestion of Porphyromonas gingivalis exacerbates colitis via intestinal epithelial barrier disruption in mice
Authors: Tsuzuno Takahiro , Takahashi Naoki , Yamada‐Hara Miki , Yokoji‐Takeuchi Mai , Sulijaya Benso , Aoki‐Nonaka Yukari , Matsugishi Aoi , Katakura Kyoko , Tabeta Koichi , Yamazaki Kazuhisa
Published: January 2021

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ingested periodontal pathogens on experimental colitis in mice and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms.

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined as a chronic intestinal inflammation that results in damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Epidemiological studies have shown an association between IBD and periodontitis. Although a large number of ingested oral bacteria reach gastrointestinal tract constantly, the effect of ingested periodontal pathogens on intestinal inflammation is still unknown.

Methods

Experimental colitis was induced by inclusion of dextran sodium sulfate solution in drinking water of the mice. Major periodontal pathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Fusobacterium nucleatum) were administered orally every day during the experiment. The severity of colitis between the groups was compared. In vitro studies of the intestinal epithelial cell line were conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms by which periodontal pathogens affect the development of colitis.

Results

The oral administration of P. gingivalis significantly increased the severity of colitis when compared to other pathogens in the DSS‐induced colitis model. The ingested P. gingivalis disrupted the colonic epithelial barrier by decreasing the expression of tight junction proteins in vivo. In vitro permeability assays using the intestinal epithelial cell line suggested the P. gingivalis‐specific epithelial barrier disruption. The possible involvement of gingipains in the exacerbation of colitis was implied by using P. gingivalis lacking gingipains.

Conclusion

Porphyromonas gingivalis exacerbates gastrointestinal inflammation by directly interacting with the intestinal epithelial barrier in a susceptible host.
Duration Dependence and Labor Market Experience
Authors: Lyshol Arne F. , Nenov Plamen T. , Wevelstad Thea
Published: January 2021

We study whether unemployment duration dependence—the negative effect of a current unemployment spell on an individual's employment probability—varies with labor market experience. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and the Current Population Survey, we show that although there is negative duration dependence for experienced workers, it is mostly absent for new entrants to the labor force. This difference suggests that structural forces in addition to ex ante heterogeneity in job‐finding probabilities and dynamic selection may drive unemployment duration dependence. Our findings are robust to the econometric model used and to a number of demographic controls and time trends, as well as individual fixed effects. We also discuss whether a number of theories of duration dependence can explain our empirical findings.
Job Creators or Job Killers? Heterogeneous Effects of Industrial Robots on UK Employment
Authors: Kariel Joel
Published: January 2021

There is concern about robots taking our jobs. This analysis looks at the impact of industrial robot adoption in the UK. Using a novel instrument to deal with endogeneity of robot adoption, estimates suggest that higher robot use is associated with increased employment and some evidence of a positive effect on part‐time pay, contrary to evidence from other countries. However, there is a large amount of heterogeneity across industries. The results show that industrial robots have directly replaced workers in automobile manufacturing. On the other hand, they have had positive effects on other areas of the labour market such as services.
Belatedness in the 18th century and what to do about it
Authors: Richards Cynthia
Published: January 2021

If 18th‐century literary criticism embraces trauma theory, it will do so belatedly. In 2020, trauma theory has become so much a part of the literary landscape that it is hard to imagine literary studies without it. Not only have modern and contemporary literary critics explored its tenets, but also scholars in Romanticism, 19th‐century American literature, and in the last 10 years or so, in Renaissance and early modern studies, although the number of these treatments remain few. By contrast, 18th‐century studies' wholehearted embrace of new historicism has put it on a different trajectory from trauma studies, and only in recent years has it begun to reset its course and make space for trauma theory, among other less unilaterally historicist approaches. Yet if meaning is necessarily and perennially belated—as trauma theorists espouse—then saying that 18th‐century studies will embrace trauma theory belatedly can mean that we may only now understand its significance to our field. It certainly does not mean that it is too late to learn from its lessons or alter what we do in the classroom. In fact, the events of 2020 point to the urgency of more directly serving as historical witnesses to the trauma of the 18th century, and the need to do so with the scholarly rigor and nuance that has so long distinguished our field.
“I expect boredom”: Students' experiences and expectations of multiliteracies learning
Authors: Lim Fei Victor , Weninger Csilla , Nguyen Thi Thu Ha
Published: January 2021

Multiliteracies has been incorporated in the curriculum of many education systems around the world. Beyond the broadening of focus in literacy to include multimodal meaning‐making, multiliteracies pedagogies are also associated with certain pedagogical shifts, such as a focus on bridging the students' out‐of‐school literacy practices with what and how they are learning in school. This often involves appropriating social media as well as introducing popular culture topics in the classroom. This article discusses the students' perspectives of these ideas to inform the teacher's design of multiliteracies learning. Drawing on data collected through surveys and focus group discussions from a multi‐phased research project on multiliteracies in Singapore, we reflect on the students' expressions of their experiences and expectations on multiliteracies learning. In particular, we surface an instrumental view of learning where concerns over examinations and future career prospects cloud the students' learning. We also identify a desire among the students to keep their worlds of home and schools separate. While the discussion of the students' perspectives is anchored in the context of Singapore, the implications contribute to the global discourse among curriculum planners, educational researchers and teacher practitioners who are interested in improving the design of multiliteracies learning in their contexts.
Pharmacological inhibition of CDK7 by THZ1 impairs tumor growth in p53‐mutated HNSCC
Authors: Ge Han , Yao Yuan , Jiang Yue , Wu Xiang , Wang Yanling
Published: January 2021

Background

Cyclin‐dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) has been critically linked to human cancer. However, the roles of CDK7 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain incompletely known. Here, we sought to dissect the functions of CDK7 underlying HNSCC tumorigenesis and explore whether pharmacological inhibition of CDK7 could induce anti‐cancer effects.

Methods

CDK7 expression was measured in a panel of HNSCC cell lines with p53 mutation and 20 pairs of HNSCC samples and adjacent non‐tumor tissues. Genetic targeting and pharmacological inhibition of CDK7 were conducted to dissect the biological roles of CDK7 in p53‐mutated HNSCC cells. An HNSCC xenograft model was developed to determine the therapeutic effects of THZ1 in vivo. Potential genes and pathways responsible for therapeutic effects of THZ1 were identified by genome‐wide RNA‐sequencing and bioinformatics interrogations.

Results

CDK7 expression was significantly elevated in cancerous cells and samples as compared with their adjacent non‐tumor counterparts. Impaired cell proliferation, migration, and invasion as well increased apoptosis were observed in cells upon CDK7 knockdown or THZ1 exposure. THZ1 administration potently inhibited tumor overgrowth in vivo. Mechanistically, hundreds of genes enriched in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cancer‐related categories were identified to be potentially mediated the therapeutic effects of THZ1 in HNSCC.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal that CDK7 might serve as a novel putative pro‐oncogenic gene underlying HNSCC tumorigenesis and therapeutic targeting of CDK7 might be a promising strategy for p53‐mutated HNSCC.
Self‐assembled peptide hydrogel scaffolds with VEGF and BMP‐2 enhanced in vitro angiogenesis and osteogenesis
Authors: Zhang Ruijuan , Liu Yang , Qi Yingqiu , Zhao Ying , Nie Guangjun , Wang Xiaozhe , Zheng Shuguo
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The reconstruction of bone defects remains a major clinical issue. Our study aims to investigate the ability of RATEA16 (RA, [CH3CONH] RADARADARADARADA‐[CONH2]) for the sustained delivering VEGF and BMP‐2 to promote angiogenesis and osteogenesis in bone reconstruction.

Materials and methods

We prepared and investigated the characterization of RATEA16. The survival of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human stem cells of the apical papilla (SCAPs) encapsulated in RATEA16 hydrogel was detected. Then, we established RA‐VEGF/BMP‐2 drug delivery systems and measured their drug release pattern. The effects of RA‐VEGF scaffolds on HUVECs angiogenesis were investigated in vitro. Then, osteoblastic differentiation capacity of SCAPs with RA‐BMP‐2 scaffolds was analyzed by ALP activity and expression of osteoblast‐related genes.

Results

A porous nanofiber microstructure endowed this scaffold with the ability to maintain the survival of HUVECs and SCAPs. The RA‐VEGF/BMP‐2 drug delivery systems exhibited several advantagesin vitro: injectability, biodegradability, good biocompatibility, and noncytotoxicity. Released rhVEGF165/BMP‐2 were proved to promote angiogenesis of HUVECs as well as osteogenesis of SCAPs abilities.

Conclusion

RATEA16 loading with VEGF and BMP‐2 might be a potential clinical strategy for tissue engineering, especially in bone reconstruction, due to its ability of delivering growth factors effectively and efficiently.
Simple discrete‐time metapopulation models of patch occupancy
Authors: Marculis Nathan G. , Hastings Alan
Published: January 2021

Simple models in theoretical ecology have a long‐standing history of being used to understand how specific processes influence population dynamics as well as providing a foundation for future endeavors. The Levins model is the seminal example of this for continuous‐time metapopulation dynamics. However, many natural populations have a distinct separation between processes and data is not collected continuously leading to the need for using a discrete‐time model. Our goal is to develop a simple discrete‐time metapopulation model of patch occupancy using difference equations. In our formulation, we consider the two fundamental processes of colonization and extinction that will be treated as sequential events and will only consider patch occupancy. To achieve this, we use a composition of two functions where one will reflect the extinction process and the other for the colonization process. Under some mild assumptions, we are able determine the dynamic behavior of the metapopulation. In addition, we provide numerous examples for the functions used to emulate the colonization and extinction processes. Our results illustrate that the dynamics of the model are tied to properties such as convexity and monotonicity of the colonization and extinction functions. In particular, if the model is non‐monotone, then complex dynamics can arise such as cyclic and even chaotic behavior. Overall, our approach shows how certain properties of the colonization and extinction functions can influence metapopulation dynamics.
Survey of throat pack use: An oral surgery perspective
Authors: Dargue Anna , Fyfe Eithne
Published: January 2021

Aim

Previous national surveys highlighted variation in throat pack use, lack of team‐approach and poor adherence to safety processes. A recent review found no evidence supporting anaesthetist‐inserted throat packs. A survey of oral surgeons was undertaken to establish current practice.

Materials and methods

Anonymous online questionnaire publicised via BAOS.

Results

Fewer oral surgeons are placing throat packs routinely. There is a trend towards surgeons placing throat packs rather than anaesthetists. Four‐fifths of surgeons are following best safety processes: radio‐opaque material, throat pack from swab count, WHO ‘sign out’ check for removal. The increase in surgeons’ view that they have responsibility for throat pack removal is consistent with more surgeons placing throat packs. Increase in surgeons’ awareness of throat pack incidents. A quarter of surgeons cognisant of recent recommendations.

Conclusions

Continued variation found in oral surgeons’ use of throat packs. The decrease in routine throat pack use suggests increased decision‐making by surgeons. A change in practice from anaesthetists to surgeons inserting throat packs noted. It appears this change is driven by anaesthetists, given the lack of knowledge of recent recommendations by oral surgeons. A striking improvement in adherence to safety processes observed. No adoption of team‐approach to throat pack use. It is vital now to establish an evidence‐base for throat pack use during oral surgical procedures.
Efficient gene targeting in Nicotiana tabacum using CRISPR/SaCas9 and temperature tolerant LbCas12a
Authors: Huang Teng‐Kuei , Armstrong Brittney , Schindele Patrick , Puchta Holger
Published: January 2021

Nicotiana tabacum is a non‐food herb that has the potential to be utilized as bio‐factory for generating medicines, vaccines or valuable small metabolites. To achieve these goals, the improvement of genetic tools for pre‐designed genome modifications is indispensable. The development of CRISPR/Cas nucleases allows the induction of site‐specific double‐strand breaks to enhance homologous recombination‐mediated gene targeting (GT). However, the efficiency of GT is still a challenging obstacle for many crops including tobacco. Recently, studies in several plant species indicated that by replacing SpCas9 with other CRISPR/Cas‐based nucleases, GT efficiencies might be enhanced considerably. Therefore, we tested SaCas9 as well as a temperature‐insensitive version of LbCas12a (ttLbCas12a) for targeting the tobacco SuRB gene. At the same time, we also optimized the protocol for Agrobacterium‐mediated tobacco transformation and tissue culture. In this way, we could improve GT efficiencies to up to a third of the inoculated cotyledons when using ttLbCas12a, which outperformed SaCas9 considerably. In addition, we could show that the conversion tract length of the GT reaction can be up to 606 bp long and in the majority of cases, it is longer than 250 bp. We obtained multiple heritable GT events, mostly heterozygous, but also biallelic GT events and some without T‐DNA integration. Thus, we were not only able to obtain CRISPR/Cas‐based heritable GT events in allotetraploid Nicotiana tabacum for the first time, but our results also indicate that ttLbCas12a might be a superior alternative for gene editing and GT in tobacco as well as in other crops.
Mortality among pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients: Report from a single center in southern Brazil
Authors: Jardim Tyane de Almeida Pinto , Jardim Bruno Araújo , Breda Giovanni Luís , Bonfim Carmem , Raboni Sonia Mara
Published: January 2021

Introduction

HSCT has grown in number in recent years. This treatment in children has its particularities and has been characterized in previous studies only on a limited basis. There are important causes of morbidity and mortality in this group of patients, including evolution of primary disease, graft failure, infectious diseases, and GVHD. The aim of this study was to report case series of TRM within 100 days after transplantation and associated factors.

Methods

Retrospective cohort. All children transplanted between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017 were included and those who underwent the first HSCT in another center were excluded.

Results

Data from 292 children were analyzed. TRM in 100 days was 5.8%, being significantly higher in patients with umbilical cord blood as the cell source. Infectious complications were frequent in this sample (bacterial infections in 27%, viral infections in 75.3%, and fungal infections in 12%) and both the presence of fungal disease and more than one infection during the follow‐up (viral and bacterial, viral and fungal or bacterial and fungal) had statistically significant association with the outcome.

Conclusions

The prognosis in allogeneic HSCT is influenced by the origin of the stem cells, the presence of acute GVHD and the occurrence of infectious diseases. Studies that evaluate pediatric individuals undergoing HSCT and analyze their mortality profile, can improve the management of these patients, possibly leading to a reduction in TRM.
Quantitative proteomics analysis reveals the response mechanism of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to imbibitional chilling stress
Authors: Chen H. , Liu N. , Xu R. , Chen X. , Zhang Y. , Hu R. , Lan X. , Tang Z. , Lin G.
Published: January 2021

Imbibitional chilling stress inhibits normal seed germination and seedling establishment and leads to large losses in peanut production. This is a major limiting factor when sowing peanut earlier and further north.

To reveal the response mechanism of peanut to imbibitional chilling stress, a Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)‐based quantitative proteomics analysis was conducted to identify differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) under imbibitional chilling stress. Hormone profiling and transcriptional analysis were performed to confirm the proteomics data. Further seed priming analysis with exogenous cytokinins was conducted to validate the role of cytokinins in alleviating imbibitional chilling injury.

A total of 5029 proteins were identified and quantified in all of the experimental groups. Among these, 104 proteins were DAPs as compared with the control. Enrichment analysis revealed that these DAPs were significant in various molecular functional and biological processes, especially for biosynthesis and metabolism of plant hormones. Hormone profiling and transcription analysis suggested that the reduced abundance of cytokinin oxidase may be caused by down‐regulation of gene expression of the corresponding genes and leads to an elevated content of cytokinins under chilling stress. Seed priming analysis suggested that exogenous application of cytokinins may alleviate injury caused by imbibitional chilling.

Our study provides a comprehensive proteomics analysis of peanut under imbibitional chilling stress, suggesting the role of plant hormones in the response mechanism. The results provide a better understanding of the imbibitional chilling stress response mechanism in peanut that will aid in peanut production.
The phytotoxin COR induces transcriptional reprogramming of photosynthetic, hormonal and defence networks in tomato
Authors: Zhang Z. C. , He B. , Sun S. , Zhang X. , Li T. , Wang H. H. , Xu L. R. , Afzal A. J. , Geng X. Q.
Published: January 2021

Coronatine (COR) is a non‐host specific phytotoxin secreted by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato that can induce leaf chlorosis and increase the virulence of pathogens during plant–pathogen interactions. Studies have shown that COR can regulate multiple physiological processes in plants, but its involvement in bacterial pathogenesis and plant growth regulation is not well understood.

In this study, transcriptome sequencing was carried out on 4‐week‐old tomato leaves that were either mock‐treated or treated with COR.

Transcriptome sequencing led to the identification of 6144 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 4361 genes were downregulated and 1783 genes were upregulated upon COR treatment. To obtain functional information on the DEGs, we annotated these genes using GO and KEGG databases. Functional classification analysis showed that the DEGs were primarily involved in photosynthesis, chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis, jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis and phenylpropane metabolism.

A total of 23 genes related to chlorophyll biosynthesis had significant changes, of which 22 genes were downregulated and one gene was upregulated, indicating that chlorophyll biosynthesis was inhibited upon COR treatment. A total of 17 photosystem I related genes and 22 photosystem II related genes involving 20 protein subunits were also downregulated. In the JA synthesis pathway, 25 genes were up regulated, and six genes were downregulated in COR treated samples. COR was also involved in the regulation of multiple secondary metabolites. The identified DEGs will help us better understand the virulence effects and physiological functions of COR and provide a theoretical basis for breeding resistance into economically important crops.
The impact of anti‐sweatshop activism on employment
Authors: Makioka Ryo
Published: January 2021

While the literature on anti‐sweatshop campaigns has empirically rejected their negative impact on employment, this study shows that anti‐sweatshop activism had a negative impact on employment for multinational companies in Indonesia. This result suggests that the prior findings are a result of disregarding the differences in some dimensions of firm characteristics between the treatment and control groups.
Job Insecurity, Debt Burdens, and Individual Health
Authors: Blázquez Maite , Budría Santiago , Moro‐Egido Ana I.
Published: January 2021

Job insecurity exerts negative effects on self‐reported health. Using the Spanish Survey of Household Finances for 2011–2014, this paper asks whether and to what extent debt burdens enhance these detrimental health effects. To address potential endogeneity problems surrounding this question, the paper adopts Deb and Trivedi’s (Econometrics Journal, 9, 307–331, 2006) econometric approach. The results show that the negative effect of job insecurity on self‐assessed health is exacerbated if the individual is over‐indebted. Moreover, the role of over‐indebtedness differs between types of debt, with non‐mortgage debts causing larger health losses than mortgage debts. Thus, concerns about job insecurity should not be decoupled from concerns about increasing household indebtedness, and policy measures intended to improve individual welfare should consider both phenomena together.
Use of ImageJ as an image processing method for the assessment of post‐surgical bruises
Authors: Gómez Martín Carmen , Martínez Grau Gorka
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To develop, through ImageJ, an automated, non‐invasive, objective method to analyze images of bruises that allowed quantifying variation in its size overtime for its later use in clinical trials.

Methods

The ImageJ software was used to create automated macros that were executed on 38 images of the untreated eyes of 19 patients that participated in a post‐marketing, randomized, controlled clinical trial that assessed the efficacy of a cream to reduce post‐blepharoplasty minor hematomas. Three image processing systems were used with the macros created with ImageJ: RGB, RGB2, and HSB. The area of the bruises and the percentage of reduction were estimated for each one. Ophthalmologists also reviewed photographs by direct visual examination.

Results

All three processing systems were useful for identifying the area of the bruise and studying its variation over time. RGB2 results were the most consistent with the direct visual examination conducted by ophthalmologists.

Conclusion

RGB2‐automated image processing was considered the most appropriate for bruise analysis and represented an advantage over other manual techniques. However, it will be necessary to test it in clinical trials and other studies with a more significant number of samples and different locations.
Non‐invasive assessment of soluble skin surface biomarkers in atopic dermatitis patients—Effect of treatment
Authors: Røpke Mads Almose , Mekulova Anna , Pipper Christian , Eisen Maigi , Pender Kristi , Spee Pieter , Kezic Sanja
Published: January 2021

Background

Skin biomarkers are important tools for characterizing specific disease processes in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and can be used for monitoring and potentially predicting treatment response. Recent developments of minimally invasive skin sampling methods have made sampling easier and less inconvenient for patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the non‐invasive patch technique developed by FibroTx for skin biomarker analysis.

Materials and Methods

Ten adult patients with AD were included in the study and treated with topical corticosteroid (diprosone 0.05%) for 2 weeks. Skin surface biomarkers were assessed in three lesional and non‐lesional sites before and during treatment using the FibroTx Patch method. Skin tape strips were also collected from the subjects for comparison.

Results

The results showed expression of IL‐1 cytokine family members, chemokines, and defensins on lesional and non‐lesional skin. Several of these markers were strongly reduced by topical treatment. The biomarker expression in skin surface eluates correlated strongly with those seen in skin tape strips from the same subjects.

Conclusion

These data further support the usefulness of non‐invasive sampling methods for assessing inflammatory processes in AD skin and demonstrate that the patch sampling method is a good alternative to skin tape strips.
How do exercise training variables stimulate processes related to mitochondrial biogenesis in slow and fast trout muscle fibres?
Authors: Pengam Morgane , Amérand Aline , Simon Bernard , Guernec Anthony , Inizan Manon , Moisan Christine
Published: January 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Exercise is known to promote mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle, but what are the most relevant training protocols to stimulate it?

What is the main finding and its importance?

As in mammals, training in rainbow trout affects slow and fast muscle fibres differently. Exercise intensity, relative to volume, duration and frequency, is the most relevant training variable to stimulate the processes related to mitochondrial biogenesis in both red and white muscles. This study offers new insights into muscle fibre type‐specific transcription and expression of genes involved in mitochondrial adaptations following training.

Exercise is known to be a powerful way to improve health through the stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle, which undergoes cellular and molecular adaptations. One of the current challenges in human is to define the optimal training stimulus to improve muscle performance. Fish are relevant models for exercise training physiology studies mainly because of their distinct slow and fast muscle fibres. Using rainbow trout, we investigated the effects of six different training protocols defined by manipulating specific training variables (such as exercise intensity, volume, duration and frequency), on mRNAs and some proteins related to four subsystems (AMP‐activated protein kinase–peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1α signalling pathway, mitochondrial function, antioxidant defences and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) metabolism) in both red and white muscles (RM and WM, respectively). In both muscles, high‐intensity exercise stimulated more mRNA types and enzymatic activities related to mitochondrial biogenesis than moderate‐intensity exercise. For volume, duration and frequency variables, we demonstrated fibre type‐specific responses. Indeed, for high‐intensity interval training, RM transcript levels are increased by a low training volume, but WM transcript responses are stimulated by a high training volume. Moreover, transcripts and enzymatic activities related to mitochondria and LDH show that WM tends to develop aerobic metabolism with a high training volume. For transcript stimulation, WM requires a greater duration and frequency of exercise than RM, whereas protein adaptations are efficient with a long training duration and a high frequency in both muscles.
Complex Energy Networks Optimization: Part II—Software Application to a Case Study
Authors: Ancona Maria Alessandra , Bianchi Michele , Branchini Lisa , De Pascale Andrea , Melino Francesco , Peretto Antonio , Rosati Jessica
Published: January 2021

In order to increase the exploitation of the renewable energy sources, the diffusion of the distributed generation systems is grown, leading to an increase in the complexity of the electrical, thermal, cooling, and fuel energy distribution networks. With the main purpose of improving the overall energy conversion efficiency and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuel based production systems, the design and the management of these complex energy grids play a key role. In this context, an in-house developed software, called COMBO, presented and validated in Part I of this study, has been applied to a case study in order to define the optimal scheduling of each generation system connected to a complex energy network. The software is based on a nonheuristic technique, which considers all the possible combination of solutions, elaborating the optimal scheduling for each energy system by minimizing an objective function based on the evaluation of the total energy production cost and energy systems' environmental impact. In particular, the software COMBO is applied to a case study represented by an existing small-scale complex energy network, with the main objective of optimizing the energy production mix and the complex energy networks yearly operation depending on the energy demand of the users. The electrical, thermal, and cooling needs of the users are satisfied with a centralized energy production, by means of internal combustion engines, natural gas boilers, heat pumps, compression, and absorption chillers. The optimal energy systems' operation evaluated by the software COMBO will be compared to a reference case, representative of the current energy systems setup, in order to highlight the environmental and economic benefits achievable with the proposed strategy.
Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Biogas on a 3 kW Micro Gas Turbine FLOX®-Based Combustor
Authors: Seliger-Ost Hannah , Kutne Peter , Zanger Jan , Aigner Manfred
Published: January 2021

The use of biogas has currently two disadvantages. First, processing biogas to natural gas quality for feeding into the natural gas grid is a rather energy-consuming process. Second, the conversion into electricity directly in biogas plants produces waste heat, which largely cannot be used. Therefore, a feed-in of the desulfurized and dry biogas to local biogas grids would be preferable. Thus, the biogas could be used directly at the end consumer for heat and power production. As biogas varies in its methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) content, respectively, this paper studies the influence of different biogas mixtures compared to natural gas on the combustion in a flameless oxidation (FLOX®)-based six nozzle combustor. The single staged combustor is suitable for use in a micro gas turbine (MGT) based combined heat and power (CHP) system with an electrical power output of 3 kW. The combustor is studied in an optically accessible atmospheric test rig, as well as integrated into the MGT system. This paper focuses on the influence of the admixture of CO2 to natural gas on the NOx and CO emissions. Furthermore, at atmospheric conditions, the shape and location of the heat release zone are investigated using OH* chemiluminescence (OH* CL). The combustor could be stably operated in the MGT within the complete stationary operating range with all fuel mixtures.
An Optimal Design of a Flexible Piping Inspection Robot
Authors: Venkateswaran Swaminath , Chablat Damien , Hamon Pol
Published: January 2021

This study presents an optimization approach for the design of a piping inspection robot. A rigid bio-inspired piping inspection robot that moves like a caterpillar was designed and developed at LS2N, France. By the addition of tensegrity mechanisms between the motor modules, the mobile robot becomes flexible to pass through the bends. However, the existing motor units prove to be oversized for passing through pipe bends at 90 deg. Thus, three cascading optimization problems are presented in this article to determine the sizing of robot assembly that can overcome such pipe bends. The first problem deals with the identification of design parameters of the tensegrity mechanism based on static stability. Followed by that, in the second problem, the optimum design parameters of the robot modules are determined for the robot assembly without the presence of leg mechanisms. The third problem deals with the determination of the size of the leg mechanism for the results of the two previous optimization problems. A digital model of the optimized robot assembly is then realized using cad software.
Reprogrammable Kinematic Branches in Tessellated Origami Structures
Authors: Pratapa Phanisri P. , Liu Ke , Vasudevan Siva P. , Paulino Glaucio H.
Published: January 2021

We analyze the folding kinematics of a recently proposed origami-based tessellated structure called the Morph pattern, using thin, rigid panel assumptions. We discuss the geometry of the Morph unit cell that can exist in two characteristic modes differing in the mountain/valley assignment of a degree-four vertex and explain how a single tessellation of the Morph structure can undergo morphing through rigid origami kinematics resulting in multiple hybrid states. We describe the kinematics of the tessellated Morph pattern through multiple branches, each path leading to different sets of hybrid states. We study the kinematics of the tessellated structure through local and global Poisson’s ratios and derive an analytical condition for which the global ratio switches between negative and positive values. We show that the interplay between the local and global kinematics results in folding deformations in which the hybrid states are either locked in their current modes or are transformable to other modes of the kinematic branches, leading to a reprogrammable morphing behavior of the system. Finally, using a bar-and-hinge model-based numerical framework, we simulate the nonlinear folding behavior of the hybrid systems and verify the deformation characteristics that are predicted analytically.
A Sliding-Mode Control Algorithm to Enhance In-Hand Motion Capabilities
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Mukherjee Joyjit , Mukherjee Sudipto
Published: January 2021

This article reports a method for regulating the internal forces during in-hand manipulation of an unknown shaped object with soft robotic fingers. The internal forces ensure that the object does not move between the robotic fingers, thus improving the grip. It is shown that if soft fingers show bounded conformity and the finger–object interface have bounded relative slip, then the relative angular velocity between the object and the fingertip coordinate frame in contact is bounded. Detailed derivation of the proof is presented. The proof is later used to define a new metric of relative slip. The metric is used to design a sliding mode control algorithm that results in an efficient grip, which is robust toward uncertainty in object shape. The robotic fingers are assumed to be under virtual rigidity constraint, that is, the distance between the fingertips do not change. The control algorithm is attractive as it skirts requirement of information of the shape of the object or to solve optimization problems. The grip with the robust control algorithm is shown to be finite-time stable through Lyapunov’s method. The methodology is demonstrated using simulations.
Preliminary Study on the Influence of an External Magnetic Field on Melt Pool Behavior in Laser Melting of 4140 Steel Using In-Situ X-Ray Imaging
Authors: Wolff Sarah J. , Gould Benjamin , Parab Niranjan , Zhao Cang , Greco Aaron , Sun Tao
Published: January 2021

In laser melting processes of metallic parts, including welding and additive manufacturing, there are challenges in porosity formation and developing predictive multiphysics of the process. Surrounding a melt pool with an external magnetic field has promise in changing the Marangoni flow and reducing porosity formation. In-situ X-ray imaging enables the observation of melt pool behavior and porosity formation in real-time. This preliminary study shows that an external magnetic field can achieve both, with potential to scale up in industrial processes and to validate multiphysics models.
Low-Cycle Fatigue Lifetime Estimation and Predictive Maintenance for a Gas Turbine Compressor Vane Carrier Under Varying Operating Conditions
Authors: Han Zixi , Jiang Zixian , Ehrt Sophie , Li Mian
Published: January 2021

In the age of Industry 4.0, the capability of health management is critical to the design and maintenance of gas turbines. This study presents a probabilistic method to estimate the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) life of a gas turbine compressor vane carrier (CVC) under varying operating conditions. Sensitivity analysis based on the finite element analysis (FEA) indicates that an operating cycle can be characterized by three predominant contributors to the LCF damage of the CVC among multiple parameters of an operating cycle. Two surrogate models mapping these three features to equivalent stresses are then built for fast computation of the LCF damage. Miner's rule is applied in a probabilistic way to calculate the distribution of accumulated LCF damage over varying operating cycles. Finally, the probabilistic LCF life of the CVC is assessed using real operational data. The proposed approach includes two novel solutions: (1) a new data processing technique inspired by the cumulative sum (CUSUM) control chart to identify the first ramp-up period as well as the shutdown period of each cycle from noisy operational data; (2) the sequential convolution strategy adapted from Miner's rule to compute the probability distribution of accumulated LCF damage (and hence LCF life) from the single-cycle damage distribution, and an approximative quick estimation method to reduce computational expense. Both the offline application for design and online implementation for predictive maintenance show that the expected LCF life at a critical location of the CVC is significantly longer than the deterministically assessed life.
Local and Trajectory-Based Indexes for Task-Related Energetic Performance Optimization of Robotic Manipulators
Authors: Vidussi Fabrizio , Boscariol Paolo , Scalera Lorenzo , Gasparetto Alessandro
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a task-dependent energetic analysis of robotic manipulators is presented. The proposed approach includes a novel performance index, which relates the energy consumption of a robotic manipulator to its inertia ellipsoid. To validate the method, the dynamic and electro-mechanic models of a three degrees-of-freedom (3-DOF) SCARA robot are implemented and the influence of the location of a predefined point-to-point task (such as a pick-and-place operation) within the robot workspace is considered. The task-dependent analysis provides energy consumption maps that are compared with the prediction of the theoretical formulation based on the proposed trajectory energy index (TEI), which can be used to optimally locate the task to obtain minimal energy consumption without having to compute it through extensive dynamic simulations. Results show the effectiveness of the method and the good agreement between the TEI and the effective energy consumption within the whole workspace of the robot for several trajectories.
The Effects of Operational, Testing, and Material Characterizations on the Change in Yield Strength From Plate to Pipe
Authors: Jiao Jingsi , Lu Cheng , Linton Valerie , Barbaro Frank
Published: January 2021

The rapid growth of energy consumption has increased the demand of pipelines for the transportation of oil and gas. UOE is one common technique for manufacturing pipes, and its pipe products are evaluated by tensile tests after cutting and flattening the specimen. The mechanical performance of the pipe sample has a direct influence on their application and a significant economic impact on manufacturers. There is often a change in the yield strength from plate to pipe. This work sets out to provide a critical knowledge base for this change, with emphasizing the important influence of the plate mechanical properties on the pipe so that the quality of pipe can be further ensured. In the work, first, the historical data of the pipe yield strength were collected and plotted to provide an overall insight and a quantitative review on change of the pipe yield strength. Second, an experimentally validated finite element model of the pipe forming and mechanical testing was explained. Finally, using the validated Finite Element model, a parametric study was conducted to determine the individual role that each plate material parameter plays on changing the pipe yield strength. We found that the pipe yield strength can differ significantly by varying the plate properties. This work sheds lights on the desired plate mechanical properties to optimize the final pipe yield strength.
Deep Spatio-Temporal Neural Networks for Risk Prediction and Decision Support in Aviation Operations
Authors: Lee HyunKi , Puranik Tejas G. , Mavris Dimitri N.
Published: January 2021

The maintenance and improvement of safety are among the most critical concerns in civil aviation operations. Due to the increased availability of data and improvements in computing power, applying artificial intelligence technologies to reduce risk in aviation safety has gained momentum. In this paper, a framework is developed to build a predictive model of future aircraft trajectory that can be utilized online to assist air crews in their decision-making during approach. Flight data parameters from the approach phase between certain approach altitudes (also called gates) are utilized for training an offline model that predicts the aircraft’s ground speed at future points. This model is developed by combining convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and long short-term memory (LSTM) layers. Due to the myriad of model combinations possible, hyperband algorithm is used to automate the hyperparameter tuning process to choose the best possible model. The validated offline model can then be used to predict the aircraft’s future states and provide decision-support to air crews. The method is demonstrated using publicly available Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The developed model can predict the ground speed at an accuracy between 1.27% and 2.69% relative root-mean-square error. A safety score is also evaluated considering the upper and lower bounds of variation observed within the available data set. Thus, the developed model represents an improved performance over existing techniques in literature and shows significant promise for decision-support in aviation operations.