bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning‐based optimal tracking control of flow front position in an injection molding machine
Authors: Xu Jiahong , Ren Zhigang , Xie Shengli , Wang Yalin , Wang Jingpei
Published: September 2021

The product quality of injection‐molded plastic is closely related to the injection flow velocity of molten plastics. In this article, an optimal tracking control problem for the injection flow front position arising in the filling process in the injection molding machine (IMM) is considered, and an intelligent real‐time optimal control method based on deep neural networks (DNNs) is developed for the online tracking of the flow front position to improve the efficient production process of the plastics. To this end, a highly nonlinear dynamic model describing the filling process is first proposed and then an optimal control problem is formulated. A high‐fidelity numerical optimization approach known as the Gauss pseudospectral method is used to numerically obtain the optimal state‐control solutions, which can then be saved as a huge training data set for the DNNs. The DNNs architecture is then developed and offline trained using the obtained data set to determine the best state–control relationship. As a consequence, the well‐trained DNN may be utilized to produce the matching optimum feedback action on‐board. Numerical studies are also carried out to verify the performance of our proposed approach.
Program for Reducing Obesity (PRO): An institutional review of an insurance‐based weight loss program utilizing shared medical appointments
Authors: Wei Jeffrey , Lei Lei , Shieh Albert , Gupta Deepashree , Ahern Susan , Shen Na
Published: September 2021

Background

Based on CDC estimates in the United States, the prevalence of obesity was 42.4% in 2017–2018, and the annual cost of obesity was $147 billion in 2008. Yet studies estimate that only 20–40% of adults with obesity received counseling from their primary care providers. Recent studies using shared medical appointments (SMA), where patients are seen by a multidisciplinary team, have shown promising results in obesity management. We developed an insurance‐based weight loss program incorporating SMA, called the Program for Reducing Obesity (PRO), and report our findings here.

Methods

Enrollment began in January 2019 at the UCLA Health Thousand Oaks clinic. Patients age ≥18 years with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 were eligible by referral to PRO, a program consisting of individual visits and SMAs with an obesity medicine board certified endocrinologist and registered dietitian. Primary outcomes were change in weight after 3, 6, and 12 months. Secondary outcomes included proportion that achieved ≥5% weight loss, change in percent body fat, HbA1c, HDL, triglycerides, and blood pressure.

Results

102 patients (mean age 59.7 years, 72% women, mean weight 103.6 kg, mean BMI 36.6 kg/m2) have been analyzed, with 91 patients completing at least 12 months of the program. Patients achieved significant weight loss: 3.0%, 5.0%, and 7.8% of their baseline weight after 3, 6, and 12 months respectively. 52% of patients lost ≥5% of their baseline weight after 12 months. Patients had significant reductions in body fat: 2.1%, 7.4%, and 6.7% of their baseline (all p ≤ 0.01) after 3, 6, and 12 months respectively. Improvements were also seen in HbA1c (p ≤ 0.01), triglycerides (p ≤ 0.04), and systolic blood pressure (p ≤ 0.07) after 12 months although not all results achieved statistical significance.

Conclusion

Our institutional review of PRO, an insurance‐based obesity program utilizing SMA, demonstrates a successful approach to promoting weight loss in a community‐based setting.
Efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in ineffective erythropoiesis suppression as a pretransplantation treatment for pediatric patients with beta‐thalassemia major
Authors: Ovsyannikova Galina , Balashov Dmitry , Demina Irina , Shelikhova Larisa , Pshonkin Alexey , Maschan Michael , Novichkova Galina , Maschan Alexey , Smetanina Nataliya
Published: September 2021

Background

Ineffective erythropoiesis (IE) is the most prominent feature of transfusion‐dependent beta‐thalassemia (TDT), which leads to extramedullary hemopoiesis. The rejection rate in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is high in heavily transfused patients with TDT accompanied by prominent IE. Therefore, a pretransplantation treatment bridging to HSCT is often used to reduce allosensitization and IE. Ruxolitinib is a JAK‐1/JAK‐2 inhibitor and has showed its efficacy in suppressing IE and the immune system. A previously published study on RUX in adult patients with TDT has revealed that this treatment significantly reduces spleen size and is well tolerated.

Procedure

Ten patients (5‐14 years old) with TDT and an enlarged spleen were enrolled. The dose of ruxolitinib was adjusted for age: for patients <11 years: 40‐100 mg/m2 total daily dose and for patients >11 years: 20‐30 mg/m2 total daily dose. HSCT was performed in 8 of 10 patients.

Results

After the first 3 months of ruxolitinib therapy, spleen volume decreased in 9 of 10 cases by 9.1%‐67.5% (M = 35.4%) compared with the initial size (P = 0.003). The adverse events of ruxolitinib (infectious complications, moderate thrombocytopenia, and headache) were successfully managed by reducing the dose. The outcomes of HSCT were favorable in seven of eight cases.

Conclusion

Ruxolitinib is promising as a short‐term pre‐HSCT treatment for pediatric patients with TDT and pronounced IE.
Childhood cancer hospital resource utilization and costs in Egypt, 2013‐2017; patterns, trends, and associated factors for 8886 patients from Children's Cancer Hospital, Egypt
Authors: Soliman Ranin , Elhaddad Alaa , Oke Jason , Eweida Wael , Tarek Nourhan , Hamza Mahmoud , Yang Yaling , Abouelnaga Sherif , Heneghan Carl
Published: September 2021

Introduction

There is a lack ofevidence about resource use and costs of childhood cancer care in Egypt. Knowledge about resource use/costs can help in better resource planning to improve care and outcomes efficiently. In this study, we estimated patterns and trends of hospital resource use and costs for children with cancer (n = 8886, aged 0‐18 years) treated at Children's Cancer Hospital, Egypt (CCHE), between 2013 and 2017, by ICCC‐3 groups, at one and three years post‐diagnosis.

Methods

We estimated costs from the healthcare provider perspective, expressed in USD 2019. We also studied resource use/cost trends, and factors associated with inpatient days and costs.

Results

For all cancers combined, median costs were $14,774 (IQR: $6,559‐$23,738) at one year and $19,799 (IQR: $8,921‐$34,204) at three years post‐diagnosis. Median inpatient days were 38 days (IQR: 17‐60) at one year, and 43 days (IQR: 20‐74) at three years post‐diagnosis. Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and neuroblastoma imposed the greatest financial burden on CCHE, representing 53.1% of total costs. AML patients had the highest costs/resource use of all childhood cancers. Cost trends decreased by 2.9% (P < 0.001) for all cancers combined, due to economic instability in Egypt between 2013 and 2017. The use of IV supportive drugs increased by 24.3% (P < 0.001) over time for children with solid tumors.

Conclusion

These findings will inform hospital resource planning and budgeting to promote value in care delivery, with implications for pediatric oncology practice and policy in Egypt/CCHE. Estimated costs provide the foundation for cost‐effectiveness analysis.
Recent advances on the structure–properties relationship of multiblock copolymers
Authors: Baeza Guilhem P.
Published: September 2021

Multiblock copolymers represent a fascinating class of materials that sits at the very heart of industrial applications and fundamental polymer science. They are most often made of a linear succession of incompatible “soft” and “hard” segments that microphase separate at room temperature while they can be easily re‐homogenized upon heating. This thermoreversible character provides them with decisive advantages with respect to other rubber‐based materials such as vulcanized elastomers, making them indispensable for the development of a more sustainable polymer industry. Beyond practical opportunities, tailoring the multiblock copolymers morphology has a pivotal role to play in the fundamental understanding of the structure–properties relationship of polymer‐based systems. It notably serves to comprehend complex materials such as semicrystalline homopolymers and nanocomposites. Aside from the thorough work developed on well‐defined diblock copolymers for half a century, this article review aims to guide the reader into the more intricate world of multiblock copolymers by providing him/her quantitative tools to connect chemical nature, microstructure and mechanical properties.
Inhibition of biofilm formation on polystyrene substrates by atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization of siloxane‐based coatings
Authors: Múgica‐Vidal Rodolfo , Sainz‐García Elisa , Muro‐Fraguas Ignacio , Sainz‐García Ana , González‐Marcos Ana , López María , Rojo‐Bezares Beatriz , Toledano Paula , Sáenz Yolanda , Alba‐Elías Fernando
Published: September 2021

Biofilms pose important economic and health risks in biomedical applications and in food industries. In this study, coatings that reduce the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on polystyrene cell culture plates are deposited by plasma polymerization of (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet system at three different power levels. Surface characterizations and quantification of biofilm formation during 1 week after deposition suggest that the higher concentration of oxygenated carbon groups on the coated samples than on uncoated ones can induce higher levels of oxidative stress in the bacteria in contact with the coatings. This causes an initial overproduction of extracellular polymeric substances that can avoid further bacterial attachment and biofilm formation at later cycles of biofilm development.
High‐performance rollable polymer/metal/polymer thin‐film heater and heat mirror
Authors: Kim Sung Hyun , Cho Eunmi , Kim Mac , Lee Sang‐Jin
Published: September 2021

In this study, we propose high‐performance polymer/metal/polymer (HP–PMP) films with simultaneous heat reflection/transparent heater functions. The thickness‐optimized HP–PMP films showed a maximum transmittance of 77.12% (86.65% without the base film) at a wavelength of 460 nm, sheet resistance of 5.982 Ω/□, and figure of merit of 12.44 × 10−3 Ω−1 (39.89 × 10−3 Ω−1 without the base film). In the surface heating test, the temperature reached approximately 150°C at an applied voltage of 11 V. In the heat mirror experiment using an infrared lamp, the HP–PMP film showed 85.1% heat shielding, compared to the base film. After the mechanical rolling reliability test, the HP–PMP film did not show any change in resistance after 10 ,000 cycles under a rolling condition of 240°.
Genomic structure and diversity of oak populations in British parklands
Authors: Nocchi Gabriele , Brown Nathan , Coker Timothy L. R. , Plumb William J. , Stocks Jonathan J. , Denman Sandra , Buggs Richard J. A.
Published: September 2021

Societal Impact Statement

The largest populations of veteran oak trees in Europe are found in British parklands: managed wood pastures up to 1000 years old. Here, we present genomic evidence that parkland oak populations harbour considerable diversity and grew from local seed sources. We found some evidence for natural regeneration of offspring and for hybridization between pedunculate and sessile oak. We detected signatures of past gene flow between these two species and few regions of high differentiation within their genomes. Future expansion of this dataset may allow us to test for a genomic basis of acute oak decline, a syndrome of particular concern in parkland environments.

The two predominant oak species in Europe, Quercus robur (English or pedunculate oak) and Quercus petraea (sessile oak), have a long history of human intervention. In Britain, a common management regime is parklands, often surrounding country houses. Little is known about how seeds were sourced for parkland oak populations nor the genetic diversity that they contain.

We sequenced the whole genomes of 386 trees from four British parkland sites to characterize the nuclear and chloroplast genetic structure and diversity of oak parkland populations. We assembled the chloroplast genomes and matched these to restriction enzyme fragment chloroplast haplotypes found in previous studies of ancient woodlands.

We found over two million high‐quality nuclear single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), allowing us to identify 360 Q. robur, 10 Q. petraea and 16 hybrid individuals with confidence. We identified 81 coding regions exhibiting strong differentiation between the two species. We found evidence for selective sweeps in Q. robur near some regions containing genes with putative involvement in stress tolerance.

We detected a few very close relatives within some sites, suggesting natural regeneration or local seed planting. There was little differentiation among the Q. robur populations at the four sites. Chloroplast genomes found in each parkland tended to be similar to those of local ancient woodlands, suggesting that they were derived from local seed sources.
The improved clinical course of persistent tachypnea of infancy with inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids
Authors: Marczak Honorata , Peradzyńska Joanna , Seidl Elias , Griese Matthias , Urbankowski Tomasz , Lange Joanna , Bogusławski Stanisław , Krenke Katarzyna
Published: September 2021

Background

Persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI) is the most common interstitial lung disease in young children. As no standardized therapeutic guidelines exist, different pharmaceuticals are used to treat PTI; inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and bronchodilators being mostly used. This observation assessed the effectiveness of bronchodilators and ICS in children with PTI enrolled in the children's interstitial lung diseases (chILD)‐EU Register.

Methods

Symptomatic children with PTI were observed according to a predetermined stepwise protocol including bronchodilators as the first choice treatment (6 weeks). In patients with incomplete response, additionally, ICS was given (12 weeks). Signs, symptoms, and pulmonary function were evaluated at three time points: at baseline, 6 (±1) weeks after initiation of bronchodilators, and 12 (±1) weeks after bronchodilators/ICS.

Results

Thirty‐one children (median age: 44 months, interquartile range [IQR]: 15–67) were included. The therapy was associated with a significant reduction of tachypnea (53.3% of patients, p = 0.02), exercise intolerance (52.2% of patients, p < 0.001), chest retractions (43.8% of patients, p = 0.04), and crackles (29.2% of patients, p = 0.02). Also, a significant improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (median z score: −2.21 vs. −0.47, p = 0.03), residual volume (RV) (median z score 5.28 vs. 1.07, p = 0.007), RV% total lung capacity (TLC) (median z score: 6.05 vs. 1.48, p = 0.01), sRaw (median z score: 6.6 vs. 4.64, p = 0.01), R5 (median z score: 1.27 vs. 0.31, p = 0.009), and R5–R20 (median: 0.58 vs. 0.26 kPa/(l/s), p = 0.002) was demonstrated.

Conclusions

Inhaled bronchodilators and ICS may exert a positive effect on the severity of symptoms and pulmonary function test (PFT) in symptomatic children with PTI. However, a randomized control trial should be conducted to confirm their effectiveness.
A commentary on adolescent electronic cigarette use and nicotine addiction
Authors: Singh Alvin
Published: September 2021

Adolescent electronic cigarette (e‐cigarette) use has continued due to the ongoing struggle with nicotine addiction affecting teenagers. By briefly discussing the timeline of the emergence of e‐cigarettes and nicotine addiction in adolescents, this author hopes to shed some light on mitigation strategies to curtail this ongoing epidemic of youth e‐cigarette use and nicotine addiction through public health education and advocacy.
Socioeconomic status, ambidextrous learning, and farmers' adoption of biological control technology: evidence from 650 kiwifruit growers in China
Authors: Chen Zhe , Li Xiaojing , Xia Xianli
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Rural China is characterized as having different rates of economic growth. The resource and socioeconomic statuses of farm households greatly affect their productivity and the activities they engage in. The main objective in this study was to explore the mechanisms concerning how socioeconomic status of kiwifruit growers affects their adoption of biological control technology (BCT). To achieve this objective, field survey data from 650 kiwifruit farmers in specific kiwifruit growing areas of Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces in China were investigated. The binary probit model and Bootstrap dual mediated utility models served to assess socioeconomic status's effect on farmers' BCT adoption.

RESULTS

This study discovered a significant positive correlation between socioeconomic status and the adoption rate of biological control technology. Farmers of various socioeconomic status have significant differences in the rate of BCT adoption. This study's empirical analysis found that exploratory learning and exploitative learning under dual learning had a significant mediating effect on farmers' socioeconomic status when it came to BCT acceptance.

CONCLUSION

Results show that the rate of BCT adoption is related to farmers' socioeconomic status and dual learning mode, which provides new insights for understanding how farmers implement new technology. This study will help agricultural extension departments increase their awareness of BCT adoption by farmers, and the development of diverse learning approaches in response to differences in socioeconomic status of farmers may significantly increase their likelihood to implement BCT. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Novel approaches to the management of recurrent pregnancy loss: The OPTIMUM (OPtimization of Thyroid function, Thrombophilia, Immunity, and Uterine Milieu) treatment strategy
Authors: Kuroda Keiji , Ikemoto Yuko , Horikawa Takashi , Moriyama Azusa , Ojiro Yuko , Takamizawa Satoru , Uchida Toyoyoshi , Nojiri Shuko , Nakagawa Koji , Sugiyama Rikikazu
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Does theOPtimization ofThyroid function,Thrombophilia,Immunity, andUterineMilieu (OPTIMUM) treatment strategy, developed for treating repeated implantation failure (RIF), contribute to improving pregnancy outcomes in patients with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)?

Methods

Between 2018 and 2019, women with RPL after two or more clinical pregnancy losses underwent RPL testing. We treated chronic endometritis with antibiotics, high Th1/Th2 cell ratios with vitamin D and/or tacrolimus, overt/subclinical hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, and thrombophilia with low‐dose aspirin. Of 168 consecutive women aged ≤43 years, 115 underwent RPL testing. We compared 100 pregnancies (90 women) and 46 pregnancies (41 women) with and without the OPTIMUM treatment strategy, respectively.

Results

RPL testing identified intrauterine abnormalities in 66 (57.4%), elevated Th1/Th2 cell ratios in 50 (43.5%), thyroid dysfunction in 33 (28.7%), and thrombophilia in 33 (28.7%). The live birth rate in the OPTIMUM group was significantly higher than that in the control group among women aged <40 years (78.1% and 42.3%, respectively;p = 0.002), but no significant difference was observed in women aged ≥40 years (55.6% and 30.0%, respectively;p = 0.09).

Conclusions

The OPTIMUM treatment strategy improved pregnancy outcomes in patients with not only RIF but also RPL.
Time delay control with sliding mode observer for a class of nonlinear systems: Performance and stability
Authors: Han Xiaoran , Küçükdemiral İbrahim , Suphi Erden Mustafa
Published: September 2021

Time delay control (TDC) is a type of disturbance observer (DO)‐based control, where the disturbance estimation is performed by using the past information of control input and measurement signals. Despite its capability, there are concerns about its practical implementation. First, it requires acceleration measurements which are generally not available in many industrial systems. Second, input delays are introduced into the closed‐loop system, but the relation between the size of the delay and the performance of TDC has not been studied. Finally, there is a lack of tools to analyze its performance in disturbance estimation and robust stability for a given set of control parameters. We construct Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals for a class of nonlinear systems which leads to delay‐dependent conditions in linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) for the ultimate boundedness of the closed‐loop system. This provides a means for analyzing the trade‐off between the accuracy of disturbance estimation and robust stability. To circumvent acceleration measurements, we construct a sliding mode (SM) observer where the resulting error dynamics turns into a neutral type delay system. The existence conditions of both the SM control and SM observer are provided via a single LMI. A simulation example considering the tracking control of an autonomous underwater vehicle at constant and varying speed with a comparison to a non‐TDC shows the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Influence of different Ni nanolayers thicknesses on single oscillator model parameters, optical band gap, and disordering energy in CNTs synthesized by Cu‐Ni @ a‐CH catalyst
Authors: Dalouji Vali , Goudarzi Samira
Published: September 2021

In this paper, Cu‐Ni NPs @ a‐C:H thin films with different Ni layers thickness by co‐deposition of RF‐sputtering and RF‐plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF‐PECVD) were prepared using acetylene gas and Ni and Cu targets. The absorption edge and the optical dispersion parameters in CNTs synthesized by Cu‐Ni @ a‐C:H catalyst were studied. RBS measurements were performed, which confirmed the presence of Ni and Cu atoms in these films. Using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) system, the morphology of the films surface was investigated. The average diameter of the grown CNTs on Ni‐Cu NPs @ a‐C:H substrates were increased by increasing of Ni layers thickness. The values of dT/dλ and dR/dλ for grown CNTs without Ni show that the minimum value of the optical band gap corresponds to values of 2.55 and 2.56 eV, respectively. The absorption spectra peaks of films are about 400‐600 nm. These peaks are quite sharp for carriers band to band transitions and with increasing Ni layers thickness, there is a small shift. It can be seen that the dispersion energy Ed and the oscillator strength 𝑓 of CNTs synthesized by Cu‐Ni @ a‐C:H catalyst had the lowest values of 2.21 eV and 9.39 eV2, respectively, compared to the other films.
Effect of Topical Treatment with 7.5% Urea in Ichthyosis Vulgaris: A Randomized, Controlled, Double Blinded, Split Body Study Evaluating the Effect of Urea Cream Compared to the Vehicle (Moisturizing) Cream
Authors: Dorf I. L. H. , Lunen M. S. , Koppelhus U.
Published: September 2021

Background

Ichthyosis Vulgaris (IV) is a common genetic skin disease, characterized by dry, scaling skin and itch. Urea cream has been a central part of IV treatment for decades, but only few studies have evaluated the effect of urea compared to basic moisturizers.

Objective

To evaluate the treatment effect of 7.5% urea cream compared to a basic moisturizer in patients with IV.

Methods

Participants (n = 14) were randomized to apply the 7.5% urea cream on one body half and a basic moisturizer on the other during a study period of 4 weeks. Measuring points on participants arms and legs were evaluated at baseline and at endpoint with a patient questionnaire visual assessment scale (VAS), a clinical scoring, and electronic skin hydration analysis to assess the treatment effects.

Results

On the arms, no significant differences between the two treatments were found. On the legs, however, the urea treated areas had a significantly higher decrease in SRRC score (0.7 points [95% CI: 1.1–0.3, p < 0.005]) and increase in hydration (32.1 μS [95% CI: 10.9-53.2, p < 0.006]).

Conclusion

Skin hydration improved significantly with both urea and moisturising treatment. On the legs, with most keratinization, urea was superior.

Trial registry: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02978209?cond=Ichthyosis+Vulgaris&draw=1&rank=2.
Pillar[5]arene‐based “Three‐components” Supramolecular Assembly and the Performance of Nitrobenzene‐based Explosive Fluorescence Sensing
Authors: Chong Hui , Xu Yinghui , Han Ying , Yan Chaoguo , Su Dawei , Wang Chengyin
Published: September 2021

A “three‐components” supramolecular assembly has been fabricated by mixing 2, 2’: 6’, 2”‐terpyridine attached pillar[5]arene, cyano and triazole bearing alkyl chain and Zn2+ in solvent of CHCl3 and CH3CN. The driving forces for the assembly were believed to be host‐guest and metal chelating interactions as characterized by 1H NMR, UV‐vis and fluorescence spectra. The supramolecular organo‐gel formed upon the concentration of components amount to 1 M. The supramolecular displayed nitrobenzene based explosive sensing capability using picric acid, ortho‐nitrobenzene and phenol as samples. The assembly was most sensitive towards picric acid among the three analytes. The limit of detection for picric acid was determined to be 1.66 × 10−4 M.
Fenofibrate inhibits hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha and carbonic anhydrase expression through activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase/HO‐1/Sirt1 pathway in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Lin Chingju , Lai Sheng‐Wei , Shen Ching‐Kai , Chen Chao‐Wei , Tsai Cheng‐Fang , Liu Yu‐Shu , Lu Dah‐Yuu , Huang Bor‐Ren
Published: September 2021

Cancer and its associated conditions have significant impacts on public health at many levels worldwide, and cancer is the leading cause of death among adults. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα)‐specific agonists, fibrates, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for managing hyperlipidemia. PPARα‐specific agonists exert anti‐cancer effects in many human cancer types, including glioblastoma (GBM). Recently, we have reported that the hypoxic state in GBM stabilizes hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha (HIF‐1α), thus contributing to tumor escape from immune surveillance by activating the expression of the pH‐regulating protein carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9). In this study, we aimed to study the regulatory effects of the PPARα agonist fibrate on the regulation of HIF‐1α expression and its downstream target protein in GBM. Our findings showed that fenofibrate is the high potency compound among the various fibrates that inhibit hypoxia‐induced HIF‐1α and CA9 expression in GBM. Moreover, fenofibrate‐inhibited HIF‐1α expression is mediated by HO‐1 activation in GBM cells through the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. In addition, fenofibrate‐enhanced HO‐1 upregulation activates SIRT1 and leads to subsequent accumulation of SIRT1 in the nucleus, which further promotes HIF‐1α deacetylation and inhibits CA9 expression. Using a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, we also observed that fenofibrate inhibited HIF‐1α protein synthesis. In addition, the administration of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 showed that fenofibrate promoted HIF‐1α protein degradation in GBM. Hence, our results indicate that fenofibrate is a useful anti‐GBM agent that modulates hypoxia‐induced HIF‐1α expression through multiple cellular pathways.
Curriculum and Coaching: Maximizing our Investments in Teaching
Authors: Walpole Sharon
Published: September 2021

This article advocates for investments in curriculum and in coaching to support the work of teachers. It recommends coherent systems of professional learning to include active work with curriculum before it is used and support from coaches during use. To facilitate this work, the author provides a theory of change to move from curriculum and coaching to achievement, and a rubric for schools to use to document a set of enabling conditions and school‐level norms that would facilitate the work of coaches.
Unitarization of the Horocyclic Radon Transform on Homogeneous Trees
Authors: Bartolucci Francesca , De Mari Filippo , Monti Matteo
Published: September 2021

Following previous work in the continuous setup, we construct the unitarization of the horocyclic Radon transform on a homogeneous tree X and we show that it intertwines the quasi regular representations of the group of isometries of X on the tree itself and on the space of horocycles.
Rise of extremity fractures and sport accidents in children at 8–12 years and increase of admittance via the resuscitation room over a decade
Authors: Voth M. , Sommer K. , Schindler C. , Frank J. , Marzi I.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

In an emergency department, the majority of pediatric trauma patients present because of minor injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate temporal changes in age-related injury pattern, trauma mechanism, and surgeries in pediatric patients.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients < 18 years of age following trauma from 01/2009 to 12/2018 at a level I trauma center. They were divided into two groups: group A (A: 01/2009 to 12/2013) and group B (B: 01/2014 to 12/2018). Injury mechanism, injury pattern, and surgeries were analyzed. As major injuries fractures, dislocations, and organ injuries and as minor injuries contusions and superficial wounds were defined.

Results

23,582 patients were included (58% male, median age 8.2 years).

There was a slight increase in patients comparing A (n = 11,557) and B (n = 12,025) with no difference concerning demographic characteristics.

Significant more patients (A: 1.9%; B: 2.4%) were admitted to resuscitation room, though the number of multiple injured patients was not significantly different.

In A (25.5%), major injuries occurred significantly less frequently than in B (27.0%), minor injuries occurred equally. Extremity fractures were significantly more frequent in B (21.5%) than in A (20.2%), peaking at 8–12 years.

Most trauma mechanisms of both groups were constant, with a rising of sport injuries at 8–12 years.

Conclusion

Although number of patients increases only slightly over a decade, there was a clear increase in major injuries, particularly extremity fractures, peaking at 8–12 years. At this age also sport accidents significantly increased.

At least, admittance to resuscitation room rose but without an increase of multiple injured patients.
On preventing the dripping effect of overhang constraints in topology optimization for additive manufacturing
Authors: Garaigordobil Alain , Ansola Rubén , Fernandez de Bustos Igor
Published: September 2021

This article falls within the scope of topology optimization for Additive Manufacturing processes and proposes an alternative strategy to prevent the phenomenon known as the Dripping Effect. The Dripping Effect is when an overhang constraint is imposed on topology optimization processes for Additive Manufacturing and is defined as the formation of oscillatory contour trends within the prescribed threshold angle. Although these drop-like formations constitute local minimizers of the constraint function, they do not provide a printable feature, and, therefore, they neither eliminate the need to form temporary support structures. So far, there has been no general agreement on how to prevent the Dripping Effect, so this work aims to introduce a strategy that effectively prevents it, and that at the same time may be easy to extrapolate to other types of geometric overhang restrictions. This paper provides a study of the origin of the Dripping Effect and gives detailed instructions on how the proposed prevention strategy is applied. In addition, several benchmark examples where the Dripping Effect is prevented are shown.
Influence of separation structure on the dynamics of shock/turbulent-boundary-layer interactions
Authors: Adler Michael C. , Gaitonde Datta V.
Published: September 2021

Shock/turbulent-boundary-layer interactions (STBLIs) are ubiquitous in high-speed flight and propulsion applications. Experimental and computational investigations of swept, three-dimensional (3-D) interactions, which exhibit quasi-conical mean-flow symmetry in the limit of infinite span, have demonstrated key differences in unsteadiness from their analogous, two-dimensional (2-D), spanwise-homogeneous counterparts. For swept interactions, represented by the swept–fin-on-plate and swept–compression–ramp-on-plate configurations, differences associated with the separated shear layers may be traced to the intermixing of 2-D (spanwise independent) and 3-D (spanwise dependent) scaling laws for the separated mean flow. This results in a broader spectrum of unsteadiness that includes relatively lower frequencies associated with the separated shear layers in 3-D interactions. However, lower frequency ranges associated with the global “breathing” of strongly separated 2-D interactions are significantly less prominent in these simple, swept 3-D interactions. A logical extension of 3-D interaction complexity is the compound interaction formed by the merging of two simple interactions. The first objective of this work is therefore to analyze the more complex picture of the dynamics of such interactions, by considering as an exemplar, wall-resolved simulations of the double-fin-on-plate configuration. We show that in the region of interaction merging, new flow scales, changes in separation topology, and the emergence of lower-frequency phenomena are observed, whereas the dynamics of the interaction near the fin leading edges are similar to those of the simple, swept interactions. The second objective is to evolve a unified understanding of the dynamics of STBLIs associated with complex configurations relevant to actual propulsion systems, which involve the coupling between multiple shock systems and multiple flow separation and attachment events. For this, we revisit the salient aspects of scaling phenomena in a manner that aids in assimilating the double-fin flow with simpler swept interactions. The emphasis is on the influence of the underlying structure of the separated flow on the dynamics. The distinct features of the compound interactions manifest in a centerline symmetry pattern that replaces the quasi-conical symmetry of simple interactions. The primary separation displays topological closure to reveal new length scales, associated unsteadiness bands, and secondary flow separation.
Residual stress in laser-based directed energy deposition of aluminum alloy 2024: simulation and validation
Authors: Caiazzo Fabrizia , Alfieri Vittorio , Bolelli Giovanni
Published: September 2021

Simulations of laser-based directed energy deposition of metals have received increasing interest aimed at reducing the experimental effort to select the proper processing condition for the repair or overhaul of actual components. One of the main issues to be addressed is the evaluation of the residual stress, which may lead to part failure under nominal loading. In this frame and specifically relating to aluminum alloys, few works have been developed and validated. This lack of knowledge is addressed in this paper: namely, the proper approach to simulate the activation of the deposited metal is discussed in case of single deposition and is shifted to a case of multiple depositions over a substrate. The validation of the predicted residual stress is made by comparison with the actual stress resulting from X-ray diffraction.
Thank God it’s Friday?—Correlation of the beginning and end of the week in general and Christmas holidays in particular with manner of death
Authors: Franckenberg Sabine , Sieberth Till , Fliss Barbara , Ebert Lars , Thali Michael J. , Dobay Akos
Published: September 2021

Objective

We evaluated the phrase “Thank God it’s Friday” (TGIF) from a forensic pathologist’s view, i.e. the correlation between the beginning and end of the week in general and Christmas Holidays in particular and the manner of death.

Material and methods

We retrospectively analyzed 758 consecutive autopsy cases from January 2017 to June 2019.

Results

There was no correlation between natural deaths and the beginning or the end of the week. One of our main findings in terms of a weekday effect was a profound increase in homicides towards the end of the week. In terms of a Christmas Holiday effect, we sadly observed a profoundly higher rate of suicide cases during Christmas Holidays compared with the rest of the year.

Conclusion

The TGIF phrase should be modified towards something like “Thank God, it’s Monday” (TGIM). We also should look out for our lonely and mood-susceptible fellow human beings in particular during Christmas Holidays.
Localization in Stationary Non-equilibrium Solutions for Multicomponent Coagulation Systems
Authors: Ferreira Marina A. , Lukkarinen Jani , Nota Alessia , Velázquez Juan J. L.
Published: September 2021

We consider the multicomponent Smoluchowski coagulation equation under non-equilibrium conditions induced either by a source term or via a constant flux constraint. We prove that the corresponding stationary non-equilibrium solutions have a universal localization property. More precisely, we show that these solutions asymptotically localize into a direction determined by the source or by a flux constraint: the ratio between monomers of a given type to the total number of monomers in the cluster becomes ever closer to a predetermined ratio as the cluster size is increased. The assumptions on the coagulation kernel are quite general, with isotropic power law bounds. The proof relies on a particular measure concentration estimate and on the control of asymptotic scaling of the solutions which is allowed by previously derived estimates on the mass current observable of the system.
Tactile sensitivity in the rat: a correlation between receptor structure and function
Authors: Guzun Lucia , Fortier-Poisson Pascal , Langlais Jean-Sébastien , Smith Allan M.
Published: September 2021

Single cutaneous fibers were recorded in the median nerve of the deeply anesthetized rat and the receptor morphology in the forelimb glabrous skin was analyzed to establish a probable correlation between receptor anatomy and physiology. Receptor complexes in the glabrous skin of the rat forelimb were stained immunologically with antibodies NF-200 and PGP-9.5, confirming the presence of Meissner corpuscles and Merkel complexes within the dermal papilla similar to other mammals including primates. Both the Meissner corpuscles and Merkel cell complexes were sparse and located in the pyramidal-shaped palmer pads and the apex of the digit extremities. They were almost totally absent elsewhere in the glabrous skin. No Ruffini receptors or Pacinian corpuscles were found in our samples. A total of 92 cutaneous fibers were retained long enough for analysis. Thirty-five (38%) were characterized as rapidly adapting fibers (RA) and 57 (62%) were slowly adapting afferents (SA). Despite the very limited number of receptors at the tip of the digit, RA receptors outnumbered SA fibers 3.2/1.0. In contrast, SA fibers on the thenar pad outnumbered RA receptors by a ratio of 3–1. Despite the very limited number of low threshold mechanoreceptors in the glabrous skin of the rat forelimb, the prevalence of SA afferents in the palm and more frequent occurrence of RA afferents in the digit extremity suggest differences in functionality both for locomotion and object manipulation.
Occurrence, Geochemistry and Speciation of Elevated Arsenic Concentrations in a Fractured Bedrock Aquifer System
Authors: McGrory Ellen , Henry Tiernan , Conroy Peter , Morrison Liam
Published: September 2021

The presence of elevated arsenic concentrations (≥ 10 µg L−1) in groundwaters has been widely reported in areas of South-East Asia with recent studies showing its detection in fractured bedrock aquifers is occurring mainly in regions of north-eastern USA. However, data within Europe remain limited; therefore, the objective of this work was to understand the geochemical mobilisation mechanism of arsenic in this geologic setting using a study site in Ireland as a case study. Physicochemical (pH, Eh, d-O2), trace metals, major ion and arsenic speciation samples were collected and analysed using a variety of field and laboratory-based techniques and evaluated using statistical analysis. Groundwaters containing elevated dissolved arsenic concentrations (up to 73.95 µg L−1) were characterised as oxic-alkali groundwaters with the co-occurrence of other oxyanions (including Mo, Se, Sb and U), low dissolved concentrations of Fe and Mn, and low Na/Ca ratios indicated that arsenic was mobilised through alkali desorption of Fe oxyhydroxides. Arsenic speciation using a solid-phase extraction methodology (n = 20) showed that the dominant species of arsenic was arsenate, with pH being a major controlling factor. The expected source of arsenic is sulphide minerals within fractures of the bedrock aquifer with transportation of arsenic and other oxyanion forming elements facilitated by secondary Fe mineral phases. However, the presence of methylarsenical compounds detected in groundwaters illustrates that microbially mediated mobilisation processes may also be (co)-occurring. This study gives insight into the geochemistry of arsenic mobilisation that can be used to further guide research needs in this area for the protection of groundwater resources.
Cell culture–based production of defective interfering influenza A virus particles in perfusion mode using an alternating tangential flow filtration system
Authors: Hein Marc D. , Chawla Anshika , Cattaneo Maurizio , Kupke Sascha Y. , Genzel Yvonne , Reichl Udo
Published: September 2021

Respiratory diseases including influenza A virus (IAV) infections represent a major threat to human health. While the development of a vaccine requires a lot of time, a fast countermeasure could be the use of defective interfering particles (DIPs) for antiviral therapy. IAV DIPs are usually characterized by a large internal deletion in one viral RNA segment. Consequentially, DIPs can only propagate in presence of infectious standard viruses (STVs), compensating the missing gene function. Here, they interfere with and suppress the STV replication and might act “universally” against many IAV subtypes. We recently reported a production system for purely clonal DIPs utilizing genetically modified cells. In the present study, we established an automated perfusion process for production of a DIP, called DI244, using an alternating tangential flow filtration (ATF) system for cell retention. Viable cell concentrations and DIP titers more than 10 times higher than for a previously reported batch cultivation were observed. Furthermore, we investigated a novel tubular cell retention device for its potential for continuous virus harvesting into the permeate. Very comparable performances to typically used hollow fiber membranes were found during the cell growth phase. During the virus replication phase, the tubular membrane, in contrast to the hollow fiber membrane, allowed 100% of the produced virus particles to pass through. To our knowledge, this is the first time a continuous virus harvest was shown for a membrane-based perfusion process. Overall, the process established offers interesting possibilities for advanced process integration strategies for next-generation virus particle and virus vector manufacturing.

Key points

• An automated perfusion process for production of IAV DIPs was established.

• DIP titers of 7.40E + 9 plaque forming units per mL were reached.

• A novel tubular cell retention device enabled continuous virus harvesting.
An [18F]FDG-PET/CT deep learning method for fully automated detection of pathological mediastinal lymph nodes in lung cancer patients
Authors: Wallis David , Soussan Michaël , Lacroix Maxime , Akl Pia , Duboucher Clément , Buvat Irène
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The identification of pathological mediastinal lymph nodes is an important step in the staging of lung cancer, with the presence of metastases significantly affecting survival rates. Nodes are currently identified by a physician, but this process is time-consuming and prone to errors. In this paper, we investigate the use of artificial intelligence–based methods to increase the accuracy and consistency of this process.

Methods

Whole-body 18F-labelled fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG-PET/CT) scans (Philips Gemini TF) from 134 patients were retrospectively analysed. The thorax was automatically located, and then slices were fed into a U-Net to identify candidate regions. These regions were split into overlapping 3D cubes, which were individually predicted as positive or negative using a 3D CNN. From these predictions, pathological mediastinal nodes could be identified. A second cohort of 71 patients was then acquired from a different, newer scanner (GE Discovery MI), and the performance of the model on this dataset was tested with and without transfer learning.

Results

On the test set from the first scanner, our model achieved a sensitivity of 0.87 (95% confidence intervals [0.74, 0.94]) with 0.41 [0.22, 0.71] false positives/patient. This was comparable to the performance of an expert. Without transfer learning, on the test set from the second scanner, the corresponding results were 0.53 [0.35, 0.70] and 0.24 [0.10, 0.49], respectively. With transfer learning, these metrics were 0.88 [0.73, 0.97] and 0.69 [0.43, 1.04], respectively.

Conclusion

Model performance was comparable to that of an expert on data from the same scanner. With transfer learning, the model can be applied to data from a different scanner. To our knowledge it is the first study of its kind to go directly from whole-body [18F]FDG-PET/CT scans to pathological mediastinal lymph node localisation.