bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stroke prevention of thoracoscopic left atrial appendage clipping in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation at high risk of stroke and bleeding: study protocol for a non-randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ye Cong , Han Xuesong , Chen Yiming , Liu Fei , Ma Hao , Yang Yu , Liu Yang , Hu Qingfeng , Yao Qing , Xie Wenting , Xu Dong
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is a high-risk factor for ischaemic stroke. The 2016 European Society of Cardiology Atrial Fibrillation Management guidelines recommend oral anticoagulants (OACs) to prevent stroke in men with CHA2DS2-VASc scores ≥2 and women ≥3. However, in patients with a high risk of stroke and a high risk of bleeding (HAS-BLED (Hypertension, Abnormal renal/liver function, Stroke, Bleeding history or predisposition, Labile international normalized ratio, Elderly (> 65 years), Drugs/alcohol concomitantly) score≥3), OAC had a higher risk of bleeding. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is non-inferior to OAC as a means of preventing stroke in several studies. As a minimally invasive intervention to prevent stroke, transthoracic LAAC (TS-LAAC) has a high successful closure rate, but there is a lack of literature reports directly comparing it with OAC. Our research compares TS-LAAC with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and provides an appropriate programme for stroke prevention in a specific population.

Methods and analysis

This is a non-randomised controlled trial study protocol, and we will conduct this study from April 2022 to April 2025. The study included 186 patients with confirmed NVAF, 93 of whom completed thoracoscopic LAAC, and the control group treated with NOACs. The primary outcome was the incidence of stroke and systemic embolism, as well as the composite endpoint events (stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, bleeding, cardiovascular death, etc). Secondary outcomes were ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke, any bleeding events, death from cardiovascular causes, death from all causes, residual root rate in the surgery group, device-related thrombosis in the surgery group, changes in blood pressure, cardiac chamber size changes, etc. Each subject completed at least 1 year of follow-up.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China (approval number: KY2022-013-02). The results from this study will be disseminated through manuscript publications and national/international conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2200058109.
Cohort profile: a prospective Australian cohort study of women’s reproductive characteristics and risk of chronic disease from menarche to premenopause (M-PreM)
Authors: Chan Hsiu-Wen , Dharmage Shyamali , Dobson Annette , Chung Hsin-Fang , Loxton Deborah , Doust Jenny , Montgomery Grant , Stamatakis Emmanuel , Huxley Rachel R , Hamer Mark , Abbott Jason , Yeap Bu Beng , Visser Jenny A , McIntyre Harold , Mielke Gregore Iven , Mishra Gita D
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Previous studies have identified associations between individual reproductive factors and chronic disease risk among postmenopausal women. However, few have investigated the association of different markers of reproductive function, their interactions and risk factors of chronic disease among women approaching menopause. The Menarche-to-PreMenopause (M-PreM) Study aims to examine the relationship between reproductive factors across the reproductive lifespan and risk indicators for chronic disease among women in their early-to-mid-40s. The purpose of this cohort profile paper is to describe the rationale, study design and participant characteristics of the M-PreM Study.

Participants

Women born in 1973–1978 who participated in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) were invited to undertake a clinical or self-administered assessment. A total of 1278 women were recruited from June 2019 to June 2021.

Findings to date

The study measures included functional, cognitive and cardiometabolic tests, anthropometry, spirometry, respiratory health questionnaires, physical activity, sleep patterns, sex hormones, and cardiovascular and metabolic markers; whereas blood and saliva samples were used for the analysis of genetic variants of genes associated with reproductive characteristics and chronic disease. The mean age of the clinic and self-assessed participants was 44.6 and 45.3 years, respectively. The menopausal status of participants was similar between the two arms of the study: 38%–41% premenopausal, 20% perimenopausal, and 36% took oral contraception or hormone replacement therapy. Approximately 80% of women had at least one child and participants reported experiencing pregnancy complications: preterm birth (8%–13% of pregnancies), gestational diabetes (10%) and gestational hypertension (10%–15%).

Future plans

The biomedical data collected in the M-PreM Study will be linked to existing ALSWH survey data on sociodemographic factors, health behaviour, reproductive function, and early life factors collected over the past 20 years and health administrative data. The association between reproductive factors and risk indicators of chronic disease will be analysed.
Single- and multi-objective optimization of internal gear flowforming process based on increasing tooth height and reducing force and built-up edge
Authors: Khodadadi Majid , Khalili Khalil , Ashrafi Amir
Published: October 2022

Flowforming is an incremental metal forming process in which deformation occurs gradually between the roller and mandrel. This process has been widely used for manufacturing of high-precision tubular parts and seamless tubes. Internal gear flowforming process is a new method for manufacturing an internal gear that requires no additional machining process. In this study, the design of experiment method and regression analysis were used to obtain tooth height, force, and built-up edge as functions of the effective parameters, including feed rate, roller diameter, attack angle, and thickness reduction percentage. Next, the simulated annealing and genetic algorithm were used for, respectively, single- and multi-objective optimization of the obtained functions. The goal of optimization was to reduce the force and built-up edge and increase the tooth height. In single-objective optimization, the maximum tooth height was 0.576 mm, the minimum force was 1606.63 N, and the minimum built-up edge was 0.448 mm. In multi-objective optimization, an optimal set of tooth height, force, and built-up edge (Pareto front) is obtained.
Spin-1/2 “bosons” with mass dimension 3/2 and fermions with mass dimension 1 cannot represent physical particle states
Authors: Aguirre A. R. , Chaichian M. M. , e Silva B. A. Couto , Sánchez-Vega B. L.
Published: October 2022

We delve into the first principles of quantum field theory to prove that the so-called spin-1/2 “bosons” and the fermions with mass dimension 1, including ELKO, cannot represent physical particle states with spin 1/2. Specifically, we first demonstrate that both aforementioned fields are not invariant under rotational symmetry, which implies that the particles created for these fields are not eigenstates of the spin operator in the $$(\frac{1}{2},0)\oplus (0,\frac{1}{2})$$

(

1
2

,
0
)

⊕

(
0
,

1
2

)

representation of the Lorentz group, nor is it possible to construct a Hamiltonian density scalar under the rotational group from them. Furthermore, following Weinberg’s approach to local causal fields, we prove that regardless of any discrete symmetry or adjoint structure, the relativistic fields in the $$(\frac{1}{2}, 0) \oplus (0,\frac{1}{2})$$

(

1
2

,
0
)

⊕

(
0
,

1
2

)

representation satisfy the Fermi-Dirac statistics in complete agreement with the well-established spin-statistics theorem and experimental results.
Bogoliubov dynamics and higher-order corrections for the regularized Nelson model
Authors: Falconi Marco , Leopold Nikolai , Mitrouskas David , Petrat Sören
Published: October 2022

We study the time evolution of the Nelson model in a mean-field limit in which [Formula: see text] nonrelativistic bosons weakly couple (with respect to the particle number) to a positive or zero mass quantized scalar field. Our main result is the derivation of the Bogoliubov dynamics and higher-order corrections. More precisely, we prove the convergence of the approximate wave function to the many-body wave function in norm, with a convergence rate proportional to the number of corrections taken into account in the approximation. We prove an analogous result for the unitary propagator. As an application, we derive a simple system of partial differential equations describing the time evolution of the first- and second-order approximations to the one-particle reduced density matrices of the particles and the quantum field, respectively.
The structure of the generalized Vaidya space–time containing the eternal naked singularity
Authors: Vertogradov Vitalii
Published: October 2022

In this paper, the structure of the generalized Vaidya space–time when the type-II of the matter field satisfies the equation of the state [Formula: see text] is investigated. Satisfying all energy conditions, we show that this space–time contains the “eternal” naked singularity. It means that once the singularity is formed it will never be covered with the apparent horizon. However. in the case of the apparent horizon formation the resulting object is a white hole. We also prove that this space–time contains only null naked singularity.
Revisiting the gluino mass limits in the pMSSM in the light of the latest LHC data and dark matter constraints
Authors: Mukherjee Abhi , Niyogi Saurabh , Poddar Sujoy
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this paper is to examine the model dependence of the stringent constraints on the gluino mass obtained from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiments by analyzing the Run II data using specific simplified models based on several ad hoc sparticle spectra which cannot be realized even in the fairly generic pMSSM models. We first revisit the bounds on the gluino mass placed by the ATLAS collaboration using the [Formula: see text] data. We show that the exclusion region in the [Formula: see text] plane in the pMSSM scenario sensitively depends on the mass hierarchy between the left and right squarks and composition of the lighter electroweakinos and to a lesser extent, other parameters. Most importantly, for higgsino-type lighter electroweakinos (except for the LSP), the bound on the gluino mass from this channel practically disappears. However, if such models are confronted by the ATLAS [Formula: see text] data, fairly strong limits are regained. Thus, in the pMSSM, an analysis involving a small number of channels may provide more reliable mass limits. We have also performed detailed analyses on neutralino Dark Matter (DM) constraints in the models we have studied and have found that for a significant range of LSP masses, the relic density constraints from the WMAP/PLANCK data are satisfied and LSP-gluino coannihilation plays an important role in relic density production. We have also checked the simultaneous compatibility of the models studied here with the direct DM detection, and the LHC constraints.
Network Aware Resource Optimization Using Nature Inspired Optimization Algorithm for Task Scheduling in Cloud Infrastructure
Authors: Gupta Punit , Saini Dinesh Kumar , Choudhary Abhilasha , Sharma Vibhor
Published: October 2022

Cloud is a pay-per use infra-structed which has invited huge clients to cloud, in order to get reliable services without extra maintenance or infrastructure cost. Growing cloud services and migration of small business to cloud have led to high load on cloud service providers, which leads to the need of better optimization algorithm in order to manage the machine better performance and meet better quality of services to the client. Cloud broker or agent plays an important role to achieve this using intelligent task scheduling algorithm to manage the task in such a way to optimize the performance of the cloud services and data center. Currently various optimization algorithms are proposed but most of them take execution time into consideration but not the network delay between the client and the data center. Hence, to overcome this, an optimization algorithm is proposed in this work using execution time and network delay as the optimization parameters. The nature inspired grasshopper optimization is proposed which is compared with the exiting PSO and ACO models to study the performance. The results show that the proposed algorithm out performs the existing models with execution time, total time and network delay as performance metrics. It demonstrates how the suggested, naturally inspired GOA algorithm beats the existing ACO and PSO algorithms for task scheduling in the cloud with scaling loads requiring 5 virtual machines and 2 data centers. More objective functions, such as power and cost-effective algorithms, can be added to the work to further expand it. This study compares the efficacy of several algorithms based on the predetermined criteria while also examining related algorithms. To determine the best algorithm possible, it is intended to offer each approach individually, analyze the results, and plot the resulting graphs.
A CMOS Relaxation Oscillator with Process and Temperature Variation Compensation
Authors: Huang Zhenyan , Hu Kewei , Ding Yi , Tan Nick Nianxiong , Wu Hanming , Yu Xiao-Peng
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a CMOS relaxation oscillator with trimming and temperature compensation is presented for the on-chip multi-sensor systems which need MHz level frequency source. The proposed scheme uses a single current branch to charge the capacitor to generate the oscillation with voltage average feedback (VAF) circuit. Binary-weight current trimming array is adopted to reduce the frequency variation caused by the process variation under different process corners. A compensation calibration resistor array with Kelvin connection is utilized to improve the frequency variation with temperature. With the help of VAF, the frequency spread caused by the comparator delay is suppressed. This relaxation oscillator with a typical frequency of 13.4 MHz is implemented in a standard 180 nm CMOS process. Simulation results show that it achieves a frequency temperature coefficient of 28.3 ppm/∘C from [Formula: see text]C to 125∘C and a 0.074%/0.1 V frequency variation when supply voltage changes from 2.9 to 3.7 V.
EFFECT OF UREA IN THE ELECTROLESS BATH ON THE PLATING RATE, PHOSPHORUS CONTENT AND CORROSION RESISTANCE OF THE Ni–P DEPOSITS
Authors: LI TINGTING , LI YULU , ZHOU QIONGYU , ZHOU SHAOBO , CHEN XIAOMIN , WEI YING , CAI GUOGUO , JIANG JIBO , HAN SHENG
Published: October 2022

Proper selection of bath additives is critical to the plating rate, phosphorus content and corrosion resistance of the nickel–phosphorus (Ni–P) alloy deposits. In this work, electroless Ni–P alloy deposition from an acidic bath using sodium hypophosphite as the reducing agent at relatively low temperatures (30°C and 60°C) was carried out in the presence and absence of urea additives. The effects of different concentrations of urea on plating rate and phosphorus content of the Ni–P deposits were studied. The results showed that the plating rate and the phosphorus content of the Ni–P deposits were largely dependent on the concentration of urea in the bath. The corrosion resistance of the Ni–P deposits was evaluated in aerated 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution using potentiodynamic polarization curves. It was found that the corrosion resistance of the deposits obtained from the bath solution containing 1 g/L of urea was the highest. In addition, cyclic voltammetry techniques were used to study the mechanism of electroless Ni–P alloy deposition in the bath. The results revealed that the addition of urea to the bath promoted the concentrations of adsorbed atomic hydrogen and sodium hypophosphite on mild steel surface, which markedly increased the phosphorus content of the Ni–P deposits. This work offers a new way that highlights the relation between the urea additives and phosphorus content.
On the Mechanical Buckling Analysis of FG-GRC Laminated Plates with Temperature-Dependent Material Properties Using Isogeometric Approach
Authors: Mohammadi Hassan
Published: October 2022

In this paper, the isogeometric method is developed to study mechanical buckling behavior of nanocomposite plates reinforced by graphene sheets with temperature-dependent (TD) material properties in thermal environment. The plate is separately subjected to in-plane uniaxial, biaxial and shear loadings. It is assumed that the plate has different number of layers. By considering different volume fraction for each layer of graphene sheets, different functionally graded (FG) patterns of graphene sheets may be achieved. Furthermore, in some cases, it is considered that more than one FG patterns exist along the plate thickness. The energy statement of the plate is obtained using a logarithmic higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). Then, the isogeometric method is used to establish the desired eigenvalue problem. The comparison and convergence studies are presented for a wide range of numerical examples in all considered cases to show the correctness and ability of the solution. Afterwards, by presenting a set of numerical examples, the effects of plate significant parameters on the critical buckling load of the plate are examined. It is shown that the highest critical buckling loads occur when the plate has the minimum number of layers.
Optical Schrödinger cats with generalized coherent states
Authors: Giraldi Filippo
Published: October 2022

Canonical coherent states of a quantum harmonic oscillator have been generalized by requiring the conditions of normalizability, continuity in the label and resolution of the identity operator with a positive weight function. Superpositions of these states are considered in the present scenario as a generalization of the optical Schrödinger cat states. The Fock space is assumed to be canonical or finite-dimensional. The photon number distribution of these generalized Schrödinger cat states departs from the Poisson statistics in various ways for high photon numbers. For small nonvanishing values of the label, the photon number distribution is sub-Poissonian (nonclassical) or super-Poissonian, according to the interference properties. In fact, the sub- or super-Poissonian statistics is determined by the interplay between the relative phase and a critical value of the phase. The photon number distribution is uniquely sub-Poissonian for large values of the label.
Molecular Scale Simulations of Coating Palmitic Acid Molecules on Aluminum Surface
Authors: Liu Yi , Sun Ruochen , Liu Pingan , Xu Jiangtao
Published: October 2022

In this research, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations computation is applied to generally study the coating behavior of palmitic acid molecules and aluminum (Al) nanoparticle (ANP) surface through single and multi-molecule models. Changes and comparisons of adsorption distance, energy, effectiveness and stability are generally discussed in this study. Those obtained results indicate that the adsorption configuration of palmitic acid and Al has shown the adsorption polarity clearly. For carboxyl terminal of palmitic acid and Al surface, when their critical adsorption angle is around 60∘, its distance is within 9 Å. Besides, the decisive atomic group of palmitic acid molecule is carboxyl, whose oxygen atom with double bond can adsorb the Al atom stably. This adsorption effect and formation is close to the covalent bond. During the adsorption process, van der Waals force acts on the long-distance attraction, and the Coulomb force acts more critically as the short-range adsorption force. Finally, the gas coating has proper advantages over the liquid coating, as the erosion of Al surface is much lower when it is surrounded by gas-phased palmitic acid.
Arctic bivalve dead-shell assemblages as high temporal- and spatial- resolution archives of ecological regime change in response to climate change
Authors: Meadows Caitlin A. , Grebmeier Jacqueline M. , Kidwell Susan M.
Published: October 2022

A 15-year time-series of data on benthic community response to rapid climate change at a biomass ‘hotspot’ in the northern Bering Sea, Alaska, provides an exceptional opportunity to evaluate naturally occurring molluscan dead-shell assemblages as ecological archives. We find that, at five middle-shelf stations censused annually from 2000 to 2014, dead-shell assemblages collected in 2014 are dominated by obligate deposit-feeding Nuculanidae bivalves as opposed to the other families in that guild or the facultative deposit-feeding Tellinidae that dominate the most recent living bivalve assemblages, thus correctly detecting the location and direction of known ecological changes. However, live–dead contrast is significant where the bivalve biomass and abundance has declined over time, and muted where bivalve abundances, and therefore shell input, increased, underscoring the general danger of assuming constant shell input. We also find that proportional abundance-based measures are best suited for detecting benthic response to climate change. Combined with preliminary results from shell age-dating, these results indicate that dead-shell assemblages provide a short-lived but compositionally faithful ecological memory well-suited for detecting recent site- and habitat-level ecological change under cold-water conditions. With marine regime change suspected to now be underway throughout the Arctic, molluscan dead-shell assemblages should become an integral part of efforts to detect transitioning regions.
Electrochemical Denitrification of Synthetic Aqueous Solution and Actual Contaminated Well Water: RSM Modeling, Kinetic Study, Monte Carlo Optimization, and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Shamseali Fahimeh , Mohammadi Farzaneh , Pourzamani Hamidreza , Janati Mahsa
Published: October 2022

The process of electrochemical denitrification is applied with the aim of converting nitrate (

NO
3
−

) to N2 gas by reducing nitrate and oxidizing by-products such as ammonia (

NH
4
+

). In this study, Ti/RuO2 and graphite were used as anode and cathode electrodes, respectively, to treat synthetic aqueous solutions containing different concentrations of nitrate ions. Nitrate initial concentration (2.75–55 mg NO3-N/lit), voltage (2.5–30 V), pH (3–13), electrode distance (ED = 0.5–3.5 cm), and reaction time (10–180 min) were the main studied operating parameters for the electrochemical denitrification (ECD) reactor. The experiments were designed using the central composite design (CCD) method. The experimental results were modeled with the response surface methodology (RSM) technique. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterized electrodes were performed before and after all experiments. Optimization and sensitivity analysis was performed using the Monte Carlo simulation (MSC) approach. The energy consumption and current efficiency were calculated for the ECD reactor. Kinetic models of zero, first, and second order were evaluated, and the second-order model was selected as the best kinetic model. Also, the effect of adding monovalent, divalent salts, and organic compounds to the process was evaluated. Finally, three nitrate-contaminated water wells were selected near agricultural lands as real samples and investigated the performance of the ECD process on the samples. The performance of the ECD reactor for the real samples showed some decrease compared to the synthetic samples.
Research on the Behavioral Dynamics Motion Planning Method of the Human-Vehicle Social Force Model
Authors: Han Gaining , Wu Zongsheng , Zhang Wei , Wang Wei
Published: October 2022

The interactive motion planning between unmanned vehicles and pedestrians in urban road environments is the key to realizing the autonomous motion of unmanned vehicles in hybrid traffic scenarios. The problem of human-vehicle interaction motion planning modeling at complex intersections is studied for an unmanned vehicle in this article. First, the motion planning of pedestrians and the unmanned vehicles is established according to the social force model and the behavioral dynamics model. Then, the autonomous vehicle is added to the crowd, and the human-vehicle interaction force is established. The virtual force is added to the social force model and the behavioral dynamics model, respectively, and the improved social force model and the behavioral dynamics model are used for the motion planning of pedestrians and unmanned vehicles. In this way, the established model solves the problems of simple pedestrian interaction motion planning in the social force model and single-body motion planning in the behavioral dynamics and thus provides a strong support for multibody motion planning. Finally, through the interactive motion planning trajectory of pedestrians and unmanned vehicles in different scenes, the vehicle and pedestrian motion planning trajectory can effectively avoid overlapping or crossing, so as to avoid the collision, which verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed model.
PPV Criterion of a Defect Rock Slope under Blasting SV-Waves
Authors: Lu Shiwei , Yao Yingkang , Jia Yongsheng , Sun Jinshan , Zhang Zhen
Published: October 2022

In order to estimate the stability of slopes with geological defects during blasting excavations, the dynamic responses of a rock slope with a fault subjected to blasting seismic waves are studied. The SV-component of blasting seismic waves is considered and the fault is simplified as a semi-infinite crack in an unbounded space. In the background of an iron mine in central China, the relation between the stress field and the PPV of the incident wave is analyzed and the function of PPV threshold is deduced using both deterministic and probabilistic methods to evaluate the slope stability. Results show that the PPV threshold increases monotonically with the increasing frequency and reaches the lowest point at around γ1 = 14°, which should be proposed as the PPV threshold. The PPV threshold is with an about 50% failure probability when the mean values of mechanical parameters are taken. On the safe side, a more rigorous PPV threshold with only 5% failure probability is determined as 2.25 cm/s for f ≤ 10 Hz, as 2.25 cm/s-5.02 cm/s for 10 Hz < f ≤ 50 Hz, and as 5.02 cm/s-10.05 cm/s for f > 50 Hz. A through structural surface is likely to occur inside the northern slope once the PPV exceeds the proposed threshold.
Phenotypic Characterization and Reproductive Performance of Blackhead Somali Sheep in Fafen Zone of Somali Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Hussein Mohamed Abdimalik , Gebrekidan Berihu , Kumar Niraj , Fesseha Gebremeskel Haben , Mathewos Abose Mesfin
Published: October 2022

Objective. The study aimed to characterize the reproductive performances and physical characteristics of Blackhead Somali indigenous sheep breeds. Methods. The data from 460 sheep were used for the determination of morphometric characterization while 110 male sheep and 150 females were used to characterize the reproductive performance of Blackhead Somali sheep breeds. Results. Accordingly, about 86% of sheep have a white body with a blackhead as the dominant coat color and about 81% of sheep have a straight facial head profile. Dewlap was present in 92.7% (91.8% for males and 92.7% for females). The overall average body weight, body length, height at wither, height at the rump, heart girth, chest depth, pelvic width, and tail circumference differs significantly (p<0.05) among males and females with the advancement of age. The average age at first service, age at first lambing, lambing interval, and life lamb crop in ewe were 13.75 ± 2.44, 19.12 ± 2.41, 9.66 ± 1.56, and 6.18 ± 2.01, respectively. The average reproductive life span of ewe and ram was 6.04 ± 1.43 and 6.63 ± 1.49 years, respectively. On average Blackhead Somali ewe delivers 13.1 ± 4.3 lambs in her lifetime. The twinning and triplet rate were recorded to be 12.30% and 1.90%, respectively. Conclusion. In conclusion, shorter lambing intervals, higher adult body weight, and frequent twinning are the most desirable features which may also be used as selection criteria. It is recommended to do further detailed analyses to determine the genetic variation between and within these small populations to develop an effective conservation and utilization program.
Reliability and Optimization Measures of Retrial Queue with Different Classes of Customers under a Working Vacation Schedule
Authors: Muthusamy Sundararaman , Devadoss Narasimhan , Ammar Sherif I.
Published: October 2022

A working vacation queueing model is described in this work, with three different classes of customers: regular, priority, and disaster. The regular server serves all arriving customers, whereas the optional reservice is only provided to those who request it. The Bernoulli working vacation (BWV) schedule is considered. In WV time, the server serves at a slower rate. The generating functions (GF) technique is used to determine the system capacity of various server states. Different system performances, reliability indices, and cost optimization values are numerically shown. For the current COVID‐19 pandemic situation, the motivation for this approach is presented in a telephonic communication system.
Numerical Study of an Euler-Bernoulli Beam Stabilization Controlled in Displacement and Velocity
Authors: Brahima Yeo , Narcisse Dakouri , Jérôme Adou
Published: October 2022

Our model is based on an Euler-Bernoulli beam clamped at one end and subjected at its free end to a control in displacement and velocity. In this work, relative of the control parameters, we study the stabilization in displacement and then in energy of the model using a stable numerical scheme that we implement. This numerical scheme results from the Crank–Nicolson algorithm for the discretization in time and from the finite element method based on the approximation by Hermith cubic functions for the discretization in space. The study shows that, compared to the velocity control, the displacement control has an almost negligible effect on the stabilization of the beam. This result is confirmed later by a sensitivity study on the control parameters involved in our model.
Conservative Therapy of External Invasive Cervical Resorption with Adhesive Systems: A 6-Year Follow-Up Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Aiuto Riccardo , Fumei Gianluca , Lipani Erica , Garcovich Daniele , Dioguardi Mario , Re Dino
Published: October 2022

The diagnosis and treatment of external invasive cervical resorption (EICR) could be a challenging clinical situation even for the most experienced dentists. It is a fairly rare lesion and a poorly understood phenomenon, and its insidious and aggressive nature can lead to tooth loss. Even in the era of dental implants, trying to save a compromised tooth is imperative for any clinician. This report presents a case of an upper central incisor with a class II Heithersay EICR in which treatment was performed using a multidisciplinary approach and the defect was restored with resin composite. The surgery in which the defect was exposed and repaired was followed by an endodontic treatment and the placement of a fiber-reinforced post. In this case, the use of modern materials, such as resin composites, allowed not only the avoidance of tooth extraction but also the achievement of satisfactory aesthetic results. The 6-year follow-up demonstrated the success of therapy and the resolution of clinical symptoms. This case report highlights the importance of early detection of EICR and how composite resins could provide an effective and aesthetic restauration of the defect, which favors the health of the surrounding gingival tissue.
Mediating Role of Lifestyle Behaviors in the Association between Education and Cancer: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition
Authors: Macciotta Alessandra , Catalano Alberto , Giraudo Maria Teresa , Weiderpass Elisabete , Ferrari Pietro , Freisling Heinz , Colorado-Yohar Sandra M. , Santiuste Carmen , Amiano Pilar , Heath Alicia K. , Ward Heather A. , Christakoudi Sofia , Vineis Paolo , Singh Deependra , Vaccarella Salvatore , Schulze Matthias B. , Hiensch Anouk E. , Monninkhof Evelyn M. , Katzke Verena , Kaaks Rudolf , Tumino Rosario , Lazzarato Fulvio , Milani Lorenzo , Agudo Antonio , Dahm Christina C. , Baglietto Laura , Perduca Vittorio , Severi Gianluca , Grioni Sara , Panico Salvatore , Ardanaz Eva , Borch Kristin B. , Benebo Faith O. , Braaten Tonje , Sánchez Maria-Jose , Giachino Claudia , Sacerdote Carlotta , Ricceri Fulvio
Published: October 2022

Background:

Many studies have shown that socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with the incidence of malignant tumors at different sites. This study aims to estimate the association between educational level (as proxy for SEP) and cancer incidence and to understand whether the observed associations might be partially explained by lifestyle behaviors.

Methods:

The analyses were performed on data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, globally and by sex. We used Cox proportional hazards models together with mediation analysis to disentangle the total effect (TE) of educational level [measured through the Relative Index of Inequality (RII)] on cancer incidence into pure direct (PDE) and total indirect (TIE) effect, unexplained and explained by mediators, respectively. PDE and TIE were then combined to compute the proportions mediated (PM).

Results:

After an average of 14 years of follow-up, 52,422 malignant tumors were ascertained. Low educated participants showed higher risk of developing stomach, lung, kidney (in women), and bladder (in men) cancers, and, conversely, lower risk of melanoma and breast cancer (in post-menopausal women), when compared with more educated participants. Mediation analyses showed that portions of the TE of RII on cancer could be explained by site-specific related lifestyle behaviors for stomach, lung, and breast (in women).

Conclusions:

Cancer incidence in Europe is determined at least in part by a socioeconomically stratified distribution of risk factors.

Impact:

These observational findings support policies to reduce cancer occurrence by altering mediators, such as lifestyle behaviors, particularly focusing on underprivileged strata of the population.
Epigenome Programming by H3.3K27M Mutation Creates a Dependence of Pediatric Glioma on SMARCA4
Authors: Mo Yan , Duan Shoufu , Zhang Xu , Hua Xu , Zhou Hui , Wei Hong-Jian , Watanabe Jun , McQuillan Nicholas , Su Zhenyi , Gu Wei , Wu Cheng-Chia , Vakoc Christopher R. , Hashizume Rintaro , Chang Kenneth , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: October 2022

Patients with diffuse midline gliomas that are H3K27 altered (DMG) display a dismal prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying DMG tumorigenesis remain poorly defined. Here we show that SMARCA4, the catalytic subunit of the mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is essential for the proliferation, migration, and invasion of DMG cells and tumor growth in patient-derived DMG xenograft models. SMARCA4 colocalizes with SOX10 at gene regulatory elements to control the expression of genes involved in cell growth and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Moreover, SMARCA4 chromatin binding is reduced upon depletion of SOX10 or H3.3K27M, a mutation occurring in about 60% DMG tumors. Furthermore, the SMARCA4 occupancy at enhancers marked by both SOX10 and H3K27 acetylation is reduced the most upon depleting the H3.3K27M mutation. Taken together, our results support a model in which epigenome reprogramming by H3.3K27M creates a dependence on SMARCA4-mediated chromatin remodeling to drive gene expression and the pathogenesis of H3.3K27M DMG.

Significance:

DMG is a deadly pediatric glioma currently without effective treatments. We discovered that the chromatin remodeler SMARCA4 is essential for the proliferation of DMG with H3K27M mutation in vitro and in vivo, identifying a potentially novel therapeutic approach to this disease.

See related commentary by Beytagh and Weiss, p. 2730.

See related article by Panditharatna et al., p. 2880.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2711
Operational Definitions of Treatment Response and Remission in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Capture Meaningful Improvements in Everyday Life
Authors: Mataix-Cols David , Andersson Erik , Aspvall Kristina , Boberg Julia , Crowley James J. , de Schipper Elles , Fernández de la Cruz Lorena , Flygare Oskar , Ivanova Ekaterina , Lenhard Fabian , Lundström Lina , Rück Christian , Serlachius Eva , Cervin Matti
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The operational definitions of treatment response, partial response, and remission in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are widely used in clinical trials and regular practice. However, the clinimetric sensitivity of these definitions, that is, whether they identify patients that experience meaningful changes in their everyday life, remains unexplored. Objective: The objective was to examine the clinimetric sensitivity of the operational definitions of treatment response, partial response, and remission in children and adults with OCD. Methods: Pre- and post-treatment data from five clinical trials and three cohort studies of children and adults with OCD (n = 1,528; 55.3% children, 61.1% female) were pooled. We compared (1) responders, partial responders, and non-responders and (2) remitters and non-remitters on self-reported OCD symptoms, clinician-rated general functioning, and self-reported quality of life. Remission was also evaluated against post-treatment diagnostic interviews. Results: Responders and remitters experienced large improvements across validators. Responders had greater improvements than partial responders and non-responders on self-reported OCD symptoms (Cohen’s d 0.65–1.13), clinician-rated functioning (Cohen’s d 0.53–1.03), and self-reported quality of life (Cohen’s d 0.63–0.73). Few meaningful differences emerged between partial responders and non-responders. Remitters had better outcomes across most validators than non-remitters. Remission criteria corresponded well with absence of post-treatment diagnosis (sensitivity/specificity: 93%/83%). Using both the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale yielded more conservative results and more robust changes across validators, compared to only using the Y-BOCS. Conclusions: The current definitions of treatment response and remission capture meaningful improvements in the everyday life of individuals with OCD, whereas the concept of partial response has dubious clinimetric sensitivity.
Make Family Caregivers Visible, Valued, and Supported: An Interview with Patients’ Caregivers’ Advocate
Authors: Raanani Pia , Ledany Rachel
Published: October 2022

Many people will need support and help with their daily functioning during their adult life. The solution to this need for support might be either by using a formal or an informal care and support system. Informal care is delivered by nonprofessionals (usually family members) not paid for their duty, defined as the caregivers. The care provided by relatives requires understanding, knowledge, and skills in a wide variety of fields. In this interview, we try to shed light on the place and role of the caregiver, sometimes an invisible major player in the patient’s journey.
Improved Surface Layer Erosion of Pit and Fissure Caries Lesions in Preparation for Resin Infiltration
Authors: Meyer-Lueckel Hendrik , Moser Corina , Wierichs Richard Johannes , Lausch Julian
Published: October 2022

The penetration of a low-viscosity resin (infiltrant) into caries lesions depends on the erosion of the relatively impermeable surface layer (SL) that covers the lesion body. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different abrasive pretreatments on erosion of the SL and on penetration of an infiltrant into occlusal caries lesions, simultaneously. Sixty extracted human molars showing International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-2) lesions were randomly allocated to 5 groups. A small area of each lesion was covered with resin before etching. Twelve lesions each were etched with either 15% HCl-gel (H120) or 37% H3PO4-gel (P120) for 120 s. Furthermore, the standard 15% HCl-gel or either one of two experimental etchants (HCl-gel or H3PO4-gel, each including abrasives) were applied for either 120 s or 30 s using a brush (surface pressure 150 g) (H30B, P120BA, H30BA). After rinsing and drying, all lesions were infiltrated for 180 s (Icon; DMG). From each tooth sections were prepared and visualized using confocal microscopy. SL of unetched areas and the lesion depth were 33 (23/51) μm and 537 (274/876) μm, respectively, both not differing significantly between groups. H120, H30B, and H30BA showed significantly higher SL reduction compared with P120 or P120BA, but only for H30BA SL was eroded almost completely (p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney test). Compared to other groups, occlusal lesions were significantly more infiltrated in H30BA (p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney test). HCl-gel including abrasives that was rubbed onto the enamel surface with a brush seems to be most effective to erode SLs of caries lesion situated in fissures and enable an almost complete subsequent resin infiltration.
The Dynamic Relationship Between Invasive Microvascular Function and Microvascular Injury Indicators, and Their Association With Left Ventricular Function and Infarct Size at 1-Month After Reperfused ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Demirkiran Ahmet , Robbers Lourens F.H.J. , van der Hoeven Nina W. , Everaars Henk , Hopman Luuk H.G.A. , Janssens Gladys N. , Berkhof Hans J. , Lemkes Jorrit S. , van de Bovenkamp Arno A. , van Leeuwen Maarten A.H. , Nap Alexander , van Loon Ramon B. , de Waard Guus A. , van Rossum Albert C. , van Royen Niels , Nijveldt Robin
Published: October 2022

Background:

The invasive microvascular function indices, coronary flow reserve (CFR) and the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), exhibit a dynamic pattern after ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. The effects of microvascular injury on the evolution of the microvascular function and the prognostic significance of the evolution of microvascular function are unknown. We investigated the relationship between the temporal changes of CFR and IMR, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived microvascular injury characteristics in reperfused ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients, and their association with 1-month left ventricular ejection fraction and infarct size (IS).

Methods:

In 109 ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients who underwent angiography for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and at 1-month follow-up, invasive assessment of CFR and IMR were performed in the culprit artery during both procedures. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was performed 2 to 7 days after PPCI and at 1 month and provided assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction, IS, microvascular obstruction, and intramyocardial hemorrhage.

Results:

CFR and IMR significantly changed over 1 month (both,
P
<0.001). The absolute IMR change over 1 month (ΔIMR) showed association with both microvascular obstruction and intramyocardial hemorrhage presence (both,
P
=0.01). ΔIMR differed between patients with/without microvascular obstruction (
P
=0.02) and with/without intramyocardial hemorrhage (
P
=0.04) but not ΔCFR for both. ΔIMR demonstrated association with both left ventricular ejection fraction and IS at 1 month (
P
<0.001,
P
=0.001, respectively), but not ΔCFR for both. Receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis of ΔIMR showed a larger area under the curve than post-PPCI CFR and IMR, and ΔCFR to be associated with both 1-month left ventricular ejection fraction >50% and extensive IS (the highest quartile).

Conclusions:

In reperfused ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients, CFR and IMR significantly improved 1 month after PPCI; the temporal change in IMR is closely related to the presence/absence of microvascular damage and IS. ΔIMR exhibits a stronger association for 1-month functional outcome than post-PPCI CFR, IMR, or ΔCFR.
The Human in Feminist Theory: Or Woman Is a Social Animal, I’m Not So Sure About Man
Authors: Green Karen
Published: October 2022

A feminist humanism, unlike those developed by men, would recognize that the authoritative, human subject comes in two sexes. While not being essentialist, it would accept the existence of biological, sexual difference, while taking seriously historical and cultural diversity. It would find female subjects, not in their bodies, but in their contributions to intellectual history. To defend this feminist humanism, this paper counters the post-structuralist critique of humanism, criticizing the structuralist account of language on which post-structuralism built, which it retained even in going beyond it. At the same time, it repurposes the Foucauldian idea of an archeology of knowledge to propose a feminist humanism, anchored in an archeology of women’s texts. It claims that the findings of the archeological investigations so far undertaken suggest that while man characteristically deems himself an isolated individual, made social by culture and artifice, woman, in general, experiences herself as social by nature.
Upper–Lower Layer Coupling of Recurrent Circulation Patterns in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Olvera-Prado Erick R. , Moreles Efraín , Zavala-Hidalgo Jorge , Romero-Centeno Rosario
Published: October 2022

The study of the relationship between the upper and lower layers in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) has experienced a lot of progress in recent years. Nevertheless, an examination of their coupling for the entire GoM in a statistically consistent manner is still needed. Layer thickness data from a GoM 21-yr free-running simulation are used to examine the coupling between the upper (<250 m) and lower (>1000 m) layers, focusing on the dominant modes of variability through a Hilbert empirical orthogonal function (HEOF) analysis. The results show that the three leading modes are associated with the coupling between both layers during the life cycle of the Loop Current (LC) and the LC eddy (LCE) separation process, consistent with previous observational studies. These modes are cyclical, with periodicities in agreement with the mean LCE separation period, indicating recurrence of the circulation patterns. The fourth mode of the upper layer is associated with the translation of LCEs and their dissipation in the northwestern GoM, while in the lower layer it captures variability related to the strengthening of the circulation along the Sigsbee Gyre western branch. This mode does not show cyclicity, suggesting persistence of the associated circulation patterns with a dominant time scale of 14 months. Evidence and corroboration of recently observed lower-layer circulation features are provided. The application of the HEOF technique used here can complement the three-dimensional oceanic assimilation methods by projecting surface information to depth in a statistically consistent manner.

Significance Statement

The purpose of this study is to better understand the relationship between the upper and lower ocean layers in the Gulf of Mexico. While much is known about their variability separately, an examination of the coupling through the whole region and in a long time period is still needed. We use a free numerical simulation of the circulation in the Gulf to accomplish this goal. The dominant circulation patterns in the lower layer are tied to the upper ones and are governed by the same temporal scales. Our findings point to a way to better understand the response of deep circulation to upper circulation, and may contribute to a better prediction of ocean dynamics.