bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of life at work and fatigue after hospitalization due to COVID‐19
Authors: Mazurkiewicz Iwona , Chatys‐Bogacka Zaneta , Slowik Joanna , Szaleniec Joanna , Czepiel Jacek , Slowik Agnieszka , Drabik Leszek , Wnuk Marcin
Published: September 2023

Objective

To evaluate course of quality of life (QoL) after hospitalization due to COVID‐19 and to assess whether symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were its predictors at different time points.

Methods

Participants aged 18 or older retrospectively reported QoL at work with 4‐point Likert scale and presence of eight CFS symptoms before infection, within 0–4, 4–12, and > 12 weeks post‐COVID with online or paper version of validated neuropsychological questionnaire.

Results

Two hundred and eighty‐three patients (median age 59 [47–67] years, 37.45% women, 95.76% non‐ICU residents) were evaluated after median of 27.1 (24.9–31.6) weeks from first positive swab test for SARS‐CoV‐2. Any decrease in QoL at work was observed in 33.21%, 29.28%, and 25.54% of patients within 4, 4–12, and > 12 weeks after COVID‐19, respectively (p < 0.001). Within 4 weeks after COVID‐19 onset, decrease in QoL at work was predicted by age (OR = 0.93, 95% CI:0.90–0.96, p < 0.001), persistent fatigue unrelated to effort (OR = 4.03, 95% CI:1.21–13.50, p < 0.001), sore throat (OR = 5.33, 95% CI:1.92–14.78, p = 0.001), and prolonged post‐exercise fatigue (OR = 8.12, 95% CI:2.17–30.56, p = 0.002). Predictors of deterioration in QoL at work 4–12 and > 12 weeks post‐infection were age (OR = 0.97, 95% CI:0.94–0.99, p = 0.015 and OR = 0.93, 95% CI:0.90–0.97, p = 0.001, respectively), non‐restorative sleep (OR = 2.75, 95% CI:1.25–6.05, p = 0.012 and OR = 3.62, 95% CI:1.40–9.38, p = 0.008, respectively), and headache (OR = 2.78, 95% CI:1.29–5.99, p = 0.009 and OR = 5.68, 95% CI:2.15–15.02, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, decreased QoL at work was predicted by post‐exercise fatigue (OR = 5.99, 95% CI:2.18–16.20, p < 0.001) and fatigue not caused by effort (OR = 14.40, 95% CI:4.77–43.45, p < 0.001) within 4–12 and > 12 weeks post‐infection, respectively.

Conclusions

Different CFS symptoms are associated with decreased QoL at work at various time points since COVID‐19 onset.
A systemized strategy to reduce door‐to‐puncture time using the ELVO screen: “Code AIS”
Authors: Inoue Hiroyasu , Nishikawa Yusuke , Oomura Masahiro , Hattori Tomonori , Hayashi Yuki , Yamanaka Tomoyasu , Uchida Mitsuru , Taniguchi Yoko , Suzuki Kengo , Madokoro Yuta , Sato Toyohiro , Fujioka Teppei , Mizuno Masayuki , Kawashima Shoji , Okita Kenji , Mase Mitsuhito , Matsukawa Noriyuki
Published: September 2023

Background

A shorter onset‐to recanalization (O2R) time in mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) results in better outcomes. Thus, we should reduce the door‐to‐puncture (D2P) time.

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of a triage system named “Code AIS.” We adopted the emergency large vessel occlusion (ELVO) screen as a screening test.

Methods

Using the ELVO screening test, Code AIS was invoked when ≥1 positive results were obtained without witnessed seizures. The Code AIS system requires the assembly of neurologists, neurosurgeons, and an endovascular team in the emergency department before a patient arrives at the hospital. In total, 104 consecutive patients who underwent thrombectomy after emergency transport from January 2015 to December 2022 were included. The Code AIS system was initiated on February 17, 2022, and patients were divided into the pre‐Code AIS and Code AIS era groups. D2P time, outcome, and other parameters were compared between the groups.

Results

Eighty‐eight and 16 cases were in the pre‐Code AIS and Code AIS era groups, respectively. Background factors, including age, sex, and etiology, did not differ between the groups. The median (interquartile range) time of D2P in the Code AIS era was 60 (41–102) min and significantly shortened compared to 135 (109–161) min in the pre‐Code AIS era (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2) improved significantly from 33% (pre‐Code AIS era) to 63% (Code AIS era) (p = 0.047).

Conclusion

Using Code AIS, we succeeded in shortening D2P time and improving patient outcomes.
Association between dietary factors, symptoms, and psychological factors in adults with dyspepsia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Cooke Zoe M. , Resciniti Stephanie M. , Wright Bradley J. , Hale Matthew W. , Yao Chu K. , Tuck Caroline J. , Biesiekierski Jessica R.
Published: September 2023

Background

Evidence‐based dietary management approaches for symptoms of dyspepsia are lacking. This study aimed to compare dietary factors, symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and salivary cortisol in dyspepsia participants and healthy controls.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was completed by adults with dyspepsia (n = 121) meeting Rome IV criteria and healthy controls (n = 52). Outcome measures included self‐reported questionnaires about dietary habits, triggers, restrictions, dietary management approaches, nutritional intake, psychological variables, QOL, gastrointestinal symptoms, and optional cortisol awakening response (CAR) via saliva samples. Data were analyzed using Chi‐square or Mann–Whitney U. Cortisol awakening response data was analyzed using moderated regression controlling for age, gender and distress.

Key Results

Fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs) (55%) were the most reported trigger in adults with dyspepsia. The dyspepsia group (88%) followed special diets more than controls (47%; p < 0.001), with a low FODMAP diet being most common (69%). The dyspepsia group consumed less fiber (p = 0.014), calcium (p = 0.015), and total FODMAPs (p < 0.001) than controls. There was a greater prevalence of comorbid anxiety (41%) and depression (31%) in dyspepsia compared to controls (15% and 12%, respectively, p < 0.001 and p = 0.006). The dyspepsia group had poorer QOL and greater gastrointestinal symptom severity than controls (p < 0.001). There was a negative association between anxiety and CAR (p = 0.001) in dyspepsia but not in controls.

Conclusions & Inferences

Adults with dyspepsia follow special diets more than controls and perceive FODMAPs as a key dietary trigger. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring nutritional adequacy and QOL, and emphasize mechanisms of depleted stress response in dyspepsia, warranting further exploration.
Nationality And Borders Are Barriers To Our Intelligence And Imagination
Authors: Weiwei Ai
Published: September 2023

Discussing Ai Weiwei's new documentary about the refugee crisis.
Assessing the Casual Association between Sex Hormone Levels and Fracture Risk: A Two‐Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Sun Kaibo , Ming Yue , Xu Jiawen , Wu Yuangang , Zeng Yi , Wu Limin , Li Mingyang , Shen Bin
Published: September 2023

Objective

Prior observational studies have reported that levels of sex hormones constitute a risk factor for the fracture. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether there is a causal relationship between the levels of sex hormones and the risk of fracture through Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with two indicators of sex hormone levels, circulating sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) and bioavailable testosterone levels, as exposures were selected from a large genome‐wide association study (GWAS) from UK Biobank. The summary statistics for 11 different types of fracture as outcomes from the FinnGen consortium. This study employed the two‐sample MR approach. For the main analysis, the inverse‐variance‐weighted (IVW) method was utilized. To assess the heterogeneity of MR results, the IVW method and MR–Egger method were utilized. To evaluate potential pleiotropy, MR–Egger regression was conducted. Additionally, a leave‐one‐SNP‐out test was performed to assess the robustness of MR results to the exclusion of any individual SNP.

Results

The MR analyses demonstrated a conspicuous impact of SHBG on the risk of pathological fracture with osteoporosis (OP). We found that an increase of one standard deviation (SD) in SHBG correspondingly increased the risk of pathological fracture with OP [odds ratio (OR) 2.42, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.52–3.85; p = 1.93 × 10−4]. The bioavailable testosterone showed the negative casual genetic associations with fractures of foot and forearm. An increase of one SD in the genetically predetermined bioavailable testosterone was associated with a reduction of 37% in the risk of fracture of foot (OR 0.63, 95% Cl 0.49 to 0.81; p = 3.37 × 10−4), as well as a 39% decrease in the risk of fracture of forearm (OR 0.61, 95% Cl 0.50 to 0.76; p = 5.40 × 10−6).

Conclusions

Our study confirms that individuals experiencing elevated SHBG concentrations showed a major causal effect on pathological fracture with OP. High bioavailable testosterone levels play an important role in preventing the fractures of foot and forearm. Although increasing bioavailable testosterone and decreasing SHBG levels had no casual effect on most fractures in the general population, they are likely to have the most clinically relevant effect on certain fracture risk reduction.
The accuracy of the ultrasound measured transverse cricoid diameter and the epiphyseal transverse diameter of the distal radius in predicting the pediatric endotracheal tube size
Authors: Abdel‐Ghaffar Hala Saad , Thabet Omnia Hussein , Abbas Yara Hamdy , El‐hagagy Noha Yahia Mohammd , Abedalmohsen Abualauon Mohamed
Published: September 2023

Background

In everyday pediatric anesthesia practice, clinicians frequently exchange an already inserted endotracheal tube because of a leak or resistance causing significant morbidity. We investigated the accuracy of two ultrasound measurements; the transverse cricoid diameter and epiphyseal diameter of the distal radius in the prediction of endotracheal tube size that best fits in children compared to age‐based formulas.

Patients

One hundred children (1–6 years) who underwent elective surgery with endotracheal tube whether cuffed (n = 50) or uncuffed (n = 50) were enrolled. The primary endpoint was the agreement between the reference tube size for which its outer diameter was selected based on transverse cricoid diameter and the final best‐fit‐ETT. The Correlation and Bland Altman agreement tests were conducted between best‐fit‐ETT outer diameter and ultrasound‐measured outer diameter, and between best‐fit‐ETT inner diameter and inner diameter calculated by age‐based formulas.

Results

The agreement rate between transverse cricoid diameter‐based endotracheal tube size and best‐fit‐ETT size was 88% in cuffed group compared to 90% in uncuffed group. A significant positive correlation was reported between the outer diameter of best‐fit‐ETT and the outer diameter measured by the two ultrasound methods. A lower degree of positive correlation was reported between the inner diameter of best‐fit‐ETT, and the inner diameter calculated by age‐based formulas. Bland Altman's analysis showed agreement between best‐fit‐ETT outer diameter and epiphyseal diameter of the distal radius in both groups and with transverse cricoid diameter in the cuffed group, with no agreement with age‐based formulas in either group.

Conclusions

Both transverse cricoid diameter and epiphyseal diameter of the distal radius are reliable predictors of the size of best‐fit‐ETT pediatric endotracheal tube compared to age‐based formulas. To save time and effort, we recommend the US measurement of the epiphyseal diameter of distal radius in the preoperative visit and documenting the predicted tube size with the preoperative assessments.
Give, take, or match? Styles of reciprocity, job satisfaction, and work motivation
Authors: Belle Nicola , Cantarelli Paola
Published: September 2023

In four online experiments involving 16,461 public professionals, we examined the causal effects of reciprocity styles at work on colleagues' expected job satisfaction and motivation. Our findings indicate that giving, which involves helping others when the benefit outweighs personal cost, is the supervisory reciprocity style that maximizes expected satisfaction among subordinates (Study 1). Additionally, it is expected that public employee motivation will be highest when their supervisor or colleagues exhibit a giving reciprocity style. Interestingly, the positive motivational effect of a giving peer is found to be relatively larger than that of a giving supervisor (Study 2). Furthermore, the expected motivation of current team members is enhanced by the prospect of a giver joining their unit, while the arrival of a taker (someone who only helps if the benefits exceed personal costs) reduces colleagues' motivation compared to the departure of a taker (Study 3).
Development of a panel for detection of pathogens in xenotransplantation donor pigs
Authors: Otabi Hikari , Miura Hiroto , Uryu Haruka , Kobayashi‐Harada Rana , Abe Kanako , Nakano Kazuaki , Umeyama Kazuhiro , Hasegawa Koki , Tsukahara Takamitsu , Nagashima Hiroshi , Inoue Ryo
Published: September 2023

There have been high expectations in recent years of using xenotransplantation and regenerative medicine to treat humans, and pigs have been utilized as the donor model. Pigs used for these clinical applications must be microbiologically safe, that is, free of infectious pathogens, to prevent infections not only in livestock, but also in humans. Currently, however, the full spectrum of pathogens that can infect to the human host or cause disease in transplanted porcine organs/cells has not been fully defined. In the present study, we thus aimed to develop a larger panel for the detection of pathogens that could potentially infect xenotransplantation donor pigs. Our newly developed panel, which consisted of 76 highly sensitive PCR detection assays, was able to detect 41 viruses, 1 protozoa, and a broad range of bacteria (by use of universal 16S rRNA primers). The applicability of this panel was validated using blood samples from uterectomy‐born piglets, and pathogens suspected to be vertically transmitted from sows to piglets were successfully detected. We estimate that, at least for viruses and bacteria, the number of target pathogens detected by the developed screening panel should suffice to meet the microbiological safety levels required worldwide for xenotransplantation and/or regenerative therapy. This panel provides greater diagnosis options to produce donor pigs so that it would render unnecessary to screen for all pathogens listed. Instead, the new panel could be utilized to detect only required pathogens within a given geographic range where the donor pigs for xenotransplantation have been and/or are being developed.
Filling the gaps in the Argentinian distribution of orthohantavirus: First finding of Lechiguanas virus in rodents from Corrientes, Argentina
Authors: Gómez Villafañe Isabel E. , Bellomo Carla M. , Rospide Malena , Blanco Paula , Coelho Rocío , Alonso Daniel O. , Arnica Diana , Sanchez Loria Julián , Figini Iara , Campos Josefina , Martínez Valeria P. , Orozco María Marcela
Published: September 2023

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by orthohantaviruses in the Americas. In Argentina, since 1995, several reservoirs and virus variants have been described, but the northeastern and central endemic zones in the country include an area without human or rodent infections, despite sharing rodent species with areas with that disease. The aim of this study was to search for orthohantavirus in rodent communities that inhabit this area, which borders two endemic areas of HPS. Small rodents were captured in June of 2022 through a total effort of 644 trap nights distributed in five grids located in the Iberá National Park, Corrientes, Northeastern Argentina. All rodents were sexed, weighed, and the species was recorded. Blood samples were extracted to detect ANDV‐specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), and to extract the RNA virus. Trimmed sequences were mapped against reference sequences from GenBank. We captured a total of 36 Oligoryzomys flavescens and 15 Oxymycterus rufus. We detected the O. flavescens species infected with Lechiguanas orthohantavirus in the camping area of the National Park. A nucleotide comparison with previously published sequences shows a 98.34% similarity to the virus obtained from a human case of HPS reported in the adjacent Misiones province. This study demonstrated, for the first time, that O. flavescens is a host of the Lechiguanas orthohantavirus in this zone and contributes to closing information gaps on the distribution of orthohantavirus in Argentina. Additionally, the high similarity with the hantavirus found in the human case of Misiones suggests that the reservoir in that province would also be O. flavescens (not previously confirmed). This information permits us to focus on the preventive measurements to protect the human population.
Panic-Pressure Conversion Model From Microscopic Pedestrian Movement to Macroscopic Crowd Flow
Authors: Zhu Wenjie , Zhao Rongyong , Zhang Hao , Li Cuiling , Jia Ping , Ma Yunlong , Wang Dong , Li Miyuan
Published: September 2023

Understanding the effects of panic on crowd dynamics in emergency situations has long been considered necessary for pedestrian evacuation control. In the case of disasters, stampedes caused by panic behaviors occur with high possibility, and pedestrians are crushed or trampled, leading to enormous casualties. To eliminate the computational errors accumulated in the traditional macromodel, a macro-microconversion model based on the SF (social force) model and the AR (Aw-Rascle) model is proposed in this paper. The purpose is to use the crowd parameters of the microscopic model as the input part of the macroscopic model and to combine the advantages of the two models to ensure accuracy and improve calculation performance. The concept of the “pressure term” is defined to measure the panic level of the crowd. In addition, a flowchart of the numerical simulation is designed based on the road network conditions at the trampling site. To validate the conversion model, a numerical simulation is conducted in a case study of the Mecca Hajj stampede in 2015. The simulation results display the whole process of crowd marching and meeting with the dynamic variations of the “pressure term.” The simulation results are compared with the traditional simulation results based on a Gaussian distribution, which verifies that the simulation results obtained by the proposed method are closer to the real situation. Moreover, in this study, a new micromacro transformation method for crowd evaluation dynamics, which can enhance computing speed and execution efficiency, is provided.
Multi-Objective Experimental Combustor Development Using Surrogate Model-Based Optimization
Authors: Reumschüssel Johann Moritz , von Saldern Jakob G. R. , Ćosić Bernhard , Paschereit Christian Oliver
Published: September 2023

The majority of premixed industrial gas turbine combustion systems feature two or more separately controlled fuel lines. Every additional fuel line improves the operational flexibility but increases the complexity of the system. When designing such a system, the goals are low emissions of various pollutants and avoiding lean blowout or extinction. Typically, these limitations become critical under different load conditions of the machines. Therefore, it is particularly challenging to develop combustors for stable and clean combustion over a wide operating range. In this study, we apply the Gaussian process regression machine learning method for application to burner development, with the aim of improving the process, which is often driven by a trial-and-error approach. To do so, a special pilot unit is installed into a full-scale industrial swirl combustor. The pilot features 61 positions of fuel injection, each of which is equipped with an individual valve, allowing to modify the fuel–air mixture close to the flame root in various degrees. In fully automatized atmospheric tests, we use the pilot system to train two surrogate models for different design objectives of the combustor, relevant for full load and part load operation, respectively. Once trained, the models allow for prediction for any possible injection scheme. In combination, they can be used to identify pilot injector configurations with an improved operation range in terms of low NOx emissions and part load stability. The adopted multimodel approach enables combustor design specifically for high operational flexibility of gas turbines, but can also be extended to other similar industrial development processes.
Predicting Premature Failures in Small Wind Turbines With Recurrence Plots
Authors: Jauregui Juan C. , Torres-Contreras Ignacio
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the application of the recurrence plot as an alternative for preprocessing the raw data. The recurrence plots can extract the nonlinear and transient response and are sensitive to slight variations in the signal frequency, amplitude, and waveform. Thus, it is an alternative technique for improving the sensitivity; consequently, the prognostic algorithms can predict with better resolution. The data were obtained from an experimental 12 m wind turbine. The transmission was instrumented with three accelerometers and three gyroscopes; the generator's current and voltage were monitored. The difficulty in producing the phase plane using acceleration data is its integration to obtain the kinetic and potential signal energies. This limitation is overcome by integrating the data using the empirical mode decomposition and the shift principle. The results show good sensitivity for predicting variations in the operating conditions and are the basis for other prognostic analyses.
Analysis of High-Frequency Dynamics of a Reacting Jet in Crossflow Based on Large Eddy Simulation
Authors: Bonnaire Philip , Polifke Wolfgang
Published: September 2023

Distributed combustion systems have shown the potential to reduce emissions as well as increase load and fuel flexibility. A characteristic feature of such systems is a reacting jet in crossflow, which exhibits complex vortical structures. In this paper, a generic combustion chamber with elliptic reacting jets in crossflow is examined, operating under lean-premixed conditions at elevated pressure and exhibiting high-frequency transverse mode shapes. It can be seen that depending on the orientation of the elliptical shape of the jet to the crossflow, thermoacoustic modes can be suppressed. A multidimensional fast Fourier transform shows that low aspect ratios (major axis of the jet aligned with the crossflow) result in the mixed 1L1T mode of first longitudinal and first transverse structure, while this mode disappears at high aspect ratios. To get a more detailed insight into the different vortex systems of the various aspect ratios, dynamic mode decomposition is applied. This modal decomposition technique reveals for low aspect ratios a shear layer mode that oscillates at a frequency close to the acoustic mixed mode. For this configuration, a mode representing a flapping motion is also identified. For high aspect ratios, the shear layer vortex increases its frequency and a higher-frequent mode appears in the acoustic spectrum.
Reduced Order Model of Nonlinear Structures for Turbomachinery Aeroelasticity
Authors: Flament Théo , Deü Jean-François , Placzek Antoine , Balmaseda Mikel , Tran Duc-Minh
Published: September 2023

This work concerns the numerical modeling of geometric nonlinear vibrations of slender structures in rotation using an original reduced order model based on the use of dual modes along with the implicit condensation method. This approach is an improvement of the classical ICE method in the sense that the membrane stretching effect is taken into account in the dynamic resolution. The dynamics equations are first presented and the construction of the reduced order model (ROM) is then proposed. The second part of the paper deals with numerical applications using the finite element method, first for a three-dimensional cantilever beam, then for an Ultra-High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) fan blade subject to aerodynamic loads. In the applications considered, the proposed method predicts more accurately the geometrically nonlinear behavior than the ICE method.
Measurement of Temperature and Load Versus Bearing Displacement in a Thrust Foil Bearing: Differences Between Light Load and High Load Operation
Authors: San Andrés Luis , Duran-Castillo Azael , Jauregui Juan , de Santiago Oscar , Lubell Daniel
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a test rig for evaluation of gas thrust foil bearings (GTFBs) and details measurements of load capacity conducted with a commercial GTFB comprising a single 360 deg, 0.127 mm thick top foil divided into six continuous arc segments with a formed taper of 0.102 mm. Coated with Teflon®, the top foil rests on a stack of shims above six underspring structures, each comprising three strips of bump foils, 0.102 mm thick. Measurements include the applied static load and break-away torque, rotor speed, bearing axial displacements at three locations 120 deg apart, the flow of a cooling stream, and temperatures in and out of the bearing. Static load tests produce the underspring deformation and a dry-sliding friction coefficient f ∼ 0.12. The underspring is rather flexible though quickly hardening for specific load (P*) > 25 kN/m2 to reach an ultimate deformation of ∼0.320 mm. Measurements at 30 krpm (OD surface speed = 111 m/s) and increasing static loads produce bearing displacements that parallel the displacements without shaft rotation. Most importantly, the difference between displacements approaches ∼0.060 mm for P* > 45 kN/m2. The test bearing operated safely to P* = 90 kN/m2 and failed at P* = 120 kN/m2. When heavily loaded, the GTFB is significantly stiffer than when lightly loaded. Designed for easiness of installation and operation, the test bearing demonstrated a stable and repeatable performance with likely a uniform gap or film thickness even for the largest loads applied.
Analysis of Vibration and Acoustic Response of the Solid State Drive Due to the Vibration of Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors With Blocked Force Method
Authors: Kim Wheejae , Park Youngjin , Park No-Cheol
Published: September 2023

A multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) vibrates when a pulse signal or a periodic signal is applied due to the piezoelectric characteristics of the MLCC, which causes structural resonance and acoustic noise in the Solid State Drive (SSD). Since MLCC is attached to the SSD through solders, the vibration of MLCC can be treated as a complex input to the SSD in which normal force and moment are combined. If the excitation force and moment of the MLCC can be substituted into simplified nodal forces, the vibration and acoustic noise response of the PCB due to the location and direction of the MLCC can be efficiently calculated and analyzed. In this study, the vibration and acoustic noise of the SSD due to the vibration of the MLCC were calculated in various methods. By the blocked force method, the excitation force and moment of the MLCC was obtained. Then, the excitation force and moment of the MLCC were replaced by equivalent nodal forces. Vibration of SSD due to MLCC excitation was calculated with the mode superposition method. The radiated sound was estimated from the radiation resistance matrix and the surface velocity of the SSD by the discrete calculation method. Finally, the vibration and acoustic noise response by simplified nodal forces were compared with the response by piezoelectric analysis of MLCC and PCB.
Multi-Material 4D Printing Technology of Masks via the Inverse Design of Fully Convolutional Network Models
Authors: Lin Yan-Ting , Chiu Yi-Hung , Xu Yi-Xian , Huang Yu-Ting , Juang Jia-Yang
Published: September 2023

Fabricating free-standing 3D surfaces using conventional 3D printing technology often requires much supporting material, which is later discarded and hence wasted. Moreover, using supporting material tends to rough the printed surfaces, and removing it can damage the printed parts. By contrast, 4D printing can create 3D surfaces without needing supporting material. By integrating active material into the 3D printing, 4D printing allows the printed structure to re-deform through external stimuli, such as heating. Because of this characteristic, 4D printing can achieve shape-morphing from the designed 2D grid into the target 3D gridshell. In this work, we utilize multi-material 4D printing technology to fabricate face-like masks. We first print a 2D grid consisting of rectangular arranged double-layered segments; each segment has four different material combinations, in which each layer is made of either shape memory polymer (SMP55) or PLA. Based on those different material combinations, 4D printing can generate corresponding deformation modes as SMP55 shrinks by heating to release the residual stress stored during 3D printing. Lastly, a highly complex human-face mask gridshell can be achieved by controlling the deformed grid’s global and local curvature through the material combination of each segment and their distribution. The inverse design from the target 3D gridshell to the initial 2D grid is challenging due to the high nonlinearity of the deformation mechanism. To solve this problem, we use a deep learning model: fully convolutional networks (FCNs) to automate the inverse design process. This study uses human-face and Noh (a traditional Japanese art) masks as examples. First, we divide the human-face mask 2D grids into several parameters to generate random 2D human-face mask grid designs, which can be converted to corresponding depth images as 60,000 datasets after simulating their heat deformation processes by finite element method (FEM). Next, the depth images are used for training the FCN model that executes image segmentation tasks for inverse design, and then we can use Noh mask depth images to verify the validity of trained FCN models. Finally, although the average similarity of human-face masks between using 4D printing and the target is 0.9, the trained FCN model does not perform well for Noh masks since human-face masks’ parameters cannot describe Noh masks adequately. In conclusion, our 4D printing technology successfully demonstrates the feasibility and potential to generate complex 3D curved structures.
Design and Implementation for the High Efficiency Hardware Accelerator Applied to the Compensation of IR Drop on AMOLED Panel
Authors: Su Tai-Chi , Hsu Jen-Yi , Chao Paul C.-P.
Published: September 2023

This work proposes an external real-time compensation method based on a look-up table to compensate for the IR drop. With the trend of 3C products increasing screen size and resolution, the decline of panel uniformity has become a problem that must be solved. In this work, the matrix is established with the equivalent circuit model of the panel. The voltage drop of different brightness is calculated iteratively according to the electrical properties of TFT and OLED to correct the preset Vdatas of the original brightness and store it in the look-up table. The uniformity after compensation is verified by 9 points. Experimental results show that IR Drop prediction error controlled within 3.8%, and the uniformity after compensation reached 99.647%.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Due to VT/VF Classification Based on Heart Rate Variability and Classification Model Hardware Design
Authors: Pan Sheng-Yueh , Tsai Cheng-Han , Chao Paul C.-P. , Nguyen Duc Huy
Published: September 2023

Sudden cardiac arrest/death (SCA/SCD) is a disease that the heart cannot pump the blood effectively, so the blood flow loses rapidly. The patient may lose consciousness in an hour without appropriate treatment, and may take the patient’s life within minutes. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is an electrocardiography (ECG) that uses QRS wave detection to calculate the R wave interval (R-R Interval, RRI), and uses the R wave interval to extract the time domain, frequency domain, and nonlinear characteristics of the heart rhythm. This work presents a neural network model algorithm based on heart rate variability for classifying patients with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and normal sinus rhythm (NSR). The established neural network model can achieve 87.88% accuracy, 88.89% sensitivity and 87.87% specificity by k-fold cross validation for predicting SCA 55 minutes ago. Since hardware can have a faster computing speed than software, this paper implements the established neural network model on hardware and compares the computing speed with software. The hardware is written in Verilog HDL, and Vivado 2020.2 is used for RTL simulation and verification.
Dual Axes Scanning Micro Mirror Using Electromagnetic Actuators and Elastic Compliant Membrane
Authors: Shin Buhyun , Kim Youngshik , Kim Wan-Chin
Published: September 2023

Micromirror has many applications including vision systems, optical networking, and laser projects. Most of them are operated on a resonant mode for high-speed scan operation, but there are large demands for statically controlled mirrors with large deflection. In this paper, we propose a dual-axes scanning micromirror for large deflection, which also has the advantages of wide frequency bandwidth and low manufacturing cost. To achieve large deflection, we design and develop a customized electromagnetic actuator as a driving mechanism, which is composed of one permanent magnet and four electromagnets. The permanent is attached to the back of the mirror that has an elastic compliant membrane. The hybrid integration of microfabricated and off-the-shelf components enables low-risk/high-yield fabrication while limiting the throughput. We carry out simulations and experiments to evaluate the performance of the developed electromagnetic actuator and bi-axial scanning micro-mirror.
Ultrasound characteristics of soft tissues near sacroiliac joints and in the lumbar region of patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Li Ko-Jen , Lin Huan-Chen , Cheng Chiao-Feng , Shih Tiffany Ting-Fang , Lu Cheng-Hsun , Wattananon Peemongkon , Chen Wen-Shiang , Wang Hsing-Kuo
Published: September 2023

Aims: To investigate the musculoskeletal morphomechanical properties (i.e., the thickness and elastic modulus) and the total count of power Doppler signals near the sacroiliac joints in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-AS individuals.Material and methods: Twenty participants with AS [median age (interquartile range): 31.7 (11.04) years] and 19 controls [36.3 (10.5) years] with no AS history were recruited. Bilateral ultrasound image acquisition was performed, including the short posterior sacroiliac ligament, interosseous sacroiliac ligament, long posterior sacroiliac ligament, iliolumbar ligament, proximal piriformis muscle, and sacrotuberous ligament. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of ultrasound parameters, laboratory test results of human leukocyte antigen B27, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and self-reported physical and disease activity scores were also obtained.Results: The ligaments and piriformis muscle were thicker and stiffer (greater elastic modulus) in participants with AS than in non-AS participants (all p<0.01). The measurements showed good or excellent reliability (all ICC(3,1) >0.85). The numbers of power Doppler signals detected in the iliolumbar ligament, proximal piriformis muscle, and sacrotuberous ligament were higher in participants with AS than in non-AS participants (all p<0.001). A correlation was identified between disease duration and the elastic modulus of the piriformis muscle (r=0.640, p=0.003).Conclusion: We conclude that the ligaments and proximal piriformis muscle of AS participants have increased thickness, elastic modulus, and power Doppler signal than those of non-AS individuals. These reliable findings may serve as potential markers for the early diagnosis of AS and for assessing medication effects.
Differences in the B-mode imaging quality of ultrasound devices in the mid-price segment
Authors: Merkel Daniel , Albarri Ebaa , Yousefzada Masuod , Boehm Marko , Gottwald Michael , Schneider Christoph
Published: September 2023

Aims: A meaningful sonographic examination is decisively dependent on the B-scan quality of the ultrasound device. When selecting a suitable ultrasound device, B-scan quality should be an important purchase criterion. Although there is no generally accepted method to measure B-scan quality, we tried to evaluate comparable sonography devices from different manufacturers regarding B-scan quality.Material and methods: We systematically assessed the B-scan quality in ultrasound devices of seven different manufacturers from the mid-price segment. All 7 ultrasound units tested had comparable equipment features and the purchase value of approximately $20,000. We recorded video sequences and compared B-mode image quality. We used both physiological sectional images and pathological findings from abdominal ultrasound.Results: We identified three ultrasound units that scored significantly better in measuring the B-scan quality than the other devices. The Canon Xario 200, the General Electric Logiq P7 and the Mindray DC70 (in alphabetical order) were the units that outperformed all others.The differences identified were found to be statistically significant. A subgroup analysis showed that the contrasts in quality were more pronounced in near-field examinations than in examinations with greater penetration depth.Conclusions: There are considerable qualitative discrepancies in B-scan ultrasound devices despite being similar in terms of equipment and price. Our findings show that these differences are statistically detectable and likely clinically relevant.
Performance Metrics From Product-Oriented Measures of Fundamental Motor Skills—A Comparison and Developmental Perspective
Authors: Palmer Kara K. , Pennell Adam , Terlizzi Bryan , Nunu Michael A. , Stodden David F. , Robinson Leah E.
Published: September 2023

This study (a) examined the associations among different performance metrics derived from different strategies (i.e., maximum and average scores) and trials from product-oriented measures of motor skills, and (b) explored how different performance metrics from product-oriented assessments of motor skills change in young children with typical development. Children (N = 279; 156 girls; Mage = 4.44 years) completed a battery of product-oriented assessments for throwing (in meters per second, five trials); kicking (in meters per second, five trials); jumping (in centimeters, five trials); running (in meters per second, two trials); and hopping (in meters per second, four trials—two preferred foot, two nonpreferred foot). A total of 36 performance metrics were derived—throw (n = 7), kick (n = 7), jump (n = 7), run (n = 4), and hop (n = 11). Intraclass correlations examined reliability among performance metrics for each skill; linear mixed models examined whether variations changed across early childhood. There was excellent reliability among all performance metrics for each skill (all ICC > .90). Linear mixed models revealed that children’s motor performance improved for two metrics of the throw, five variations of the jump, and three metrics of the hop (all p < .05). Researchers should be aware that some performance metrics from product-oriented assessments (e.g., maximum and average of three or five trials) are highly related and change, whereas others do not.
The Effects of a Brief Online Rational-Emotive-Behavioral-Therapy Program on Coach Irrational Beliefs and Well-Being
Authors: Bailey Ryan G. , Turner Martin J.
Published: September 2023

Research into the psychology of coaching has been somewhat neglected in comparison to research on the psychological development of athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a brief online rational-emotive-behavioral-therapy (REBT) program on coach irrational beliefs and well-being. Coaching staff from an elite international canoeing team (N = 4) took part in a three-session (30- to 40-min) REBT program. Participants completed measures of irrational beliefs and mental well-being at preintervention, postintervention, and follow-up (1 month) time points. Visual analyses and social validation revealed that the intervention reduced irrational beliefs and enhanced mental well-being in two participants. However, REBT was more effective for some coaches than others, and follow-up data indicated a return to base levels in some coaches. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed, alongside practitioner reflections.
Fluorinated porous frameworks enable robust anode-less sodium metal batteries
Authors: Zhuang Rong , Zhang Xiuhai , Qu Changzhen , Xu Xiaosa , Yang Jiaying , Ye Qian , Liu Zhe , Kaskel Stefan , Xu Fei , Wang Hongqiang
Published: September 2023

Sodium metal batteries hold great promise for energy-dense and low-cost energy storage technology but are severely impeded by catastrophic dendrite issue. State-of-the-art strategies including sodiophilic seeding/hosting interphase design manifest great success on dendrite suppression, while neglecting unavoidable interphase-depleted Na
+
before plating, which poses excessive Na use, sacrificed output voltage and ultimately reduced energy density. We here demonstrate that elaborate-designed fluorinated porous framework could simultaneously realize superior sodiophilicity yet negligible interphase-consumed Na
+
for dendrite-free and durable Na batteries. As elucidated by physicochemical and theoretical characterizations, well-defined fluorinated edges on porous channels are responsible for both high affinities ensuring uniform deposition and low reactivity rendering superior Na
+
utilization for plating. Accordingly, synergistic performance enhancement is achieved with stable 400 cycles and superior plateau to sloping capacity ratio in anode-free batteries. Proof-of-concept pouch cells deliver an energy density of 325 Watt-hours per kilogram and robust 300 cycles under anode-less condition, opening an avenue with great extendibility for the practical deployment of metal batteries.
Single-molecule-binding studies of antivirals targeting the hepatitis C virus core protein
Authors: Nepal Sudip , Holmstrom Erik D.
Published: September 2023

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein (HCVcp) is the most highly conserved protein encoded by the HCV genome, and its N-terminal domain (
NTD
HCVcp) plays a crucial role in nucleocapsid assembly. Together, these two features make it an attractive target for antiviral therapeutics. However,
NTD
HCVcp is intrinsically disordered, leading to a high degree of conformational heterogeneity, and given its essential role in nucleocapsid assembly, it also tends to oligomerize at high concentrations, both of which make it difficult to characterize heterotypic intermolecular interactions between monomeric
NTD
HCVcp and potential therapeutics using conventional structure-based approaches. Here, we use single-molecule FRET spectroscopy to overcome these challenges and study the structural and energetic aspects of binding interactions involving different viral genotypes of
NTD
HCVcp and antiviral therapeutics based on antibodies, aptamers, peptides, and small molecules. Our findings highlight distinct binding mechanisms associated with these molecular interactions. For example, binding of high-affinity antibodies does not perturb the end-to-end distance of
NTD
HCVcp and is weakly impeded by electrostatic repulsions between similarly charged residues. Conversely, the low-nanomolar equilibrium dissociation constants of antiviral DNA aptamers arise from strong attractive electrostatic interactions that greatly decrease the end-to-end distance of
NTD
HCVcp. Furthermore, low-affinity antiviral peptides promote oligomerization of
NTD
HCVcp. Finally, the small-molecule antiviral compound we studied does not appear to affect any of our experimental observables, suggesting that binding may not alter the conformational properties of
NTD
HCVcp.

IMPORTANCE

The hepatitis C virus is associated with nearly 300,000 deaths annually. At the core of the virus is an RNA-protein complex called the nucleocapsid, which consists of the viral genome and many copies of the core protein. Because the assembly of the nucleocapsid is a critical step in viral replication, a considerable amount of effort has been devoted to identifying antiviral therapeutics that can bind to the core protein and disrupt assembly. Although several candidates have been identified, little is known about how they interact with the core protein or how those interactions alter the structure and thus the function of this viral protein. Our work biochemically characterizes several of these binding interactions, highlighting both similarities and differences as well as strengths and weaknesses. These insights bolster the notion that this viral protein is a viable target for novel therapeutics and will help to guide future developments of these candidate antivirals.
Structure of the native chemotaxis core signaling unit from phage E-protein lysed
E. coli
cells
Authors: Cassidy C. Keith , Qin Zhuan , Frosio Thomas , Gosink Khoosheh , Yang Zhengyi , Sansom Mark S. P. , Stansfeld Phillip J. , Parkinson John S. , Zhang Peijun
Published: September 2023

Motile bacteria employ conserved chemotaxis networks to detect chemical gradients in their surroundings and effectively regulate their locomotion, enabling the location of essential nutrients and other important biological niches. The sensory apparatus of the chemotaxis pathway is an array of core-signaling units (CSUs) composed of transmembrane chemoreceptors, the histidine kinase CheA and an adaptor protein, CheW. Although chemotaxis pathways represent the best understood signaling systems, a detailed mechanistic understanding of signal transduction has been hindered by the lack of a complete structural picture of the CSU and extended array. In this study, we present the structure of the complete CSU from phage φX174 E protein lysed
Escherichia coli
cells, determined using cryo-electron tomography and sub-tomogram averaging to 12-Å resolution. Using AlphaFold2, we further predict the atomic structures of the CSU’s constituent proteins as well as key protein-protein interfaces, enabling the assembly an all-atom CSU model, which we conformationally refine using our cryo-electron tomography map. Molecular dynamics simulations of the resulting model provide new insight into the periplasmic organization of the complex, including novel interactions between neighboring receptor ligand-binding domains. Our results further elucidate previously unresolved interactions between individual CheA domains, including an anti-parallel P1 dimer and non-productive binding mode between P1 and P4, enhancing our understanding of the structural mechanisms underlying CheA signaling and regulation.

IMPORTANCE

Bacterial chemotaxis is a ubiquitous behavior that enables cell movement toward or away from specific chemicals. It serves as an important model for understanding cell sensory signal transduction and motility. Characterization of the molecular mechanisms underlying chemotaxis is of fundamental interest and requires a high-resolution structural picture of the sensing machinery, the chemosensory array. In this study, we combine cryo-electron tomography and molecular simulation to present the complete structure of the core signaling unit, the basic building block of chemosensory arrays, from
Escherichia coli
. Our results provide new insight into previously poorly-resolved regions of the complex and offer a structural basis for designing new experiments to test mechanistic hypotheses.
Q20+ Nanopore sequencing data recover a high-quality
Asticcacaulis
sp. genome
Authors: Hofer Cyrill , Lingenhag Seraina , Serra Moncadas Lucas , Rain-Franco Angel , Andrei Adrian-Stefan
Published: September 2023

We present here the complete genome of
Asticcacaulis
sp. ZE23SCel15. The strain was isolated from the surface water of Lake Zurich, Switzerland. The assembly of high-quality Q20+ Nanopore data yielded a circular genome with ~3.8 Mb (coverage: 34×) and a GC content of 56.81%.