bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Validation of the Attenuation Properties in the Sonic Range of Metaconcrete Containing Two Types of Resonant Inclusions
Authors: Briccola D. , Cuni M. , De Juli A. , Ortiz M. , Pandolfi A.
Published: October 2020

Background

Metaconcrete is a new concept of concrete, showing marked attenuation properties under impact and blast loading, where traditional aggregates are partially replaced by resonant bi-material inclusions. In a departure from conventional mechanical metamaterials, the inclusions are dispersed randomly as cast in the material. The behavior of metaconcrete at supersonic frequencies has been investigated theoretically and numerically and confirmed experimentally.

Objective

The feasibility of metaconcrete to achieve wave attenuation at low frequencies demands further experimental validation. The present study is directed at characterizing dynamically, in the range of the low sonic frequencies, the—possibly synergistic—effect of combinations of different types of inclusions on the attenuation properties of metaconcrete.

Methods

Dynamic tests are conducted on cylindrical metaconcrete specimens cast with two types of spherical inclusions, made of a steel core and a polymeric coating. The two inclusions differ in terms of size and coating material: type 1 inclusions are 22 mm diameter with 1.35 mm PDMS coating; type 2 inclusions are 24 mm diameter with 2 mm layer natural rubber coating. Linear frequency sweeps in the low sonic range (< 10 kHz), tuned to numerically estimated inclusion eigenfrequencies, are applied to the specimens through a mechanical actuator. The transmitted waves are recorded by transducers and Fast-Fourier transformed (FFT) to bring the attenuation spectrum of the material into full display.

Results

Amplitude reductions of transmitted signals are markedly visible for any metaconcrete specimens in the range of the inclusion resonant frequencies, namely, 3,400-3,500 Hz for the PDMS coating inclusions and near 3,200 Hz for the natural rubber coating inclusions. Specimens with mixed inclusions provide a rather uniform attenuation in a limited range of frequencies, independently of the inclusion density, while specimens with a single inclusion type are effective over larger frequency ranges. With respect to conventional concrete, metaconcrete reduces up to 90% the amplitude of the transmitted signal within the attenuation bands.

Conclusions

Relative to conventional concrete, metaconcrete strongly attenuates waves over frequency bands determined by the resonant frequencies of the inclusions. The present dynamical tests conducted in the sonic range of frequencies quantify the attenuation properties of the metaconcrete cast with two types inclusions, providing location, range and intensity of the attenuation bands, which are dependent on the physical-geometric features of the inclusions.
Correction to: Towards an integral perspective on leveraging sustainability transformations using the theory of modal aspects
Authors: Wigboldus S. , Jochemsen H.
Published: October 2020

In the original publication of the article, last three columns of Tables 6 and 7 were published incorrectly. The correct version of Tables 6 and 7 are provided below.
Experiences of using an activating spinal orthosis in women with osteoporosis and back pain in primary care
Authors: Alin Christina Kaijser , Frisendahl Nathalie , Kronhed Ann-Charlotte Grahn , Salminen Helena
Published: October 2020

Summary

Women with osteoporosis and back pain took part in focus group interviews and described their experiences of using and handling an activating spinal orthosis. The women described the back orthosis as being like a “close friend”, a support in everyday life and a reminder to maintain a good posture.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe and gain a deeper understanding of the views of older women with osteoporosis and back pain seeking primary care regarding their use and handling of an activating spinal orthosis.

Method

We chose a qualitative method whereby information was gathered via focus group interviews and analysed using inductive content analysis. Women who previously participated in a randomised controlled trial and wore an activating spinal orthosis for 6 months were asked. Out of 31 women, 18 agreed to participate. Five focus group interviews were conducted.

Results

The analysis resulted in an overall theme in which the experiences of wearing the spinal orthosis were described as follows: “A well-adapted spinal orthosis could develop into a long-lasting friendship that provided support and help in daily life”. The overall theme was based on three main categories: impact on daily life, individual adaptation and personal relationship. The main categories were well differentiated from each other but had an interdependency. All three categories involved cases in which the spinal orthosis was perceived as relieving symptoms and making daily life easier, as well as when it was perceived as being hard to manage and provided no symptom relief.

Conclusion

In older women with osteoporosis and back pain, an activating spinal orthosis could be perceived as being a “close friend” and a support in everyday life. To facilitate acceptance of the spinal orthosis, it was important for it to be well adapted and for follow-ups to be carried out regularly.
Palliative Care in Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Beattie James M. , Higginson Irene J. , McDonagh Theresa A.
Published: October 2020

Purpose of Review

Palliative care is increasingly acknowledged as beneficial in supporting patients and families affected by heart failure, but policy documents have generally focused on the chronic form of this disease. We examined palliative care provision for those with acute heart failure, based on the recently updated National Consensus Project Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care.

Recent Findings

The commonest reason for hospitalization in those > 65 years, acute heart failure admissions delineate crisis points on the unpredictable disease trajectory. Palliative care is underutilized, often perceived as limited to end-of-life care rather than determined by regular systematic needs assessment. No dominant paradigm of palliative care provision has emerged from the nascent evidence base related to this clinical cohort, underscoring the need for further research.

Embedding palliative support as mainstream to heart failure care from the point of diagnosis may better ensure treatment strategies for those admitted with acute heart failure remain consistent with patients’ preferences and values.
Hearing Efficiency in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Clinical Study
Authors: Shah J. S. , Lunagariya Nutan
Published: October 2020

Oral Submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic insidious disease of oral mucosa that occurs due to areca-nut chewing, consumption of chillies, autoimmunity and genetic predisposition. The disease starts with burning sensation and inability to tolerate spicy foods with gradual reduction in mouth opening due to fibrosis of the oral mucosa. The extension of fibrosis into the naso pharynx leads to reduction in hearing efficiency. As very few studies had been done to evaluate the hearing disability in OSMF patients, this study had been undertaken to prove the same. To evaluate hearing efficiency in patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis of various grades of severity. Presentation includes 30 patients of osmf with various grades and evaluated for hearing efficacy by audiometry. Hearing threshold was compared in different grades of osmf. The present study revealed a significant association between OSMF and hearing deficit. Involvement of the palatal muscles with OSMF may decrease the patency of the Eustachian tube, leading to conductive hearing loss. Therefore, the protocol for managing OSMF patients should include ENT consultation and treatment for hearing deficit in order to increase the success rate of treatment.
A life-saving endeavor: The meanings and strategies of coping in patients with ectopic pregnancy in Iran
Authors: Shadman Setareh Sarshad , Vedadhir AbouAli
Published: October 2020

Aim of this study was to explore the experienced coping strategies by patients with an ectopic pregnancy in order to ameliorate the quality of treatment. This is a qualitative study based on a phenomenological tradition in which data were collected through semi-structured and in-depth phenomenological interviews with twenty-five married women, experienced ectopic pregnancy. Data were analyzed through an interpretative phenomenological analysis. “Life-saving endeavor” was the main theme that emerged from the participants’ experiences. It refers to a set of strategies used by women to cope with Ectopic Pregnancy. Life-saving endeavor consists of four subthemes, that is ‘submission to destiny’, ‘the blue sky after the storm’, ‘karma; the world’s supervisor’ and ‘setting foot on earth’. The results of this study reveal that women with ectopic pregnancy have implemented various strategies to cope with this complication of pregnancy, based on their life worldviews and beliefs. However, only those women who had a realistic angle to the disease were able to adapt to life again. As a result, accurate identification of these strategies and real comprehension of their life experiences by medical care providers, and applying positive experiences including a realistic attitude promotion to the other patients are recommended.
Parental Investment After the Birth of a Sibling: The Effect of Family Size in Low-Fertility China
Authors: Chen Shuang
Published: October 2020

A large body of research has examined the relationship between family size and child well-being in developing countries, but most of this literature has focused on the consequences of high fertility. The impact of family size in a low-fertility developing country context remains unknown, even though more developing countries are expected to reach below-replacement fertility levels. Set in China between 2010 and 2016, this study examines whether an increase in family size reduces parental investment received by the firstborn child. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study improves on previous research by using direct measures of parental investment, including monetary and nonmonetary investment, and distinguishing household-level from child-specific resources. It also exploits the longitudinal nature of the CFPS to mediate the bias arising from the joint determination of family size and parental investment. Results show that having a younger sibling significantly reduces the average household expenditure per capita. It also directly reduces parental investment received by the firstborn child, with two exceptions: (1) for firstborn boys, having a younger sister does not pose any competition; and (2) for firstborn children whose mothers have completed primary education or more, having a younger brother does not reduce parental educational aspirations for them. Findings from this study provide the first glimpse into how children fare as China transitions to a universal two-child policy regime but have wider implications beyond the Chinese context.
Performance characterization of high-strength steel and quenched and tempered steels and their joints for structural applications
Authors: Aguiari Martina , Palombo Marco , Rizzo Cesare Mario
Published: October 2020

Although in the last decades the applicable regulations for the design of steel structures have been deeply improved accounting for modern design approaches and technologies, in a few industrial fields, concepts and formulations derived from centuries-old experience are even nowadays the governing rule. This very often limits the potential offered by the technological innovations in high-performance material, such as quenched and tempered (QT) steels. After having verified in the scientific literature, in the commercial one and in several open material databases that some main data necessary to the comprehensive characterization of QT steel used in building large metal structures are lacking, an extensive experimental campaign was undertaken to achieve an updated and specific fatigue strength characterization for certain types of materials. The aim is to overcome the strict requirements of current regulations on the application of both parent QT materials and welded homogeneous and heterogeneous joints between different steel strength. The experimental campaign allowed filling the knowledge gap as well as providing further understanding whether the use of high-strength steel is effective in the improvement of performances of large steel structures, whose fabrication procedures are typical of building sites rather than workshops. Their extensive application in current building practice is expected to be highly beneficial in terms of weight and costs.
Ontological Transparency, (In)visibility, and Hidden Curricula: Critical Pedagogy Amidst Contentious Edtech
Authors: Gallagher Michael , Breines Markus , Blaney Myles
Published: October 2020

The steady migration of higher education online has accelerated in the wake of Covid-19. The implications of this migration on critical praxis—the theory-in-practice of pedagogy—deserve further scrutiny. This paper explores how teacher and student-led educational technology research and development can help rethink online critical praxis. The paper is based on a recent research project at the University of Edinburgh that speculatively explored the potential for automation in teaching, which generated insights into current and future pedagogical practice among both teachers and students. From this project emerged a series of pedagogical positions that were centred around visions of the future of teaching in response to automation: the pedagogical potential of visibility and invisibility online, transparency, and interrogating the hidden curricula of both higher education and educational technology itself. Through the surfacing of these pedagogical positions, this paper explores how critical pedagogy can be built into the broader teacher function and begins to identify the institutional structures that could potentially impede or accelerate that process.
Relationship Between Magnetic Resonance T2-Mapping and Matrix Metalloproteinase 1,3 in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Shi Lei , Wang Kexin , Yu Jinghong , Li Mingkai , Men Guangmei , Ma Gang , Wang Xing
Published: October 2020

Objective

To investigate the relationship between quantitative analysis of MRI (T2-mapping) and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1, MMP-3) in osteoarthritis of the knee joint and the role of MMP-1,3 in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

Methods

Thirty cases of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (lesion group) and 30 healthy adult volunteers (control group) were scanned with 1.5 T routine MR and T2-mapping, and their T2 values were measured and statistically analyzed. The pathological examination of the knee cartilage that was replaced during the operation and the immunohistochemical assay were used to measure the expression of MMP-1,3. The correlation between the T2 value of magnetic resonance imaging and the expression of MMP-1,3 was analyzed.

Results

(1) According to the Recht grading standard for magnetic resonance, the T2 value of magnetic resonance increased significantly with the increase of cartilage degeneration. The differences in T2 values between each level and the normal group were statistically significant (P  < 0.05). (2) The T2 value of magnetic resonance imaging increased with the severity of the cartilage degeneration pathological Mankin grading, and the difference was statistically significant (P  <  0.05). (3) The expression of MMP-1,3 increased with cartilage degeneration. (4) The T2 value and the expression of MMP-1 in cartilage showed a linear trend. The result of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the expression of MMP-1,3 increased as the cartilage T2 value increased. There was a positive linear correlation between the two.

Conclusion

The T2 value of magnetic resonance increased with the degeneration of KOA cartilage. The expression of MMP-1,3 increased with the severity of articular cartilage destruction. The T2 value of KOA magnetic resonance was positively correlated with the expression of MMP-1,3.
Rotorcraft access panel from recycled carbon PPS – The world’s first flying fully recycled thermoplastic composite application in aerospace
Authors: Bruijn Thomas de , van Hattum Ferrie
Published: October 2020

A rotorcraft access panel is developed and was successfully flight tested. Utilizing a novel recycling route, the panel is lighter, more cost-effective and of recycled thermoplastic composites.
Description and molecular analysis of an Italian population of Centrorhynchus globo caudatus (Zeder, 1800) Lühe, 1911 (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) from Falco tinnunculus (Falconidae) and Buteo buteo (Accipitridae)
Authors: Amin O.M. , Heckmann R.A. , Dallarés S. , Constenla M. , Rubini S.
Published: October 2020

Centrorhynchus globocaudatus (Zeder, 1800) Lühe, 1911 (Centrorhynchidae) was reported in birds of prey. Our population from Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus (Falconidae) and Buteo buteo Linnaeus (Accipitridae) in northern Italy was morphologically distinct from others described elsewhere. The worms are elongate and cylindrical. Proboscis long, apically truncated and bare, with wider base and variably faint constriction at point of attachment of receptacle. Large anterior hooks well rooted; posterior spiniform hooks with reduced roots; transitional hooks with scutiform roots in-between. Four tubular cement glands extend into prominent ducts overlapping a large Saefftigen's pouch. Bursa large, with sensory plates. Vagina with laterally slit orifice in sub-ventral pit of globular terminal extension. Thick-shelled eggs ovoid without polar prolongation of fertilization membrane. In our specimens, proboscis hooks, receptacle, male reproductive system, and lemnisci especially in males varied in size from those from Ukraine, India, Egypt, Kyrgystan, Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Asian Soviet Republics. Our description of the Italian specimens includes new morphological information supported by scanning electron microscopy and microscope images, molecular analysis and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) of hooks. Additional new details of proboscis hook roots, micropores and micropore distribution are described. Metal composition of hooks (EDXA) demonstrated high levels of calcium and phosphorous, and high levels of sulphur in core and cortical layers of eggs. The molecular profile based on sequences of 18S and cytochrome c oxidase 1 genes is also provided, as well as phylogenetic reconstructions including all available sequences of the family Centrorhynchidae, although further sequences are needed in order to clarify their phylogenetic relationships.
First record of the Lessepsian fishParexocoetus mentoin Italian waters and GIS-based spatial and temporal distribution in Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Falautano Manuela , Perzia Patrizia , Castriota Luca
Published: October 2020

The Strait of Sicily in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea is considered a crossroads between the western and the eastern basins for species immigrating from the Atlantic Ocean and Lessepsian species. Among the latter, the African sailfin flyingfishParexocoetus mentowas recently collected from Lampedusa Island in November 2017, and represents the first documented record in Italian waters. In this paper, the morphological and meristic characteristics of this specimen are reported and discussed, compared with the other species of the genusParexocoetus. Furthermore, as mapping and monitoring the distribution of invasive species is crucial to understanding their establishment and spread and then to manage the invasion process, the occurrences distribution ofP. mentoin the Mediterranean Sea was studied. The application of GIS-based spatial statistics allowed to identify significant clustering areas and dispersion areas of the species, summarizing the key characteristics, and underlining directional trends of distribution. GIS analysis identified two similar groups of records (1935/1966 and 1986/2017 time period), showing a change of distribution spatial pattern over time. An earlier spread direction in the Mediterranean east coast and a settled area ofP. mentowere found. The analysis also includes the specimen caught in Italian waters.
Exploring the resident gut microbiota of stranded odontocetes: high similarities between two dolphin species Tursiops truncatus and Stenella coeruleoalba
Authors: Abdelrhman Khaled F. A. , Ciofini Alice , Bacci Giovanni , Mancusi Cecilia , Mengoni Alessio , Ugolini Alberto
Published: October 2020

The evaluation of symbiotic microbial communities occurring in the intestinal tract of animals has received great interest in recent years. However, little is known about gut microbial communities in cetaceans, despite their relevance in the ecology of marine communities. Here, we report an investigation using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the resident gut microbiota of the two cetacean species Stenella coeruleoalba and Tursiops truncatus by sampling intestinal mucosa from specimens retrieved stranded along the Tyrrhenian coast of Tuscany (Italy). We found an abundance of members from Clostridiaceae and Fusobacteriaceae, which in total accounted for more than 50% of reads, in agreement with gut microbiota composition of other carnivorous mammals. Probably due to the limited number of samples available, sex, preservation status and also species, did not correlate with overall differences in the microbiota. Indeed, a high similarity of the taxonomic (family-level) composition between the gut microbiota of the two species was found. However, Pedobacter spp. was found abundant in amplicon sequencing libraries from S. coeruleoalba, while clostridia were more abundant from T. truncatus samples. Our results shed some light on the gut microbiota composition of two dolphin (S. coeruleoalba and T. truncatus) species, with specimens collected in the wild. Studies with a larger number of individuals are now needed to confirm these first results and evaluate the interspecific differences in relation to sex and age.
A NEW TYPE OF MASKED FORM PRIMING
Authors: Taft Marcus , Li Junmin
Published: October 2020

Monolingual English speakers and Chinese–English bilinguals were compared on their lexical decision performance in a masked priming experiment where the prime and target ended in the same embedded word. All primes were nonwords where the letters in addition to the embedded word did not form a morpheme (e.g., the sab of sabagree or the ple of plerough). The targets were of two types. In one condition they were prefixed words (as in sabagree–DISAGREE) and in the other they were nonprefixed words (as in plerough–THOROUGH). With an unrelated prime as the baseline, the native speakers showed priming for the prefixed words but not the nonprefixed words, whereas the nonnative speakers showed priming for both types of word. It was concluded from these results that nonnative speakers focus more on the individual letters of a complex word than do native speakers when reading, and the specific processing mechanisms that might underlie this are discussed.
12-Lead Electrocardiograms Acquired and Transmitted by Emergency Medical Technicians are of Diagnostic Quality and Positively Impact Patient Care
Authors: Kotelnik Vladimir , Pesce Kevin , Masterton William M. , Marshall Robert T. , Pigott Gregson , Bialek Nathaniel , Winslow Jason , Maloney Lauren M.
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Existing peer-reviewed literature describing emergency medical technician (EMT) acquisition and transmission of 12-lead electrocardiograms (12L-ECGs), in the absence of a paramedic, is largely limited to feasibility studies.

Study Objective:

The objective of this retrospective observational study was to describe the impact of EMT-acquired 12L-ECGs in Suffolk County, New York (USA), both in terms of the diagnostic quality of the transmitted 12L-ECGs and the number of prehospital percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-center notifications made as a result of transmitted 12L-ECGs demonstrating a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods:

A pre-existing database was queried for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls on which an EMT acquired a 12L-ECG from program initiation (January 2017) through December 31, 2019. Scanned copies of the 12L-ECGs were requested in order to be reviewed by a blinded emergency physician.

Results:

Of the 665 calls, 99 had no 12L-ECG available within the database. For 543 (96%) of the available 12L-ECGs, the quality was sufficient to diagnose the presence or absence of a STEMI. Eighteen notifications were made to PCI-centers about a concern for STEMI. The median time spent on scene and transporting to the hospital were 18 and 11 minutes, respectively. The median time from PCI-center notification to EMS arrival at the emergency department (ED) was seven minutes (IQR 5-14).

Conclusion:

In the event a cardiac monitor is available, after a limited educational intervention, EMTs are capable of acquiring a diagnostically useful 12L-ECG and transmitting it to a remote medical control physician for interpretation. This allows for prehospital PCI-center activation for a concern of a 12L-ECG with a STEMI, in the event that a paramedic is not available to care for the patient.
Culturally adapted and lay-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults with depressive symptoms in rural China: a pilot trial
Authors: Yuan Jiaqi , Yin Yi , Tang Xinfeng , Tang Tan , Lian Qinshu , Yang Xuemei , Xiao Yun , Yang Fahui , Qu Zhiyong
Published: October 2020

Background:

Late-life depression issues in developing countries are challenging because of understaffing in mental health. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective for treating depression.

Aim:

This pilot trial examined the adherence and effectiveness of an eight-session adapted CBT delivered by trained lay health workers for older adults with depressive symptoms living in rural areas of China, compared with the usual care.

Method:

Fifty with screen-positive depression were randomly assigned to the CBT arm or the care as usual (CAU) arm. The primary outcomes were the session completion of older adults and changes in depressive symptoms, assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).

Results:

The majority (19/24) of participants in the CBT arm completed all sessions. Mixed-effect linear regression showed that the CBT reduced more GDS scores over time compared with CAU.

Conclusion:

Lay-delivered culturally adapted CBT is potentially effective for screen-positive late-life depression.
POPULATION AGING AND INVENTIVE ACTIVITY
Authors: Irmen Andreas , Litina Anastasia
Published: October 2020

This research empirically establishes and interprets the hypothesis that the relationship between population aging and inventive activity is hump-shaped. We estimate a reduced form, hump-shaped relationship in a panel of 33 OECD countries over the period 1960–2012, as well as in a panel of 248 NUTS 2 regions in Europe over the period 2001–2012. The increasing part of the hump may be associated with various channels including the acknowledgement that population aging requires inventive activity to guarantee current and future standards of living, or the observation that older educated workers are more innovative than their young peers. The decreasing part may reflect the tendency of aging societies to lose dynamism and the willingness to take risks.
Involvement of the food industry in nutrition conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Mialon Mélissa , Jaramillo Ángela , Caro Patricia , Flores Mauricio , González Laura , Gutierrez-Gómez Yareni , Lay Lina , López-Arana Sandra , López-Bautista Fabiola , Mata Claret , Moliterno Paula , Palomares Lita , Páramo Kenia , Rauber Fernanda , Rivas-Mariño Gabriela
Published: October 2020

Objective:

Identify and characterise the food industry’s involvement in nutrition and dietetics national and regional events in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Design:

Between February and April 2020, we conducted desk-based searches for nutrition and dietetics events held in the region between January 2018 and December 2019. Online freely accessible, publicly available information was collected on the involvement of the food industry through: sponsorship of events; sponsorship of sessions; speakers from the food industry; scholarships, fellowship, grants, awards and other prizes and; exhibition space/booths.

Setting:

Nutrition and dietetics events in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Results:

Thirty-one events held in twenty countries of the region had information publicly available online at the period of data collection. There was a lack of transparency on the involvement of industry actors in these events. When information was publicly available, we found that a total of ninety-two food industry actors sponsored 88 % of these events.

Conclusions:

There is a mostly unreported, but likely extensive, involvement of food industry actors in nutrition and dietetics events in Latin America and the Caribbean.
NOTES ON VANISHING CYCLES AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: MAXIM LAURENŢIU G.
Published: October 2020

Vanishing cycles, introduced over half a century ago, are a fundamental tool for studying the topology of complex hypersurface singularity germs, as well as the change in topology of a degenerating family of projective manifolds. More recently, vanishing cycles have found deep applications in enumerative geometry, representation theory, applied algebraic geometry, birational geometry, etc. In this survey, we introduce vanishing cycles from a topological perspective and discuss some of their applications.
Prevalence, growth rate and complications of splenic artery aneurysms in chronic liver disease patients
Authors: Rocha Marcelo Assis , Marques Eduardo Saltão Silva , Leão Layra Ribeiro de Sousa , Magdalena Thiago Raspa Freitas , Dórea Aline Andrade , Yamauchi Fernando Ide , Wolosker Nelson , Tachibana Adriano
Published: October 2020

Summary: Background: Chronic liver disease (CLD) patients are at greater risk for developing splenic artery aneurysm (SAA). Treatment for aneurysms > 2.5 cm in this population is considered. However, the procedure might be challenging in CLD patients, and complications may interfere in liver transplantation. We, therefore, sought to estimate the prevalence, growth rate and complications of SAA in patients with CLD. As secondary objective, we sought to evaluate whether those features differ in pre and post transplantation follow-up and among aneurysms with diameters greater or less than 2.5 cm at diagnosis. Patients and methods: We searched for the terms “SAA” and “CLD” on CT or MRI reports from January 2009 to December 2016. Patients with single examination or less than 6 months follow-up were excluded. Results: Fifty nine out of 2050 CLD patients presented SAA (prevalence of 2.9%). Fifteen patients were excluded (due to exclusion criteria). Forty-four CLD patients (mean age 55.9 years) presented 76 SAA (follow-up median of 27.2 months). Aneurysms presented mean size of 1.5 ± 0.74 cm at diagnosis and growth rate of 0.12 ± 0.14 cm/y. Two (4.5%) patients presented mild complications (aneurysm thrombosis). No significant differences were observed in the growth rates of aneurysms < 2.5 cm and ≥ 2.5 cm or in the initial size and growth rates of aneurysms of patients submitted to and not submitted to liver transplantation. Conclusions: The estimated prevalence of SAA in patients with DLC in the Brazilian population is 2.9% (CI95% 2.2–3.6%). Although SAA in CLD patients are less likely to remain stable and grow faster than in general population, aneurysms are usually diagnosed at smaller size and complications are rare. These findings might support conservative management with close surveillance, especially in smaller aneurysms.
Development and internal validation of a prognostic model for mortality of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms treated with endovascular aneurysm repair
Authors: Meuli Lorenz , Yu Ly-Mee , Wyss Thomas R. , Schmidli Juerg , Makaloski Vladimir
Published: October 2020

Summary: Background: Morbidity and mortality associated with elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) must be balanced against the impending risk of aneurysm rupture and the estimated remaining lifetime. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a prognostic model for mortality of patients with AAA treated with EVAR. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 251 consecutive patients treated with EVAR for asymptomatic AAA between January 2001 and December 2012 at the University Hospital in Bern, Switzerland. Pre-selection of variables was based on a literature review; least absolute shrinkage and selection operator technique was used for the final variable selection. A Firth’s bias reduced Cox proportional hazard model was developed and validated using 10,000 bootstrap samples to predict survival after EVAR. Results: The median follow-up time was 5.3 years (range 0.1 to 15.9). At the study closing date 95% of follow-up information was available. The mortality rates were 31.9% at 5 years and 50.5% at the study closing date, respectively. Identified predictors for overall mortality after EVAR were age, hazard ratio (HR) = 2.24 per 10-year increase (95% CI 1.64 to 3.09), the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), HR = 2.22 (95% CI 1.48 to 3.31), and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, HR = 1.24 per 10 ml/min/1.73 m2decrease (95% CI 1.12 to 1.39). The model showed good discrimination ability, Harrell’s C = 0.722 (95% CI 0.667 to 0.778) and was very robust in the bootstrap in-sample validation Harrell’s C = 0.726 (95% CI 0.662 to 0.788). Conclusion: Higher age, the presence of COPD and impaired kidney function are independent predictors for impaired survival after EVAR. The expected remaining lifetime should be considered in patients with AAA. This prognostic model can help improving patient care; however, external validation is needed prior to clinical implementation.
Interpreting Inverse Magnetic Fabric in Miocene Dikes From Eastern Iceland
Authors: Trippanera D. , Porreca M. , Urbani S. , Kissel C. , Winkler A. , Sagnotti L. , Nazzareni S. , Acocella V.
Published: October 2020

Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) is a valid tool to investigate magma flow direction within dikes. However, geometrically inverse magnetic fabric characterized by maximum magnetic susceptibility axis (kmax) perpendicular to the dike wall may complicate the interpretation of flow trajectories. To better understand the nature of this fabric, we present a multiscale study on 19 dikes (383 samples) in the Miocene Alftafjordur volcanic system (Iceland), where 80% of the samples show a geometrically inverse magnetic fabric. We carried out (1) AMS measurements at different magnetic fields and temperatures, along with Anisotropy of Anhysteretic Remanent Magnetization (AARM) analysis; (2) hysteresis loops and FORC diagrams; (3) thin section analysis; (4) structural fieldwork. A variable Ti‐content (0.1 < x < 0.6, Fe3‐xTixO4) titanomagnetite is the main magnetic carrier, and the contribution of the paramagnetic elongated crystals to the magnetic fabric is negligible. Single domain is not the prevailing domain state of the magnetic particles, suggesting that its occurrence cannot be the main cause for the inverse fabric. AMS analysis at different fields and temperatures along with AARM allow us to exclude any mineral phase change of the titanomagnetite across the dike. Nevertheless, kmax is parallel to a diffuse horizontal column‐like fracture pattern perpendicularly oriented with respect to the dike strike. This suggests that the Ti‐magnetite mineral orientation during dike cooling was affected by the fracture network progressively developing columnar basalts. This study demonstrates that the interpretation of AMS data on old and deep volcanic bodies is not straightforward and observations at different scales are required.
Studies of the 2018/Mars Year 34 Planet‐Encircling Dust Storm
Authors: Guzewich S. D. , Fedorova A. A. , Kahre M. A. , Toigo A. D.
Published: October 2020

Mars’ planet‐encircling or global dust storms (GDSs) are an iconic and enigmatic feature of the Red Planet. Occurring every few Mars Years (MYs), on average, they are a stochastic process in the otherwise largely repeatable annual cycle of martian weather. In 2018 (MY 34 in the calendar of Clancy et al. [2000], https://doi.org/10.1029/1999je001089), an international fleet of spacecraft–six orbiters and two rovers–observed the most recent GDS. This introduction and the articles of this special collection describe the evolution and impacts of the storm from the surface to the exosphere, compare this storm to previous GDSs, identify new phenomena never previously seen in such storms, and attempt to determine how and when GDSs develop.
Fbxl8 suppresses lymphoma growth and hematopoietic transformation through degradation of cyclin D3
Authors: Yoshida Akihiro , Choi Jaewoo , Jin Hong Ri , Li Yan , Bajpai Sagar , Qie Shuo , Diehl J. Alan
Published: October 2020

Overexpression of D-type cyclins in human cancer frequently occurs as a result of protein stabilization, emphasizing the importance of identification of the machinery that regulates their ubiqutin-dependent degradation. Cyclin D3 is overexpressed in ~50% of Burkitt’s lymphoma correlating with a mutation of Thr-283. However, the E3 ligase that regulates phosphorylated cyclin D3 and whether a stabilized, phosphorylation deficient mutant of cyclin D3, has oncogenic activity are undefined. We describe the identification of SCF-Fbxl8 as the E3 ligase for Thr-283 phosphorylated cyclin D3. SCF-Fbxl8 poly-ubiquitylates p-Thr-283 cyclin D3 targeting it to the proteasome. Functional investigation demonstrates that Fbxl8 antagonizes cell cycle progression, hematopoietic cell proliferation, and oncogene-induced transformation through degradation of cyclin D3, which is abolished by expression of cyclin D3T283A, a non-phosphorylatable mutant. Clinically, the expression of cyclin D3 is inversely correlated with the expression of Fbxl8 in lymphomas from human patients implicating Fbxl8 functions as a tumor suppressor.
Active learning of deep surrogates for PDEs: application to metasurface design
Authors: Pestourie Raphaël , Mroueh Youssef , Nguyen Thanh V. , Das Payel , Johnson Steven G.
Published: October 2020

Surrogate models for partial differential equations are widely used in the design of metamaterials to rapidly evaluate the behavior of composable components. However, the training cost of accurate surrogates by machine learning can rapidly increase with the number of variables. For photonic-device models, we find that this training becomes especially challenging as design regions grow larger than the optical wavelength. We present an active-learning algorithm that reduces the number of simulations required by more than an order of magnitude for an NN surrogate model of optical-surface components compared to uniform random samples. Results show that the surrogate evaluation is over two orders of magnitude faster than a direct solve, and we demonstrate how this can be exploited to accelerate large-scale engineering optimization.
The Kasei Valles, Mars: a unified record of episodic channel flows and ancient ocean levels
Authors: Duran Sergio , Coulthard Tom J.
Published: October 2020

There is widespread evidence across Mars of past flows in major channel systems as well as more than one palaeo ocean level. However, evidence for the timing of channel flows and ocean levels is based on geographically diverse sources with a limited number of dates, making reconstructions of palaeo flows and ocean levels patchy. Here, based on high-resolution topography, image analysis and crater statistics, we have dated 35 different surfaces in Kasei Valles, that are predominantly found within erosional units enabling us to reconstruct a fascinating timeline of episodic flooding events (ranging from 3.7 to 3.6 Ga to ca. 2.0 Ga) interacting with changing ocean/base levels. The temporal correlation of the different surfaces indicates five periods of channel flows driving the evolution of Kasei Valles, in conjunction with the development of (at least) two ocean levels. Furthermore, our results imply that such ocean rose in elevation (ca. 1000 m) between ca. 3.6 Ga and 3.2 Ga and soon afterwards disappeared, thereby indicating a complex ancient Martian hydrosphere capable of supporting a vast ocean, with an active hydrological cycle stretching into the Amazonian.
Publisher Correction: Semi-transparent graphite films growth on Ni and their double-sided polymer-free transfer
Authors: Deokar Geetanjali , Genovese Alessandro , Surya Sandeep G. , Long Chen , Salama Khaled N. , Costa Pedro M. F. J.
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Empirical dynamics of railway delay propagation identified during the large-scale Rastatt disruption
Authors: Büchel Beda , Spanninger Thomas , Corman Francesco
Published: October 2020

Transport networks are becoming increasingly large and interconnected. This interconnectivity is a key enabler of accessibility; on the other hand, it results in vulnerability, i.e. reduced performance, in case any specific part is subject to disruptions. We analyse how railway systems are vulnerable to delay, and how delays propagate in railway networks, studying real-life delay propagation phenomena on empirical data, determining real-life impact and delay propagation for the uncommon case of railway disruptions. We take a unique approach by looking at the same system, in two different operating conditions, to disentangle processes and dynamics that are normally present and co-occurring in railway operations. We exploit the unique chance to observe a systematic change in railway operations conditions, without a correspondent system change of infrastructure or timetable, coming from the occurrence of the large-scale disruption at Rastatt, Germany, in 2017. We define new statistical methods able to detect weak signals in the noisy dataset of recorded punctuality for passenger traffic in Switzerland, in the disrupted and undisrupted state, along a period of 1 year. We determine how delay propagation changed, and quantify the heterogeneous, large-scale cascading effects of the Rastatt disruption towards the Swiss network, hundreds of kilometers away. Operational measures of transport performance (i.e. punctuality and delays), while globally being very decreased, had a statistically relevant positive increase (though very geographically heterogeneous) on the Swiss passenger traffic during the disruption period. We identify two factors for this: (1) the reduced delay propagation at an international scale; and (2) to a minor extent, rerouted railway freight traffic; which show to combine linearly in the observed outcomes.
A unique mineralization mode of hypermineralized pleromin in the tooth plate of Chimaera phantasma contributes to its microhardness
Authors: Iijima Mayumi , Ishiyama Mikio
Published: October 2020

Tooth plates of the chimaeroids, holocephalian fishes, are unique dental hard tissues. Unlike the teeth of other animals, the tooth plates are located on the roof of the mouth and in the lower jaw. Their tooth plates consist, to a large extent, of lightly mineralized tissue (osteodentin) and hypermineralized tissue (pleromin). Notably, the mineral phase of pleromin is whitlockite, while that of other animals is apatite. Dietary habits of chimaeroids and wearing features of their tooth plates suggest an extreme hardness of pleromin, but this has never been investigated. We examined the microhardness of the tooth plate of Chimaera phantasma and found that pleromin in the biting region was extremely hard, comparable with the hardness of mature tooth enamel, whereas the hardness of immature pleromin was lower than that of bovine dentin. The hardness of osteodentin, on the other hand, was equivalent to that of bovine dentin and almost the same throughout the tooth plate. Immature pleromin was sparsely packed with oval crystals of whitlockite and, as pleromin matures, the space between crystals was filled with small intercrystalline materials. The maturing process of pleromin could partly contribute to its remarkable hardness and have some implications for designing novel biomaterials.
Circulating CD56+ NKG2D+ NK cells and postoperative fertility in ovarian endometrioma
Authors: Liu Zhi-Qin , Lu Mei-Yin , Liu Bin
Published: October 2020

The current biomarkers for postoperative fertility assessment caused by ovarian endometrioma (OE) are insufficient. The present study hypothesized that the peripheral lymphocyte subpopulation can be used as a candidate biomarker of postoperative infertility in OE. The association of the number of circulating CD4/CD8 T, NK, and γδ T cells with postoperative fertility was assessed in 33 OE patients aged 20 ~ 40 years between June 2018 and January 2019. Concomitantly, 68 healthy female subjects were recruited. The changes in the baseline immune characteristics between the two groups were compared. The data demonstrated significant differences in the ratio of CD4/CD8 T cells and the number of CD56+ NKG2D+ NK cells and γδ T cells between OE patients and control subjects. The patients were followed-up till December 2019 and the number of CD56+ NKG2D+ NK cells in the cases was a significant predictor for postoperative fertility as determined by different COX regression models (crude HR = 0.220, 95% CI = 0.059–0.822; adjusted HR = 0.127, 95% CI = 0.024–0.675). A significant delay to successful pregnancy was noted in OE patients (median time, 173 vs. 99 days, log-rank P = 0.013). The present findings suggested that CD56+ NKG2D+ NK cells are a candidate biomarker of postoperative fertility in OE patients. Larger population studies are warranted.
ERgene: Python library for screening endogenous reference genes
Authors: Zeng Zehua , Xiong Yuzhe , Guo Wenhuan , Du Hongwu
Published: October 2020

In gene expression analysis, sample differences and experimental operation differences are common, but sometimes, these differences will cause serious errors to the results or even make the results meaningless. Finding suitable internal reference genes efficiently to eliminate errors is a challenge. Aside from the need for high efficiency, there is no package for screening endogenous genes available in Python. Here, we introduce ERgene, a Python library for screening endogenous reference genes. It has extremely high computational efficiency and simple operation steps. The principle is based on the inverse process of the internal reference method, and the robust matrix block operation makes the selection of internal reference genes faster than any other method.