bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Six Degrees of Freedom Vibration Isolation System for Microgravity Environment
Authors: Suzuki Toshiyuki , Tanida Koji , Tanji Akira , Okubo Koichi
Published: March 2021

An active vibration isolation system, under development for use in microgravity environment, provides electromagnetic suspension by means of voice coils arranged in pairs to control the translational and rotational movements of the payload, three pairs of which cover the three axes to ensure control of payload movement in all six degrees of freedom.

A series of tests performed on this system in microgravity environment created by parabolic flight proved that external disturbances in frequencies above 0.1 Hz were effectively reduced by applying the system. Also, good agreement was obtained between the measured performance and results of numerical simulation.
Active Constrained Layer Damping of Seismic Excitations
Authors: Baz A. , Poh S.
Published: March 2021

This paper aims at demonstrating the feasibility of Active Constrained Layer Dampers (ACLD) as an effective means for damping out seismic-induced vibrations of structures. The ACLD concept is motivated by the destructive effects that seismic excitations have on most of the uncontrolled structures.

The effectiveness of the ACLD in enhancing the damping characteristics of conventional visco-elastic dampers is demonstrated experimentally for structures subjected to base excitations. Classical identification methods are used to identify a mathematical model that describes the interaction between the vibrating structures, the ACLD system and the seismic excitation. The model is integrated with a robust Continuous Sliding Mode (CSM) controller to reject the effect of the seismic excitations acting on vibrating structures with uncertain dynamic parameters. In this manner, the ACLD and the CSM algorithm present a simple but yet powerful alternative to classical control methods for rejecting seismic excitations and accommodating wide range of parameter uncertainty.

The emphasis, in this paper, is placed on multi-story two-dimensional scaled structures which are provided with diagonal braces of the ACLD. However, the techniques developed can be readily extended to three-dimensional and larger structures.
Prediction of Rotating Machinery Vibration Using Balance Simulation With Measurement Uncertainty
Authors: Andrews Rob P.
Published: March 2021

Vibration predictions for rotating machinery with high-speed flexible rotors must account for the methods and limitations of the balance test process which determine the residual rotor unbalance. Vibration predictions based on finite element analysis (FEA) methods are highly dependent upon the assumed rotor unbalance amplitude and phase. The actual residual unbalance distribution depends upon the measured influence coefficients and the least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm used to calculate balance correction weights. Repeatability of the vibration measurements is a key factor in successful balancing. The vibration predictions described in this paper use estimates of final residual unbalance obtained by simulating the balance test process. The simulation uses FEA based influence coefficients, a test based measurement uncertainty (repeatability) model, and LMS balance weight calculations including the specified vibration target levels. The simulations can be used to predict the limit of balance performance of the machinery and to evaluate design options for impact on residual unbalance levels.
Efficient Numerical Solution of Inverse Heat Conduction Problems
Authors: Reinhardt Hans-Jürgen , Hao Dinh Nho
Published: March 2021

In this contribution we propose new numerical methods for solving inverse heat conduction problems. The methods are constructed by considering the desired heat flux at the boundary as piecewise constant (in time) and then deriving an explicit expression for the solution of the equation for a stationary point of the minimizing functional. In a very special case the well-known Beck method is obtained.

For the time being, numerical tests could not be included in this contribution but will be presented in a forthcoming paper.
Identification of Forces in Vibrating Plates by Pointwise and Line Observations: Uniqueness and Stability
Authors: Yamamoto Masahiro
Published: March 2021

We consider determination of spatially varying external forces in a rectangle vibrating plate from displacement observed along a line parallel to a side of the plate over a finite time interval. For a suitable choice of the line and a sufficient large time interval, we prove the uniqueness of external forces and estimate them by appropriate norm of displacement. Moreover we discuss determination of external forces from displacement observed at a single point over a time interval.
A Bounded Variation Approach to Inverse Interferometry
Authors: Fitzpatrick B. G. , Keeling S. L. , Rock S. G.
Published: March 2021

A least squares reconstruction technique is examined for determining flow-field densities from optical data. Nonintrusive optical methods have long been used for flow visualization; however, the goal of this work is to devise mathematical techniques with which optical data can be used for quantitative flow measurement. The ill-posedness of density computation from interferogram measurements is recognized as a serious limitation in direct inversion methods. Here, least squares techniques employing compactness constraints are developed to avoid the difficulties encountered in traditional approaches.
Computer Simulation for Active Control of Vibration in Beam Structures
Authors: Tanaka Masa. , Matsumoto T. , Huang L.
Published: March 2021

This paper is concerned with an inverse problem of the active control of non-steady dynamic vibration in elastic beams. A simulation technique based on the boundary element method and the extended Kalman filter or a new filter theory is successfully applied to the inverse problem. The Laplace-transform integral equation method is used for the solution of dynamic bending vibration in elastic beams. Through a Taylor series expansion, the linear system of equations is derived for modification of the unknown parameters, and it is solved iteratively so that an appropriate norm is minimized. The usefulness of the proposed method of inverse analysis is demonstrated through numerical computation of a few examples.
Updating of Finite Element Models Based on a Double Condensation Procedure Using Frequency Response Functions Data
Authors: Berriet Rémi , Fillod René , Bouhaddi Noureddine
Published: March 2021

In order to take into account information from test data, not only at the resonances, but also in the other parts of the measured frequency spectrum, it is of interest to use directly measured Frequency Response Functions (FRF) instead of modal data. We also avoid by this way an experimental modal analysis. In return we have to introduce damping terms into the analytical model, we have to weight the FRF data in a systematic manner and to compute simultaneously a large amount of data. The presented procedure analyses overall these three aspects: definition of modal damping parameters, definition of weighted FRF data and condensation of the problem. This last notion is particularly pointed out. The condensation is performed in two steps : a static condensation of the model on the degrees of freedom corresponding to the location of the sensors, and a simultaneous condensation of experimental and analytical FRF data by a common transformation matrix. The first applications are performed on a simulated test case with large stiffness, mass and modal damping perturbations introduced in the initial model as well as strong noise pollution of measured responses and applied forces.
A Weighted Rearranged Spectral Equation Method for Structural Model Updating
Authors: Arruda José Roberto F. , Verçosa Carlson Antonio M.
Published: March 2021

A new structural model updating method based on the dynamic force balance is presented. The method consists of rearranging the spectral equation so that measured modes and natural frequencies can be used to compute directly updated stiffness coefficients. The proposed method preserves both the structural connectivity and reciprocity, which translate into sparsity and symmetry of the stiffness matrix, respectively. Large changes in small-valued stiffness coefficients are avoided using parameter weighting in the rearranged spectral equation solution. It is shown that the proposed method produces results which are similar to the results obtained using Alvar Kabe’s method, with the advantages of simpler formulation and smaller computational cost. A simple example of an 8 degrees-of-freedom mass-spring system, originally used by Kabe to present his method, is used here to evaluate the proposed method.
Fault Detection and Isolation Procedures Contribute to Damage Diagnosis of Rotating Machinery
Authors: Seibold Susanne
Published: March 2021

Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) procedures are being increasingly used for monitoring and diagnosis in the control area. In contrast to signal-based approaches, which merely rely on an analysis of the measurements, model-based FDI-procedures utilize additionally a model of the system under investigation. By linking model and measurement algorithmically, specific parameters can be calculated which indicate type, location and extent of the fault.

In this paper, a concise introduction to model-based FDI-procedures is given. A specific algorithm is explained more thoroughly: the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), which allows for simultaneous estimation of states and parameters of linear and nonlinear systems. A modal formulation of the EKF (MOKF) is presented, which is based on a modal reduction of the system equations. Furthermore, it is explained how EKF and the Instrumental Variables method can be combined.

The model-based procedures will be applied to a simulated rotor, and to a rotor test rig modelled by finite elements in order to diagnose a crack in the shaft.
Dynamics of a Flexible Rotating Beam Under Percussive and Constrained Motion
Authors: Hatman Victor G. , Haque Imtiaz , Bagchi Amit
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a dynamical and computational model for the analysis of the interaction of a flexible Euler-Bernoulli beam attached to a uniformly rotating hub, and a flat rigid surface, parallel to the axis of the hub. The dynamic model is derived using Lagrange’s equations in conjunction with an eigenfunctions-generalized-coordinates based representation of the displacement fields. It is shown that one must account for the longitudinal displacements if dynamical stiffening is to be observed. A quadratic approximation for these displacements is used and a computationally effective way of by-passing the calculation of the volume integrals at every integration step, by matrix-vector multiplications is implemented. The energy dissipating constraint, which requires the tip of the filament to move on the surface is imposed with a Lagrange multiplier and a generalized friction force. A procedure of evaluating the generalized friction force in terms of the generalized coordinates and velocities is presented. A complete numerical algorithm for the entire intermittent interaction process is developed. The presence of dynamical stiffening is tested and the calculated values of the fundamental frequency are found in excellent agreement with data from literature. Simulation results for the time history of the normal contact force indicate that the contact zone is discontinuous, and that the force is strongly dependent on the hub angular speed and on the distance from the center to the flat surface.
Vibration Measurement Using Additive Speckle Interferometry
Authors: Wang Liusheng , Fomitchov Pavel , Krishnaswamy Sridhar
Published: March 2021

A method for obtaining structural vibration amplitudes quantitatively is proposed based on the stroboscopic speckle interferometer. The technique requires five frames of additive speckle patterns: the first one (S0) taken with the laser illumination pulsed at instants when the vibration achieves its two zero amplitude positions within one sinusoidal vibration cycle of the specimen; and the remaining four (S1 through S4) taken with the illumination pulses arranged at times when the vibration is at its maximum and minimum amplitudes. During the acquisition of speckle patterns S1 through S4, the phase of the reference beam is appropriately shifted between the two pulses within each vibration cycle. The last four speckle patterns are then subtracted from the first one to yield four correlation fringe patterns with relative phase shifts of 0, π/2, π and 3π/2 respectively. These fringe patterns are then utilized to derive a phase map using a four-step phase calculation algorithm and finally the vibration amplitude and the sign of the vibrational nodes can be readily obtained from the phase map quantitatively. Results have been obtained using a speckle shearographic setup for the vibration measurement of a flat bottom-holed aluminum specimen vibrating at different frequencies.
Application of Laser Vibrometry to Vibration Measurement on Rotating Components
Authors: Rothberg Steven J. , Halliwell Neil A.
Published: March 2021

This paper describes the application of Laser Doppler Vibrometry to vibration measurements on rotating targets. The noise generating mechanism of the laser speckle phenomenon is first explained before confirmation of the insensitivity of measurements to target shape. The principal focus of the paper is on the fundamental limitation associated with the use of Laser Vibrometers for radial vibration measurements directly on rotating components. In such measurements significant cross-sensitivities to speed fluctuations, including torsional vibrations, and in-plane vibrations are evident, preventing synchronous vibration analysis. Mathematical and electronic means to resolve the correct orthogonal vibration components are presented and shown to be successful in enabling the use of Laser Vibrometry for non-synchronous vibration measurements.
High-resolution spherical directivity of live speech from a multiple-capture transfer function method
Authors: Leishman Timothy W. , Bellows Samuel D. , Pincock Claire M. , Whiting Jennifer K.
Published: March 2021

Although human speech radiation has been a subject of considerable interest for decades, researchers have not previously measured its directivity over a complete sphere with high spatial and spectral resolution using live phonetically balanced passages. The research reported in this paper addresses this deficiency by employing a multiple-capture transfer function technique and spherical harmonic expansions. The work involved eight subjects and 2522 unique sampling positions over a 1.22 or 1.83 m sphere with 5° polar and azimuthal-angle increments. The paper explains the methods and directs readers to archived results for further exploration, modeling, and speech simulation in acoustical environments. Comparisons of the results to those of a KEMAR head-and-torso simulator, lower-resolution single-capture measurements, other authors' work, and basic symmetry expectations all substantiate their validity. The completeness and high resolution of the measurements offer insights into spherical speech directivity patterns that will aid researchers in the speech sciences, architectural acoustics, audio, and communications.
Solar system tests in Einstein–æther gravity
Authors: Manna Tuhina , Samanta Bidisha , Ali Amna , Rahaman Farook
Published: March 2021

In the current paper we analyse the three classical tests of general relativity, namely, the precession of perihelion, deflection of light, and time delay in Einstein–æther gravity. Einstein–æther gravity has two static, spherically symmetric, charged black hole solutions corresponding to different constraints on its coupling constants c14 and c123. We investigate the aforementioned tests for both these solutions, graphically and analytically. We also tabulate our results and discuss the outcome, which is promising. We evaluate the results, when the coupling constants are varied over a vast range of values, both within the constraints set by the recent observational data, and also beyond, for a comparative study.
Solving Constrained Flow-Shop Scheduling Problem through Multistage Fuzzy Binding Approach with Fuzzy Due Dates
Authors: Abd El-Wahed Khalifa Hamiden , Alodhaibi Sultan S. , Kumar Pavan
Published: March 2021

This paper deals with constrained multistage machines flow-shop (FS) scheduling model in which processing times, job weights, and break-down machine time are characterized by fuzzy numbers that are piecewise as well as quadratic in nature. Avoiding to convert the model into its crisp, the closed interval approximation for the piecewise quadratic fuzzy numbers is incorporated. The suggested method leads a noncrossing optimal sequence to the considered problem and minimizes the total elapsed time under fuzziness. The proposed approach helps the decision maker to search for applicable solution related to real-world problems and minimizes the total fuzzy elapsed time. A numerical example is provided for the illustration of the suggested methodology.
A Fatigue Evaluation Method for Radial Tire Based on Strain Energy Density Gradient
Authors: Liang Chen , Gao Zhi , Hong Shengkang , Wang Guolin , Kwaku Asafo-Duho Bentil Mawunya , Ren Jieyu
Published: March 2021

Vehicle tires are major components that are subjected to fatigue loading and their durability is of economic interest as it is directly related to the safety of property and the life of producers and consumers. Tire durability is also a major issue of energy conservation and environmental protection. This research aims to establish a reasonable fatigue evaluation and optimization method that effectively improves tire fatigue life. In the study, 11.00R20 and 12.00R20 all‐steel radial truck tires were the research objects, and the guiding hypothesis for the research was that “the maximum area of ​​the strain energy density gradient modulus corresponds to the initial failure area, its direction corresponds to the crack propagation direction, and also the maximum strain energy value is inversely proportional to the tire fatigue life.” Through finite element analysis and durability test, the strain energy density gradient was determined as tire fatigue evaluation index, and the hypothesis of tire fatigue life prediction was validated. At the same time, the sensitivities of strain energy gradient to the tire structure parameters were calculated. Besides, the relationship between the structure parameters and the fatigue life was as well established in this paper. This study has formulated a tire fatigue evaluation method and proposed an effective optimization method for enhancing tire fatigue life. The results obtained are of high application value in offering guidance for tire structural design and useful for refining the fatigue failure theory of truck radial tires and improving durability.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Induced by an Acute Postinfectious Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Ouachaou Jamal , Laaribi Ilyass , Maarad Mohammed , Zaid Ikram , Alkouh Rajae , Bkiyar Houssam , Housni Brahim
Published: March 2021

Posterior reversible encephalopathy (PRES) is a rare but a serious disease that affects the central nervous system. PRES is responsible for various but nonspecific neurological symptoms, including confusion, coma, and seizures as well as visual disturbances. Diagnosis is made using cerebral MRI which typically shows at the early stage, bilateral symmetrical parietooccipital hyperintensities on T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences. Case study. In this article, we base our research on a case study that includes, as a population sample, a 9-year-old boy who suffers from an acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis and arterial hypertension. Two days before diagnosis, he developed confusion with generalized tonic-clonic attacks. His blood pressure was 180/80 mmHg. A cerebral computed tomography made in emergency showed cerebral edema. It was supplemented by magnetic resonance imaging which revealed cortical and posterior cortical lesions which appear as hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2 and Flair. An MRI control was performed 40 days later which shows a clear improvement of the occipital lesions. PRES is a radioclinical syndrome characterized by the association of variable neurological signs which reversibility is conditioned by the early diagnosis and the correction of the contributing factors.
State feedback control of advanced static var compensator using a five-level NPC inverter topology
Authors: Benyamina Mansour , Tahri Ali , Boukortt Abdelkader
Published: March 2021

This paper deals with the modeling and control of an advanced static var compensator (ASVC) using a five-level neutral point-clamped (NPC) voltage source inverter (VSI). The nonlinear state space model of the five-level ASVC is obtained from the d-q axis frame. The effectiveness of this compensator highly depends on the choice of the control strategy. The proposed state feedback control (SFC) technique is applied to adjust the ASVC Var flow with the AC transmission network and achieve DC voltage capacitor balance. The dynamic performance of the ASVC based SFC controller is evaluated under several operating conditions. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed SFC control strategy is highly robust compared to the conventional Proportional-Integral (PI) control.
Investigation of reliability assessement in power electronics circuits using machine learning
Authors: Mestha Soumya Rani , A.J Pinto Pius
Published: March 2021

Recent advances in power electronics (PE) and machine learning (ML) have prompted the technologists to adapt these new technologies to improve the reliability of PE systems. During the process, a lot of investigations on the performance and reliability of PE systems is carried out. The intention of this paper is to present a comprehensive study of advances in the field of reliability of PE systems using machine learning. Recent publications in this regard are analysed and findings are tabulated. In addition to this, literatures published in the prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) of power electronic components is discussed with emphasis on its limitations.
Formal Basis of a Language Universal
Authors: Stanojević Miloš , Steedman Mark
Published: March 2021

Steedman (2020) proposes as a formal universal of natural language grammar that grammatical permutations of the kind that have given rise to transformational rules are limited to a class known to mathematicians and computer scientists as the “separable” permutations. This class of permutations is exactly the class that can be expressed in combinatory categorial grammars (CCGs). The excluded non-separable permutations do in fact seem to be absent in a number of studies of crosslinguistic variation in word order in nominal and verbal constructions.

The number of permutations that are separable grows in the number n of lexical elements in the construction as the Large Schröder Number Sn−1. Because that number grows much more slowly than the n! number of all permutations, this generalization is also of considerable practical interest for computational applications such as parsing and machine translation.

The present article examines the mathematical and computational origins of this restriction, and the reason it is exactly captured in CCG without the imposition of any further constraints.
Interpretability Analysis for Named Entity Recognition to Understand System Predictions and How They Can Improve
Authors: Agarwal Oshin , Yang Yinfei , Wallace Byron C. , Nenkova Ani
Published: March 2021

Named entity recognition systems achieve remarkable performance on domains such as English news. It is natural to ask: What are these models actually learning to achieve this? Are they merely memorizing the names themselves? Or are they capable of interpreting the text and inferring the correct entity type from the linguistic context? We examine these questions by contrasting the performance of several variants of architectures for named entity recognition, with some provided only representations of the context as features. We experiment with GloVe-based BiLSTM-CRF as well as BERT. We find that context does influence predictions, but the main factor driving high performance is learning the named tokens themselves. Furthermore, we find that BERT is not always better at recognizing predictive contexts compared to a BiLSTM-CRF model. We enlist human annotators to evaluate the feasibility of inferring entity types from context alone and find that humans are also mostly unable to infer entity types for the majority of examples on which the context-only system made errors. However, there is room for improvement: A system should be able to recognize any named entity in a predictive context correctly and our experiments indicate that current systems may be improved by such capability. Our human study also revealed that systems and humans do not always learn the same contextual clues, and context-only systems are sometimes correct even when humans fail to recognize the entity type from the context. Finally, we find that one issue contributing to model errors is the use of “entangled” representations that encode both contextual and local token information into a single vector, which can obscure clues. Our results suggest that designing models that explicitly operate over representations of local inputs and context, respectively, may in some cases improve performance. In light of these and related findings, we highlight directions for future work.
Liu Jishan and Heidegger in Encounter
Authors: Chan Wing–Cheuk
Published: March 2021

This paper aims to bring Heidegger’s thinking of Being and Liu Jishan’s moral metaphysics into a dialogue, in order to particularly achieve a more comprehensive understanding of feeling and force. On the one hand, Liu Jishan’s doctrine of pure feeling can radicalize Heidegger’s idea of moral feeling. Moreover, Liu Jishan’s emphasis on the creative character of the metaphysical force might supplement Heidegger’s identification of Being as an ontological movement. On the other hand, Heidegger’s thinking of Being can contribute to uncover the ontological significance of Liu Jishan’s notion of xing. It also helps to see that in Liu Jishan, the mind consists of inauthenticity and authenticity. As a whole, both Liu Jishan and Heidegger share the scheme of “manifesting xing/Being through mind /Dasein.”
A new species of Agroeca Westring, 1861 from Navarra, Spain (Araneae: Liocranidae)
Authors: DE BIURRUN GABRIEL , BARRIENTOS JOSÉ ANTONIO , BAQUERO ENRIQUE
Published: March 2021

A new spider species belonging to the genus Agroeca Westring, 1861 is described. Agroeca istia sp. n. has been collected in southern Navarra, Spain. The description is based on 21 individuals of both sexes, present throughout the year on the ground of pine forests and surrounding low vegetation of the Natural Reserve Vedado de Eguaras.
The first species of Embioptera (Insecta) from the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco: Brazil)
Authors: COSTA-PINTO PAULA J. , OLIVIER RENAN S. , RAFAEL JOSÉ A.
Published: March 2021

Pararhagadochir is a South American genus of Archembiidae that can be identified by its anterior margin of submentum strongly concave, caudal process of the 10th left hemitergite forked, with internal tip seemingly a hook and the external tip a flat lobe, both tips always shorter than the width of 10th left hemitergite. Six species are recorded in Brazil, being distributed in all regions. In this work, Pararhagadochir noronhensis sp. nov. is described from the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.
Improving the Representation of Subtropical Boundary Layer Clouds in the NASA GEOS Model with the Eddy-Diffusivity/Mass-Flux Parameterization
Authors: Suselj Kay , Teixeira Joao , Kurowski Marcin J. , Molod Andrea
Published: March 2021

A systematic underestimation of subtropical planetary boundary layer (PBL) stratocumulus clouds by the GEOS model has been significantly improved by a new eddy-diffusivity/mass-flux (EDMF) parameterization. The EDMF parameterization represents the subgrid-scale transport in the dry and moist parts of the PBL in a unified manner and it combines an adjusted eddy-diffusivity PBL scheme from GEOS with a stochastic multiplume mass-flux model. The new EDMF version of the GEOS model is first compared against the CONTROL version in a single-column model (SCM) framework for two benchmark cases representing subtropical stratocumulus and shallow cumulus clouds, and validated against large-eddy simulations. Global simulations are performed and compared against observations and reanalysis data. The results show that the EDMF version of the GEOS model produces more realistic subtropical PBL clouds. The EDMF improvements first detected in the SCM framework translate into similar improvements of the global GEOS model.
Genomic analysis of primary and secondary myelofibrosis redefines the prognostic impact of ASXL1 mutations: a FIM study
Authors: Luque Paz Damien , Riou Jérémie , Verger Emmanuelle , Cassinat Bruno , Chauveau Aurélie , Ianotto Jean-Christophe , Dupriez Brigitte , Boyer Françoise , Renard Maxime , Mansier Olivier , Murati Anne , Rey Jérôme , Etienne Gabriel , Mansat-De Mas Véronique , Tavitian Suzanne , Nibourel Olivier , Girault Stéphane , Le Bris Yannick , Girodon François , Ranta Dana , Chomel Jean-Claude , Cony-Makhoul Pascale , Sujobert Pierre , Robles Margot , Ben Abdelali Raouf , Kosmider Olivier , Cottin Laurane , Roy Lydia , Sloma Ivan , Vacheret Fabienne , Wemeau Mathieu , Mossuz Pascal , Slama Borhane , Cussac Vincent , Denis Guillaume , Walter-Petrich Anouk , Burroni Barbara , Jézéquel Nathalie , Giraudier Stéphane , Lippert Eric , Socié Gérard , Kiladjian Jean-Jacques , Ugo Valérie
Published: March 2021

We aimed to study the prognostic impact of the mutational landscape in primary and secondary myelofibrosis. The study included 479 patients with myelofibrosis recruited from 24 French Intergroup of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (FIM) centers. The molecular landscape was studied by high-throughput sequencing of 77 genes. A Bayesian network allowed the identification of genomic groups whose prognostic impact was studied in a multistate model considering transitions from the 3 conditions: myelofibrosis, acute leukemia, and death. Results were validated using an independent, previously published cohort (n = 276). Four genomic groups were identified: patients with TP53 mutation; patients with ≥1 mutation in EZH2, CBL, U2AF1, SRSF2, IDH1, IDH2, NRAS, or KRAS (high-risk group); patients with ASXL1-only mutation (ie, no associated mutation in TP53 or high-risk genes); and other patients. A multistate model found that both TP53 and high-risk groups were associated with leukemic transformation (hazard ratios [HRs] [95% confidence interval], 8.68 [3.32-22.73] and 3.24 [1.58-6.64], respectively) and death from myelofibrosis (HRs, 3.03 [1.66-5.56] and 1.77 [1.18-2.67], respectively). ASXL1-only mutations had no prognostic value that was confirmed in the validation cohort. However, ASXL1 mutations conferred a worse prognosis when associated with a mutation in TP53 or high-risk genes. This study provides a new definition of adverse mutations in myelofibrosis with the addition of TP53, CBL, NRAS, KRAS, and U2AF1 to previously described genes. Furthermore, our results argue that ASXL1 mutations alone cannot be considered detrimental.
Clinically inapparent right heart dysfunction is associated with reduced myofilament force development in coronary artery disease
Authors: Bening C. , Sales V. L. , Alhussini K. , Radakovic D. , Benitez R. Cris , Madrahimov N. , Keller D. , Leyh R.
Published: March 2021

Background

Right ventricular dysfunction after CABG is associated with poor peri- and postoperative outcomes. We aimed to identify clinical and experimental predictors for preoperative inapparent right ventricular dysfunction and therefore hypothesized that reduced myofilament force development as well as altered levels of biomarkers might predict inapparent right ventricular dysfunction.

Methods

From 08/2016 to 02/2018, 218 patients scheduled for CABG were divided into two groups (TAPSE ≥ 20 mm, n = 178; TAPSE < 20 mm, n = 40). Baseline serum samples for biomarkers (Galectin, TGFß1, N Acyl-SDMA, Arginine, ADMA and Pentraxin-3), clinical laboratory and transthoracic echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. To examine the myocardial apparatus of the right ventricle intraoperative right auricular tissue was harvested for stepwise skinned fiber force measurements.

Results

Patients with TAPSE < 20 mm had a higher incidence of DM (55 vs. 34%, p = 0.018), preoperative AFib (43 vs. 16%, p < 0.001), reduced GFR (67 ± 18 vs. 77 ± 24 ml/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.013), larger LA area (22 ± 6 vs. 20 ± 5 cm2, p = 0.005) and reduced LVEF (50 vs. 55%, p = 0.008). Furthermore, higher serum ADMA (0.70 ± 0.13 vs. 0.65 ± 0.15 µmol/l, p = 0.046) and higher serum Pentraxin-3 levels (3371 ± 1068 vs. 2681 ± 1353 pg/dl, p = 0.004) were observed in these patients. Skinned fiber force measurements showed significant lower values at almost every step of calcium concentration (pCa 4.52 to pCa 5.5, p < 0.01 and pCa 5.75–6.0, p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed DM (OR 2.53, CI 1.12–5.73, Euro Score II (OR 1.34, CI 1.02–1.78), preoperative AF (OR 4.86, CI 2.06–11.47), GFR (OR 7.72, CI 1.87–31.96), albumin (OR 1.56, CI 0.52–2.60), Pentraxin-3 (OR 19.68, CI 14.13–25.24), depressed LVEF (OR 8.61, CI 6.37–10.86), lower force values: (pCa 5.4; OR 2.34, CI 0.40–4.29 and pCa 5.2; OR 2.00, CI 0.39–3.60) as predictors for clinical inapparent right heart dysfunction.

Conclusions

These preliminary data showed that inapparent right heart dysfunction in CAD is already associated with reduced force development of the contractile apparatus.
Stepping Stones or Second Class Donors?: a qualitative analysis of gay, bisexual, and queer men’s perspectives on plasma donation policy in Canada
Authors: Grace Daniel , Gaspar Mark , Klassen Benjamin , Lessard David , Anand Praney , Brennan David J. , Lachowsky Nathan , Adam Barry D. , Cox Joseph , Lambert Gilles , Jollimore Jody , Hart Trevor A.
Published: March 2021

Background

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are not eligible to donate blood or plasma in Canada if they have had sex with another man in the last 3 months. This time-based deferment has reduced since 2013; from an initial lifetime ban, to five-years, one-year, and now three-months. Our previous research revealed that gay, bisexual, queer, and other MSM (GBM) supported making blood donation policies gender-neutral and behaviour-based. In this analysis, we explored the willingness of Canadian GBM to donate plasma, even if they were not eligible to donate blood.

Methods

We conducted in-depth interviews with 39 HIV-negative GBM in Vancouver (n = 15), Toronto (n = 13), and Montreal (n = 11), recruited from a large respondent-driven sampling study called Engage. Men received some basic information on plasma donation prior to answering questions. Transcripts were coded in NVivo following inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Many GBM expressed a general willingness to donate plasma if they became eligible; like with whole blood donation, GBM conveyed a strong desire to help others in need. However, this willingness was complicated by the fact that most participants had limited knowledge of plasma donation and were unsure of its medical importance. Participants’ perspectives on a policy that enabled MSM to donate plasma varied, with some viewing this change as a “stepping stone” to a reformed blood donation policy and others regarding it as insufficient and constructing GBM as “second-class” donors. When discussing plasma, many men reflected on the legacy of blood donor policy-related discrimination. Our data reveal a significant plasma policy disjuncture—a gulf between the critical importance of plasma donation from the perspective of Canada’s blood operators and patients and the feelings of many GBM who understood this form of donation as less important.

Conclusions

Plasma donor policies must be considered in relation to MSM blood donation policies to understand how donor eligibility practices are made meaningful by GBM in the context of historical disenfranchisement. Successful establishment of a MSM plasma donor policy will require extensive education, explicit communication of how this new policy contributes to continued/stepwise reform of blood donor policies, and considerable reconciliation with diverse GBM communities.
The association of apolipoprotein-E (APOE) gene polymorphisms with coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ashiq Sana , Ashiq Kanwal
Published: March 2021

Background

Numerous studies have investigated the role of apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms in coronary artery disease (CAD), but some controversies exist regarding the outcomes as the results were not consistent and remain uncertain. Therefore, the present meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the association of APOE polymorphisms with coronary artery disease.

Methods

All the relevant studies published in English language till August 2020 were identified by searching through various electronic databases. The complete data was independently extracted by the two researchers. The data were analyzed by using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program and MetaGenyo program. The pooled odds ratio was used to check the associations between CAD and APOE polymorphisms. The following genetic models were used to calculate the odds ratio: ε2 vs. ε3 and ε4 vs. ε3.

Results

In the final analysis, we include 12 studies regarding the role of APOE polymorphism in CAD. The pooled odds ratio for ε4 allele was higher (OR 2.00; 95% and CI, 1.48–2.71). There is no statistical significant association for ε2 allele with CAD (OR 1.38; 95% CI, 1.18–1.62). This analysis showed no publication bias exists in the current meta-analysis.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the apolipoprotein ε4 allele appears as a significant genetic risk factor for coronary artery disease while the ε2 allele is beneficial to alleviate the CAD risk.

Trial registration

Registered with PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020190464
The immunology of stress and the impact of inflammation on the brain and behaviour
Authors: Ravi Meghna , Miller Andrew H. , Michopoulos Vasiliki
Published: March 2021

Exposure to acute versus chronic stressors and threats activates the immune system in adaptive and maladaptive manners respectively. Chronic activation arising from persistent stress exposure can contribute to an inflammatory response in the periphery and in the brain that has been implicated in stress-related psychopathology, including depression and anxiety. We review the immunology of acute and chronic stress exposure, integrate this discussion with the emerging literature linking heightened immune activation and inflammation to mood and anxiety disorders, and consider the translational implications of the immune system's role in these psychiatric conditions, with a brief overview of potential interventions.
How we do it in Norway: a golden middle way for quality development of in-patient services as applied to acute adolescent psychiatry
Authors: Wilkinson Simon R. , Lorentzen Kari E. A.
Published: March 2021

In-patient treatment is a complex system of recursively interacting components. Patient characteristics interact with caregiver characteristics, home context and ward factors. Quality improvement requires primary focus on the interacting factors over which the ward itself potentially has influence. Ward practice has to integrate the demands of the hospital owner, the legal framework for treatment and what we know facilitates effective treatment plans. We describe how we have implemented a quality improvement system that addresses these interplaying influences in acute adolescent psychiatry in Norway. The process involved with this system (developed in the UK for child and adolescent psychiatric units) is independent of the organisational structure of the department and which alternative resources it has to rely on. It is independent of the characteristics of the patient population, although specific standards can be developed for local requirements.
Recognising the important role of nurses in general practice
Authors: Kanani Nikki
Published: March 2021

Medical Director of Primary Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement Dr Nikki Kanani shares her thoughts on the role GPNs have played throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
The power of practice nursing to galvanise the system
Authors: Rogers Gill , Staveley Imogen , Sampson Jonathan , Patria Raman
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes in the work of GPNs. Gill Rogers and colleagues created a series of 10 podcasts to showcase the possibilities of a GPN career
Integrating across neuroimaging modalities boosts prediction accuracy of cognitive ability
Authors: Rasero Javier , Sentis Amy Isabella , Yeh Fang-Cheng , Verstynen Timothy
Published: March 2021

Variation in cognitive ability arises from subtle differences in underlying neural architecture. Understanding and predicting individual variability in cognition from the differences in brain networks requires harnessing the unique variance captured by different neuroimaging modalities. Here we adopted a multi-level machine learning approach that combines diffusion, functional, and structural MRI data from the Human Connectome Project (N = 1050) to provide unitary prediction models of various cognitive abilities: global cognitive function, fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence, impulsivity, spatial orientation, verbal episodic memory and sustained attention. Out-of-sample predictions of each cognitive score were first generated using a sparsity-constrained principal component regression on individual neuroimaging modalities. These individual predictions were then aggregated and submitted to a LASSO estimator that removed redundant variability across channels. This stacked prediction led to a significant improvement in accuracy, relative to the best single modality predictions (approximately 1% to more than 3% boost in variance explained), across a majority of the cognitive abilities tested. Further analysis found that diffusion and brain surface properties contribute the most to the predictive power. Our findings establish a lower bound to predict individual differences in cognition using multiple neuroimaging measures of brain architecture, both structural and functional, quantify the relative predictive power of the different imaging modalities, and reveal how each modality provides unique and complementary information about individual differences in cognitive function.
Genome-wide association meta-analysis identifies pleiotropic risk loci for aerodigestive squamous cell cancers
Authors: Lesseur Corina , Ferreiro-Iglesias Aida , McKay James D. , Bossé Yohan , Johansson Mattias , Gaborieau Valerie , Landi Maria Teresa , Christiani David C. , Caporaso Neil C. , Bojesen Stig E. , Amos Christopher I. , Shete Sanjay , Liu Geoffrey , Rennert Gadi , Albanes Demetrius , Aldrich Melinda C. , Tardon Adonina , Chen Chu , Triantafillos Liloglou , Field John K. , Teare Marion Dawn , Kiemeney Lambertus A. , Diergaarde Brenda , Ferris Robert L. , Zienolddiny Shanbeh , Lam Stephen , Olshan Andrew F. , Weissler Mark C. , Lacko Martin , Risch Angela , Bickeböller Heike , Ness Andy R. , Thomas Steve , Le Marchand Loic , Schabath Matthew B. , Wünsch-Filho Victor , Tajara Eloiza H. , Andrew Angeline S. , Clifford Gary M. , Lazarus Philip , Grankvist Kjell , Johansson Mikael , Arnold Susanne , Melander Olle , Brunnström Hans , Boccia Stefania , Cadoni Gabriella , Timens Wim , Obeidat Ma’en , Xiao Xiangjun , Houlston Richard S. , Hung Rayjean J. , Brennan Paul
Published: March 2021

Squamous cell carcinomas (SqCC) of the aerodigestive tract have similar etiological risk factors. Although genetic risk variants for individual cancers have been identified, an agnostic, genome-wide search for shared genetic susceptibility has not been performed. To identify novel and pleotropic SqCC risk variants, we performed a meta-analysis of GWAS data on lung SqCC (LuSqCC), oro/pharyngeal SqCC (OSqCC), laryngeal SqCC (LaSqCC) and esophageal SqCC (ESqCC) cancers, totaling 13,887 cases and 61,961 controls of European ancestry. We identified one novel genome-wide significant (Pmeta<5x10-8) aerodigestive SqCC susceptibility loci in the 2q33.1 region (rs56321285, TMEM273). Additionally, three previously unknown loci reached suggestive significance (Pmeta<5x10-7): 1q32.1 (rs12133735, near MDM4), 5q31.2 (rs13181561, TMEM173) and 19p13.11 (rs61494113, ABHD8). Multiple previously identified loci for aerodigestive SqCC also showed evidence of pleiotropy in at least another SqCC site, these include: 4q23 (ADH1B), 6p21.33 (STK19), 6p21.32 (HLA-DQB1), 9p21.33 (CDKN2B-AS1) and 13q13.1(BRCA2). Gene-based association and gene set enrichment identified a set of 48 SqCC-related genes rel to DNA damage and epigenetic regulation pathways. Our study highlights the importance of cross-cancer analyses to identify pleiotropic risk loci of histology-related cancers arising at distinct anatomical sites.
Influence of industry standard feeding frequencies on behavioral patterns and rumen and fecal bacterial communities in Holstein and Jersey cows
Authors: De La Guardia-Hidrogo Vanessa M. , Paz Henry A.
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding frequency on behavioral patterns and on diurnal fermentation and bacteriome profiles of the rumen and feces in Holstein and Jersey cows. Ten Holstein and 10 Jersey cows were offered a TMR (53:47 forage-to-concentrate ratio dry matter basis) forad libitumconsumption and were randomly allocated within breed to one of the following feeding frequencies: (1) TMR delivered 1×/d (at 0600 h) or (2) TMR delivered 2×/d (at 0600 and 1800 h). The experiment lasted for 28 d with the first 14 d for cow adaptation to the Calan gates and the next 14 d for data collection. On d 23 and 24, an observer manually recorded the time budget (time spent lying, eating, drinking, standing, and milking), rumination activity, and number of visits to the feeding gate from each animal. On d 28, 5 concomitant collections of rumen and fecal samples were performed at intervals of 6 h via esophageal tubing and fecal grab, respectively. The bacteriome composition from these samples was determined through sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Feeding frequency did not affect behavioral patterns; however, Holstein cows spend more time lying (15.4 vs. 13.5 ± 0.8 h) and ruminating (401 vs. 331 ± 17.5 min) than Jersey cows. Fermentation profiles were similar by feeding frequency in both breeds. While no major diurnal fluctuations were observed in the fecal bacterial community from both breeds, diurnal fluctuations were identified in the rumen bacterial community from Holstein cows which appeared to follow pH responses. Overall, the bacterial community composition was not differentiated by industry standard feeding frequencies but was differentiated by breed and sample type.