bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and/or Flutter at the Time of Cardioversion or Ablation
Authors: Koleck Theresa A. , Mitha Shazia A. , Biviano Angelo , Caceres Billy A. , Corwin Elizabeth J. , Goldenthal Isaac , Creber Ruth Masterson , Turchioe Meghan Reading , Hickey Kathleen T. , Bakken Suzanne
Published: July 2020

Background

Depression and anxiety in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or atrial flutter may influence the effectiveness of cardioversion and ablation. There is a lack of knowledge related to depressive symptoms and anxiety at the time of these procedures.

Objective

We aimed to describe the prevalence and explore potential covariates of depressive symptoms and anxiety in patients with AF at the time of cardioversion or ablation. We further explored the influence of depressive symptoms and anxiety on quality of life at the time of procedure and 6-month AF recurrence.

Methods

Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and quality of life were collected at the time of cardioversion or ablation using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life questionnaire. Presence of AF recurrence within 6 months post procedure was evaluated.

Results

Participants (N = 171) had a mean (SD) age of 61.20 (11.23) years and were primarily male (80.1%) and white, non-Hispanic (81.4%). Moderate to severe depressive symptoms (17.2%) and clinically significant state (30.2%) and trait (23.6%) anxiety were reported. Mood/anxiety disorder diagnosis was associated with all 3 symptoms. Atrial fibrillation symptom severity was associated with both depressive symptoms and trait anxiety. Heart failure diagnosis and digoxin use were also associated with depressive symptoms. Trends toward significance between state and trait anxiety and participant race/ethnicity as well as depressive symptoms and body mass index were observed. Study findings support associations between symptoms and quality of life, but not 6-month AF recurrence.

Conclusion

Depressive symptoms and anxiety are common in patients with AF. Healthcare providers should monitor patients with AF for depressive symptoms and anxiety at the time of procedures and intervene when indicated. Additional investigations on assessment, prediction, treatment, and outcome of depressive symptoms and anxiety in patients with AF are warranted.
Extrapancreatic infections are common in acute pancreatitis and they are related to organ failure: a population-based study
Authors: Marstrand-Joergensen Maja Rou , Bertilsson Sara , Kalaitzakis Evangelos
Published: July 2020

Background

Although the impact of pancreatic infections in acute pancreatitis has been studied extensively, there are no population-based data on extrapancreatic infections and their potential relation to organ failure. We aimed to study the occurrence of pancreatic and extrapancreatic bacterial infections in acute pancreatitis and their relation to patient outcome.

Patients and methods

All patients with first-time acute pancreatitis from 2003 to 2012 in a defined area in Sweden were retrospectively evaluated. Data on acute pancreatitis severity, organ failure, infections, and in-hospital mortality were collected.

Results

Overall, 304 bacterial infections occurred in 248/1457 patients (17%). Fifteen percent had extrapancreatic and 2% had pancreatic infections. The lungs (35%), the urinary tract (24%), and the bile ducts (18%) were the most common sites of extrapancreatic infections. Organ failure, severe acute pancreatitis, and in-hospital mortality were more common in patients with vs those without (pancreatic/extrapancreatic) infections (P < 0.05). Organ failure and severe acute pancreatitis occurred more frequently in pancreatic vs extrapancreatic infections (70% vs 34%, P < 0.001 and 67% vs 28%, P < 0.001), but in-hospital mortality did not differ between the two groups (7.4% vs 6.8%, P = 1.0). Both pancreatic and extrapancreatic infections were independent predictors of organ failure (P < 0.05). Out of culture-positive infections, 18% were due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, without any significant difference between extrapancreatic vs pancreatic infections (P > 0.05). About two out of five infections were of nosocomial origin.

Conclusion

Extrapancreatic infections occurred in 15% and pancreatic infections in 2% of patients with first-time acute pancreatitis. Both pancreatic and extrapancreatic infections were independent predictors of organ failure, leading to increased mortality.
Subperiosteal Orbital Hemorrhage: An Unusual Complication During Labor
Authors: Riri Konstantina , Zacharis Konstantinos , Tsironi Evangelia , Daponte Alexandros , Papageorgiou Eleni
Published: July 2020

Subperiosteal orbital hemorrhage in the postpartum period has been rarely reported. The authors herein present a female patient who developed acute-onset vertical diplopia, proptosis, mild retro-orbital pain, and restriction of upgaze immediately after labor. Neuroimaging revealed a subperiosteal hematoma along the right orbital roof. Diplopia, motility limitation, and retro-orbital pain gradually resolved in the following weeks. Subperiosteal orbital hematomas are a rare complication of labor, with only 12 cases reported so far. They result from straining during labor, which increases central and orbital venous pressure by means of the Valsalva-maneuver. In order to evaluate ocular motility and exclude optic nerve compression, an urgent ophthalmological examination is required.
Comparative Genome-Wide Dna Methylation Analysis In Myocardial Tissue From Donors With And Without Down Syndrome
Authors: Cejas Romina B. , Wang Jie , Hageman-Blair Rachael , Liu Song , Blanco Javier G.
Published: July 2020

Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21) is the most common major chromosomal aneuploidy compatible with life. The additional whole or partial copy of chromosome 21 results in genome-wide imbalances that drive the complex pathobiology of DS. Differential DNA methylation in the context of trisomy 21 may contribute to the variable architecture of the DS phenotype. The goal of this study was to examine the genomic DNA methylation landscape in myocardial tissue from non-fetal individuals with DS. More than 480,000 unique CpG sites were interrogated in myocardial DNA samples from individuals with (n = 12) and without DS (n = 12) using DNA methylation arrays. A total of 93 highly differentially methylated CpG sites and 16 differentially methylated regions were identified in myocardial DNA from subjects with DS. There were 18 differentially methylated CpG sites in chromosome 21, including 5 highly differentially methylated sites. A CpG site in theRUNX1locus was differentially methylated in DS myocardium, and linear regression suggests that donors’ age, gender, DS status, andRUNX1methylation may contribute up to ~51% of the variability inRUNX1mRNA expression. In DS myocardium, only 58% of the genes overlapping with differentially methylated regions codify for proteins with known functions and 24% are non-coding RNAs. This study provides an initial snapshot on the extent of genome-wide differential methylation in myocardial tissue from persons with DS.
Modulation of Siglec-7 Signaling viain situCreated High-affinitycis-Ligands
Authors: Hong Senlian , Yu Chenhua , Yujie Shi , Wang Peng , Chapla Digantkumar G. , Rodrigues Emily , Moremen Kelly W. , Paulson James C. , Macauley Matthew S. , Wu Peng
Published: July 2020

Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins, also known as Siglecs, have recently been designated as glyco-immune checkpoints. Through their interactions with sialylated glycan epitopes overexpressed on tumor cells, inhibitory Siglecs on innate and adaptive immune cells modulate signaling cascades to restrain anti-tumor immune responses. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes are just starting to be elucidated. We discover that when human natural killer (NK) cells attack tumor cells, glycan remodeling occurs on the target cells at the immunological synapse. This remodeling occurs through both transfer of sialylated glycans from NK cells to target tumor cells and acceleratedde novosynthesis of sialosides on the tumor cell themselves. The functionalization of NK cells with a high-affinity ligand of Siglec-7 leads to multifaceted consequences in modulating Siglec-7-regulated NK-activation. At high levels, the added Siglec-7 ligand suppresses NK-cytotoxicity through the recruitment of Siglec-7, whereas at low levels the same ligand triggers the release of Siglec-7 from the cell surface into the culture medium, preventing Siglec-7-mediated inhibition of NK cytotoxicity. These results suggest that glycan engineering of NK cells may provide a means to boost NK effector functions.
Variability in infants’ functional brain network connectivity is associated with differences in affect and behavior
Authors: Kelsey Caroline M. , Farris Katrina , Grossmann Tobias
Published: July 2020

Variability in functional brain network connectivity has been linked to individual differences in cognitive, affective, and behavioral traits in adults. However, little is known about the developmental origins of such brain-behavior correlations. The current study examined functional brain network connectivity and its link to behavioral temperament in newborn and 1-month-old infants (M[age] = 25 days; N = 75) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Specifically, we measured long-range connectivity between cortical regions approximating fronto-parietal, default mode, and homologous-interhemispheric networks. Our results show that connectivity in these functional brain networks varies across infants and maps onto individual differences in behavioral temperament. Specifically, connectivity in the fronto-parietal network was positively associated with regulation and orienting behaviors, whereas connectivity in the default mode network showed the opposite effect on these behaviors. Our analysis also revealed a significant positive association between the homologous-interhemispheric network and infants’ negative affect. The current results suggest that variability in long-range intra-hemispheric and cross-hemispheric functional connectivity between frontal, parietal and temporal cortex is associated with individual differences in affect and behavior. These findings shed new light on the brain origins of individual differences in early-emerging behavioral traits and thus represent a viable novel approach for investigating developmental trajectories in typical and atypical neurodevelopment.
A Convolutional Neural Network and R-Shiny App for Automated Identification and Classification of Animal Sounds
Authors: Ruff Zachary J. , Lesmeister Damon B. , Appel Cara L. , Sullivan Christopher M.
Published: July 2020

The use of passive acoustic monitoring in wildlife ecology has increased dramatically in recent years as researchers take advantage of improvements in automated recording units and associated technologies. These technologies have allowed researchers to collect large quantities of acoustic data which must then be processed to extract meaningful information, e.g. target species detections. A persistent issue in acoustic monitoring is the challenge of processing these data most efficiently to automate the detection of species of interest, and deep learning has emerged as a powerful approach to achieve these objectives. Here we report on the development and use of a deep convolutional neural network for the automated detection of 14 forest-adapted species by classifying spectrogram images generated from short audio clips. The neural network has improved performance compared to models previously developed for some of the target classes. Our neural network performed well for most species and at least satisfactory for others. To improve portability and usability by field biologists, we developed a graphical interface for the neural network that can be run through RStudio using the Shiny package, creating a highly portable solution to efficiently process audio data closer to the point of collection and with minimal delays using consumer-grade computers.
Continuity and change, China–Singapore relations under the framework of China's 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative
Authors: Wu Xiangning
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The relations between China and Singapore were once exampled as good bilateral relations in the region: stable and promising. Albeit gradually increasing competition, bilateral economic cooperation remains to be a stabilizer. However, the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and even more complicated Sino-US relations add up more uncertainties to bilateral relations. This paper aims to examine the fragility of bilateral relations against the overall backgrounds of the dynamic regional balance of power while analyzing the economic cooperation as the stabilizer and reviewing political mutual trust between China and Singapore.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will apply historical and documentary review and qualitative analysis.

Findings

Led by its pragmatic foreign policy, Singapore hedges against China, even it seeks to deeply engaging China in all dimensions of bilateral ties, including economic, cultural and political. The grand strategy of the BRI signals the era of “keeping low profile”, leaving us far away. It will inevitably change the regional landscape geo-strategically. The USA clearly defines China as a strategic competitor, which represent Sino-US relations will not go back to the past. The traditional counterbalance strategy applied by Singapore works more difficultly when China intends to be stronger politically in the region. Economically and politically, there are no reasons for Singapore not to show positive support for the BRI. However, the BRI essentially provides a warning message that Singapore should explore a more practical and realistic strategy for not being constrained by China's geo-economic strategy. Singapore's picking side and its increasing military budget, China's assertiveness and the changing Sino-US relations imply the looming fragilities to bilateral relations.

Originality/value

The relations between China and Singapore were once exampled as good bilateral relations in the region: stable and promising. However, China and Singapore relations also ran into bumps from time to time over the years. We usually believe it is because of the peculiarity of Singapore's China policy. However, we should not neglect the dynamic regional balance of power and the changing Sino-US relations after the BRI was proposed. To fill this research gap, this paper will review the factors of stabilizers and the factors that bring fragility to bilateral relations between China and Singapore. The paper also argues that it is time for Beijing to make reflections on whether Beijing proposed BRI too early and whether Beijing over addressed on the magnificence and ambitions of the BRI.
Task-technology fit analysis of social media use for marketing in the tourism and hospitality industry: a systematic literature review
Authors: Lin Hsien-Cheng , Han Xiao , Lyu Tu , Ho Wen-Hsien , Xu Yunbao , Hsieh Tien-Chih , Zhu Lihua , Zhang Liang
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Research in tourism and hospitality industry marketing has identified many highly effective applications of social media. However, studies in the existing literature do not enable a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon because they lack a theoretical foundation. Therefore, this study systematically reviewed the literature from the perspective of the task-technology fit (TTF) theory. The purpose of this paper is to map out what is known about social media use in tourism and hospitality marketing and what areas need further exploration.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive cumulative review of the literature obtained 99 articles published in tourism and hospitality journals from 2010 to 2019.

Findings

The analysis suggests that to understand social media use in tourism marketing, researchers and practitioners in the industry must clarify the following four issues: the control variables, longitudinal analyzes and TTF concepts that should be used in future studies; the fitness of social media platforms for tourism marketing; how various social media platforms differ in terms of performance outcome; and the digital divide in the use of social media for tourism.

Originality/value

An integrated framework was developed to identify constructs and to understand their relationships. Recent studies in this domain are discussed; theoretical and practical suggestions and implications for future research are given.
Distinct eGFR trajectories are associated with risk of myocardial infarction in people with diabetes or prediabetes
Authors: Zuo Yingting , Wang Anxin , Chen Shuohua , Tian Xue , Wu Shouling , He Yan
Published: July 2020

Background

The relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) trajectories and myocardial infarction (MI) has so far been unclear in people with diabetes or prediabetes. We aimed to identify common eGFR trajectories in people with diabetes or prediabetes and to examine their association with MI risk.

Methods

The data of this analysis were derived from the Kailuan study, which was a prospective community‐based cohort study. The eGFR trajectories of 24 723 participants from the year 2006 to 2012 were generated by latent mixture modeling. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% CI for the subsequent risk of MI of different eGFR trajectories.

Results

We identified five distinct eGFR trajectories during 2006 to 2012 and named them according to their eGFR range and pattern over time: low‐stable (9.4%), moderate‐stable (31.4%), moderate‐increasing (29.5%), high‐decreasing (13.9%), and high‐stable (15.8%). During a mean follow‐up of 4.61 years, there were a total of 235 incident MI. Although the high‐decreasing group had similar eGFR levels to the moderate‐stable group during the last exposure period, the risk was much higher (adjusted HR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.63‐7.85 vs adjusted HR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.36‐6.08). Notably, the moderate‐increasing group had reached the normal range, but still had a significantly increased risk (adjusted HR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.24‐5.55).

Conclusions

eGFR trajectories were associated with MI risk in people with diabetes or prediabetes. These observations suggest that long‐term trajectories of eGFR may be important for risk prediction of MI and should be highlighted in primary prevention.
Influence of the local degree of deformation on the temperature dependent fatigue behaviour of a ferritic–pearlitic steel
Authors: Kirste Thomas , Morgenstern Roman , Schmiedel Alexander , Weidner Anja , Biermann Horst
Published: July 2020

The present study reports on the influence of the degree of deformation on the fatigue behaviour of the ferritic–pearlitic steel 38MnVS6. Therefore, a hot forged and control cooled automotive component was investigated with special attention to test specimen position in the forging. The static properties, characterized by tensile tests, and the cyclic fatigue properties are determined in a temperature range from room temperature up to 500°C. The fatigue tests were carried out with push–pull resonance pulsators up to 108 cycles. While for the static properties, no significant influence of the degree of deformation could be proven, a distinct effect of the specimen's location was identified for the cyclic properties. The forging process and the subsequent microstructure evolution lead to deviations in the mechanical properties of the ferritic phase. The higher the degree of deformation, the smaller the ferritic fringes around the pearlitic grains become and the higher the cyclic strength becomes. The difference can be up to 20% of the tolerable stress amplitude. The dominant failure mechanism was found to be crack initiation within ferritic grains or on ferrite grain boundaries. In these locations, microvoids were also detected at all testing temperatures. This proves that the fatigue behaviour of the material 38MnVS6 is not inclusion dominated but dependent on the specific ferrite properties, which are, however, a result of the local degree of deformation.
Determinants of women's decision to undergo early mammography: A survey study
Authors: Tur‐Sinai Aviad , Shahrabani Shosh
Published: July 2020

For young women, mammography has limited effectiveness and entails exposure to radiation, discomfort, and additional expense. This study identifies factors associated with women's willingness to undergo mammography despite official guidelines to the contrary. Using the Health Belief Model, we surveyed Israeli women aged 40–51 who are not at high risk of breast cancer and who had or had never undergone mammography. The results show that sociodemographic characteristics, private insurance coverage, out‐of‐pocket payments to physicians, and three Health Belief Model categories – lower perceived barriers to mammography, higher expectations of benefits, and stronger health motivation – are associated with the decision to undergo mammography. In addition, higher levels of perceived susceptibility to illness and experience with mammography are significant predictors of intentions to undergo early mammography. Understanding the determinants of women's tendency to undergo mammography contrary to recommendations may help nurses and healthcare policymakers to create health promotion programs targeting this group of women. Preventing unnecessary mammograms may reduce costs to households and health maintenance organizations, mitigate ineffective use of medical facilities, and alleviate the burden on the healthcare system.
Distinct electrophysiological correlates between expected reward and risk processing
Authors: Zheng Ya , An Tong , Li Qi , Xu Jing
Published: July 2020

Expected reward and risk (reward variance) are two fundamental parameters in decision making, which may be encoded by distinct functional brain networks during the anticipatory phase of reward processing. However, whether and how anticipatory reward and risk processing are dissociable in terms of temporal dynamics remain ambiguous. The current event‐related potential (ERP) study addressed this issue in a card‐guessing task where participants were presented sequentially two cards from a deck of nine (numbered 1 through 9) and were instructed to bet whether the second card was higher or lower than the first one. Expected reward and risk were manipulated orthogonally (in an uncorrelated way) over a full range of reward probabilities (every 12.5% from 0% to 100%). We focused on three anticipatory ERP components: the cue‐related reward positivity (cue‐RewP), the cue‐related P3 (cue‐P3), and the stimulus‐preceding negativity (SPN). During the period after presentation of the first card, the cue‐RewP was sensitive to expected reward instead of risk, whereas the cue‐P3 was mainly sensitive to risk and to a lesser extent to expected reward. During the waiting period for the second card, the SPN was sensitive to expected reward but not to risk. Our findings indicate a partial neural dissociation between expected reward and risk in the anticipatory phase of reward processing.
Walking soccer: A systematic review of a modified sport
Authors: Corepal Rekesh , Zhang Jia Yu , Grover Sanya , Hubball Harry , Ashe Maureen C.
Published: July 2020

Background

Walking soccer (football) is an emerging modified sport gaining recognition globally.

Objectives

To synthesize current evidence for walking soccer and provide a summary of global walking soccer organizations.

Data sources

We searched for studies published across all years and all languages within multiple databases for studies focused on walking soccer (football) in adults (18 + years). Two authors independently screened citations at Level 1 and 2. We also conducted a forward citation search and reviewed the reference lists for included studies. We searched the gray literature to identify walking soccer organizations. We conducted the last database search in December 2019.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

We conducted a standard systematic review following established guidelines. We also summarized findings from a limited search for walking soccer organizations. For peer‐reviewed literature, we used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) to assess methodological quality and conducted a narrative synthesis of the evidence.

Results

We identified nine peer‐reviewed studies (with 117 participants). Most studies included small sample sizes and interventions with short duration. Walking soccer is an emerging modified sport that is popular across the United Kingdom (UK), with its reach extending to other countries.

Conclusions

Limited published evidence exists for walking soccer, despite is global popularity. For the studies identified, generalizability was limited to predominately older men from the UK. Based on preliminary findings, walking soccer has the potential to confer health benefits and build social connections.
Corporate Aesthetics and Communication in the Urban Arts and Visual Culture of Kumasi
Authors: Asante A. E. , Opoku-Bonsu K. , Ebehiakeh A. K.
Published: July 2020

Kumasi is the capital city of the Asante Kingdom of Ghana. Being the seat of the throne of the Asantehene, the King of Asante’s, Kumasi is widely acknowledged as the major cultural city of Ghana. A study of the history of the people of Kumasi reveals that culture and art permeates their everyday life. Scholars have done some studies on the arts and economics of Asante and how it reflects their cultural life. However, a scholarly analysis of how corporate aesthetics is reflected in the urban art and visual culture of Kumasi has not been explored. In the bid to achieve this main objective, the paper discusses the corporate identities and cultural transformations in Kumasi, billboards, corporate commerce and savings, consuming visual culture and family finance and urban fantasies. The study is qualitative in nature and employs the descriptive method to provide an accurate description of specific urban arts in Kumasi.
Si a Jacinto le mató el cuerpo, al mío lo hará danzar
Authors: Gómez García Juan Sebastián
Published: July 2020

Este artículo es una reflexión intertemática sobre lugares investigativos en los que me fui encontrando cuando como bailarín y pensador busqué la palabra “aire” en Google, y también sobre los distintos usos que le doy al “aire” como concepto y sensación para la improvisación en danza. A través del aire, el lector puede hacer un viaje que pasa por una película de Hayao Miyasaki, el huracán Mitch de 1998, dos pinturas de atardeceres y los fenómenos físicos de los colores del cielo y la transmisión del sonido. Su objetivo se develó hacia el final y resultó configurarse como la intención de compartir un proceso de investigación que, tomando al aire como excusa, pudo llegar a distintos temas históricos, sociales y científicos que generaron inspiración para la improvisación en mi propia danza. Asimismo, invita a reflexionar sobre la importancia de pensar el aire como asunto político, como testigo histórico de la vida, que en tiempos contemporáneos nos hemos encarnizado como humanidad globalizada y capitalista en apuñalarlo con sevicia.
Dynamic response of graphene and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composites
Authors: Johnson Christopher R. , Borg John P.
Published: July 2020

A series of dynamic compaction studies were performed on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and graphene composites using uniaxial flyer plate impact experiments. Studies aimed to characterize variation in dynamic behavior with respect to morphological differences for eight powdered YSZ and graphene compositions. Parameters of interest included YSZ particle size (nanometer or micrometer) and added graphene content (graphene weight percentage: 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%). Experiments were performed over impact velocities ranging between 315 and 586 m/s, resulting in pressures between 0.8 and 2.8 GPa. Hugoniot states measured appear to exhibit dependence on particle size and graphene content. Shock velocities tended to increase with graphene content and were generally larger in magnitude for the micrometer particle size YSZ. Compacted densities tended to increase as graphene content was increased and were generally larger in magnitude for the micrometer particle size YSZ samples. Resulting Hugoniot curves are compared and summarized to convey the dynamic behavior of the specimens.
Investigation on Response of an Aluminum Honeycomb Subjected to Hypervelocity Impacts using Lagrange and SPH for Numerical Modeling
Authors: Nitta Kumi , Higashide Masumi , Sueki Mirai , Takeba Atushi
Published: July 2020

Numerical modeling has been conducted with the commercial code AUTODYN 2D, using the Lagrange and Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) processors. The numerical results are compared and discussed with the corresponding experimental results from the standpoint of assessing the protection of satellites against M/OD hypervelocity impacts. The material models used in the numerical simulation are also discussed, as well as a wide range of impact velocities, including shock-induced vaporization. The projectiles used to simulate M/OD consist of 100 μm to 1 mm diameter alumina with impact velocities of 2–15 km/s.

In order to assess the structural integrity of unmanned spacecraft subjected to the threat of hypervelocity impact by space debris, the numerical method was proposed mainly from the standpoint of material modeling suitable for extremely severe physical conditions such as high pressure, high temperature, high strain, and high strain rate, sometimes accompanied by shock-induced vaporization.

The numerical results adopting these material models were compared with the corresponding hypervelocity impact tests by using the two-stage light-gas gun at ISAS/JAXA. Although examples of the impacts on the aluminum honeycomb can be shown, it has been demonstrated that the numerical analysis can effectively simulate the overall corresponding experimental results.

We show the response of an aluminum honeycomb as derived from analysis of hypervelocity impact at 2 km/s to 15 km/s using the Lagrange and SPH processors. We also verified that the ballistic limit curve of an aluminum honeycomb panel is shown as a downward line using both processors, which is unlike the up and down ballistic limit curve of a Whipple shield.
The Role of Inclusions in the Failure of Boron Carbide Subjected to Impact Loading
Authors: Tonge Andrew L. , Schuster Brian E.
Published: July 2020

This work investigates the importance of the microstructure of boron carbide for initiating inelastic deformation under impact conditions. Simple loading resulting from a flyer plate impact geometry is used to illustrate the importance of microstructure for the well-controlled and easily instrumented experimental geometry. A second set of simulations is performed on a miniaturized impact geometry to investigate the importance of the microstructure for the early stages of semi-infinite penetration for impact velocities between 0.9 km/s and 1.9 km/s. The effect of the microstructure is more pronounced for the flyer plate impact geometry.
Modeling Hypervelocity Impact of Reinforced Carbon-Carbon Composite Thermal Protection System
Authors: Carpenter Alexander J. , Chocron Sidney , Walker James D.
Published: July 2020

Reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) composite is used in applications where structural stiffness and strength must be maintained at very high temperatures that may reach 2000°C or more. For example, it was used on both the Space Shuttle’s nose cone and the leading edges of its wings. As exemplified by the Space Shuttle Columbia accident, the ability of these materials to survive impacts up to hypervelocity speeds can be critical for some applications. As computational modeling becomes an increasingly important component of the design process, the ability to accurately model RCC materials under impact conditions likewise becomes more and more important. This paper describes a computational model of the thermal protection used on the Space Shuttle orbiter. The model incorporates both the RCC comprising much of the protection system and its silicon carbide coating. The model was subjected to hypervelocity impacts with both steel and aluminum projectiles, and the results were compared to test data from the literature.
An Accurate SPH Scheme for Hypervelocity Impact Modeling
Authors: Collé Anthony , Limido Jérôme , Unfer Thomas , Vila Jean-Paul
Published: July 2020

We focus in this paper on the use of a meshless numerical method called Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), to solve fragmentation issues as Hyper Velocity Impact (HVI). Contrary to classical grid-based methods, SPH does not need any opening criteria which makes it naturally well suited to handle material failure. Nevertheless, SPH schemes suffer from well-known instabilities questioning their accuracy and activating nonphysical processes as numerical fragmentation. Many stabilizing tools are available in the literature based for instance on dissipative terms, artificial repulsive forces, stress points or Particle Shifting Techniques (PST). However, they either raise conservation and consistency issues, or drastically increase the computation times. It limits then their effectiveness as well as their industrial application. To achieve robust and consistent stabilization, we propose an alternative scheme called γ -SPH-ALE. Firstly implemented to solve Monophasic Barotropic flows, it is secondly extended to the solid dynamics. Particularly, based on the ALE framework, its governing equations include advective terms allowing an arbitrary description of motion. Thus, in addition of accounting for a stabilizing low-Mach scheme, a PST is implemented through the arbitrary transport velocity field, the asset of ALE formulations. Through a nonlinear stability analysis, CFL-like conditions are formulated ensuring the scheme conservativity, robustness, stability and consistency. Besides, stability intervals are defined for the scheme parameters determining entirely the stability field. Its implementation on several test cases reveals particularly that the proposed scheme faithfully reproduces the strain localization in adiabatic shear bands, a precursor to failure. By preventing spurious oscillations in elastic waves and correcting the so-called tensile instability, it increases both stability and accuracy with respect to classical approaches.
Pagosa Simulation of Hypervelocity Impact and Fragmentation From Hypersonic Explosions
Authors: Ma Xia , Culp David , Smith Brandon
Published: July 2020

We use PAGOSA’s FLIP+MPM capability to simulate hypervelocity impact and fragmentation from hypersonic explosions. The scenario to be simulated involves a complex chain explosion from fragmentation impact which was caused by another explosion. The simulations also use the SURF model for shock to detonation transition (SDT) and the MATCH model for mechanical ignition and deflagration of high explosives. These models in PAGOSA working together are crucial for modeling complex system for real world applications. This shows the powerful modeling and predicting capability of PAGOSA that others cannot do. Since experimental data are not available for any complex scenario like this, we did verification and validation (V&V) in each separate steps, These include the fragmentation simulated by FLIP+MPM, the Shock to Detonation Transition (SDT) modeled by SURF and mechanical ignition and deflagration modeled by MATCH. PAGOSA is a shock hydrodynamics program developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for the study of high-speed compressible flow and high-rate material deformation. PAGOSA is a three-dimensional Eulerian finite difference code, solving problems with a wide variety of equations of state (EOSs), material strength, and explosive modeling options. It has high efficiency for simulations running on massively parallel supercomputers. It is a multi-material code using volume of fluid (VOF) interface reconstruction and second order fully explicit time integration. Standard von Neumann artificial viscosity is used. Newly added material point method (MPM) plus Fluid-Implicit Particle (FLIP) capability can simulate high-speed metal fragmentation.
Investigating Pressure Wave Impact on a Surrogate Head Model Using Numerical Simulation Techniques
Authors: Banton Rohan , Piehler Thuvan , Zander Nicole , Benjamin Richard , Duckworth Josh , Petel Oren
Published: July 2020

There is an urgent need to understand the mechanism leading to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) resulting from blast wave impact to the head. The recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have heightened the awareness of head impact injuries to military personnel resulting from exposure to blast waves [1, 2]. A blast wave generated in air is a by-product of the detonation of an explosive [3]. To date the mechanism resulting in mTBI from primary blast insult is still unclear.
Rifampicin Transport by OATP1B1 Variants
Authors: Litjens Carlijn H. C. , van den Heuvel Jeroen J. M. W , Russel Frans G. M. , Aarnoutse Rob E. , te Brake Lindsey H. M. , Koenderink Jan B.
Published: July 2020

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the OATP1B1 transporter have been suggested to partially explain the large interindividual variation in rifampicin exposure. HEK293 cells overexpressing wild-type (WT) or OATP1B1 variants *1b, *4, *5, and *15 were used to determine the
in vitro
rifampicin intrinsic clearance. For OATP1B1*5 and *15, a 36% and 42% reduction in intrinsic clearance, respectively, compared to WT was found. We consider that these differences in intrinsic clearance most likely have minor clinical implications.
Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of a Novel Oral Amphotericin B Formulation (iCo-019) following Single-Dose Administration to Healthy Human Subjects: an Alternative Approach to Parenteral Amphotericin B Administration
Authors: Hnik Peter , Wasan Ellen K. , Wasan Kishor M.
Published: July 2020

This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of a novel oral amphotericin B (AmB) formulation (iCo-019) following single doses to healthy humans. The data from this study suggest that iCo-019 has a long circulation time and systemic exposure without the associated gastrointestinal, liver, and kidney toxicity associated with AmB. This novel oral AmB formulation can serve as a new treatment strategy to overcome the limitations of the use of parenterally administered AmB products.
Lateral meniscal allograft transplantation and stabilisation in a dog with stifle subluxation
Authors: Ridge Patrick Alan , Rial García Alba
Published: July 2020

This case describes the clinical features and the favourable clinical outcome after a lateral meniscal allograft transplant and stifle stabilisation in a dog that suffered a significant injury to its stifle, which included irreparable injury to the lateral meniscus, cranial cruciate ligament rupture and medial collateral rupture. The lateral meniscus was extensively damaged having avulsed from its peripheral attachments and with a radial tear across 70 per cent of its mid‐body. After four years, the owners reported that the dog continued with an active lifestyle and only occasionally required non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory analgesics for sporadic episodes of mild lameness after vigorous exercise.
Verification of He-3 proportional counters’ fast neutron sensitivity through a comparison with He-4 detectors
Authors: Piscitelli Francesco , Mauri Giacomo , Laloni Alessio , Hall-Wilton Richard
Published: July 2020

In the field of neutron scattering science, a large variety of instruments require detectors for thermal and cold neutrons. Helium-3 has been one of the main actors in thermal and cold neutron detection for many years. Nowadays, neutron facilities around the world are pushing their technologies to increase the available flux delivered at the instruments; this enables a completely new science landscape. Complementary with the increasing available flux, a better signal-to-background (S/B) ratio enables to perform new types of measurements. For instance, in neutron reflectometry, the time resolution for kinetic studies is limited by the available S/B. An improved S/B opens the possibility of sub-second kinetic studies. To this aim, this manuscript re-examines the background sensitivity of today’s “gold standard” neutron detection. Fast neutrons and gamma rays are the main background species in neutron scattering experiments. The efficiency (sensitivity) of detecting fast neutrons, cosmic rays and gamma rays, for a Helium-3-based detector is studied here through the comparison with Helium-4 counters. The comparison with Helium-4 allows to separate the thermal (and cold) neutron from the fast neutron contributions in Helium-3-based counters which are otherwise entangled, verifying previous results from an indirect method. A relatively high sensitivity is found. Moreover, an estimate for the cosmic neutron fluence, also a source of background, at ground level at ESS is presented in this manuscript.
Andrographis paniculataImproves Insulin Resistance in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice and TNFα-Treated 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
Authors: Chen Chih-Chieh , Lii Chong-Kuei , Lin Yi-Hsueh , Shie Pei-Hsin , Yang Ya-Chen , Huang Chin-Shiu , Chen Haw-Wen
Published: July 2020

Pro-inflammatory cytokines interfere with blood glucose homeostasis, which leads to hyperglycemia. Andrographis paniculata (AP) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity and to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetes. The two major bioactive diterpenoids in AP, andrographolide (AND) and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (deAND), have potent anti-inflammatory activity. We studied whether APE (an ethanolic extract of AP), AND, and deAND could improve a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperglycemia in vivo and TNF[Formula: see text]-induced impairment of insulin signaling in vitro. Male C57BL/6JNarl mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or the HFD, and the fatty mice were treated with APE, deAND, or AND for 16 weeks. 3T3-L1 cells were used to study the underlying mechanisms by which APE, deAND, or AND attenuated TNF[Formula: see text]-induced insulin resistance. The HFD significantly induced obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation, whereas APE and deAND significantly ameliorated HFD-induced obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and TNF[Formula: see text] production. The HFD significantly impaired insulin signaling by decreasing the protein expression of p-IRS1 tyr632 and p-AKT ser473, as well as the membrane translocation of GLUT4 in response to insulin stimulation in epididymal adipose tissue. HFD-impaired the membrane translocation of GLUT4 was significantly reversed by deAND and APE. In addition, deAND and APE markedly reversed the detrimental effect of TNF[Formula: see text] on the insulin signaling pathway and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells. Despite no significant positive effect on p-AS160, a trend for recovery by deAND and APE was observed. These results suggest that deAND and APE protect against HFD-induced insulin resistance by ameliorating inflammation-driven impairment of insulin sensitivity.
Pareto Assumption for Constrained PSO-Based Locomotive Resistance Minimization
Authors: Sertsöz Mine , Fidan Mehmet
Published: July 2020

The mechanical resistance of a locomotive is crucial for power consumption. It is desirable to maintain this resistance at a minimum value for energy efficiency under optimal operation conditions. The optimal conditions can be found by particle swarm optimization with constraints. The particle swarm optimization method is a highly preferred type of heuristic algorithm because of its advantages, such as fewer parameters, faster speed, and a simpler flow diagram. However, fast convergence can be misleading in finding the optimum solution in some cases. Pareto analysis is used in this proposed study to prevent missing the target. When the literature is searched, it is seen that there are various studies using this method. However, in all of these studies, the results of the particle swarm method have been interpreted as whether or not they complied with Pareto’s 80/20 rule. The validity of the Pareto analysis is taken as an assumption, and with the help of this assumption, the coefficients of a locomotive’s mathematical equation were changed, and finally the results were found by applying the particle herd optimization method. Finally, a novel hybrid method has been created by including the Pareto optimality condition to particle swarm optimization. The results are compared with this innovative hybrid method of Pareto and particle swarm and the results found using only the particle swarm method.
Separation and Determination of Paraquat and Diquat in Human Plasma and Urine by Magnetic Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction Coupled with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Sha Ou , Cui Bowen , Chen Xiaobing , Liu Hua , Yao Jiawei , Zhu Yuqing
Published: July 2020

A magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction method coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography was proposed for the simultaneous separation and determination of paraquat (PQ) and diquat (DQ) in human plasma and urine samples. Based on the reduction of PQ and DQ to a blue radical and yellow-green radical by sodium dithionite in an alkaline medium, a fast colorimetric method was also developed for the fast detection of PQ or DQ. In this paper, CoFe2O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles were used as the adsorbent for the magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction of paraquat and diquat, and these two analytes were found to be eluted directly from the adsorbent by NaOH solution. The main factors affecting the extraction efficiency including amount of extractant, extraction time, sample volume, sample solution pH, and elution volume were optimized. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the calibration curve was linear at a concentration range of 28.5–570.2 μg/L, and the correlation coefficient of paraquat and diquat was 0.9986 and 0.9980, respectively. The limits of detection of paraquat and diquat were 4.5 μg/L and 4.3 μg/L. The proposed MSPE-HPLC method was successfully applied to the detection of the paraquat and diquat in human plasma and urine with satisfied recoveries of PQ and DQ in the range of 87.5%–98.7%.
Young Male Presenting with an Acute Diarrheal Illness with Unexplained Transudative Ascites: An Atypical Presentation of Appendicular Tuberculosis
Authors: Dalugama Chamara , Jayasinghe Achila , Abeygunawardena Shamali , Pathirage Manoji , Jayalath Thilak , Ralapanawa Udaya , Jayasundara S. S. , Wijetunga Sulochana
Published: July 2020

Introduction. Appendicular tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis involving the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis of appendicular tuberculosis is difficult due to its atypical presentation. Histological confirmation remains the gold standard in diagnosis. Case Presentation. We report a 37-year-old Sri Lankan male presenting with a diarrheal illness with high fever for 8 days in the background of constitutional symptoms for 1-month duration. He was pale and had moderate amount of free fluid in the abdomen. Inflammatory markers were elevated, and CT abdomen revealed a thickened elongated appendix. Diagnostic paracentesis revealed a lymphocytic transudative ascites. A macroscopically minimally inflammed appendix removed at laparotomy and histology confirmed presence of tuberculous granulomata with caseation. He made an uneventful recovery by the anti-tuberculous therapy. Conclusion. High degree of suspicion is needed in diagnosis of appendicular tuberculosis due to its nonspecific presentation, and we emphasize the need of histological assessment of the appendix resected for the case of clinical appendicitis, as it may prompt the diagnosis of a rare but treatable case of tuberculosis.