bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keepers of the House: A documentary
Authors: Alexopoulos Evangelia A. , Guinee Emily P. , Stewart Kearsley A. , Brown Candace S. , Gold Deborah T. , Engle Deborah , Talenti Francesca , Klevansky Rhonda , Barfield Raymond , Ross Elizabeth , Prose Neil S.
Published: November 2021

Background

Our documentary, Keepers of the House, highlights ways that hospital housekeepers, typically unnoticed care team members, provide emotional support for patients and their families. This film addresses a gap in education by emphasizing the importance of valuing and reflecting on the unique lived experiences of others.

Approach

We created this documentary to expose students to the experiences and perceptions of hospital housekeepers. A focus group with six hospital housekeepers informed an interview script for the film's creation. Nine additional housekeepers were then interviewed, which developed into a 15‐min documentary. Healthcare students and educators from five disciplines viewed the documentary during their institution's Medical Education Day.

Evaluation

To expose students and educators to housekeepers' experiences, we designed our post‐viewing survey to address whether the housekeepers' stories impacted their understanding of the role and value of these workers. Viewers were surprised by the depth and breadth of patient–housekeeper interactions, the trauma housekeepers experienced from patient loss and the pride housekeepers take in their work. The stories that touched the viewers varied but centred on connections between housekeepers and patients. Lessons learned focused on recognizing the contributions of unseen team members.

Implications

This innovative documentary amplifies the perspectives of voices rarely heard in healthcare. We aim to use this film, alongside its associated learning session, in education and grand round settings to foster discussion around empathy, valuing underrecognised team members and applying these insights in practice. This work can be disseminated to other institutions, further amplifying underrepresented narratives in healthcare.
An Autocatalytic Network Model of Conceptual Change
Authors: Gabora Liane , Beckage Nicole M. , Steel Mike
Published: November 2021

In reflexively autocatalytic foodset (RAF)‐generated networks, nodes are not only passive transmitters of activation, but they also actively galvanize, or “catalyze” the synthesis of novel (“foodset‐derived”) nodes from existing ones (the “foodset”). Thus, RAFs are uniquely suited to modeling how new structure grows out of currently available structure, and analyzing phase transitions in potentially very large networks. RAFs have been used to model the origins of evolutionary processes, both biological (the origin of life) and cultural (the origin of cumulative innovation), and may potentially provide an overarching framework that integrates evolutionary and developmental approaches to cognition. Applied to cognition, thefoodsetconsists of information obtained through social learning or individual learning of pre‐existing information, andfoodset‐deriveditems arise through mental operations resulting in new information. Thus, mental representations are not only propagators of spreading activation, but they also trigger the derivation of new mental representations. To illustrate the application of RAF networks in cognitive science, we develop a step‐by‐step process model of conceptual change (i.e., the process by which a child becomes an active participant in cultural evolution), focusing on childrens' mental models of the shape of the Earth. Using results from (Vosniadou & Brewer, 1992), we model different trajectories from the flat Earth model to the spherical Earth model, as well as the impact of other factors, such as pretend play, on cognitive development. As RAFs increase in size and number, they begin to merge, bridging previously compartmentalized knowledge, and get subsumed by a giant RAF (the maxRAF) that constrains and enables the scaffolding of new conceptual structure. At this point, the cognitive network becomes self‐sustaining and self‐organizing. The child can reliably frame new knowledge and experiences in terms of previous ones, and engage in recursive representational redescription and abstract thought. We suggest that individual differences in thereactivityof mental representations, that is, their proclivity to trigger conceptual change, culminate in different cognitive networks and concomitant learning trajectories.
NATURE'S POWERS AND GOD'S ENERGIES
Authors: Raslau Flavius D.
Published: November 2021

This is an exploration into the synthesis of Mumford and Anjum's pandispositionalist philosophy with Deacon's emergent dynamics, which when interpreted within the theological framework of Palamas’s essence–energies distinction, it all comes together into a new metaphysics that offers a more satisfactory account of the God–world relation. The argument proceeds in two stages. First, a philosophical framework for establishing a dual‐aspect monistic view of the world in terms of presence/absence (or manifested/unmanifested), acknowledging unmanifested powers as a genuine mode of actuality. Second, a theological consideration for a befitting conception of God within this scheme, according to which nature's powers are equated with God's energies, though God's essence is not exhausted by them. The resulting proposition promises a non‐Whiteheadian process view, a panentheistic (not pantheistic) articulation of divine presence, and an account of reality as the dramatization of God's manifestation in the world and our participation in that cosmic revealing.
THEISTIC EVOLUTION IN THREE TRADITIONS
Authors: Sharp James
Published: November 2021

This article examines the role of theistic evolution in the work of three scholars: Christian theologian Keith Ward, rabbi and philosopher Jonathan Sacks, and Muslim physicist Nidhal Guessoum. Ward presents theistic evolution in a theological context, while Sacks and Guessoum present theistic evolution in broader contexts: Sacks as part of a reassessment of science and religion in western cultures, and Guessoum in arguing for a more sophisticated approach to science and religion within Islam. Their presentations of theistic evolution show the potential for theological and philosophical work concerning science and religion aimed at a popular audience which moves beyond the stubborn categories of conflict and independence or isolation.
THE POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION OF AWE AND NATURE APPRECIATION TO POSITIVE MORAL VALUES
Authors: Craig Curtis M.
Published: November 2021

The present analysis utilizes publicly available survey data to assess attitudes consistent with the religious naturalist orientation. Religious naturalism entails a sense of awe and reverence toward the natural world, and the survey data have subscales assessing awe and a question regarding opportunities to appreciate nature. The reported measures of awe toward the world and secondary analyses looking specifically at nature appreciation found, independent of theistic belief, significant statistical relationships between awe, nature, and self‐reported sense of deep appreciation and peace, the likelihood to care about others, and an association with joy and compassion. These results imply that awe and reverence toward the natural world are independently associated with common moral values (e.g., compassion). This exploratory analysis demonstrates that, from a pragmatic and moral values perspective, religious naturalism has the potential to replace traditional theistic orientations, and that the simple rejection of religious discourse should be reconsidered. Further research should attempt to verify these preliminary conclusions.
THEOLOGIES COMPLETING NATURALISM'S LIMITATIONS
Authors: Carr Paul H.
Published: November 2021

Scientific Naturalism has no eternal life and purpose. Tillich's existential and Whitehead's process theologies overcome the limitations of scientific “naturalism without religion.” Tillich, Wildman, Whitehead, and Bracken update the Bible's promise of eternal life as well as the meaning and goal of history. Paul Tillich's metaphor of religion as the Dimension of Depth is similar to Ursula Goodenough'sSacred Depths of Nature. She considers Tillich to be a religious naturalist. For Whitehead, the goal of the Universe is the production of beauty. “The thirst for beauty that permeates our lives is an opening to transcendence,” according to theologian Philip Hefner.
The within‐ and between‐day reliability of cerebrovascular reactivity using traditional and novel analytical approaches
Authors: Koep Jodie L. , Weston Max E. , Barker Alan R. , Bailey Tom G. , Coombes Jeff S. , Lester Alice , Bond Bert
Published: November 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of the study?

What is the reliability of middle cerebral artery velocity cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) when using traditional and novel outcomes, as measured by transcranial Doppler?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Traditional CVR approaches presented acceptable reproducibility but should be expressed as an absolute CVR. Large within‐ and between‐individual differences in the middle cerebral artery velocity response profile support using a dynamic peak, rather than a set time point, for the most reliable interpretation. The study highlights the utility of novel kinetic CVR outcomes, but due to increased variability in time‐based metrics, this analysis requires larger sample sizes than traditional methods.

Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) of middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) to CO2 is a common method to assess cerebrovascular function. Yet, the approaches used to calculate CVR outcomes vary. The aim of this study was to explore the within‐ and between‐day reliability of traditional CVR outcomes. The second aim was to explore the reliability of novel kinetic‐based analyses. Healthy adults (n = 10, 22.3 ± 3.4 years) completed assessments of CVR over 4 min using a fixed fraction of inspired CO2 (6%). This was repeated across four separate visits (between‐day), and on one visit measures were repeated 2.5 h later (within‐day). No mean biases were present between assessments for traditional CVR metrics, expressed as absolute (cm/s/mmHg) or relative (%/mmHg) outcomes (minute 3, minute 4, peak 1 s, peak 30 s) (between‐day: P > 0.14, ηp2 < 0.20; within‐day: P > 0.22, d > 0.27). Absolute, rather than relative, CVR yielded the most reproducible parameters (coefficient of variation: 8.1–13.2% vs. 14–83%, respectively). There were significant differences between CVR outcomes (P < 0.001, ηp2 > 0.89) dependent on the time point used to determine CVR, as a steady state MCAv response was rarely observed. Furthermore, the MCAv response was not reproducible within an individual (κ = 0.15, P = 0.09). No mean differences were present for novel kinetic outcomes (amplitude, time‐delay, time constant) (between‐day: P > 0.05, d < 0.33; within‐day: P > 0.38, d < 0.25). The results support the need for standardisation and indicate CVR should be defined as a dynamic peak, rather than a set time point for increased reliability. For novel kinetic outcomes variability was greater (CV: 8.7–120.9%) due to the nature of time‐based metrics.
Intrauterine growth restriction elevates circulating acylcarnitines and suppresses fatty acid metabolism genes in the fetal sheep heart
Authors: Drake Rachel R. , Louey Samantha , Thornburg Kent L.
Published: November 2021

At birth, the mammalian myocardium switches from using carbohydrates as the primary energy substrate to free fatty acids as the primary fuel. Thus, a compromised switch could jeopardize normal heart function in the neonate. Placental embolization in sheep is a reliable model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). It leads to suppression of both proliferation and terminal differentiation of cardiomyocytes. We hypothesized that the expression of genes regulating cardiac fatty acid metabolism would be similarly suppressed in IUGR, leading to compromised processing of lipids. Following 10 days of umbilicoplacental embolization in fetal sheep, IUGR fetuses had elevated circulating long‐chain fatty acylcarnitines compared with controls (C14: CTRL 0.012 ± 0.005 nmol/mlvs. IUGR 0.018 ± 0.005 nmol/ml,P< 0.05; C18: CTRL 0.027 ± 0.009 nmol/molvs. IUGR 0.043 ± 0.024 nmol/mol,P< 0.05,n= 12 control,n= 12 IUGR) indicative of impaired fatty acid metabolism. Uptake studies using fluorescently tagged BODIPY‐C12‐saturated free fatty acid in live, isolated cardiomyocytes showed lipid droplet area and number were not different between control and IUGR cells. mRNA levels of sarcolemmal fatty acid transporters (CD36, FATP6), acylation enzymes (ACSL1, ACSL3), mitochondrial transporter (CPT1), β‐oxidation enzymes (LCAD, HADH, ACAT1), tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme (IDH), esterification enzymes (PAP, DGAT) and regulator of the lipid droplet formation (BSCL2) gene were all suppressed in IUGR myocardium (P< 0.05). However, protein levels for these regulatory genes were not different between groups. This discordance between mRNA and protein levels in the stressed myocardium suggests an adaptive protection of key myocardial enzymes under conditions of placental insufficiency.

image

Key points

The fetal heart relies on carbohydratesin uteroand must be prepared to metabolize fatty acids after birth but the effects of compromised fetal growth on the maturation of this metabolic system are unknown.

Plasma fatty acylcarnitines are elevated in intrauterine growth‐restricted (IUGR) fetuses compared with control fetuses, indicative of impaired fatty acid metabolism in fetal organs.

Fatty acid uptake and storage are not different in IUGR cardiomyocytes compared with controls.

mRNA levels of genes regulating fatty acid transporter and metabolic enzymes are suppressed in the IUGR myocardium compared with controls, while protein levels remain unchanged.

Mismatches in gene and protein expression, and increased circulating fatty acylcarnitines may have long‐term implications for offspring heart metabolism and adult health in IUGR individuals. This requires further investigation.
Acidic pH reduces agonist efficacy and responses to synaptic‐like glycine applications in zebrafish α1 and rat α1β recombinant glycine receptors
Authors: Ivica Josip , Lape Remigijus , Sivilotti Lucia G.
Published: November 2021

Many pentameric ligand‐gated ion channels are modulated by extracellular pH. Glycine receptors (GlyRs) share this property, but it is not well understood how they are affected by pH changes. Whole cell experiments on HEK293 cells expressing zebrafish homomeric α1 GlyR confirmed previous reports that acidic pH (6.4) reduces GlyR sensitivity to glycine, whereas alkaline pH (8.4) has small or negligible effects. In addition to that, at pH 6.4 we observed a reduction in the maximum responses to the partial agonists β‐alanine and taurine relative to the full agonist glycine. In cell‐attached single‐channel recording, low pH reduced agonist efficacy, as the maximum open probability decreased from 0.97, 0.91 and 0.66 to 0.93, 0.57 and 0.34 for glycine, β‐alanine and taurine, respectively, reflecting a threefold decrease in efficacy equilibrium constants for all three agonists. We also tested the effect of pH 6.4 in conditions that replicate those at the native synapse, recording outside‐out currents elicited by fast application of millisecond pulses of agonists on α1 and α1β GlyR, at a range of intracellular chloride concentrations. Acidic pH reduced the area under the curve of the currents, by reducing peak amplitude, slowing activation and speeding deactivation. Our results show that acidification of the extracellular pH by one unit, as may occur in pathological conditions such as ischaemia, impairs GlyR gating and is likely to reduce the effectiveness of glycinergic synaptic inhibition.

image

Key points

Extracellular pH in the central nervous system (CNS) is known to shift towards acidic values during pathophysiological conditions such as ischaemia and seizures.

Acidic extracellular pH is known to affect GABAergic inhibitory synapses, but its effect on signals mediated by glycine receptors (GlyR) is not well characterised.

Moderate acidic conditions (pH 6.4) reduce the maximum single channel open probability of recombinant homomeric GlyRs produced by the neurotransmitter glycine or other agonists, such as β‐alanine and taurine.

When glycine was applied with a piezoelectric stepper to outside out patches, to simulate its fast rise and short duration at the synapse, responses became shorter and smaller at pH 6.4. The effect was also observed with physiologically low intracellular chloride and in mammalian heteromeric GlyRs.

This suggests that acidic pH is likely to reduce the strength of inhibitory signalling at glycinergic synapses.
Review of the Development of Hemodynamic Modeling Techniques to Capture Flow Behavior in Arteries Affected by Aneurysm, Atherosclerosis, and Stenting
Authors: Williamson Petra N. , Docherty Paul D. , Yazdi Sina G. , Khanafer Adib , Kabaliuk Natalia , Jermy Mark , Geoghegan Patrick H.
Published: November 2021

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in the developed world. CVD can include atherosclerosis, aneurysm, dissection, or occlusion of the main arteries. Many CVDs are caused by unhealthy hemodynamics. Some CVDs can be treated with the implantation of stents and stent grafts. Investigations have been carried out to understand the effects of stents and stent grafts have on arteries and the hemodynamic changes post-treatment. Numerous studies on stent hemodynamics have been carried out using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) which has yielded significant insight into the effect of stent mesh design on near-wall blood flow and improving hemodynamics. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) has also been used to capture behavior of fluids that mimic physiological hemodynamics. However, PIV studies have largely been restricted to unstented models or intra-aneurysmal flow rather than peri or distal stent flow behaviors. PIV has been used both as a standalone measurement method and as a comparison to validate the CFD studies. This article reviews the successes and limitations of CFD and PIV-based modeling methods used to investigate the hemodynamic effects of stents. The review includes an overview of physiology and relevant mechanics of arteries as well as consideration of boundary conditions and the working fluids used to simulate blood for each modeling method along with the benefits and limitations introduced.
Effect of Intramedullary Nailing Patterns on Interfragmentary Strain in a Mouse Femur Fracture: A Parametric Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Lowen Gregory B. , Garrett Katherine A. , Moore-Lotridge Stephanie N. , Uppuganti Sasidhar , Guelcher Scott A. , Schoenecker Jonathan G. , Nyman Jeffry S.
Published: November 2021

Delayed long bone fracture healing and nonunion continue to be a significant socioeconomic burden. While mechanical stimulation is known to be an important determinant of the bone repair process, understanding how the magnitude, mode, and commencement of interfragmentary strain (IFS) affect fracture healing can guide new therapeutic strategies to prevent delayed healing or nonunion. Mouse models provide a means to investigate the molecular and cellular aspects of fracture repair, yet there is only one commercially available, clinically-relevant, locking intramedullary nail (IMN) currently available for studying long bone fractures in rodents. Having access to alternative IMNs would allow a variety of mechanical environments at the fracture site to be evaluated, and the purpose of this proof-of-concept finite element analysis study is to identify which IMN design parameters have the largest impact on IFS in a murine transverse femoral osteotomy model. Using the dimensions of the clinically relevant IMN as a guide, the nail material, distance between interlocking screws, and clearance between the nail and endosteal surface were varied between simulations. Of these parameters, changing the nail material from stainless steel (SS) to polyetheretherketone (PEEK) had the largest impact on IFS. Reducing the distance between the proximal and distal interlocking screws substantially affected IFS only when nail modulus was low. Therefore, IMNs with low modulus (e.g., PEEK) can be used alongside commercially available SS nails to investigate the effect of initial IFS or stability on fracture healing with respect to different biological conditions of repair in rodents.
The Role of the Non-Collagenous Extracellular Matrix in Tendon and Ligament Mechanical Behavior: A Review
Authors: Eisner Lainie E. , Rosario Ryan , Andarawis-Puri Nelly , Arruda Ellen M.
Published: November 2021

Tendon is a connective tissue that transmits loads from muscle to bone, while ligament is a similar tissue that stabilizes joint articulation by connecting bone to bone. Seventy to 90% of tendon and ligament's extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of a hierarchical collagen structure that provides resistance to deformation primarily in the fiber direction, and the remaining fraction consists of a variety of non-collagenous proteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) whose mechanical roles are not well characterized. ECM constituents such as elastin, the proteoglycans decorin, biglycan, lumican, fibromodulin, lubricin, and aggrecan and their associated GAGs, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) have been suggested to contribute to tendon and ligament's characteristic quasi-static and viscoelastic mechanical behavior in tension, shear, and compression. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing literature regarding the contribution of the non-collagenous ECM to tendon and ligament mechanics, and to highlight key gaps in knowledge that future studies may address. Using insights from theoretical mechanics and biology, we discuss the role of the non-collagenous ECM in quasi-static and viscoelastic tensile, compressive, and shear behavior in the fiber direction and orthogonal to the fiber direction. We also address the efficacy of tools that are commonly used to assess these relationships, including enzymatic degradation, mouse knockout models, and computational models. Further work in this field will foster a better understanding of tendon and ligament damage and healing as well as inform strategies for tissue repair and regeneration.
A Method of Optimal Control for Class 8 Vehicle Platoons Over Hilly Terrain
Authors: Ward Jacob W. , Stegner Evan M. , Hoffman Mark A. , Bevly David M.
Published: November 2021

This work develops and implements a nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) control system to facilitate fuel-optimal platooning of class 8 vehicles over challenging terrain. Prior research has shown that cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC), which allows multiple class 8 vehicles to follow in close succession, can save between 3% and 8% in overall fuel consumption on flat terrain. However, on more challenging terrain, e.g., rolling hills, platooning vehicles can experience diminished fuel savings, and, in some cases, an increase in fuel consumption relative to individual vehicle operation. This research explores the use of NMPC with predefined route grade profiles to allow platooning vehicles to generate an optimal velocity trajectory with respect to fuel consumption. In order to successfully implement the NMPC system, a model relating vehicle velocity to fuel consumption was generated and validated using experimental data. Additionally, the predefined route grade profiles were created by using the vehicle's GPS velocity over the desired terrain. The real-time NMPC system was then implemented on a two-truck platoon operating over challenging terrain, with a reference vehicle running individually. The results from NMPC platooning are compared against fuel results from a classical proportional-integral-derivative (PID) headway control method. This comparison yields the comparative fuel savings and energy efficiency benefit of the NMPC system. In the final analysis, significant fuel savings of greater than 14 and 20% were seen for the lead and following vehicles relative to their respective traditional cruise control and platooning architectures.
An Optimal Speed Control Method of Multiple Turboshaft Engines Based on Sequence Shifting Control Algorithm
Authors: Wang Yong , Cai Changpeng , Song Jie , Zhang Haibo
Published: November 2021

In order to overcome the problem of significant drop in operational efficiency remarkably while power turbine speed varies among a large range, an optimal speed control method of multiple turboshaft engines based on sequential shifting control (SSC) algorithm is proposed. Firstly, combined with multispeed gearboxes, a sequential shifting control algorithm of multiple turboshaft engines is proposed and designed to accomplish continuously variable speed control. Then, selecting the minimum engine fuel flow as the optimization objective, an integrated optimization method of optimal speed based on multiple engines and multispeed gearboxes is proposed to promote the operational economy. Finally, the simulation tests of the optimal speed control method of twin and triple turboshaft engines are conducted separately. The results demonstrate that the optimal speed control method of multiple turboshaft engines based on SSC algorithm can change the power turbine speeds by no more than 7% and the main rotor speed by over 8% simultaneously. In addition, compared with the fixed-ratio transmission (FRT), engine fuel flows decrease by more than 2% under different cruise states. It proves that the optimal speed control method is beneficial to obtain more superior overall performances of the integrated helicopter/multi-engine system without considerable loss of compressor surge margin.
Stall Warning Strategy Based on Fast Wavelet Analysis in a Multistage Axial Flow Compressor
Authors: Liu Yang , Li Jichao , Du Juan , Zhang Hongwu , Nie Chaoqun
Published: November 2021

As a reliable stall warning strategy, the fast wavelet method was introduced to successfully predict the aerodynamic instability of a multistage axial flow compressor. One single sensor installed at each stage is proved to be sufficient to predict the stability status in a three-stage axial flow compressor. The whole prediction strategy includes the dynamic pressure signal capture, disturbance extraction using decomposition and reconstruction via fast wavelet transform, and stall warning index calculation based on statistical probability distribution. On this premise, the first occurrence of the stall in this three-stage axial flow compressor is predicted to be within the first stage, which is consistent with the stall route captured by the eight transducers around the casing wall. Thereafter, the stall warning index is used to monitor the stability status during the continuous throttling process. Furthermore, the validation using tip air injection and inlet radial distortion indicated that the stall warning index decreases as the compressor's stability improves. Conversely, the deterioration of stability causes the increase of the stall warning index. Thus, experimental results demonstrate that the stall warning method based on fast wavelet analysis can predict the aerodynamic instability in actual application.
In Vitro Evaluation of a Nasal Interface Used to Improve Delivery From a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Authors: Christianson Cole D. , Pillay Kineshta , Chen John Z. , Finlay Warren H. , Martin Andrew R.
Published: November 2021

Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) are widely used to administer long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and employ pulsed delivery modes to conserve oxygen. Efficient pulsed delivery requires that POCs are triggered by patient inhalation. Triggering is known to fail for some patients during periods of quiet breathing, as occurs during sleep. This article describes a new nasal interface designed to improve triggering of pulsed oxygen delivery from POCs. In vitro experiments incorporating realistic nasal airway replicas and simulated breathing were conducted. The pressure monitored via oxygen supply tubing (the signal pressure) was measured over a range of constant inhalation flow rates with the nasal interface inserted into the nares of the nasal airway replicas, and then compared with signal pressures measured for standard and flared nasal cannulas. The triggering efficiency and fraction of inhaled oxygen (FiO2) were next evaluated for the nasal interface and cannulas used with a commercial POC during simulated tidal breathing through the replicas. Higher signal pressures were achieved for the nasal interface than for nasal cannulas at all flow rates studied. The nasal interface triggered pulsed delivery from the POC in cases where nasal cannulas had failed to do so. FiO2 was significantly higher for successful triggering cases than for failed triggering cases. The nasal interface improved triggering of pulsed oxygen delivery from a POC and presents a simple solution that could be used with commercially available POCs to reliably supply oxygen during periods of quiet breathing.
Active Cooling System for Downhole Electronics in High-Temperature Environments
Authors: Wei Minghui , Cai Wei , Xu Mingze , Deng Shuang
Published: November 2021

Downhole high-temperature environment is an important factor affecting the performance of downhole electronic system. At present, various active cooling technologies and passive cooling technologies have been proposed to reduce the temperature of downhole electric circuit system. However, passive cooling technologies can only provide limited cooling capacity for drilling tools under high-temperature environment, and the duration of cooling is short, which cannot meet the long-time drilling task. This paper presents an active cooling system (ACS) for downhole electronics and the effects of different temperatures on the performance of electronic components are analyzed. The ACS mainly includes a micro supercharger, condenser tube, evaporation pipe, capillary tube, and refrigerant. The theoretical analysis of heat transfer and refrigerant capacity in high-temperature environment is carried out. The thermal characteristics of the ACS are evaluated experimentally. The results show that the temperature of electronic components can be reduced to below 163 °C in the 200 °C downhole environment and components. The geomagnetic field data measured by electronic components at room temperature, 200 °C and with ACS are compared. The results show that ACS can keep electronic components working normally.
Micro-Testing While Drilling for Rate of Penetration Optimization: Experiments and Simulations
Authors: Nystad Magnus , Aadnøy Bernt Sigve , Pavlov Alexey
Published: November 2021

The rate of penetration (ROP) is one of the key parameters related to the efficiency of the drilling process. Within the confines of operational limits, the drilling parameters affecting the ROP should be optimized to drill more efficiently and safely, to reduce the overall cost of constructing the well. In this study, a data-driven optimization method called Extremum Seeking (ES) is employed to automatically find and maintain the optimal weight on bit (WOB) which maximizes the ROP. The ES algorithm is a model-free method that gathers information about the current downhole conditions by automatically performing small tests with the WOB and executing optimization actions based on the test results. In this paper, this optimization method is augmented with a combination of a predictive and a reactive constraint handling technique to adhere to operational limitations. These methods of constraint handling are demonstrated for a maximal limit imposed on the surface torque, but the methods are generic and can be applied to various drilling parameters. The proposed optimization scheme has been tested with experiments on a downscaled drilling rig and simulations on a high-fidelity drilling simulator of a full-scale drilling operation. The experiments and simulations show the method’s ability to steer the system to the optimum and to handle constraints and noisy data, resulting in safe and efficient drilling at high ROP.
A fully hardware-based memristive multilayer neural network
Authors: Kiani Fatemeh , Yin Jun , Wang Zhongrui , Yang J. Joshua , Xia Qiangfei
Published: November 2021

A fully hardware-based memristive neural network is capable of delivering high computing throughput and power efficiency.
Constructing a Defined Starter for Multispecies Vinegar Fermentation via Evaluation of the Vitality and Dominance of Functional Microbes in an Autochthonous Starter
Authors: Huang Ting , Lu Zhen-Ming , Peng Ming-Ye , Chai Li-Juan , Zhang Xiao-Juan , Shi Jin-Song , Li Qi , Xu Zheng-Hong
Published: November 2021

Complex microorganisms are beneficial to the flavor formation in natural food fermentation, but they also pose challenges to the mass production of standardized products. It is attractive to construct a defined starter to rapidly initiate fermentation process and significantly improve fermentation yield.
Age-Related Susceptibility of Ferrets to SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Martins Mathias , Fernandes Maureen H. V. , Joshi Lok R. , Diel Diego G.
Published: November 2021

In humans, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in various cells and tissues, and differential expression has been described in young and old people, with a higher level of expressing cells being detected in the nasal brushing of older people than young individuals. We described the same pattern occurring in ferrets, and we demonstrated that age affects susceptibility of ferrets to SARS-CoV-2.
Plasma gp96 is a Novel Predictive Biomarker for Severe COVID-19
Authors: Wei Rongguo , Zhou Biyan , Li Shaohua , Zhong Debin , Li Boan , Qin Jianqiu , Zhao Liping , Qin Lixian , Hu Jun , Wang Jiuru , Yang Shixiong , Zhao Jingming , Meng Songdong
Published: November 2021

Early and effective identification of severe COVID-19 may allow us to improve the outcomes of associated severe acute respiratory illness with fever and respiratory symptoms. Some heat shock proteins (Hsps) are released during oxidative stress, cytotoxic injury, and viral infection and behave as danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).
A Rapid Drug Resistance Genotyping Workflow for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Using Targeted Isothermal Amplification and Nanopore Sequencing
Authors: Gliddon Harriet D. , Frampton Dan , Munsamy Vanisha , Heaney Jude , Pataillot-Meakin Thomas , Nastouli Eleni , Pym Alexander S. , Steyn Adrie J. C. , Pillay Deenan , McKendry Rachel A.
Published: November 2021

Current methods for diagnosing drug-resistant tuberculosis are time consuming, resulting in delays in patients receiving treatment and in transmission onwards. They also require a high level of laboratory infrastructure, which is often only available at centralized facilities, resulting in further delays to diagnosis and additional barriers to deployment in resource-limited settings.
Selective Bacterial Community Enrichment between the Pitcher Plants Sarracenia minor and Sarracenia flava
Authors: Yourstone Scott M. , Weinstein Ilon , Ademski Elizabeth , Shank Elizabeth A. , Stasulli Nikolas M.
Published: November 2021

This study uses amplicon sequencing to compare the bacterial communities of environmental samples from the detritus of the leaf cavities of
Sarracenia minor
and
Sarracenia flava
pitcher plants. We sampled the detritus at the same time and in the same geographic location, eliminating many environmental variables present in other comparative studies.
Bi-Reporter Vaccinia Virus for Tracking Viral Infections
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Authors: Chiem Kevin , Lorenzo Maria M. , Rangel-Moreno Javier , Garcia-Hernandez Maria De La Luz , Park Jun-Gyu , Nogales Aitor , Blasco Rafael , Martínez-Sobrido Luis
Published: November 2021

Despite the eradication of variola virus (VARV), the causative agent of smallpox, poxviruses still represent an important threat to human health due to their possible use as bioterrorism agents and the emergence of zoonotic poxvirus diseases. Recombinant vaccinia viruses (rVV) expressing easily traceable fluorescent or luciferase reporter genes have significantly contributed to the progress of poxvirus research.
Bridging thrombolysis in atrial fibrillation stroke is associated with increased hemorrhagic complications without improved outcomes
Authors: Akbik Feras , Alawieh Ali , Dimisko Laurie , Howard Brian M , Cawley C Michael , Tong Frank C , Nahab Fadi , Samuels Owen B , Maier Ilko , Feng Wuwei , Goyal Nitin , Starke Robert M , Rai Ansaar , Fargen Kyle M , Psychogios Marios N , Jabbour Pascal , De Leacy Reade , Keyrouz Saleh G , Dumont Travis M , Kan Peter , Liman Jan , Arthur Adam S , Wolfe Stacey Q , Mocco J , Crosa Roberto Javier , Fox W Christopher , Gory Benjamin , Spiotta Alejandro M , Grossberg Jonathan A
Published: November 2021

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) associated ischemic stroke is associated with worse functional outcomes, less effective recanalization, and increased rates of hemorrhagic complications after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Conversely, AF is not associated with hemorrhagic complications or functional outcomes in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT). This differential effect of MT and IVT in AF associated stroke raises the question of whether bridging thrombolysis increases hemorrhagic complications in AF patients undergoing MT.

Methods

This international cohort study of 22 comprehensive stroke centers analyzed patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing MT between June 1, 2015 and December 31, 2020. Patients were divided into four groups based on comorbid AF and IVT exposure. Baseline patient characteristics, complications, and outcomes were reported and compared.

Results

6461 patients underwent MT for LVO. 2311 (35.8%) patients had comorbid AF. In non-AF patients, bridging therapy improved the odds of good 90 day functional outcomes (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.29, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.60, p=0.025) and did not increase hemorrhagic complications. In AF patients, bridging therapy led to significant increases in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and parenchymal hematoma type 2 (aOR 1.66, 1.07 to 2.57, p=0.024) without any benefit in 90 day functional outcomes. Similar findings were noted in a separate propensity score analysis.

Conclusion

In this large thrombectomy registry, AF patients exposed to IVT before MT had increased hemorrhagic complications without improved functional outcomes, in contrast with non-AF patients. Prospective trials are warranted to assess whether AF patients represent a subgroup of LVO patients who may benefit from a direct to thrombectomy approach at thrombectomy capable centers.
Strong first-order phase transition and B-violation in the compact 341 model
Authors: Boubakir Alima , Aissaoui Habib , Mebarki Noureddine
Published: November 2021

Baryogenesis in the context of the compact [Formula: see text] model is investigated. Using the finite temperature effective potential approach together with unitarity, stability and no ghost masses constraints, the existence of a strong first-order electroweak phase transition (EWPT) was shown and checked numerically during all steps of the spontaneous breakdown of the gauge symmetry of the model. Higgs masses regions fulfilling the EWPT criteria are also discussed. Moreover, and as a byproduct of our study, the [Formula: see text]-violation via sphaleron was also emphasized.
Holographic insulator/superconductor phase transition via matching method and thermodynamic geometry approach
Authors: Parai Diganta , Ghorai Debabrata , Gangopadhyay Sunandan
Published: November 2021

This paper employs two analytical techniques, namely, the matching method and the thermodynamic geometry approach to investigate the insulator/superconductor phase transition holographically in the presence of a five-dimensional AdS soliton background. This is a sequel of our earlier work [D. Parai, S. Gangopadhyay and D. Ghorai, Ann. Phys. 403, 59 (2019)] where we carried out a similar analysis using the Sturm–Liouville eigenvalue approach. We have first used the matching method to obtain the critical chemical potential, condensation operator and the charge density. Next, we investigate the free energy and thermodynamic geometry of this model. This investigation of the thermodynamic geometry leads to the critical chemical potential of the system from the condition of the divergence of the scalar curvature. We have then compared the value of the critical chemical potential [Formula: see text] obtained from these two different methods. The findings are then compared with the numerical and analytical results obtained from the Sturm–Liouville technique.
China’s Engagement in COVAX: From Hesitation to Active Participation
Authors: Jin Jiyong , Liu Liangtao
Published: November 2021

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the whole world has suffered great losses in personnel and economy. While there had been encouraging news about the research, development and production of several COVID-19 vaccines in 2020, it was imperative to make the vaccines accessible to all. To address this issue, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, together with other organizations, launched the COVAX initiative in April 2020 and set an Advance Market Commitment (AMC) mechanism to contribute to it. Until October 2020, China had not officially signed any related contracts or agreements with Gavi to join the initiative. However, there has since been a shift in China’s attitude from hesitation towards active participation. In the early stages, China’s concern over problems within the AMC mechanism, success in combating COVID-19 and concern on the participation conditions of COVAX caused it to take a cautious stance towards this initiative. However, upholding the flag of multilateralism, China has committed to offering international public goods, assisting in coordinating the equitable distribution of vaccines and promoting Chinese-made vaccines internationally. These factors have motivated China to join the initiative actively.
Fast Filtering of Search Results Sorted by Attribute
Authors: Nardini Franco Maria , Trani Roberto , Venturini Rossano
Published: November 2021

Modern search services often provide multiple options to rank the search results, e.g., sort “by relevance”, “by price” or “by discount” in e-commerce. While the traditional rank by relevance effectively places the relevant results in the top positions of the results list, the rank by attribute could place many marginally relevant results in the head of the results list leading to poor user experience. In the past, this issue has been addressed by investigating the relevance-aware filtering problem, which asks to select the subset of results maximizing the relevance of the attribute-sorted list. Recently, an exact algorithm has been proposed to solve this problem optimally. However, the high computational cost of the algorithm makes it impractical for the Web search scenario, which is characterized by huge lists of results and strict time constraints. For this reason, the problem is often solved using efficient yet inaccurate heuristic algorithms. In this article, we first prove the performance bounds of the existing heuristics. We then propose two efficient and effective algorithms to solve the relevance-aware filtering problem. First, we propose OPT-Filtering, a novel exact algorithm that is faster than the existing state-of-the-art optimal algorithm. Second, we propose an approximate and even more efficient algorithm, ϵ-Filtering, which, given an allowed approximation error ϵ, finds a (1-ϵ)–optimal filtering, i.e., the relevance of its solution is at least (1-ϵ) times the optimum. We conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the two proposed algorithms against state-of-the-art competitors on two real-world public datasets. Experimental results show that OPT-Filtering achieves a significant speedup of up to two orders of magnitude with respect to the existing optimal solution, while ϵ-Filtering further improves this result by trading effectiveness for efficiency. In particular, experiments show that ϵ-Filtering can achieve quasi-optimal solutions while being faster than all state-of-the-art competitors in most of the tested configurations.
Electrochemical Strategies for the Screening of Synthetic Cannabinoid BB-22 (QUCHIC) within a Toxicological Specimen
Authors: Ameen Anaam , Brown Kelly , Dennany Lynn
Published: November 2021

Synthetic Cannabinoids (SC) are amongst the most prevalent class of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) which have emerged. The increase in hospitalisation and fatalities as a result of the prevalence of these SC and their abuse, highlights the necessity for the rapid and reliable screening for the substance within toxicological samples. Being able to rapidly screen for these substances would aim to improve overdose triage and ultimately improve treatment administration. Not only this but it would have further advantages for in-field applications such as the identification of drivers under the influence. To this avail we investigate the ability of a simple electrochemical screening strategy for the detection of SC, BB-22 and its primary metabolite BB-22-3-Carboxyindole. Assessment of the feasibility of the strategy for implementation into toxicological sample analysis was performed through detection not only under ideal electrolyte conditions (down to 5 μM for BB-22 and 2 μM for its metabolite) but also within the complex biological matrix of human pooled serum (between 200 and 700 μM), a relevant matrix it would likely encounter if employed within this field.
Glucose consumption of vascular cell types in culture: toward optimization of experimental conditions
Authors: Torimoto Keiichi , Okuno Keisuke , Kuroda Ryohei , Shanas No’Ad , Cicalese Stephanie M. , Eguchi Kunie , Elliott Katherine J. , Kawai Tatsuo , Corbett Cali B. , Peluzzo Amanda M. , St. Paul Amanda K. , Autieri Michael V. , Scalia Rosario , Rizzo Victor , Hashimoto Tomoki , Eguchi Satoru
Published: November 2021

In this study, we have looked for an optimum media glucose concentration and compared glucose consumption in three vascular cell types, endothelial cells (ECs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) with or without angiotensin II (AngII) stimulation. In a subconfluent 6-well experiment in 1 mL DMEM with a standard low (100 mg/dL), a standard high (450 mg/dL), or a mixed middle (275 mg/dL) glucose concentration, steady and significant glucose consumption was observed in all cell types. After 48-h incubation, media that contained low glucose was reduced to almost 0 mg/dL, media that contained high glucose remained significantly higher at ∼275 mg/dL, and media that contained middle glucose remained closer to physiological range. AngII treatment enhanced glucose consumption in AFs and VSMCs but not in ECs. Enhanced extracellular acidification rate by AngII was also observed in AFs. In AFs, AngII induction of target proteins at 48 h varied depending on the glucose concentration used. In low glucose media, induction of glucose regulatory protein 78 or hexokinase II was highest, whereas induction of VCAM-1 was lowest. Utilization of specific inhibitors further suggests essential roles of angiotensin II type-1 receptor and glycolysis in AngII-induced fibroblast activation. Overall, this study demonstrates a high risk of hypo- or hyperglycemic conditions when standard low or high glucose media is used with vascular cells. Moreover, these conditions may significantly alter experimental outcomes. Media glucose concentration should be monitored during any culture experiments and utilization of middle glucose media is recommended for all vascular cell types.