bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal-Hydraulic Characterization of Shell-Side Flow in a Cryogenic Coiled Finned-Tube Heat Exchanger
Authors: Howard Jonathon , Hasan Nusair , Knudsen Peter
Published: January 2021

Coiled finned-tube heat exchangers, also called Collins type heat exchangers, are frequently used in small- to medium-scale cryogenic systems to improve design packaging (compactness) while maintaining high thermal effectiveness. A typical heat exchanger assembly of this kind consists of an inner cylindrical shell, called the mandrel, with helical finned-tube coils wrapped around it, and then enclosed by an outer shell. One flow path is through the helically wrapped tube, and the other flow path through annular flow region of the tubes. These are also known as tube and shell streams, respectively. An accurate description of the shell-side thermal-hydraulic flow characteristics is a necessary part of the heat exchanger design. In this paper, these characteristics for cryogenic gaseous nitrogen, between 300 and 100 K, are numerically investigated. A computational fluid dynamics model of the shell-side geometry is developed and validated. Simulations are carried out for a wide range of flow conditions. Data obtained from the numerical simulations are used to form correlations between the shell-side Reynolds number (Re), Fanning friction factor (f), and Chilton-Colburn factor (j). In addition, the effect of geometrical variance on the correlation was investigated. The results from this study show reasonable agreement with experimental data.
Design and Fabrication of Custom-Fit BiPAP and CPAP Masks Using Three-Dimensional Imaging and Three-Dimensional Printing Techniques
Authors: Martelly Erica , Rana Sandeep , Shimada Kenji
Published: January 2021

Noninvasive ventilator support such as bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is often used for patients with obstructive sleep apnea or neuromuscular disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where respiratory muscles are weakened. Current commercially available masks for BiPAP and CPAP are often cited as being ill-fitting and leaky, leading to poor quality of sleep or reduced usage of therapy. This project seeks to minimize leaks and maximize comfort by developing custom-fit masks. Patient faces are imaged using an in-house camera system to obtain a three-dimensional (3D) facial contour. Custom interfaces are generated based on this contour using interactive computer software. Using 3D printing to enable rapid tooling, these interfaces are produced in a skin-safe silicone and attached to an off-the-shelf (OTS) mask to create a custom mask. The methodology has been initially tested on five healthy subjects who underwent a two-night sleep study, one night with an OTS mask and one night with a custom-fit mask, to evaluate the leakage and comfort of the custom-fit mask compared to the OTS version. Subjects filled out a questionnaire asking them about mask comfort, leakage, and quality of sleep along with open-ended questions. While the custom-fit mask did not reduce the average measured leakage for subjects, subjects reported experiencing less leakage. Overall, results suggest that the custom-fit masks are more comfortable and tolerable than the provided OTS option. Subject feedback will be implemented into future masks that will be used in a clinical study.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Flow and Heat Transfer in Stationary Two-Pass Rectangular Duct (AR = 1:2) With Continuous and Broken V-Shaped Ribs
Authors: Erelli Ramesh , Saha Arun K.
Published: January 2021

The combined experimental and large eddy simulations (LES) were performed in the stationary two-pass duct of aspect ratio (AR) 1:2. The experiments were conducted with three different rib arrangements, namely, 60 deg V, 60 deg V–IV, and broken 60 deg V–IV ribs, and the analysis was carried out with Reynolds numbers of 45,000, 60,000, and 75,000. The infrared thermography (IRT) technique is employed to obtain the local temperature distribution on heated smooth and ribbed surfaces. In all ribbed cases, the copper ribs are glued to the heated surface with a fixed rib height-to-hydraulic diameter (e/Dh) ratio of 0.125 and the rib pitch-to-height ratio (P/e) of 10 and 5 for continuous and broken ribs, respectively. In addition, the LES turbulence model was adopted for carrying out a simulation to understand the flow and heat transfer behavior in ducts populated with all three V-shaped ribs. The comparison of the time-averaged thermal fields generated using computations has been made with experimentally measured Nusselt numbers, friction factors, thermal performance factor (TPF), and Reynolds analogy performance parameter (RAPP) for all cases. The overall thermal performance factor was found to be quantitatively within 8.0–10.66% between experimental and numerical results. Among all the cases, the 60 deg V–IV ribbed duct provides the best TPF and RAPP than the other two ribbed ducts, whereas the smooth duct shows poor TPF.
Isothermal Versus Sensible Cold Storage: A Model-Based Performance Comparison for Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage
Authors: Miklavcic Peter M. , Gluesenkamp Kyle R. , Ishmael Mitchell
Published: January 2021

Pumped-thermal energy storage (PTES) systems consume and produce electrical energy using thermal storage media as an intermediate stage. PTES lends itself to long-duration energy storage to facilitate high penetration of intermittent electricity generation. This study presents a model-based comparison of two thermal storage types within a PTES system: a conventional, single-phase, stratified water-glycol sensible storage system (SGS), and an ideal isothermal, two-phase heat exchanger that freezes a water reservoir (isothermal heat exchanger (IHEX)). The SGS thermal storage capacity is based on the liquid’s sensible heat change with temperature, whereas the capacity of the IHEX is based on the latent heat of isothermally freezing and melting water. The idealized IHEX modeled here undergoes steady-state melting and freezing (in contrast to transient rates, as observed with ice-on-coil storage). A computational model of a complete PTES system is presented and used to evaluate the PTES system-level performance with each type of cold storage. Compared to SGS-based PTES, under nominal operating conditions, the IHEX-based PTES increased electrical round-trip efficiency from 61% to 82% and increased energy density from 1.13 to 8.09 kWh/m3 The performance of the PTES configured with IHEX storage was also analyzed under varying operating parameters.
Experimental Evaluation of Volatile Organic Compound Quantification Methods for Reciprocating Natural Gas Engines
Authors: King Brenna , Venkitachalam Mukund , Olsen Daniel
Published: January 2021

Compressor stations utilizing large-bore natural gas engines transport natural gas through pipelines worldwide. One emission class regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are nonmethane, nonethane, nonaldehyde hydrocarbons. The combination of a gas chromatograph (GC) and a flame ionization detector (FID) can measure VOCs, following EPA Method 18/25A. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) also measures VOCs, following EPA Method 320. Multiple VOC calculation techniques are utilized, some combining measurements from separate analyzers. Two basic methods of extracting exhaust gas are direct extraction and Tedlar bag sampling. In this study, various VOC quantification methods are evaluated. Exhaust gas was sampled from a Cooper-Bessemer GMV lean-burn engine and a Caterpillar G3304 rich-burn engine. The GMV was tested in three configurations: open chamber spark ignition, precombustion chamber (PCC) ignition, and PCC ignition with high-pressure fuel injection. Ignition timing sweeps were performed on both engines, and a fuel variability test was performed on the GMV. Results showed that the Gasmet and MKS FTIRs’ (Method 320) VOC measurements deviate significantly from the HP GC when measuring low molar concentrations, albeit below regulatory limits. A common VOC quantification approach is subtracting the sum of methane and ethane FTIR measurements from a total hydrocarbon measurement utilizing a FID. This method produces uncertainties of 190% and overestimates VOC concentration by an average of 100%. The Tedlar bag sampling method produced VOC measurements within −2% of the direct extraction method.
Atomic layer deposition of hafnium and zirconium oxyfluoride thin films
Authors: Mahuli Neha , Cavanagh Andrew S. , George Steven M.
Published: January 2021

Hafnium and zirconium oxyfluoride films may act as effective protective coatings during plasma processing. The low molar volume expansion/contraction ratios and the small estimated strain values versus fluorination/oxidation suggest that hafnium and zirconium oxyfluorides can serve as protective coatings in both fluorine and oxygen plasma environments. To demonstrate the procedures for depositing these films, hafnium and zirconium oxyfluorides with tunable stoichiometry were grown using atomic layer deposition (ALD) at 150 °C. Tetrakis(dimethylamido)hafnium and tetrakis(ethylmethylamido)zirconium were used as the metal precursors. H2O and HF were employed as the oxygen and fluorine precursors, respectively. MOxFy (M = Hf and Zr) films were grown using two deposition mechanisms: the nanolaminate method and the HF exchange method. In situ quartz crystal microbalance studies were employed to monitor the MOxFy growth. Both deposition methods observed a linear MOxFy growth at 150 °C. The nanolaminate method is defined by the sequential deposition of MOx ALD and MFy ALD layers. Compositional tunability was achieved by varying the ratio of the number of MOx ALD cycles to the number of MFy ALD cycles in the nanolaminate. The HF exchange method is based on the thermodynamically favorable fluorination reaction of MOx by HF. Variable oxygen-to-fluorine concentrations in these films were obtained either by changing the HF pressure or by varying the thickness of the underlying MOx ALD layers. Ex situ Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy measurements were utilized to determine the composition of the various MOxFy thin films. Both deposition techniques displayed a wide range of compositional tunability from HfO2 to HfF4 and ZrO2 to ZrF4. In addition, the physical sputtering rates of MOxFy films were estimated from the film removal rates during ex situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiling. The physical sputtering rates increased with F concentration in the MOxFy films.
Tick Microbiomes in Neotropical Forest Fragments Are Best Explained by Tick-Associated and Environmental Factors Rather than Host Blood Source
Authors: Kueneman Jordan G. , Esser Helen J. , Weiss Sophie J. , Jansen Patrick A. , Foley Janet E.
Published: January 2021

Blood-feeding arthropod microbiomes often play important roles in disease transmission, yet the factors that structure tick microbial communities in the Neotropics are unknown. Utilizing ticks collected from live animals in neotropical forest fragments, this study teases apart the contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic tick-associated factors on tick microbial composition as well as which specific microbes contribute to differences across tick species, tick life stages, the mammals they fed on, and the locations from where they were sampled.
How Rhizobia Adapt to the Nodule Environment
Authors: Ledermann Raphael , Schulte Carolin C. M. , Poole Philip S.
Published: January 2021

Rhizobia are a phylogenetically diverse group of soil bacteria that engage in mutualistic interactions with legume plants. Although specifics of the symbioses differ between strains and plants, all symbioses ultimately result in the formation of specialized root nodule organs that host the nitrogen-fixing microsymbionts called bacteroids.
Nonsegmented Negative-Sense RNA Viruses Utilize
N
6
-Methyladenosine (m
6
A) as a Common Strategy To Evade Host Innate Immunity
Authors: Lu Mijia , Xue Miaoge , Wang Hai-Tao , Kairis Elizabeth L. , Ahmad Sadeem , Wei Jiangbo , Zhang Zijie , Liu Qinzhe , Zhang Yuexiu , Gao Youling , Garcin Dominique , Peeples Mark E. , Sharma Amit , Hur Sun , He Chuan , Li Jianrong
Published: January 2021

The nonsegmented negative-sense (NNS) RNA viruses share many common replication and gene expression strategies. There are no vaccines or antiviral drugs for many of these viruses.
Structural Domains of the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 gD Protein That Restrict Human Immunodeficiency Virus Particle Infectivity
Authors: Polpitiya Arachchige Sachith , Henke Wyatt , Kalamvoki Maria , Stephens Edward B.
Published: January 2021

Previously, we showed that unlike HSV-1, the presence of the gD glycoprotein in virus producer cells but not gB potently restricted HIV-1 particle infectivity. To better understand the relationship between cell surface expression, virus incorporation, and restriction of HIV-1, we analyzed a series of deletion mutants and chimeric proteins in which domains of gD and gB were swapped.
Reviewing recordings of neonatal resuscitation with parents
Authors: den Boer Maria C , Houtlosser Mirjam , Witlox Ruben S G M , van der Stap Roosmarijn , de Vries Martine C , Lopriore Enrico , te Pas Arjan B
Published: January 2021

Background

Recording of neonatal resuscitation, including video and respiratory parameters, was implemented for research and quality purposes at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Leiden University Medical Center, and parents were offered to review the recording of their infant together with a neonatal care provider. We aimed to provide insight in parental experiences with reviewing the recording of the neonatal resuscitation of their premature infant.

Methods

This study combined participant observations during parental review of recordings with retrospective qualitative interviews with parents.

Results

Parental review of recordings of neonatal resuscitation was observed on 20 occasions, reviewing recordings of 31 children (12 singletons, 8 twins and 1 triplet), of whom 4 died during admission. Median (range) gestational age at birth was 27+5 (24+5–30+3) weeks. Subsequently, 25 parents (13 mothers and 12 fathers) were interviewed.

Parents reported many positive experiences, with special emphasis on the value for getting hold of the start of their infant’s life and coping with the trauma of neonatal resuscitation. Reviewing recordings of neonatal resuscitation frequently resulted in appreciation for the child, the father and the medical team. Timing and set-up of the review contributed to positive experiences. Parents considered screenshots/copies of the recording of the resuscitation of their infant as valuable keepsakes of their NICU story and reported that having the screenshots/video comforted them, especially when their child died during admission.

Conclusion

Parents consider reviewing recordings of neonatal resuscitation as valuable. These positive parental experiences could allay concerns about sharing recordings of neonatal resuscitation with parents.
Higher prevalence of fundus haemorrhages in early-screened (NEST Study) as compared to late-screened (SUNDROP Study) newborn populations
Authors: Ludwig Cassie A. , Jabbehdari Sayena , Ji Marco , Vail Daniel , Al-Moujahed Ahmad , Rosenblatt Tatiana , Azad Amee D. , Veerappan Malini , Callaway Natalia F. , Moshfeghi Darius M.
Published: January 2021

Background/aims

To determine whether timing of ophthalmic screening influences prevalence of neonatal fundus haemorrhages. We compared the prevalence of fundus haemorrhages in two populations: term newborns screened early (less than 72 hours) and preterm newborns screened late (4–11 weeks). Additionally, we reviewed the literature on timing and prevalence of newborn haemorrhages.

Methods

Retrospective observational cohort study. Infants who underwent wide-angle ophthalmic digital imaging over one overlapping year in the Newborn Eye Screen Testing (NEST) or Stanford University Network for Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP) programme were included. The PubMed database was filtered to include English-language articles dating back to 1950. Nine articles were selected for review based on inclusion of the prevalence of newborn fundus haemorrhages at multiple time points.

Results

A total of 202 patients received early imaging in the NEST cohort and 73 patients received late imaging in the SUNDROP cohort. In the NEST cohort, 20.2% of newborns had haemorrhages. In contrast, we found haemorrhages in only one case or 1.4% of the SUNDROP cohort. Using prevalence data from nine additional studies, we developed a predicted probabilities model of newborn haemorrhages. Per this model, the probability of seeing a haemorrhage if you screen an infant at 1 hour is 18.8%, at 2 weeks is 2.9% and at 1 month is 0.28%.

Conclusion

We found a significant difference in the prevalence of fundus haemorrhages between the early-screened NEST cohort and the late-screened, preterm SUNDROP cohort. Likely, this difference is due to the transient nature of most newborn haemorrhages.
A CHecklist for statistical Assessment of Medical Papers (the CHAMP statement): explanation and elaboration
Authors: Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Collins Gary S , Nielsen Rasmus Oestergaard , Nazemipour Maryam , Jewell Nicholas P , Altman Douglas G , Campbell Michael J
Published: January 2021

Misuse of statistics in medical and sports science research is common and may lead to detrimental consequences to healthcare. Many authors, editors and peer reviewers of medical papers will not have expert knowledge of statistics or may be unconvinced about the importance of applying correct statistics in medical research. Although there are guidelines on reporting statistics in medical papers, a checklist on the more general and commonly seen aspects of statistics to assess when peer-reviewing an article is needed. In this article, we propose a CHecklist for statistical Assessment of Medical Papers (CHAMP) comprising 30 items related to the design and conduct, data analysis, reporting and presentation, and interpretation of a research paper. While CHAMP is primarily aimed at editors and peer reviewers during the statistical assessment of a medical paper, we believe it will serve as a useful reference to improve authors’ and readers’ practice in their use of statistics in medical research. We strongly encourage editors and peer reviewers to consult CHAMP when assessing manuscripts for potential publication. Authors also may apply CHAMP to ensure the validity of their statistical approach and reporting of medical research, and readers may consider using CHAMP to enhance their statistical assessment of a paper.
Effect of a home-visiting parenting program to promote early childhood development and prevent violence: a cluster-randomized trial in Rwanda
Authors: Jensen Sarah KG , Placencio-Castro Matias , Murray Shauna M , Brennan Robert T , Goshev Simo , Farrar Jordan , Yousafzai Aisha , Rawlings Laura B , Wilson Briana , Habyarimana Emmanuel , Sezibera Vincent , Betancourt Theresa S
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Families living in extreme poverty require interventions to support early-childhood development (ECD) due to broad risks. This longitudinal cluster randomised trial examines the effectiveness of Sugira Muryango (SM), a home-visiting intervention linked to Rwanda’s social protection system to promote ECD and reduce violence compared with usual care (UC).

Methods

Families with children aged 6–36 months were recruited in 284 geographical clusters across three districts. Cluster-level randomisation (allocated 1:1 SM:UC) was used to prevent diffusion. SM was hypothesised to improve child development, reduce violence and increase father engagement. Developmental outcomes were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) and the Malawi Development Assessment Tool (MDAT) and anthropometric assessments of growth. Violence was assessed using questions from UNICEF Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) and Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). Father engagement was assessed using the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment. Blinded enumerators conducted interviews and developmental assessments.

Results

A total of 541 SM families and 508 UC families were enrolled and included in the analyses. Study attrition (2.0% children; 9.6% caregivers) was addressed by hot deck imputation. Children in SM families improved more on gross motor (d=0.162, 95% CI 0.065 to 0.260), communication (d=0.081, 95% CI 0.005 to 0.156), problem solving (d=0.101, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.179) and personal-social development (d=0.096, 95% CI −0.015 to 0.177) on the ASQ-3. SM families showed increased father engagement (OR=1.592, 95% CI 1.069 to 2.368), decreased harsh discipline (incidence rate ratio, IRR=0.741, 95% CI 0.657 to 0.835) and intimate partner violence (IRR=0.616, 95% CI:0.458 to 0.828). There were no intervention-related improvements on MDAT or child growth.

Conclusion

Social protection programmes provide a means to deliver ECD intervention.

Trial registration number

NCT02510313.
Obesity-associated deficits in inhibitory control are phenocopied to mice through gut microbiota changes in one-carbon and aromatic amino acids metabolic pathways
Authors: Arnoriaga-Rodríguez María , Mayneris-Perxachs Jordi , Contreras-Rodríguez Oren , Burokas Aurelijus , Ortega-Sanchez Juan-Antonio , Blasco Gerard , Coll Claudia , Biarnés Carles , Castells-Nobau Anna , Puig Josep , Garre-Olmo Josep , Ramos Rafel , Pedraza Salvador , Brugada Ramon , Vilanova Joan C , Serena Joaquín , Barretina Jordi , Gich Jordi , Pérez-Brocal Vicente , Moya Andrés , Fernández-Real Xavier , Ramio-Torrentà Lluis , Pamplona Reinald , Sol Joaquim , Jové Mariona , Ricart Wifredo , Portero-Otin Manuel , Maldonado Rafael , Fernández-Real Jose Manuel
Published: January 2021

Background

Inhibitory control (IC) is critical to keep long-term goals in everyday life. Bidirectional relationships between IC deficits and obesity are behind unhealthy eating and physical exercise habits.

Methods

We studied gut microbiome composition and functionality, and plasma and faecal metabolomics in association with cognitive tests evaluating inhibitory control (Stroop test) and brain structure in a discovery (n=156), both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and in an independent replication cohort (n=970). Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in mice evaluated the impact on reversal learning and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) transcriptomics.

Results

An interplay among IC, brain structure (in humans) and mPFC transcriptomics (in mice), plasma/faecal metabolomics and the gut metagenome was found. Obesity-dependent alterations in one-carbon metabolism, tryptophan and histidine pathways were associated with IC in the two independent cohorts. Bacterial functions linked to one-carbon metabolism (thyX,dut, exodeoxyribonuclease V), and the anterior cingulate cortex volume were associated with IC, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. FMT from individuals with obesity led to alterations in mice reversal learning. In an independent FMT experiment, human donor’s bacterial functions related to IC deficits were associated with mPFC expression of one-carbon metabolism-related genes of recipient’s mice.

Conclusion

These results highlight the importance of targeting obesity-related impulsive behaviour through the induction of gut microbiota shifts.
Performance evaluation of the Biocartis Idylla EGFR Mutation Test using pre-extracted DNA from a cohort of highly characterised mutation positive samples
Authors: Grant Jack , Stanley Anne , Balbi Kevin , Gerrard Gareth , Bennett Philip
Published: January 2021

Aims

Targeted therapies for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) rely on the detection of specific genomic lesions, such as mutations within the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. The Biocartis Idylla platform and single-use EGFR mutation test cartridge is CE-IVD for use with formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumour material, but can also function off-scope using extracted DNA as input material. This can expand the utility of the platform and potentially conserve valuable tissue.

Methods

We sought to evaluate the performance of this system to detect knownEGFRmutations using extracted DNA at different input levels. 130 next generation sequencing-characterised NSCLC cases possessingEGFRmutations that were theoretically detectable by the Idylla system were selected. Replicate analyses were performed using the Idylla EGFR test with up to three different DNA input levels (20 ng, 50 ng and 250 ng).

Results

Considering only variants within the test manufacturer’s specified scope, the Idylla EGFR test generated concordant findings for 90.77% of cases at 20 ng DNA input, 98.46% at 50 ng input and 100% at 250 ng input. Analyses with discordant findings all generated control quantification cycle (CQ) values greater than 23. Very low CQ values were associated with EGFR gene amplification.

Conclusions

The Idylla EGFR Mutation Test can be used at least as well with pre-extracted DNA than with direct FFPE input. In cases with control CQ >23, reanalysis with an increased DNA input should ideally be undertaken. If this is not possible, the risk of false negative calls may be mitigated by manual review of the quantitative PCR data and/or by reflexing to alternative analysis options.
Diagnostic approach in TFE3-rearranged renal cell carcinoma: a multi-institutional international survey
Authors: Akgul Mahmut , Williamson Sean R , Ertoy Dilek , Argani Pedram , Gupta Sounak , Caliò Anna , Reuter Victor , Tickoo Satish , Al-Ahmadie Hikmat A , Netto George J , Hes Ondrej , Hirsch Michelle S , Delahunt Brett , Mehra Rohit , Skala Stephanie , Osunkoya Adeboye O , Harik Lara , Rao Priya , Sangoi Ankur R , Nourieh Maya , Zynger Debra L , Smith Steven Cristopher , Nazeer Tipu , Gumuskaya Berrak , Kulac Ibrahim , Khani Francesca , Tretiakova Maria S , Vakar-Lopez Funda , Barkan Guliz , Molinié Vincent , Verkarre Virginie , Rao Qiu , Kis Lorand , Panizo Angel , Farzaneh Ted , Magers Martin J , Sanfrancesco Joseph , Perrino Carmen , Gondim Dibson , Araneta Ronald , So Jeffrey S , Ro Jae Y , Wasco Matthew , Hameed Omar , Lopez-Beltran Antonio , Samaratunga Hemamali , Wobker Sara E , Melamed Jonathan , Cheng Liang , Idrees Muhammad T
Published: January 2021

Transcription factor E3-rearranged renal cell carcinoma (TFE3-RCC) has heterogenous morphologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) features.

131 pathologists with genitourinary expertise were invited in an online survey containing 23 questions assessing their experience on TFE3-RCC diagnostic work-up.

Fifty (38%) participants completed the survey. 46 of 50 participants reported multiple patterns, most commonly papillary pattern (almost always 9/46, 19.5%; frequently 29/46, 63%). Large epithelioid cells with abundant cytoplasm were the most encountered cytologic feature, with either clear (almost always 10/50, 20%; frequently 34/50, 68%) or eosinophilic (almost always 4/49, 8%; frequently 28/49, 57%) cytology. Strong (3+) or diffuse (>75% of tumour cells) nuclear TFE3 IHC expression was considered diagnostic by 13/46 (28%) and 12/47 (26%) participants, respectively. Main TFE3 IHC issues were the low specificity (16/42, 38%), unreliable staining performance (15/42, 36%) and background staining (12/42, 29%). Most preferred IHC assays other than TFE3, cathepsin K and pancytokeratin were melan A (44/50, 88%), HMB45 (43/50, 86%), carbonic anhydrase IX (41/50, 82%) and CK7 (32/50, 64%). Cut-off for positiveTFE3fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) was preferably 10% (9/50, 18%), although significant variation in cut-off values was present. 23/48 (48%) participants requiredTFE3FISH testing to confirm TFE3-RCC regardless of the histomorphologic and IHC assessment. 28/50 (56%) participants would request additional molecular studies other than FISH assay in selected cases, whereas 3/50 participants use additional molecular cases in all cases when TFE3-RCC is in the differential.

Optimal diagnostic approach on TFE3-RCC is impacted by IHC and/or FISH assay preferences as well as their conflicting interpretation methods.
Promoting racial equity in COVID-19 resource allocation
Authors: Bruce Lori , Tallman Ruth
Published: January 2021

Due to COVID-19’s strain on health systems across the globe, triage protocols determine how to allocate scarce medical resources with the worthy goal of maximising the number of lives saved. However, due to racial biases and long-standing health inequities, the common method of ranking patients based on impersonal numeric representations of their morbidity is associated with disproportionately pronounced racial disparities. In response, policymakers have issued statements of solidarity. However, translating support into responsive COVID-19 policy is rife with complexity. Triage does not easily lend itself to race-based exceptions. Reordering triage queues based on an individual patient’s racial affiliation has been considered but may be divisive and difficult to implement. And while COVID-19 hospital policies may be presented as rigidly focused on saving the most lives, many make exceptions for those deemed worthy by policymakers such as front-line healthcare workers, older physicians, pregnant women and patients with disabilities. These exceptions demonstrate creativity and ingenuity—hallmarks of policymakers’ abilities to flexibly respond to urgent societal concerns—which should also be extended to patients of colour. This paper dismantles common arguments against the confrontation of racial inequity within COVID-19 triage protocols, highlights concerns related to existing proposals and proposes a new paradigm to increase equity when allocating scarce COVID-19 resources.
Adverse social behaviour at the workplace and subsequent physician certified sick leave: a three-wave prospective study of the general working population in Norway
Authors: Sterud Tom , Degerud Eirik , Skare Øivind , Hanvold Therese N , Christensen Jan Olav
Published: January 2021

Objectives

We aimed to provide an integrated picture of the relationship between different facets of adverse social behaviour (ASB) at the workplace and sick leave.

Methods

Data from a randomly drawn prospective cohort of the general working population. Eligible respondents were interviewed in 2009, 2013 or 2016, and were registered with an employee relationship of at least 50 working days in the national register the year following the survey interviews (n=21 674 observations/13 470 respondents). We investigated the prospective associations of self-reported exposure to ASB, including threats/acts of violence, bullying and sexual harassment, with physician-certified sick leave of 1–16 days (ie, low level of sick leave (LLSL)) and >16 days (ie, high level of sick leave (HLSL)) by means of mixed effects logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of sick leave was 18.4% (n=3986 observations) for LLSL and 16.1% (n=3492 observations) for HLSL. The different facets of ASB were independently associated with higher odds of sick leave, with stronger associations for HLSL than for LLSL. Adjusted for sex, age, education level, occupation, previous sickness absence level, OR (95% CI) for HLSL was 1.97 (1.61 to 2.35) for threats/acts of violence, 1.97 (1.53 to 2.54) for bullying and 1.41 (1.10 to 1.79) for sexual harassment. The population risks of LLSL and HLSL attributable to ASB were 5.27 (95% CI 1.85 to 8.81) and 8.27% (95% CI 4.01 to 12.48), respectively.

Conclusions

Threats/acts of violence, bullying and sexual harassment were all independent predictors of sick leave, with threats/acts of violence appearing as the single most important factor.
Improving our understanding of the disproportionate incidence of STIs in heterosexual-identifying people of black Caribbean heritage: findings from a longitudinal study of sexual health clinic attendees in England
Authors: Bardsley Megan , Wayal Sonali , Blomquist Paula , Mohammed Hamish , Mercer Catherine H , Hughes Gwenda
Published: January 2021

Objective

In England, people of black minority ethnicities are at elevated risk of STI diagnosis, especially those of black Caribbean (BC) heritage. Understanding the factors that predict STI acquisition in this population is key to inform prevention measures. We examined the differences in predictors of incident STI diagnoses across ethnic groups in people attending sexual health clinics (SHCs).

Methods

Responses from an attitudinal and behavioural survey run in 16 English SHCs (May–September 2016) were linked to routinely collected national surveillance data on bacterial STI or trichomoniasis diagnoses. Cox proportional hazards models investigated the relationship between participant characteristics and rate of incident STI in the 18 months after survey completion for all heterosexual participants (N=2940) and separately for heterosexual BC (N=484) and white British/Irish (WBI, N=1052) participants.

Results

We observed an overall STI incidence of 5.7 per 100 person-years (95% CI 5.1 to 6.5). STI incidence was higher in participants of BC ethnicity (BC, 12.1 per 100 person-years, 95% CI 9.7 to 15.1; WBI, 3.2 per 100 person-years, 95% CI 2.4 to 4.2), even in adjusted analysis (BC adjusted HR (aHR), 2.60, p<0.001, compared with WBI). In models stratified by ethnicity, having had two or more previous STI episodes in the past year was the strongest predictor of incident STI for both BC (aHR 5.81, p<0.001, compared with no previous episodes) and WBI (aHR 29.9, p<0.001) participants. Aside from younger age (aHR 0.96 for increasing age in years, p=0.04), we found no unique predictors of incident STI for BC participants.

Conclusions

Incident STI diagnoses among SHC attendees in England were considerably higher in study participants of BC ethnicity, but we found no unique clinical, attitudinal or behavioural predictors explaining the disproportionate risk. STI prevention efforts for people of BC ethnicity should be intensified and should include tailored public health messaging to address sexual health inequalities in this underserved population.
Total phenol, flavonoid, and individual phenolic acid contents and antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of methanol extracts fromFicus cordatassp.salicifolia
Authors: Alzahrani Fatima Omari , Ahmed Abdelazim Ali , Al-Robai Sami Asir , Mohamed Haidar Abdalgadir , Abdallah Mohamed E. , Abdalla Ashraf N.
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the total phenol, flavonoid, and individual phenolic acid contents and the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of methanol extracts from Ficus cordata ssp. salicifolia. Spectrophotometry and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were used for chemical analyses, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was conducted to determine the antioxidant activity. The cytotoxic activity was assessed against MCF7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), A2780 (human ovary adenocarcinoma), HT29 (human colon adenocarcinoma), and MRC5 (normal human fetal lung fibroblast) using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The total content of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity of the studied dry leaf, stem bark, twig, and fruit extracts were between 13.14 and 22.94 mg·GAE g−1dry weight, 8.03 and 12.72 mg·QE g−1dry weight, and 75.59% and 83.96%, respectively. Ten individual phenolic acids were quantified in the studied plant parts. The prominent phenolic acid was p-hydroxybenzoic acid, followed by vanillic acid. Methanolic fruit extracts exhibited promising cytotoxic activity against MCF7 (IC50: 21.11 μg·mL−1). Additionally, A2780 cell lines responded very well to all the extracts, with an IC50from 8.16 to 13.72 μg·mL−1, except for the fruit extract, which was 47.39 μg·mL−1. The leaf extract showed significant cytotoxicity against HT29 cell lines, with an IC50of 8.81 μg·mL−1. All extracts showed IC50values ranging from 24.68 to 56.15 μg·mL−1on normal cells. Further examination of the plant parts in this study could identify compounds accounting for the observed antioxidant and cytotoxic activities and might represent potential novel anticancer drugs.
SmFLS negatively regulates peel coloring of eggplant (Solanum melongena) under high temperature
Authors: Lv Ling Ling , Li Li Yun , Li Wei , Li Ke
Published: January 2021

The SmFLS gene was cloned from eggplant and has an ORF of 1014 bp encoding 337 amino acids. The deduced protein sequence of SmFLS was 88.07% and 84.94% identical to homologs encoded by StFLS in Solanum tuberosum and SlFLS in S. lycopersicum, respectively. SmFLS contains typical DIOX_N and 2OG-Fe (II)_Oxy functional domains, as well as five strictly conserved amino acid residues (H223, D225, H279, R289, and S291) related to FLS enzyme activity. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that SmFLS had the closest genetic relationship with the FLS genes in potato and tomato. At a high temperature of 35 °C, the expression level of SmFLS was higher than that of the control in the same period, and it reached extremely significant levels on 15DAF and 20DAF, at which the eggplant peel color became lighter accordingly. Upon overexpression of SmFLS in eggplant, the flavonol content of transformed plants was significantly higher than that of untransformed plants, and the peel color was lighter than that of the control. The results indicate that SmFLS negatively regulates eggplant peel coloration under high temperature.
A sequential seed scheduling heuristic based on determinate and latent margin for influence maximization problem with limited budget
Authors: Tang Jianxin , Zhao Fuqing , Zhang Ruisheng , Chai Baoqiang , Di Shilu
Published: January 2021

The influence maximization problem in social networks aims to select a subset of most influential nodes, denoted as seed set, to maximize the influence diffusion of the seed nodes. The majority of existing works on this problem would ignite all the seed nodes simultaneously at the beginning of the diffusion process and let the influence diffuses passively in the network. However, it cannot depict the practical dynamics exactly of viral marketing campaigns in reality and fails to provide driving policies to control over the diffusion. In this paper, we focus on the dynamic influence maximization problem with limited budget to study the scheduling strategies including which influential node is to be seeded during the diffusion process and when to seed it at the right time. A time-dependent seed activating feedback scheme is modeled firstly by considering the time factor and its impact on the influence obligation in diffusion process. Then a scheduling heuristic based on determinate and latent margin is proposed to evaluate the marginal return of candidate nodes and activate the right seed node to promote the viral marketing. Extensive experiments on four social networks show that the proposed algorithm achieves significantly better results than a typical static influence maximization algorithm based on swarm intelligence and can improve the influence propagation under the time-dependent diffusion model comparing with the centrality-based scheduling heuristics.
Aerothermal simulation of gas turbine blade cooling channel using Lattice-Boltzmann method
Authors: Damiola Luca , Boffadossi Maurizio , Pii Lorenzo M. , Rossi Alessandro , Polidoro Francesco
Published: January 2021

Simulations using the Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM) are benchmarked to experimental cooling channel studies performed at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics. The experimental geometry is representative of a typical rib-turbulated cooling channel for a gas turbine rotor blade. The work aims at describing the flow physics involved, providing a better comprehension of the role of turbulence in augmenting heat transfer. Computations are found to be in agreement with the available experimental data highlighting the accuracy of LBM for aerodynamic and thermal prediction. Results are also compared to Navier–Stokes Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The reduced computational cost compared to LES-based methods offers interesting perspectives for future developments.
Comb-like geometric constraints leading to emergence of the time-fractional Schrödinger equation
Authors: Petreska Irina , Sandev Trifce , Lenzi Ervin Kaminski
Published: January 2021

This paper presents an overview over several examples, where the comb-like geometric constraints lead to emergence of the time-fractional Schrödinger equation. Motion of a quantum object on a comb structure is modeled by a suitable modification of the kinetic energy operator, obtained by insertion of the Dirac delta function in the Laplacian. First, we consider motion of a free particle on two- and three-dimensional comb structures, and then we extend the study to the interacting cases. A general form of a nonlocal term, which describes the interactions of the particle with the medium, is included in the Hamiltonian, and later on, the cases of constant and Dirac delta potentials are analyzed. At the end, we discuss the case of non-integer dimensions, considering separately the case of fractal dimension between one and two, and the case of fractal dimension between two and three. All these examples show that even though we are starting with the standard time-dependent Schrödinger equation on a comb, the time-fractional equation for the Green’s functions appears, due to these specific geometric constraints.
Static properties of skyrmions and nucleons at finite isospin chemical potential
Authors: Yuan Wen-Li , Zhao Ya-Peng , Wu Zu-Qing , Zong Hong-Shi
Published: January 2021

We use the Skyrme Lagrangian with a finite pion mass term to study the stability of the skyrmion at finite isospin chemical potential [Formula: see text]. It is found that there is a critical value [Formula: see text] MeV, and there is no stable solution above the [Formula: see text]. We also explore the behavior of different skyrmion parameters as a function of [Formula: see text], in particular the isovector electric root-mean-square (rms) charge radius in this work. Then, using the Hamiltonian formulation, in terms of collective variables, we study the behavior of nucleons mass splitting at finite isospin chemical potential. We find the proton mass decreases and the neutron mass increases when [Formula: see text]. Finally, we also discuss the magnetic moments and the pion-nucleon sigma term [Formula: see text] as a function of isospin chemical potential for interest.
Transmittance in a dispersive quasiperiodic photonic crystal
Authors: Segovia-Chaves Francis , Vinck-Posada Herbert , Gómez Edgar A.
Published: January 2021

In this work, transmittance spectrum for a quasiperiodic one-dimensional photonic crystal, composed of high-temperature superconductor and semiconductor layers arranged within the crystal based on a Dodecanacci sequence, has been calculated using the transfer matrix method and the two-fluid model. The critical temperature of the superconductor depends on the hydrostatic pressure, while the semiconductor’s plasma frequency and dielectric constant were considered to be dependent on both the pressure and temperature applied. We have found that the transmittance spectrum shows the band gaps unfolded and increased in number when the Dodecanacci sequence increased. In addition, this work shows that transmission responses can be tuned to higher frequencies as pressure increases. However, a small red shift of the transmittance spectrum can be observed as temperature increases. Finally, the research observed the maximization of the band gaps by increasing the thickness of the superconductor layers. We hope this work may be considered for application in tunable narrowband filters.
Identifying vital nodes in complex networks based on information entropy, minimum dominating set and distance
Authors: Lu Pengli , chen Wei
Published: January 2021

Identifying the vital nodes in complex networks is essential in disease transmission control and network attack protection. In this paper, in order to identify the vital nodes, we define a centrality method named EMDC, which is based on information entropy, minimum dominating set (MDS) and the distance between node pairs. This method calculates the local spreading capability (LSC) of node by information entropy and selects that nodes have the largest value of LSC as core nodes by MDS. Then it defines the node’s spreading capability (SC) to use the sum of weighted distances from a node to the core nodes. Finally, the nodes are ranked by considering SC of their neighbors. The key nodes can be further identified in complex networks. In order to verify the effectiveness of this method, key nodes identification simulation experiments are carried out on 11 real networks, Scale-Free (BA) networks and Small-World (WS) networks, respectively. Experimental results show that this method can more effectively identify the influence of nodes in the networks.
Two-Phase Access Network Selection Scheme Based on Weighted Sum and Game Theoretical Approaches for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Evangeline C. Suganthi , Kumaravelu Vinoth Babu
Published: January 2021

The Vehicular Ad hoc NETworks (VANETs) are of high mobile and dynamic in nature. They are highly prone to network discontinuity, thereby the applications running on the vehicles get degraded in its service. The network selection for VANETs is done based on network attributes and user Quality of Service (QoS) demands. In this work, a two-phase access network selection scheme is proposed for VANETs. In the first phase, the available networks are ranked based on QoS demands using Weighted Sum Method (WSM). During the second phase, based on availability of resources, handoff decision and access network selection are carried out using game theory approach. Here, the vehicle and network play the game by adopting different strategies, thereby the optimum Nash Equilibrium (NE) is obtained. The simulation results validate that the proposed scheme outperforms the conventional Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) schemes.
Unsupervised Heterogeneous Transfer Learning for Partial Co-occurrence Data
Authors: Liu Shuyu , Yang Liu , Hu Qinghua
Published: January 2021

Heterogeneous transfer clustering contributes to improve the performance of target domain by using the co-occurrence data from different domains without any supervision. Existing works usually use a large of complete co-occurrence data to learn the projection functions mapping heterogeneous data to a common latent feature subspace. Given that in the real-world problems, complete and abundant co-occurrence data in the form of homogeneous transfer learning between the soured domain and target domain are hard to achieve, a heterogeneous transfer clustering method for partial co-occurrence data (HTCPC) is proposed here, to perform unsupervised learning to map the partial information obtained from the source domain onto objects in the target domain. Furthermore, to maximize the useful information to improve the clustering performance in target domain, the proposed HTCPC uses the deep matrix decomposition framework to maintain the multi-layer hidden feature representation and retain the complexity of the data hierarchy by adding the approximate orthogonal constraints, which can effectively strengthen the independence and minimal redundancy. From a series of experiments conducted on four datasets [Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project (BDGP), Devanagari Handwritten Character (DHC), Columbia University Image Library (COIL), and Notting-Hill (NH)], the results show that HTCPC outperforms the peers in the following aspects: our method constructs the hierarchical structure in the multi-layer latent representations and the proposed algorithm can reduce the redundancy and extract more useful knowledge for target domain.