bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrical Stimulation of the Motor Cortex or Paretic Muscles Improves Strength Production in Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Sun Jinping , Yan Fei , Liu Aili , Liu Tiaotiao , Wang He 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) are two widely applied methods of electrical stimulation for motor recovery among stroke patients. This systematic review and meta‐analysis investigated the efficacy of tDCS and FES for strength production in stroke patients.TypeSystematic review.Literature SurveyStudies that explored the effects of tDCS or FES on the strength production of paralyzed muscles in stroke patients were retrieved on a comprehensive set of three databases: (1) Google Scholar, (2) PubMed, and (3) the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews until July 2019.MethodologySystematic study retrieval led to the inclusion of 15 studies that reported on strength production effects after tDCS and FES interventions among stoke patients. A sham control group and randomization were used in each study. The 15 studies included 20 comparisons with sham controls, 7 of which involved tDCS and 13 of which involved FES.SynthesisRandom‐effects models showed that strength production was improved after tDCS (effect size [ES] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.35‐0.69, P < .001, Z = 6.05) and FES (ES = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.16‐0.78, P < .003, Z = 2.99). Additionally, tDCS was shown to improve strength production in the acute (ES = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.24‐0.80, P < .001, Z = 3.65), subacute (ES = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.37‐1.32, P < .001, Z = 3.51), but not chronic (ES = 0.06, 95% CI = ‐0.47‐0.60, P = .82, Z = 0.23) phases of stroke recovery. Out of the 13 studies involving FES, 12 investigated strength production in the chronic phase and one investigated in the acute phase, showing a positive effect in these two stages.ConclusionsThe results of the meta‐analysis showed that tDCS and FES successfully improved strength production in stroke patients.
Bronchogenic cysts mimicking thymoma in the anterior mediastinum
Authors: Lee Jonggeun , Chang Jee Won 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBronchogenic cysts are commonly located in the middle mediastinal compartment as fluid‐filled cysts and thymoma is one of the most common neoplasms in the anterior mediastinum in adult cases. For two cases of asymptomatic, incidentally discovered anterior mediastinal soft tissue mass in adults, we planned to perform complete thymectomy with minimally invasive techniques based on the guidelines of International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group. Their pathological finding revealed cystic lesions lined by ciliated epithelium and this supported the diagnosis of bronchogenic cyst rather than thymic neoplasm. We report the two cases of resected bronchogenic cysts which were in the unusual location of anterior mediastinum with uncommon radiological feature.
Visual model‐predictive localization for computationally efficient autonomous racing of a 72‐g drone
Authors: Li Shuo , van der Horst Erik , Duernay Philipp , De Wagter Christophe , de Croon Guido C. H. E. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDrone racing is becoming a popular e‐sport all over the world, and beating the best human drone race pilots has quickly become a new major challenge for artificial intelligence and robotics. In this paper, we propose a novel sensor fusion method called visual model‐predictive localization (VML). Within a small time window, VML approximates the error between the model prediction position and the visual measurements as a linear function. Once the parameters of the function are estimated by the RANSAC algorithm, this error model can be used to compensate the prediction in the future. In this way, outliers can be handled efficiently and the vision delay can also be compensated efficiently. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show the clear advantage compared with Kalman filtering when dealing with the occasional large outliers and vision delays that occur in fast drone racing. Flight tests are performed on a tiny racing quadrotor named “Trashcan,” which was equipped with a Jevois smart camera for a total of 72 g. An average speed of 2 m/s is achieved while the maximum speed is 2.6 m/s. To the best of our knowledge, this flying platform is currently the smallest autonomous racing drone in the world, while still being one of the fastest autonomous racing drones.
Structural behavior of ultra‐high performance (fiber‐reinforced) concrete compression struts subjected to transverse tension and cracking
Authors: Leutbecher Torsten 
Published: May 2020

AbstractStruts and stress fields with transverse tension and cracks parallel to the direction of compression lead to a reduction of compressive strength in reinforced concrete structures. Biaxial tests on fine‐grained ultra‐high performance concrete (UHPC) and ultra‐high performance fiber‐reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) panels additionally reinforced with steel bars show that this reduction in compressive strength is already pronounced even with small transverse tensile strain and crack widths, but stabilizes for larger tensile strain. A reduction could also be observed with regard to compressive stiffness of the struts, which behave quasi‐linear under compressive loading. Basically, the UHPFRC panels show less reduction in strength and stiffness than the UHPC panels. Compared with the results obtained from the tests on normal‐strength reinforced concrete panels and fiber‐reinforced concrete panels, the reduction of compressive strength is only little larger for UHP(FR)C. Based on the test results, a proposal for modeling the stress–strain behavior of UHP(FR)C in compression–tension stress state is provided.
Linear‐Weingarten membranes with funicular boundaries
Authors: Tellier Xavier , Douthe Cyril , Hauswirth Laurent , Baverel Olivier 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDesigning a curved architectural envelope is a challenging task, as it requires a balance between structural efficiency, fabricability, and architectural requirements. In this article, we introduce a new conceptual design tool: Linear‐Weingarten membranes, with boundaries either simply supported or realized as funicular cables or arches. We present a generation method for these surfaces, with a focus on how to treat free funicular boundaries. The method uses a surface discretization by triangular meshes, and computes a shape iteratively by a combination of dynamic relaxation and guided projections. The method can be used to generate the shape of self‐stressed membranes, funicular vaults, and gridshells. For gridshells, the method allows to find geometries that combine mechanical performance and ease of fabrication. For membranes, the method allows for an exploration of a rich design space, with very limited preprocessing work required for the designer: it is hence well suited as a conceptual design tool.
Durability of organic coated reinforced magnesium oxychloride cement concrete
Authors: Wang Penghui , Qiao Hongxia , Li Yuanke , Chen Kefan , Feng Qiong , Nian Tengfei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractZinc‐rich coating as a sacrificial anode provides cathodic protection for steel bars, so it can provide protection only for the steel bars for a certain period of time, and fundamentally cannot solve the problem of steel bar corrosion in magnesium oxychloride cement concrete (MOCC). However, the organic coating protects the steel by its own shielding. Therefore, organic coated reinforced MOCC (ORMOCC) is more adaptable in western saline soil and salt lake areas. ORMOCC's durability degradation process includes four aspects, but its durability degradation model under those four factors has not been studied. Therefore, combined with the environment of western salt lakes and saline soil, the solution immersion test was performed on ORMOCC, and the durability degradation of steel bars was studied with electrochemical tests. The degradation durability of organic coatings was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Crack formation and the mass loss of MOCC were studied by ultrasonic and quality tests, taking the four corresponding parameters as degradation indicators. Based on the four‐dimensional Copula function, the degradation model of ORMOCC under four degradation factors was established. The results showed that the four‐dimensional Copula function can describe the durability degradation process of ORMOCC under the influence of the four factors well, and it reaches the damage state at approximately 12,450 days.
Plasma proteomic signatures predict dementia and cognitive impairment
Authors: Tanaka Toshiko , Lavery Robert , Varma Vijay , Fantoni Giovanna , Colpo Marco , Thambisetty Madhav , Candia Julian , Resnick Susan M. , Bennett David A. , Biancotto Angelique , Bandinelli Stefania , Ferrucci Luigi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionBiomarker discovery of dementia and cognitive impairment is important to gather insight into mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these conditions.MethodsIn 997 adults from the InCHIANTI study, we assessed the association of 1301 plasma proteins with dementia and cognitive impairment. Validation was conducted in two Alzheimer's disease (AD) case‐control studies as well as endophenotypes of AD including cognitive decline, brain amyloid burden, and brain volume.ResultsWe identified four risk proteins that were significantly associated with increased odds (peptidase inhibitor 3 (PI3), trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPPA), agouti‐related peptide (AGRP)) and two protective proteins (myostatin (MSTN), integrin aVb5 (ITGAV/ITGB5)) with decreased odds of baseline cognitive impairment or dementia. Of these, four proteins (MSTN, PI3, TFF3, PAPPA) were associated cognitive decline in subjects that were cognitively normal at baseline. ITGAV/ITGB5 was associated with lower brain amyloid burden, MSTN and ITGAV/ITGB5 were associated with larger brain volume and slower brain atrophy, and PI3, PAPPA, and AGRP were associated with smaller brain volume and/or faster brain atrophy.DiscussionThese proteins may be useful as non‐invasive biomarkers of dementia and cognitive impairment.
A robust data‐worth analysis framework for soil moisture flow by hybridizing sequential data assimilation and machine learning
Authors: Wang Yakun , Shi Liangsheng , Lin Lin , Holzman Mauro , Carmona Facundo , Zhang Qiuru 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAs the collection of soil moisture data is often costly, it is essential to implement data‐worth analysis in advance to obtain a cost‐effective data collection scheme. In previous data‐worth analysis, the model structural error is often neglected. In this paper, we propose a robust data‐worth analysis framework based on a hybrid data assimilation method. By constructing Gaussian process (GP) error model, this study attempts to alleviate biased data‐worth assessments caused by unknown model structural errors, and to excavate complementary values of multisource data without resorting to multiple governing equations. The results demonstrated that this proposed framework effectively identified and compensated for complex model structural errors. By training prior data, more accurate potential observations were obtained and data‐worth estimation accuracy was improved. The scenario diversity played a crucial role in establishing an effective GP training system. The integration of soil temperature into GP training unraveled new information and improved the data‐worth estimation. Instead of traditional evapotranspiration calculations, the direct inclusion of easy‐to‐obtain meteorological data into GP training yielded better data‐worth assessment.
On the impact of increasing drought on the relationship between soil water content and evapotranspiration of a grassland
Authors: Rahmati Mehdi , Groh Jannis , Graf Alexander , Pütz Thomas , Vanderborght Jan , Vereecken Harry 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWeighable lysimeters were used to study the relation between soil water content (SWC) and the actual evapotranspiration (ETa) of grassland under two different climate regimes of Rollesbroich and Selhausen but for an identical soil from Rollesbroich. All components of the water balance were determined from 2012 until 2018. Budyko analysis was used to characterize the hydrological status of the studied sites. Wavelet analysis was also applied to study the power spectrum of ETa, vegetation‐height‐adjusted reference evapotranspiration (ETcrop), and water stress index (WSI) defined as ETa/ETcrop, as well as SWC at three different depths and the coherence between SWC and ETa and WSI. The Budyko analysis showed that 2018 resulted in a shift of both locations towards more water‐limited conditions, although Rollesbroich remained an energy‐limited system. Based on the power spectrum analysis, the annual timescale is the dominant scale for the temporal variability of ETa, ETcrop, and SWC. The results also showed that increasing dryness at the energy‐limited site led to more temporal variability of SWC at all depths at the annual timescale. Wavelet coherence analysis showed a reduction of the phase shift between SWC and ETa at an annual scale caused by the increase in dryness during the measurement period. We found that phase shifts between SWC and ETa and SWC and WSI were stronger at the water‐limited site than at the energy‐limited site. The wavelet coherence analysis also showed that from 2014 to 2018, the control of ETa and WSI on SWC increased due to higher dryness of soil.
The embedded economics of water: Insights from economic anthropology
Authors: Beresford Melissa 
Published: May 2020

AbstractOver the past two decades, scholars and policy makers have promoted the idea that water can be analyzed and managed according to the principles of economics. Yet, many policy prescriptions based on economic principles have struggled to deliver the results they intend. As such, scholars note the need for alternative approaches to understanding water economies, and many propose that embedded economic perspectives are able to give more holistic and locally grounded insights. In this article, I explain the embedded economic perspective, how it is different from a conventional economic perspective, and how the embedded economics of water makes important contributions to understanding water economies more broadly. I highlight three key areas of embedded economic insight on water derived from recent scholarship in economic anthropology: human meanings and values for water, nonmarket water exchanges, and diverse water economies. I conclude by discussing implications these insights have for interdisciplinary water scholarship.This article is categorized under:Human Water > Value of WaterHuman Water > Rights to WaterHuman Water > Methods
Proton decay: flipped vs. unflipped SU(5)
Authors: Ellis John , Garcia Marcos A. G. , Nagata Natsumi , Nanopoulos Dimitri V. , Olive Keith A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe analyze nucleon decay modes in a no-scale supersymmetric flipped SU(5) GUT model, and contrast them with the predictions for proton decays via dimension-6 operators in a standard unflipped supersymmetric SU(5) GUT model. We find that these GUT models make very different predictions for the ratios Γ(p → π0μ+)/Γ(p → π0e+), Γ(p →$$ {\pi}^{+}\overline{\nu} $$

π
+

ν
¯

)/Γ(p → π0e+), Γ(p → K0e+)/Γ(p → π0e+) and Γ(p → K0μ+)/Γ(p → π0μ+), and that predictions for the ratios Γ(p → π0μ+)/Γ(p → π0e+) and Γ(p →$$ {\pi}^{+}\overline{\nu} $$

π
+

ν
¯

)/Γ(p → π0e+) also differ in variants of the flipped SU(5) model with normal- or inverse-ordered light neutrino masses. Upcoming large neutrino experiments may have interesting opportunities to explore both GUT and flavour physics in proton and neutron decays.
Impacts of social and economic factors on the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China
Authors: Qiu Yun , Chen Xi , Shi Wei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study models local and cross-city transmissions of the novel coronavirus in China between January 19 and February 29, 2020. We examine the role of various socioeconomic mediating factors, including public health measures that encourage social distancing in local communities. Weather characteristics 2 weeks prior are used as instrumental variables for causal inference. Stringent quarantines, city lockdowns, and local public health measures imposed in late January significantly decreased the virus transmission rate. The virus spread was contained by the middle of February. Population outflow from the outbreak source region posed a higher risk to the destination regions than other factors, including geographic proximity and similarity in economic conditions. We quantify the effects of different public health measures in reducing the number of infections through counterfactual analyses. Over 1.4 million infections and 56,000 deaths may have been avoided as a result of the national and provincial public health measures imposed in late January in China.
On the co-rotational method for geometrically nonlinear topology optimization
Authors: Dunning Peter D. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the application of the co-rotational method to solve geometrically nonlinear topology optimization problems. The main benefit of this approach is that the tangent stiffness matrix is naturally positive definite, which avoids some numerical issues encountered when using other approaches. Three different methods for constructing the tangent stiffness matrix are investigated: a simplified method, where the linear elastic stiffness matrix is simply rotated; the consistent method, where the tangent stiffness is derived by differentiating residual forces by displacements; and a symmetrized method, where the consistent tangent stiffness is approximated by a symmetric matrix. The co-rotational method is implemented for 2D plane quadrilateral elements and 3-node shell elements. Matlab code is given in the appendix to modify an existing, freely available, density-based topology optimization code so it can solve 2D problems with geometric nonlinear analysis using the co-rotational method. The approach is used to solve four benchmark problems from the literature, including optimizing for stiffness, compliant mechanism design, and a plate problem. The solutions are comparable with those obtained with other methods, demonstrating the potential of the co-rotational method as an alternative approach for geometrically nonlinear topology optimization. However, there are differences between the methods in terms of implementation effort, computational cost, final design, and objective value. In summary, schemes involving the symmetrized tangent stiffness did not outperform the other schemes. For problems where the optimal design has relatively small displacements, then the simplified method is suitable. Otherwise, it is recommended to use the consistent method, as it is the most accurate.
Treatment after anterior cruciate ligament injury: Panther Symposium ACL Treatment Consensus Group
Authors:   The Panther Symposium ACL Treatment Consensus Group, Diermeier Theresa , Rothrauff Benjamin B. , Engebretsen Lars , Lynch Andrew D. , Ayeni Olufemi R. , Paterno Mark V. , Xerogeanes John W. , Fu Freddie H. , Karlsson Jon , Musahl Volker , Svantesson Eleonor , Hamrin Senorski Eric , Rauer Thomas , Meredith Sean J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTreatment strategies for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries continue to evolve. Evidence supporting best practice guidelines for the management of ACL injury is to a large extent based on studies with low-level evidence. An international consensus group of experts was convened to collaboratively advance toward consensus opinions regarding the best available evidence on operative vs. non-operative treatment for ACL injury. The purpose of this study is to report the consensus statements on operative vs. non-operative treatment of ACL injuries developed at the ACL Consensus Meeting Panther Symposium 2019. Sixty-six international experts on the management of ACL injuries, representing 18 countries, were convened and participated in a process based on the Delphi method of achieving consensus. Proposed consensus statements were drafted by the Scientific Organizing Committee and Session Chairs for the three working groups. Panel participants reviewed preliminary statements prior to the meeting and provided the initial agreement and comments on the statement via an online survey. During the meeting, discussion and debate occurred for each statement, after which a final vote was then held. Eighty percent agreement was defined a-priori as consensus. A total of 11 of 13 statements on operative v. non-operative treatment of ACL injury reached the consensus during the Symposium. Nine statements achieved unanimous support, two reached strong consensus, one did not achieve consensus, and one was removed due to redundancy in the information provided. In highly active patients engaged in jumping, cutting, and pivoting sports, early anatomic ACL reconstruction is recommended due to the high risk of secondary meniscus and cartilage injuries with delayed surgery, although a period of progressive rehabilitation to resolve impairments and improve neuromuscular function is recommended. For patients who seek to return to straight plane activities, non-operative treatment with structured, progressive rehabilitation is an acceptable treatment option. However, with persistent functional instability, or when episodes of giving way occur, anatomic ACL reconstruction is indicated. The consensus statements derived from international leaders in the field will assist clinicians in deciding between operative and non-operative treatments with patients after an ACL injury.Level of evidenceV.
Benefit of a nurse-led telephone-based intervention prior to the first urogynecology outpatient visit: a randomized-controlled trial
Authors: Jimènez Torres Maria , Beitl Klara , Hummel Jimènez Julia , Mayer Hanna , Zehetmayer Sonja , Umek Wolfgang , Veit-Rubin Nikolaus 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroduction and hypothesisTriage has become a valid tool to reduce workload during the first consultation in a specialized clinic. A nurse-led telephone intervention prior to the first urogynecologic visit reduces visit duration and increases patients’ and physicians’ satisfaction.MethodsAll patients scheduled for their very first visit were recruited. They were randomized into an intervention group (prior contact by a specialized urogynecology nurse) and a control group (no contact). The intervention included a questionnaire about history and symptoms. Patients were prompted to complete a bladder diary. Primary outcome was duration of the consultation; secondary outcomes were patients’ and physicians’ satisfaction with the intervention.ResultsFifty-five patients were allocated to the intervention group and 53 to the control group with no difference regarding age, BMI, parity, menopausal status and primary diagnosis. Mean duration of the telephone call was 10.8 min (SD 4.4). The consultation was significantly shorter in the intervention group than in the control group (mean difference: 4 min and 8 s,p = 0.017). In the intervention group, 79% of the patients found the consultation quality “excellent,” 86% would return, and 77% would recommend our clinic to a relative or friend compared with 68%, 67% and 66%, respectively, in the control group. Physicians were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the patient preparation.ConclusionsA nurse-led intervention reduces the duration of the first uroynecologic consultation and is associated with high patient and physician satisfaction. Further research should evaluate whether it also decreases the number of follow-up visits and further referrals.