bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A thermal time model for optimising herbicide dose in maize
Authors: Kaleibar Behnaz Pourmorad , Oveisi Mostafa , Alizadeh Hassan , Mueller Schaerer Heinz 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMaize is sown in Iran from mid‐April to early September. Weather, weed flora and crop growth stage all vary over this time span, which changes herbicide efficacy. To avoid any excessive or inadequate usage of herbicide, we propose an empirical model that predicts the optimum dose based on the thermal time accumulated by maize after sowing. We planted maize in May and August in 2016 and 2017, arranged in a split‐plot design with four replications. Main plots were herbicide timing ranging from 2 to 8 leaves of maize, and sub‐plots were herbicide dose. Weed response to herbicide dose was parameterised using the standard dose–response model against thermal time (TT) of application. The parameter W0 weed fresh weight (WFW) in plots not treated with herbicide increased linearly, ED50 (the dose to decrease W0 by 50%) increased exponentially, and b (the slope of the curve at linear decrease) decreased exponentially with TT. We replaced the parameters by their specified function of change over TT resulting in a combined model, which predicts WFW from herbicide dose and application time. A hyperbolic model described the yield loss as a function of WFW. We included this relationship in a more developed model, which predicts per cent yield loss based on herbicide dose and application TT. The model performed well over validation tests with R2 ≥ 0.90. We recommend an early herbicide application not later than 600 TT after maize sowing that allows reduced dose, as we found a steady decrease in herbicide efficiency with delaying application time.
Optimization and Inverse Design of Floor Tile Airflow Distributions in Data Centers Using Response Surface Method
Authors: Phan Long , Hu Beichao , Lin Cheng-Xian , Dulikravich George S. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractComputational fluid dynamics (CFD) has become a popular tool compared to experimental measurement for thermal management in data centers. However, it is very time-consuming and resource-intensive when used to model large-scale data centers, and often unrealistic for real-time thermal analyses. In addition, it is prohibitive to use CFD for the optimization process where thousands of designs need to be generated. Floor tile airflow distribution control is a key technique for maintaining a sufficient cold air delivery to variable thermal loadings of server cabinets. Regular practice of deploying a set of identical floor tiles may not result in the best solution for airflow uniformity through tiles. In this paper, an optimization procedure based on response surface methodology (RSM) is proposed to find the best arrangement of mixed-porosity floor tiles for different targeted tile airflow distributions. Fast-approximation RSM based on radial basis function (RBF) allows thousands of designs to be generated for the optimization process which uses a genetic algorithm as its main solver. The method shows proven success in maximizing floor tile airflow uniformity, and in the inverse design optimization where various tile airflow distribution topologies, i.e., linear, parabolic, and sinusoidal shapes are targeted. For the considered data center and aisle configuration, the improvement over the all-uniform-tile design is 55% in terms of standard deviation to the average tile airflow rate, whereas 90%, 91%, and 94% in root-mean-square error (RMSE) for the linear, parabolic, and sinusoidal floor tile airflow distribution objectives, respectively.
Retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell layer changes in children who recovered from COVID-19: a cohort study
Authors: Burgos-Blasco Barbara , Güemes-Villahoz Noemi , Morales-Fernandez Laura , Callejas-Caballero Ignacio , Perez-Garcia Pilar , Donate-Lopez Juan , Ramos-Amador Jose Tomas , Garcia-Feijoo Julian 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveTo investigate the optic nerve and macular parameters of children who recovered from COVID-19 compared with healthy children using optical coherence tomography (OCT).DesignCohort study.SettingHospital Clinico San Carlos, Madrid.PatientsChildren between 6 and 18 years old who recovered from COVID-19 with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and historical controls were included.InterventionsAll patients underwent an ophthalmological examination, including macular and optic nerve OCT. Demographic data, medical history and COVID-19 symptoms were noted.Main outcome measuresPeripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, macular retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, macular ganglion cell layer thickness and retinal thickness.Results90 patients were included: 29 children who recovered from COVID-19 and 61 controls. Patients with COVID-19 presented an increase in global peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (mean difference 7.7; 95% CI 3.4 to 12.1), temporal superior (mean difference 11.0; 95% CI 3.3 to 18.6), temporal inferior (mean difference 15.6; 95% CI 6.5 to 24.7) and nasal (mean difference 9.8; 95% CI 2.9 to 16.7) sectors. Macular retinal nerve fibre layer analysis showed decreased thickness in the nasal outer (p=0.011) and temporal inner (p=0.036) sectors in patients with COVID-19, while macular ganglion cell layer thickness increased in these sectors (p=0.001 and p=0.015, respectively). No differences in retinal thickness were noted.ConclusionsChildren with recent history of COVID-19 present significant changes in peripapillary and macular OCT analyses.
Interventions to reduce acute paediatric hospital admissions: a systematic review
Authors: Dick Smita , MacRae Clare , McFaul Claire , Rasul Usman , Wilson Philip , Turner Stephen W 
Published: August 2021

BackgroundAdmission rates are rising despite no change to burden of illness, and interventions to reduce unscheduled admission to hospital safely may be justified.ObjectiveTo systematically examine admission prevention strategies and report long-term follow-up of admission prevention initiatives.Data sourcesMEDLINE, Embase, OVID SP, PsychINFO, Science Citation Index Expanded/ISI Web of Science, The Cochrane Library from inception to time of writing. Reference lists were hand searched.Study eligibility criteriaRandomised controlled trials and before-and-after studies.ParticipantsIndividuals aged <18 years.Study appraisal and synthesis methodsStudies were independently screened by two reviewers with final screening by a third. Data extraction and the Critical Appraisals Skills Programme checklist completion (for risk of bias assessment) were performed by one reviewer and checked by a second.ResultsTwenty-eight studies were included of whom 24 were before-and-after studies and 4 were studies comparing outcomes between non-randomised groups. Interventions included referral pathways, staff reconfiguration, new healthcare facilities and telemedicine. The strongest evidence for admission prevention was seen in asthma-specific referral pathways (n=6) showing 34% (95% CI 28 to 39) reduction, but with evidence of publication bias. Other pathways showed inconsistent results or were insufficient for wider interpretation. Staffing reconfiguration showed reduced admissions in two studies, and shorter length of stay in one. Short stay admission units reduced admissions in three studies.Conclusions and implicationsThere is little robust evidence to support interventions aimed at preventing paediatric admissions and further research is needed.
Comparison of three intraosseous access devices for resuscitation of term neonates: a randomised simulation study
Authors: Keller Alon , Boukai Amit , Feldman Oren , Diamand Raz , Shavit Itai 
Published: August 2021

ObjectivesTo compare the success rates and ease of use of three intraosseous (IO) access devices used in term neonates.DesignA three-arm randomised controlled simulation study was conducted.SettingA simulation laboratory.ParticipantsSeventy-two paediatric residents completing their emergency department rotation as part of their residency training, and 20 paediatric specialists.InterventionUsing an animal bone model, the one-attempt success rate of the EZ-IO drill, the NIO-I needle and the Jamshidi needle was compared. Uncooked Cornish Hen bones were used because of their similarity in length and diameter to the bones of neonates. Participants were asked to record the perceived ease of use of their assigned device using a 5-point Likert Scale.Main outcome measureThe main outcome was the visualisation of flow emerging from the distal end of the bone, and perceived ease of use of the three IO devices.ResultsThe EZ-IO, NIO-I and Jamshidi groups included 30, 31 and 31 participants, respectively, with median (IQR) years of experience of 3 (2–5), 3 (2–6) and 4 (3–5) years. Participants had significantly lower one-attempt success rates with the EZ-IO drill than with the NIO-I and the Jamshidi needles (14 of 30 (46.7%) vs 24 of 31 (77.4%); p=0.016, and 14 of 30 (46.7%) vs 25 of 31 (80.7%); p=0.007, respectively). The median (IQR) ease-of-use score of the EZ-IO drill was higher than that of the NIO-I and Jamshidi needles (5 (4–5) vs 4 (4–5); p=0.008, and 5 (4–5) vs 4 (3–4); p=0.0004, respectively).ConclusionsAlthough easier to use, the EZ-IO drill demonstrated lower success rates than the IO needles in establishing IO access on a neonatal bone model.
Rare case of type B insulin resistance in association with systemic lupus erythematosus: illustrating diagnostic and management challenges
Authors: Saqib Aaisha , Man Yik , Ismail Rayan , Kariyawasam Dulmini 
Published: August 2021

A 42 year-old Caribbean woman with, known type 2 diabetes, was admitted with worsening fatigue, arthritis and rashes. She was diagnosed with multisystem systemic lupus erythematosus and was initially treated with systemic steroids. During this admission, she had persistently elevated capillary glucose levels with insulin requirements over 8 U/kg/day that still did not control her blood glucose levels. Due to her profound hyperglycaemia, serum samples of fasting insulin, C-peptide, paired with blood glucose were analysed, which confirmed significant hyperinsulinaemia. Further analysis confirmed the presence of insulin receptor antibodies consistent with type B insulin resistance.She was started on intravenous cyclophosphamide (Euro-Lupus regimen) along with continuous glucose monitoring system. After completing her six cycles of cyclophosphamide, she no longer required insulin treatment. The goal of therapy for our patient with confirmed type B insulin resistance was to manage hyperglycaemia with high doses of insulin until autoantibodies were eliminated with immunosuppressive therapy.
Trainee perspective of the causes of stress and burnout in surgical training: a qualitative study from Wales
Authors: Robinson David Bryan Thomas , Luton Oliver , Mellor Katie , James Osian Penri , Hopkins Luke , Powell Arfon GMT , Hemington-Gorse Sarah , Harries Rhiannon L , Egan Richard J , Lewis Wyn G 
Published: August 2021

ObjectivesStress and burn-out among surgical trainees has been reported most prevalent in core surgical trainees (CST) and female trainees in particular. This study aimed to identify factors perceived by CSTs to be associated with stress and burnout in those at risk.DesignAn open-ended questionnaire was distributed to 79 CSTs and two researchers categorised responses independently, according to Michie’s model of workplace stress.SettingA UK regional postgraduate medical region (Wales).ParticipantsSixty-three responses were received; 42 males, 21 females. The response rate was 79.7%.ResultsInter-rater reliability was good (k=0.792 (79.2%), p<0.001). The most common theme of Michie’s model related to CST stress and burnout was career development, with most statements associated with curriculum, examination and academic demands required to attain a CST certificate of completion of training, and higher surgical national training number appointment. This was closely followed by those intrinsic to the job with recurrent discussion around the difficulties balancing work perceived to be service provision (ward work and on-calls), outpatient clinic and operative experience. Conversely, the most common themes relevant to stress and burnout among female trainees were associated with relationships at work (primarily the male-dominated nature of surgery), extraorganisational factors (family–work life balance) and individual characteristics (personality and physiological differences).ConclusionCSTs’ perceptions regarding the causes of National Health Service related stress and burnout are numerous, and these findings provide a basis for the development of targeted stressor counter-measures to improve training and well-being.
The tumour microenvironment shapes innate lymphoid cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Heinrich Bernd , Gertz E Michael , Schäffer Alejandro A , Craig Amanda , Ruf Benjamin , Subramanyam Varun , McVey John C , Diggs Laurence P , Heinrich Sophia , Rosato Umberto , Ma Chi , Yan Chunhua , Hu Ying , Zhao Yongmei , Shen Tsai-Wei , Kapoor Veena , Telford William , Kleiner David E , Stovroff Merril K , Dhani Harmeet S , Kang Jiman , Fishbein Thomas , Wang Xin Wei , Ruppin E , Kroemer Alexander , Greten Tim F , Korangy Firouzeh 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a typical inflammation-associated cancer. Tissue resident innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been suggested to control tumour surveillance. Here, we studied how the local cytokine milieu controls ILCs in HCC.DesignWe performed bulk RNA sequencing of HCC tissue as well as flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing of enriched ILCs from non-tumour liver, margin and tumour core derived from 48 patients with HCC. Simultaneous measurement of protein and RNA expression at the single-cell level (AbSeq) identified precise signatures of ILC subgroups. In vitro culturing of ILCs was used to validate findings from in silico analysis. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data from large HCC cohorts allowed stratification and survival analysis based on transcriptomic signatures.ResultsRNA sequencing of tumour, non-tumour and margin identified tumour-dependent gradients, which were associated with poor survival and control of ILC plasticity. Single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry of ILCs from HCC livers identified natural killer (NK)-like cells in the non-tumour tissue, losing their cytotoxic profile as they transitioned into tumour ILC1 and NK-like-ILC3 cells. Tumour ILC composition was mediated by cytokine gradients that directed ILC plasticity towards activated tumour ILC2s. This was liver-specific and not seen in ILCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Patients with high ILC2/ILC1 ratio expressed interleukin-33 in the tumour that promoted ILC2 generation, which was associated with better survival.ConclusionOur results suggest that the tumour cytokine milieu controls ILC composition and HCC outcome. Specific changes of cytokines modify ILC composition in the tumour by inducing plasticity and alter ILC function.
Effects of food, kinship, and density on the longevity of spiderlings
Authors: Fischer Marta Luciane , Parolin Lays Cherobim , Neves Felipe Marcel , Villanueva-Bonilla German Antonio , Vasconellos-Neto João 
Published: August 2021

Cannibalism is a behavioral characteristic found in a wide variety of animal groups. Although the rates of cannibalism can vary from one group to another, studies indicate that the main factors contributing to an increase in the frequency of such behavior are the availability of food, population density, the behavior and availability of victims, and environmental stress. We carried out different laboratory experiments to assess whether different factors such as the presence or absence of food among siblings and non-siblings, and at different densities among conspecific and heterospecific individuals, affect longevity of recently emerged Brazilian brown recluse (Loxosceles intermedia Mello-Leitão, 1934) and Chilean recluse (Loxosceles laeta (Nicolet, 1849)) spiderlings during periods of starvation. The results revealed that the survivorship of L. laeta during starvation was significantly higher than that of L. intermedia and that the addition of conspecific individuals increased survival rates by 1.5- and 1.6-fold, respectively. The tolerance of conspecifics differed between the two species, and generally, cannibalism was not observed, probably due to the risk of predation and limited consumption by weakened spiders, which coincided with the continued availability of endogenous vitelline reserves, thus indicating that the use of these spiderlings as a food resource may act to regulate starvation in more resistant spiders. The greater longevity and conspecific tolerance of L. laeta may be important factors contributing to the establishment of large populations of this spider in restricted areas, whereas for L. intermedia, hunger probably functions as a trigger for dispersal.
Vibration, synchronization and localization of three-bladed rotor: theoretical and experimental studies
Authors: Szmit Z. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNumerical and experimental methods in free and forced vibrations of the rotating structure consisting of the rigid hub and three flexible beams are considered. Firstly, the system of four mutually coupled dimensionless differential governing equations is presented and then forced response of the system as well as synchronization phenomenon are investigated. Next, the finite elements method is used to design the rotating structure and analyse complex dynamic response. During the numerical calculations symmetric, as well as de-tuned rotor are analyzed. Finally, results obtained from ordinary differential equations and numerical simulations are compared with experimental tests.
The Dawn of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells: Identification of Arginase I as the Mechanism of Immune Suppression
Authors: Gabrilovich Dmitry I. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
A study published in Cancer Research in 2004 by Rodriguez and colleagues identified the existence of arginase-producing myeloid cells in tumors distinct from macrophages. They demonstrated the role of arginase in negative regulation of T-cell function in vivo. This was one of the first reports implicating cells, which later were named myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), in T-cell suppression in vivo and linking this effect with arginase activity and expression. This work was important in advancing the field of MDSC research and helped to bring these cells to the forefront of cancer immunology.
See related article by Rodriguez et al., Cancer Res 2004;64:5839–49
Effects of Exercise and Weight Loss on Proximal Aortic Stiffness in Older Adults With Obesity
Authors: Brinkley Tina E. , Leng Iris , Bailey Margie J. , Houston Denise K. , Hugenschmidt Christina E. , Nicklas Barbara J. , Hundley W. Gregory 
Published: August 2021

Background:

Obesity may accelerate age-related increases in aortic stiffness. Although aerobic exercise training generally has favorable effects on aortic structure and function, exercise alone may not be sufficient to improve aortic stiffness in older adults with obesity. We determined the effects of aerobic exercise training with and without moderate- to high-caloric restriction (CR) on the structure and function of the proximal aorta in 160 older (65–79 years) men and women with obesity (body mass index=30–45 kg/m
2
).

Methods:
Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: aerobic exercise training only (treadmill 4 days/week for 30 minutes at 65% to 70% of heart rate reserve; n=56), aerobic exercise training plus moderate CR (n=55), or aerobic exercise training plus more intensive CR (n=49) for 20 weeks. Aortic pulse wave velocity, aortic distensibility, and other measures of aortic structure and function were assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Pearson correlation coefficients were examined to assess associations between changes in proximal aortic stiffness and changes in fitness, fatness, and other potential confounders.

Results:

Weight loss in the aerobic exercise training plus moderate CR (−8.0 kg [95% CI, −9.17 to −6.87]) and aerobic exercise training plus more intensive CR (−8.98 kg [95% CI, −10.23 to −7.73) groups was significantly greater compared with the aerobic exercise training–only group (−1.66 kg [95% CI, −2.94 to −0.38];
P
<0.017 for both). There were significant treatment effects for descending aorta distensibility (
P
=0.008) and strain (
P
=0.004) and aortic arch pulse wave velocity (
P
=0.01) with the aerobic exercise training plus moderate CR group having a 21% increase in distensibility (
P
=0.016) and an 8% decrease in pulse wave velocity (
P
=0.058). None of the aortic stiffness measures changed significantly in the aerobic exercise training–only or aerobic exercise training plus more intensive CR groups, and there were no significant changes in any other measure of aortic structure or function in these groups. Overall, increases in aortic distensibility were correlated with improvements in body weight and body fat distribution, but these associations were not statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons.

Conclusions:
In older adults with obesity, combining aerobic exercise with moderate CR leads to greater improvements in proximal aortic stiffness than exercise alone.

Registration:

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01048736.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Early Recurrent Myocardial Infarction After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Nair Raunak , Johnson Michael , Kravitz Kathleen , Huded Chetan , Rajeswaran Jeevanantham , Anabila Moses , Blackstone Eugene , Menon Venu , Lincoff A. Michael , Kapadia Samir , Khot Umesh N. 
Published: August 2021

Background
We aimed to understand the characteristics and outcomes of patients readmitted with a recurrent myocardial infarction (RMI) within 90 days of discharge after an acute myocardial infarction (early RMI).

Methods and Results

We analyzed the timing of reinfarction, etiology, and outcome for all patients admitted with an early RMI within 90 days of discharge after an acute myocardial infarction between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2017. We identified 6626 admissions for acute myocardial infarction (index myocardial infarction) which led to 168 cases of RMI within 90 days of discharge. The mean patient age was 65.1±13.1 years, and 37% were women. The 90‐day probability of readmission with an early RMI was 2.5%. Black race, medical management, higher troponin T, and shorter length of stay were independent predictors of early RMI. Medically managed group had a higher risk for early RMI compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (
P
=0.04) or coronary artery bypass grafting (
P
=0.2). Predominant mechanisms for reinfarction were stent thrombosis (17%), disease progression (12%), and unchanged coronary artery disease (11%). At 5 years, the all‐cause mortality rate for patients with an early RMI was 49% (95% CI, 40%–57%) compared with 22% (95% CI, 21%–23%) for patients without an early RMI (
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions
Early RMI is a life‐threatening condition with nearly 50% mortality within 5 years. Stent‐related events and progression in coronary artery disease account for most early RMI. Medication compliance, aggressive risk factor management, and care transitions should be the cornerstone in preventing early RMI.