bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of grain growth exponent by Monte Carlo simulation in polycrystalline materials
Authors: Rajendra P. , Phaneesh K. R. , Ramesha C. M. , Nagaral Madeva , Auradi V 
Published: September 2021

In metallurgy, the microstructure study is very important to evaluate the properties and performances of a material. The Monte Carlo method is applied in so many fields of Engineering Science and it is a very effective method to examine the topology of the computer-simulated structures and exactly resembles the static behavior of the atoms. The effective 2D simulation was performed to understand the grain growth kinetics, under the influence of second phase particles (impurities) is a base to control the microstructure. The matrix size and [Formula: see text]-states are optimized. The grain growth exponent was investigated in a polycrystalline material using the [Formula: see text]-state Potts model under the Monte Carlo simulation. The effect of particles present within the belly of grains and pinning on the grain boundaries are observed. The mean grain size under second phase particles obeys the square root dependency.
Thallo – Scheduling for High-Performance Large-Scale Non-Linear Least-Squares Solvers
Authors: Mara Michael , Heide Felix , Zollhöfer Michael , Nießner Matthias , Hanrahan Pat 
Published: September 2021

Large-scale optimization problems at the core of many graphics, vision, and imaging applications are often implemented by hand in tedious and error-prone processes in order to achieve high performance (in particular on GPUs), despite recent developments in libraries and DSLs. At the same time, these hand-crafted solver implementations reveal that the key for high performance is a problem-specific schedule that enables efficient usage of the underlying hardware. In this work, we incorporate this insight into Thallo, a domain-specific language for large-scale non-linear least squares optimization problems. We observe various code reorganizations performed by implementers of high-performance solvers in the literature, and then define a set of basic operations that span these scheduling choices, thereby defining a large scheduling space. Users can either specify code transformations in a scheduling language or use an autoscheduler. Thallo takes as input a compact, shader-like representation of an energy function and a (potentially auto-generated) schedule, translating the combination into high-performance GPU solvers. Since Thallo can generate solvers from a large scheduling space, it can handle a large set of large-scale non-linear and non-smooth problems with various degrees of non-locality and compute-to-memory ratios, including diverse applications such as bundle adjustment, face blendshape fitting, and spatially-varying Poisson deconvolution, as seen in Figure 1. Abstracting schedules from the optimization, we outperform state-of-the-art GPU-based optimization DSLs by an average of 16× across all applications introduced in this work, and even some published hand-written GPU solvers by 30%+.
A Large-scale Benchmark and an Inclusion-based Algorithm for Continuous Collision Detection
Authors: Wang Bolun , Ferguson Zachary , Schneider Teseo , Jiang Xin , Attene Marco , Panozzo Daniele 
Published: September 2021

We introduce a large-scale benchmark for
continuous collision detection (CCD)
algorithms, composed of queries manually constructed to highlight challenging degenerate cases and automatically generated using existing simulators to cover common cases. We use the benchmark to evaluate the accuracy, correctness, and efficiency of state-of-the-art continuous collision detection algorithms, both with and without minimal separation.

We discover that, despite the widespread use of CCD algorithms, existing algorithms are (1) correct but impractically slow; (2) efficient but incorrect, introducing false negatives that will lead to interpenetration; or (3) correct but over conservative, reporting a large number of false positives that might lead to inaccuracies when integrated in a simulator.
By combining the seminal interval root finding algorithm introduced by Snyder in 1992 with modern predicate design techniques, we propose a simple and efficient CCD algorithm. This algorithm is competitive with state-of-the-art methods in terms of runtime while conservatively reporting the time of impact and allowing explicit tradeoff between runtime efficiency and number of false positives reported.
Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by Hydrothermal Methods and Spectroscopic Investigation of Ultraviolet Radiation Protective Properties
Authors: Bulcha Bekele , Leta Tesfaye Jule , Anatol Degefa , Shanmugam R. , Dwarampudi L. Priyanka , Nagaprasad N. , Bhargavi V. L. Nirmal , Krishnaraj Ramaswamy 
Published: September 2021

Ultraviolet radiation causes damages to the human body, such as skin ageing, skin cancer, and allergies throughout the world. Applying zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in sunscreen products (like cloths or textiles) to protect human skin by absorbing the ultraviolet radiations that emerged from the sun. The main aim of this study is to investigate both absorbance and transmittance characteristics of the untreated and treated cotton textiles. For ZnO NPs using hydrothermal methods, they were made from Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and NaOH at a constant annealing temperature of 300°C. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to analyze the produced ZnO NPs. From the FT-IR result, ZnO NPs were observed in the region of 400-600 cm-1. Wurtzite hexagonal structure of ZnO NPs with the average crystal size

32
±
49

nm was observed from XRD results. Flowers in the shape of synthesized ZnO NPs were observed from SEM images. The UV-vis penetration peaks were identified at 264 nm and 376 nm, with energy band gaps of 4.68 and 3.536 eV, respectively. When compared to bulk ZnO, the energy band gap of ZnO NPs was blue-shifted due to the impact of quantum confinement. The peaks in UV-vis absorption were caused by an electronic transition from the valiancy to the conduction bands. The high energy band shows high absorbance of the synthesis sample in the case of 264 nm. The ZnO NPs were manufactured and applied to 100% of raw cotton to impart sunscreen action to both untreated and treated cotton fabrics. The performance of treatment has been evaluated utilizing UV-vis spectroscopy through quantifying ultraviolet protective factors (UPF) and percentage of transmitted (%T) radiations. The treated cotton textiles have 61.50% UPF while 2.65% ultraviolet radiations were transmitted. In other words, untreated cotton textiles have 1.63% UPF while 74.56% ultraviolet radiation was transmitted. Therefore, the treated cotton textiles have excellent protection categories when compared to untreated cotton textiles.
Investigation on Dewatering of a Deep Shaft in Strong Permeable Sandy Pebble Strata on the Bank of the Yellow River
Authors: Zheng Yuchao , Lei Jianyong , Wang Fei , Xiang Liang , Yang Jianfeng , Xue Qingshuai 
Published: September 2021

This paper reports the dewatering scheme of a deep excavation in sandy pebble strata. The excavation is in high permeability strata and is close to the Yellow River, making the dewatering difficult during construction. At present, few researchers have specially studied the dewatering scheme of deep excavations in strong permeable strata near the water resource. Field pumping test was conducted before the excavation activity, and the permeability coefficient of the strata was obtained by reverse analysis. According to the characteristics of the project, the dewatering scheme of “

waterproof

curtain
+
base

grouting
+
pumping

” was proposed. The influence of vertical waterproof curtain and base grouting on dewatering was analyzed by numerical simulation. In the construction process, the field water table and ground settlement were measured. The results show that (1) the groundwater table versus permeability coefficient curve shows three different stages and (2) the dewatering scheme of “

waterproof

curtain
+
base

grouting
+
pumping

” is effective for deep excavation in strong permeable strata.
TGFBI Production by Macrophages Contributes to an Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Lecker Laura S.M. , Berlato Chiara , Maniati Eleni , Delaine-Smith Robin , Pearce Oliver M.T. , Heath Owen , Nichols Samuel J. , Trevisan Caterina , Novak Marian , McDermott Jacqueline , Brenton James D. , Cutillas Pedro R. , Rajeeve Vinothini , Hennino Ana , Drapkin Ronny , Loessner Daniela , Balkwill Frances R. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment evolves during malignant progression, with major changes in nonmalignant cells, cytokine networks, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we aimed to understand how the ECM changes during neoplastic transformation of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma lesions (STIC) into high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC). Analysis of the mechanical properties of human fallopian tubes (FT) and ovaries revealed that normal FT and fimbria had a lower tissue modulus, a measure of stiffness, than normal or diseased ovaries. Proteomic analysis of the matrisome fraction between FT, fimbria, and ovaries showed significant differences in the ECM protein TGF beta induced (TGFBI, also known as βig-h3). STIC lesions in the fimbria expressed high levels of TGFBI, which was predominantly produced by CD163-positive macrophages proximal to STIC epithelial cells. In vitro stimulation of macrophages with TGFβ and IL4 induced secretion of TGFBI, whereas IFNγ/LPS downregulated macrophage TGFBI expression. Immortalized FT secretory epithelial cells carrying clinically relevant TP53 mutations stimulated macrophages to secrete TGFBI and upregulated integrin αvβ3, a putative TGFBI receptor. Transcriptomic HGSOC datasets showed a significant correlation between TGFBI expression and alternatively activated macrophage signatures. Fibroblasts in HGSOC metastases expressed TGFBI and stimulated macrophage TGFBI production in vitro. Treatment of orthotopic mouse HGSOC tumors with an anti-TGFBI antibody reduced peritoneal tumor size, increased tumor monocytes, and activated β3-expressing unconventional T cells. In conclusion, TGFBI may favor an immunosuppressive microenvironment in STICs that persists in advanced HGSOC. Furthermore, TGFBI may be an effector of the tumor-promoting actions of TGFβ and a potential therapeutic target.

Significance:
Analysis of ECM changes during neoplastic transformation reveals a role for TGFBI secreted by macrophages in immunosuppression in early ovarian cancer.
Improvement in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Scores After a Self-Care Intervention in Patients With Acute Heart Failure Discharged From the Emergency Department
Authors: Stubblefield William B. , Jenkins Cathy A. , Liu Dandan , Storrow Alan B. , Spertus John A. , Pang Peter S. , Levy Phillip D. , Butler Javed , Chang Anna Marie , Char Douglas , Diercks Deborah B. , Fermann Gregory J. , Han Jin H. , Hiestand Brian C. , Hogan Christopher J. , Khan Yosef , Lee Sangil , Lindenfeld JoAnn M. , McNaughton Candace D. , Miller Karen , Peacock W. Frank , Schrock Jon W. , Self Wesley H. , Singer Adam J. , Sterling Sarah A. , Collins Sean P. 
Published: September 2021

Background:
We conducted a secondary analysis of changes in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ)-12 over 30 days in a randomized trial of self-care coaching versus structured usual care in patients with acute heart failure who were discharged from the emergency department.

Methods:
Patients in 15 emergency departments completed the KCCQ-12 at emergency department discharge and at 30 days. We compared change in KCCQ-12 scores between the intervention and usual care arms, adjusted for enrollment KCCQ-12 and demographic characteristics. We used linear regression to describe changes in KCCQ-12 summary scores and logistic regression to characterize clinically meaningful KCCQ-12 subdomain changes at 30 days.

Results:

There were 350 patients with both enrollment and 30-day KCCQ summary scores available; 166 allocated to usual care and 184 to the intervention arm. Median age was 64 years (interquartile range, 55–70), 37% were female participants, 63% were Black, median KCCQ-12 summary score at enrollment was 47 (interquartile range, 33–64). Self-care coaching resulted in significantly greater improvement in health status compared with structured usual care (5.4-point greater improvement, 95% CI, 1.12–9.68;
P
=0.01). Improvements in health status in the intervention arm were driven by improvements within the symptom frequency (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.01–2.59]) and quality of life (adjusted odds ratio, 2.39 [95% CI, 1.46–3.90]) subdomains.

Conclusions:
In this secondary analysis, patients with acute heart failure who received a tailored, self-care intervention after emergency department discharge had clinically significant improvements in health status at 30 days compared with structured usual care largely due to improvements within the symptom frequency and quality of life subdomains of the KCCQ-12.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02519283.
Unseen Burden of Injury: Post-Hospitalization Mortality in Geriatric Trauma Patients
Authors: Huntington Ciara R. , Kao Angela M. , Sing Ronald F. , Ross Samuel W. , Christmas A. Britt , Prasad Tanushree , Lincourt Amy E. , Kasten Kevin R. , Heniford B. Todd 
Published: September 2021

Background/Objectives Older adults are at risk for adverse outcomes after trauma, but little is known about post-acute survival as state and national trauma registries collect only inpatient or 30-day outcomes. This study investigates long-term, out-of-hospital mortality in geriatric trauma patients. Methods Level I Trauma Center registry data were matched to the US Social Security Death Index (SSDI) to determine long-term and out-of-hospital outcomes of older patients. Blunt trauma patients aged ≥65 were identified from 2009 to 2015 in an American College of Surgeons Level 1 Trauma Center registry, n = 6289 patients with an age range 65-105 years, mean age 78.5 ± 8.4 years. Dates of death were queried using social security numbers and unique patient identifiers. Demographics, injury, treatments, and outcomes were compared using descriptive and univariate statistics. Results Of 6289 geriatric trauma patients, 505 (8.0%) died as an inpatient following trauma. Fall was the most common mechanism of injury (n = 4757, 76%) with mortality rate of 46.5% at long-term follow-up; motor vehicle crash (MVC) (n = 1212, 19%) had long-term mortality of 27.6%. Overall, 24.1% of patients died within 1 year of trauma. Only 8 of 488 patients who died between 1 and 6 months post-trauma were inpatient. Mortality rate varied by discharge location: 25.1% home, 36.4% acute rehabilitation, and 51.5% skilled nursing facility, P < .0001. Conclusion Inpatient and 30-day mortality rates in national outcome registries fail to fully capture the burden of trauma on older patients. Though 92% of geriatric trauma patients survived to discharge, almost one-quarter had died by 1 year following their injuries.
Effects of the augmented reality game Pokémon GO on fitness and fatness in secondary school students
Authors: Martínez-López Emilio J , López-Serrano Sebastián , De La Torre-Cruz Manuel , Ruiz-Ariza Alberto 
Published: September 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of 8 weeks of Pokémon GO on physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF], Speed/Agility [S/A], and muscular strength [MS]) and fatness (body mass index [BMI], percentage of body fat [%BF], and waist-hip index), as well as possible differences between weekly physical activity (PA) levels, in Spanish adolescents between 12 and 15 years of age. Design, setting and method: Comparative design, with a control group ( n = 86) that did not participate in Pokémon GO, and an intervention group ( n = 78) which did so over an 8-week period. Age, sex, number of home computers, and maternal educational level were controlled for as possible confounding variables. Results: Results show that players walked a total of 52 km in 8 weeks. Moreover, they played the game for a mean of 40 min/day. Pokémon GO players showed improvements in CRF and BMI ( p < .05). Inactive young people showed a 22.2% increase in CRF and an 11.3% decrease in their %BF compared to non-players. Despite these results, less than half of the participants considered that Pokémon GO had improved their overall fitness and felt more encouraged to engage in PA. Conclusion: Pokémon GO increased PA and CRF levels and decreased BMI and %BF after 8 weeks of practice independently of age, sex, number of computers at home, and maternal education. The Pokémon GO app could be used in school and family contexts to increase the daily amount of MVPA, improve CRF, and to take advantage of the effects of loss of body fat.
Clinical Efficacy of Topical Nasal Pomegranate Fruit Extract for Chronic Rhinitis and Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Israeli Asaf , Grinblat Golda , Shochat Isaac , Sarid Miri , Dudkiewicz Mickey , Braverman Itzhak 
Published: September 2021

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of topical nasal Pomegranate Fruit Extract (PFE) for Chronic Rhinitis (CR), Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis (CRSwNP), and Chronic Rhinosinusitis without Nasal Polyposis (CRSsNP). Methods: Prospective, double-blinded, randomized study including 111 consecutive patients, between April 2012 and January 2017, afflicted by CRSwNP, CRSsNP, and CR. Patients from each group were randomly assigned to either PFE treatment or placebo twice daily for 30 days. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by Ear Nose and Throat, blood and tomographic examinations, and the SNOT-20 questionnaire. Results: CR patients treated with PFE suffered significantly less from thick nasal discharge, difficulty falling asleep, reduced productivity, reduced concentration, and sadness ( P = .004, P = .02, P = .03, P = .007 and P = .02, respectively). Conclusions: Topical nasal PFE was found to have some benefits for CR patients, however, not for CRS with or without Nasal Polyposis.
Reflexive Biopolitics and the Structure of Experimental Knowledge
Authors: Patkauskas Justas 
Published: September 2021

Over the last 20 years, biopolitics has become an established research field within the humanities and the social sciences. However, scholars agree that the academic status of biopolitics remains problematic due to the latter’s conceptual fuzziness, unmanageable scope and weak foundations. To address these issues, biopolitics theorists have engaged in reflexive efforts to convert biopolitics into a respectable discipline with a clear definition, research agenda and canon. In this article, I examine the reflexive biopolitics scholarship that has emerged in the last decade and conclude that while biopolitics may not satisfy the criteria for achieving disciplinary respectability due to the chief aporia that both underpins and undermines the academic biopolitics project – namely, its seemingly infinite reach – the structure of biopolitics matches that of experimental knowledge, also known as counterscience, the university without condition and nomad science.
Prognostic impact of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in non-small cell lung carcinomas
Authors: Mlika Mona , Saidi Ayoub , Mejri Nesrine , Abdennadher Mehdi , Haddouchi Chokri , Labidi Soumeya , Khiari Hyem , Boussen Hamouda , Hsairi Mohamed , Mezni Faouzi 
Published: September 2021

Introduction Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes represent a pivotal component of the host anti-tumor response. Thus, they considerably influence the evolution of cancers including non-small cell lung carcinomas. Even if, this important role is consensual, many discordant results are published in the literature about the prognostic role of the different populations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The aim of our work was to evaluate the prognostic impact of CD8+, CD4+, and forkhead box protein P3+ lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment of non-small cell lung carcinomas. Methods We conducted a retrospective descriptive study, which included non-small cell lung carcinomas diagnosed in the department of pathology and followed in the medical oncology department of the same hospital between 2011 and 2015. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were analyzed by the immunohistochemical method for forkhead box protein P3, CD4, and CD8. Intratumoral and stromal-labeled lymphocytes were quantified by manual counting at high magnification (×400). Forkhead box protein P3+/CD8+, forkhead box protein P3+/CD4+, and CD8+/CD4+ ratios were subsequently calculated. The prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was assessed in respect of overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and relapse-free survival. Results Thirty-nine patients were included. The mean age of patients was 59.6 years. A complete surgical resection ( p = 0.009), and a CD8/CD4 ratio ( p = 0.008) were prognostic factors for overall survival. Complete surgical resection ( p = 0.003), the forkhead box protein P3/CD8 ( p = 0.005), and forkhead box protein P3/CD4 ( p = 0.037) ratios were prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival. The CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes rate ( p = 0.037) was a prognostic factor for relapse-free survival with a threshold of 67.8/high power field. Microscopic subtype ( p = 0.037) was a prognostic factor for relapse-free survival when only adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were considered. In multivariate analysis, age ( p = 0.004) and a CD8/CD4 ratio ( p = 0.016) were independent predictors of overall survival. Conclusion Despite the limitations of our study, our results confirm the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in non-small cell lung carcinomas and the importance of the combined quantification of their different subpopulations.
Identification of independent risk factors for diabetic neuropathy progression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Huang Linjing , Shen Ximei , Huang Lingning , Yan Sunjie , Wu Peiwen 
Published: September 2021

Objective To identify independent risk factors for diabetic neuropathy (DN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 376 patients with T2DM at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, China between January 2013 and October 2016. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore potential risk factors for progression of DN in patients with T2DM. Effect sizes were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The prevalence of DN in patients with T2DM was 43.1%. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that retinopathy (OR: 2.755, 95% CI: 1.599–4.746); diabetic nephropathy (OR: 2.196, 95% CI: 1.279–3.772); longer duration of T2DM (OR: 1.081, 95% CI: 1.045–1.120); use of insulin (OR: 1.091, 95% CI: 1.018–1.170); longer history of alcohol consumption (OR: 1.034, 95% CI: 1.010–1.059); and higher blood urea nitrogen (OR: 1.081, 95% CI: 1.009–1.159) were associated with increased risk of DN in patients with T2DM. Conclusions Retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, longer duration of T2DM, use of insulin, longer history of alcohol consumption, and higher blood urea nitrogen were independent risk factors for DN. These findings should be verified in large-scale prospective studies.