bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of Dock2 on macrophage migration and functions during Citrobacter rodentium infection
Authors: Ji L , Chen Y , Xie L , Liu Z 
Published: March 2021

Summary
Dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (Dock2), an atypical guanine exchange factor, is specifically expressed on immune cells and mediates cell adhesion and migration by activating Rac and regulates actin cytoskeleton remodeling. It plays a crucial role in the migration, formation of immune synapses, cell proliferation, activation of T and B lymphocytes and chemotaxis of pDCs and neutrophils. However, in-vivo physiological functions of Dock2 have been relatively seldom studied. Our previous studies showed that Dock2−/− mice were highly susceptible to colitis induced by Citrobacter rodentium infection, and in early infection, Dock2−/− mice had defects in macrophage migration. However, the specific roles of Dock2 in the migration and functions of macrophages are not clear. In this study, we found that the expression of chemokines such as chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)4 and CCL5 and chemokine receptors such as chemokine (C-C motif) receptor (CCR)4 and CCR5 in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) of Dock2−/− mice decreased after infection, which were supported by the in-vivo infection experimental results; the Transwell experiment results showed that Dock2−/− BMDM had a defect in chemotaxis. The bacterial phagocytic and bactericidal experiment results also showed that Dock2−/− BMDM had the defects of bacterial phagocytosis and killing. Furthermore, the adoptive transfer of wild-type BMDM alleviated the susceptibility of Dock2−/− mice to C. rodentium infection. Our results show that Dock2 affects migration and phagocytic and bactericidal ability of macrophages by regulating the expression of chemokines, chemokine receptors and their responses to chemokine stimulation, thus playing an essential role in the host defense against enteric bacterial infection.
Prevalence of left atrial thrombus by real time three‐dimensional echocardiography in patients undergoing electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: A contemporary cohort study
Authors: Bursi Francesca , Santangelo Gloria , Ferrante Giulia , Massironi Laura , Carugo Stefano 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of left atrial thrombi in patients scheduled for electrical cardioversion (ECV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown in contemporary real‐life practice.Methods and ResultsPatients scheduled for ECV underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) regardless of AF duration and type of anticoagulant. Of 277 consecutive patients (65% men, mean age 71 ± 10 years, CHA2DS2‐VASc 3.1 ± 1.4), 92 were on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and 99 on antivitamin K (AVK) oral agents for at least 3 weeks before and 4 after ECV. Eighty‐five patients with paroxysmal AF on low‐molecular‐weight heparin were also considered. Real time three‐dimensional TEE detected left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus in 7% of patients, without significant difference among three groups (P = .334). Anticoagulation was ineffective in eight patients on AVK oral agents, two of them had thrombus. Eight patients assumed incorrectly DOACs, four of them had thrombus. Among the 175 patients on effective anticoagulation, five showed thrombus, three on AVK oral agents, and two on DOACs (P = .716). Effective anticoagulation was associated with reduced risk of thrombosis (OR: 0.16, 95%CI: 0.06‐0.45, P = .001). In patients with correct anticoagulation, predictors of thrombus were CHA2DS2VASc (for each point of increment OR: 1.97, 95%CI: 1.08‐3.61, P = .029), low left ventricular ejection fraction (OR: 0.92, 95%CI: 0.86‐0.99, P = .026), and degree of spontaneous echo‐contrast (for each point increase OR: 10, 95%CI: 2‐39, P < .0001).ConclusionPatients with AF, on effective anticoagulation, had a prevalence of thrombus not negligible regardless of type of anticoagulant. TEE is prudent before ECV and mandatory if unsuccessful anticoagulation is proved or suspected.
Transformative Education
Authors: Paul L. A. , Quiggin John 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUniversities aspire to offer students a transformative experience, but rarely spell out the nature of this transformation. In this essay, L. A. Paul and John Quiggin frame the successful university education as transformative in the philosophical sense. They explain the way that a successful college education can be understood as generating an individual conceptual revolution, and thus, as a transformative experience. Education can create epistemically transformative change through the process of developing critical thinking skills, leading to conceptual replacement and the discovery of new intellectual frameworks. This epistemic transformation, if deep enough, scales up into a personal transformation. After explicating the nature and structure of transformative education, Paul and Quiggin show how understanding transformation in terms of personal change and awareness of unawareness clarifies the debate over its value.
Physiological determinants of biogeography: The importance of metabolic depression to heat tolerance
Authors: Liao Ming‐ling , Li Gao‐yang , Wang Jie , Marshall David J. , Hui Tin Yan , Ma Shu‐yang , Zhang Yi‐min , Helmuth Brian , Dong Yun‐wei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA quantitative understanding of physiological thermal responses is vital for forecasting species distributional shifts in response to climate change. Many studies have focused on metabolic rate as a global metric for analyzing the sublethal effects of changing environments on physiology. Thermal performance curves (TPCs) have been suggested as a viable analytical framework, but standard TPCs may not fully capture physiological responses, due in part to failure to consider the process of metabolic depression. We derived a model based on the nonlinear regression of biological temperature‐dependent rate processes and built a heart rate data set for 26 species of intertidal molluscs distributed from 33°S to ~40°N. We then calculated physiological thermal performance limits with continuous heating using , the temperature at which heart rate is decreased to 50% of the maximal rate, as a more realistic measure of upper thermal limits. Results indicate that heat‐induced metabolic depression of cardiac performance is a common adaptive response that allows tolerance of harsh environments. Furthermore, our model accounted for the high inter‐individual variability in the shape of cardiac TPCs. We then used these TPCs to calculate physiological thermal safety margins (pTSM), the difference between the maximal operative temperature (95th percentile of field temperatures) and of each individual. Using pTSMs, we developed a physiological species distribution model (pSDM) to forecast future geographic distributions. pSDM results indicate that climate‐induced species range shifts are potentially less severe than predicted by a simple correlative SDM. Species with metabolic depression below the optimum temperature will be more thermal resistant at their warm trailing edges. High intraspecific variability further suggests that models based on species‐level vulnerability to environmental change may be problematic. This multi‐scale, mechanistic understanding that incorporates metabolic depression and inter‐individual variability in thermal response enables better predictions about the relationship between thermal stress and species distributions.
Identification of CD56dim subpopulation marked with high expression of GZMB/PRF1/PI‐9 in CD56+ interferon‐α‐induced dendritic cells
Authors: Watanabe Asuka , Togi Misa , Koya Terutsugu , Taniguchi Makoto , Sakamoto Takuya , Iwabuchi Kuniyoshi , Kato Tomohisa , Shimodaira Shigetaka 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAs the sentinels of innate and adaptive immune system, dendritic cells (DCs) have been considered to hold a great promise for medical application. Among the diverse types of DCs, monocyte‐derived DCs (mo‐DCs) generated in vitro have been most commonly employed. We have been improving the culture protocol and devised a protocol to produce mature interferon‐α‐induced DCs (IFN‐DCs), hereinafter called (mat)IFN‐DCs. While exploring the relationship between the expression of CD56 and the cytotoxic activity of (mat)IFN‐DCs, we unexpectedly found that sorting of (mat)IFN‐DCs with CD56 antibody‐coated microbeads (MB) resulted in fractionating cells with tumoricidal activity into the flow‐through (FT) but not MB‐bound fraction. We uncovered that the FT fraction contains cells expressing low but substantial level of CD56. Moreover, those cells express granzyme B (GrB), perforin (PFN), and serpin B9 at high levels. By employing a specific inhibitor of PFN, we confirmed that direct tumoricidal activity relies on the GrB/PFN pathway. We designated subpopulation in FT fraction as CD56dim and that in CD56 positively sorted fraction as CD56bright, respectively. This is the first time, to our knowledge, to identify subpopulations of CD56‐positive IFN‐DCs with distinct tumoricidal activity which is ascribed to high expression of the components of GrB/PFN pathway.
Retracted: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Psychological Distress, and Fathering Behaviors
Authors: Shafer Kevin , Easton Scott D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis study examines the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), internalized and externalized psychological distress, and six measures of parenting behavior among fathers in the United States.BackgroundPrior research on ACEs and parenting has focused almost exclusively on mothers, specific types of childhood adversity, and the intergenerational transmission of abuse, neglect, and other traumatic experiences. This study extends the literature by considering ACEs in fathers, using a multidimensional measure of ACEs, and multiple measures of positive and negative fathering behavior.MethodUsing the ecological model of father involvement, this study is based on a national sample of more than 2,000 fathers with children between 2 and 18 years old in the United States. Seemingly unrelated regression models were used to analyze the relationship between ACEs and each fathering behavior, with two measures of psychological distress included as mediators of this relationship.ResultsACEs are significantly associated with both internalized and externalized psychological distress. Experiencing multiple ACEs was negatively associated with paternal warmth, engagement, caregiving, and father–child relationship quality. Multiple ACEs were also positively associated with the use of harsh discipline. High ACE scores were mediated by internalized distress for five fathering behaviors and by externalized distress for warmth and harsh discipline.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of ACEs and psychological distress for fathering. These results have implications for future research and public health approaches to childhood trauma.
Shift‐to‐shift nursing handover interventions associated with improved inpatient outcomes—Falls, pressure injuries and medication administration errors: An integrative review
Authors: Hada Adriana , Coyer Fiona 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe aim of this integrative review was to identify which nursing handover interventions were associated with improved patient outcomes, specifically patients’ falls, pressure injuries and medication administration errors, in the hospital setting. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses statement was used to guide the review. A systematic search of seven electronic databases was conducted, and retrieved articles were assessed by two independent reviewers. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings of this review indicate that improvements in handover communication had a clinically important positive effect on patient outcomes. Across the studies, reductions in falls varied from 9.3 to 80%, pressure injuries from 45 to 75%, and medication errors from 11.1 to greater than 50%. This review highlights that the implementation of bedside nursing handover and the adoption of standardized handover tools to improve nursing handover communication reduce patient adverse events, specifically falls, pressure injuries, and medication errors. These findings should be considered by clinicians to inform their clinical handover practice.
Valvular changes after aortic valve neo‐cuspidization in children: A case series
Authors: Watanabe Fumio , Go Kiyotaka , Kojima Taiki 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundAortic valve neo‐cuspidization (AVNeo), a procedure wherein the aortic valve is reconstructed utilizing an autologous pericardium, has recently been more commonly performed in children. However, the postoperative morphological changes in the aortic valve of pediatric patients remain unknown. The current study aimed to describe the intraoperative and postoperative findings of aortic regurgitation (AR) and stenosis (AS) after AVNeo in children.MethodsThis case series describes the morphological changes in AR and AS, and their severity, between the perioperative period and 3 months postoperative period after AVNeo in children (<18 years) who underwent AVNeo between April 2016 and March 2020. Data were collected at two measurement points: (i) intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (io‐TEE); (ii) postoperative transthoracic echocardiography 3 months after the procedure (po‐TTE).ResultsSeven patients were included in this case series. The number of postoperative AR sites and the ratio of AR jet area to the left ventricular outflow tract area showed a tendency to decrease between io‐TEE and po‐TTE. All AR sites were integrated during the postoperative period. One patient identified developed intraoperative AS, which maintained its severity after AVNeo.ConclusionsMost cases exhibited spontaneous improvement in AR, while one developed postoperative AS. Further prospective investigation is, therefore, needed to explore surgical outcomes following AVNeo among children.
Implementation of DFA in Conceptual and Embodiment Design Using Decision Support Problems
Authors: Simpson Timothy W. , Bauer Matthew D. , Allen Janet K. , Mistree Farrokh 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
How can Design for Assembly be implemented when the conceptual form of a product being designed is known but the information defining its physical form is vague and incomplete? In this paper, we answer the preceding question from a decision-based perspective. Specifically, we adapt Boothroyd and Dewhurst’s Design for Assembly method for use in conceptual and embodiment design. We achieve this adaptation through the use of Decision Support Problems, and we illustrate our adaptation through an example, namely, the design of an aircraft evacuation system. Our emphasis in this paper is on presenting the conceptual framework used to make suitable Boothroyd and Dewhurst’s Design for Assembly to conceptual design and not the numerical results per se.
Concurrent Subspace Optimization Using Design Variable Sharing in a Distributed Computing Environment
Authors: Wujek Brett A. , Renaud John E. , Batill Stephen M. , Brockman Jay B. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This paper reviews recent implementation advances and modifications in the continued development of a Concurrent Subspace Optimization (CSSO) algorithm for Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO). The CSSO-MDO algorithm implemented in this research incorporates a Coordination Procedure of System Approximation (CP-SA) for design updates. Implementation studies detail the use of a new discipline based decomposition strategy which provides for design variable sharing across discipline design regimes (i.e., subspaces). The algorithm is implemented in a distributed computing environment, providing for concurrent discipline design. Implementation studies introduce a new multidisciplinary design test problem, the optimal design of a high performance, low cost structural system. A graphical user interface is developed which provides for menu driven execution and results display; this new programming environment highlights the modularity of the algorithm. Significant time savings are observed when using distributed computing for concurrent design across disciplines. The use of design variable sharing across disciplines does not introduce any difficulties in implementation as the design update in the CSSO-MDO algorithm is generated in the coordination procedure of system approximation (CP-SA).
Integration of the Response Surface Methodology With the Compromise Decision Support Problem in Developing a General Robust Design Procedure
Authors: Chen Wei , Tsui Kwok-Leung , Allen Janet K. , Mistree Farrokh 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this paper we introduce a comprehensive and rigorous robust design procedure to overcome some limitations of the current approaches. A comprehensive approach is general enough to model the two major types of robust design applications, namely,
• robust design associated with the minimization of the deviation of performance caused by the deviation of noise factors (uncontrollable parameters), AND
• robust design due to the minimization of the deviation of performance caused by the deviation of control factors (design variables).
We achieve mathematical rigor by using, as a foundation, principles from the design of experiments and optimization. Specifically, we integrate the Response Surface Method (RSM) with the compromise Decision Support Problem (DSP). Our approach is especially useful for design problems where there are no closed-form solutions and system performance is computationally expensive to evaluate. The design of a solar powered irrigation system is used as an example. Our focus in this paper is on illustrating our approach rather than on the results per se.
Design-in-Modularity With Conceptual Robustness
Authors: Chang Tzyy-Shuh , Ward Allen C. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Modular design can be achieved by taking the variations of the surrounding components as conceptual noise and designing the part to be conceptually robust. Design-in-modularity, which has demonstrated its success in electrical/electronic industry, receives less attention in the other engineering disciplines. Previous work focuses on descriptive discussions as well as coding and classifying designs based on product features; none has outlined a design method for modular design. This paper articulates a procedure for design-in-modularity based on the idea of conceptual robustness. We claim that, by properly defining the conceptual noise, the conceptually robust design is the modular design. Issues on how to generate the minimum number of modular designs for a given set of systems are included. An algorithmic procedure is outlined for the practitioners to follow. This paper also discusses future research issues in this new research area of interest. The entire concept is illustrated by an example.
Analysis of Barriers to Control of Manipulators Within Accessible Output Sets
Authors: Haug Edward J. , Adkins Frederick A. , Qiu Chaoxin Charles , Yen Jeng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Barriers to output control of manipulators, both in the interior and at the boundary of accessible output sets, are analyzed using first and second order Taylor approximations of the output in selected directions as functions of manipulator input. The formulation is valid for both planar and spatial manipulators, with open chain and closed loop structures, and accounts for the effects of unilateral constraints on the range of admissible control inputs. Criteria defining curves and surfaces associated with singular output control of manipulators are extended to define normals to such curves and surfaces. It is shown that output velocity in the direction normal to such curves and surfaces must be zero, so they arc barriers to velocity control in the associated manipulator configuration. Second order Taylor expansion of normal output with respect to input parameters yields quantitative information regarding barriers to output position control. Definiteness properties of the resulting quadratic approximation define directions of admissible and inadmissible outputs. Algorithms for automatically computing the associated quadratic forms and eigenvalues that determine their definiteness properties are presented and illustrated using planar examples.
A Parallel Multi-Attribute Transformation Model of Design
Authors: McMahon Chris A. , Xianyi Meng , Brown Ken N. , Sims Williams Jon H. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This paper presents a model of the engineering design process as sequences of transformations between states of the information models describing the design, the functional requirements on which it is based, and the constraints in which it is defined. The design itself is considered to be described by explicit attributes which are the definitive or descriptive properties which affect the manufacture of the object, and implicit, properties which are judgements, performance-related assessments, or emergent properties. The paper first considers the required characteristics of a design model and reviews the use of transformation in design. It then presents an overall transformation model followed by an overview of the use of Petri nets for modelling the detail of the processes.
Representation of Design Object Based on the Functional Evolution Process Model
Authors: Shimomura Yoshiki , Takeda Hideaki , Yoshioka Masaharu , Umeda Yasushi , Tomiyama Tetsuo 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
One of the crucial issues for developing computer aided conceptual design system is representation of functions which represent designers’ intention. Representing functions is also crucial not only for representing design objects but also for describing conceptual design processes, in which designers operate mainly functional concepts. Namely, function is a key concept to integrate object modeling and process modeling in design.
In this paper, first we extend the FBS (Function-Behavior-State) diagram, which we have already proposed, by introducing three additional concepts for representing a function; namely, function body that represents designers’ intention directly, function modifier that qualifies a function body, and objective entity on which the function body occurs. This extended FBS diagram, called FBS/m (modifier) diagram, enables us to represent designers’ intention more precisely than the original FBS diagram. Then, we propose an FEP (Functional Evolution Process) model to represent design processes. In the FEP model, the FBS model of a design object is evolved through three steps, i.e., functional actualization, functional evaluation and functional operation. Functional actualization depicts a process to obtain physical descriptions from functional description. Functional evaluation is a process to measure realizability of functions of the design object. Functional operation is a process to operate functions to improve the design. Based on the FEP model, we analyze some actual design processes, and show that the FEP model is suitable for representing designers’ intention along with design processes.
A Virtual Environment for Interactive Assembly Planning and Evaluation
Authors: Kuehne Robert P. , Oliver James H. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
An interactive synthetic environment is presented which allows direct use of geometric component models and hierarchical assembly data in assembly planning and evaluation. The system allows the human designer to exploit inherent knowledge of assembly ordering, design parallelism, and other assembly factors to evaluate and visualize candidate assembly plans. The designer interacts with both geometric and abstract representations of the assembly using virtual environment peripherals such as a head-coupled display, six-degree-of-freedom trackers, and an instrumented glove. The system addresses several problems inherent in algorithmic assembly planning.