bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fiber Rearrangement and Matrix Compression in Soft Tissues: Multiscale Hypoelasticity and Application to Tendon
Authors: Morin Claire , Hellmich Christian , Nejim Zeineb , Avril Stéphane 
Published: October 2021

It is widely accepted that the nonlinear macroscopic mechanical behavior of soft tissue is governed by fiber straightening and re-orientation. Here, we provide a quantitative assessment of this phenomenon, by means of a continuum micromechanics approach. Given the negligibly small bending stiffness of crimped fibers, the latter are represented through a number of hypoelastic straight fiber phases with different orientations, being embedded into a hypoelastic matrix phase. The corresponding representative volume element (RVE) hosting these phases is subjected to “macroscopic” strain rates, which are downscaled to fiber and matrix strain rates on the one hand, and to fiber spins on the other hand. This gives quantitative access to the fiber decrimping (or straightening) phenomenon under non-affine conditions, i.e. in the case where the fiber orientations cannot be simply linked to the macroscopic strain state. In the case of tendinous tissue, such an RVE relates to the fascicle material with 50 μm characteristic length, made up of crimped collagen bundles and a gel-type matrix in-between. The fascicles themselves act as parallel fibers in a similar matrix at the scale of a tissue-related RVE with 500 μm characteristic length. As evidenced by a sensitivity analysis and confirmed by various mechanical tests, it is the initial crimping angle which drives both the degree of straightening and the shape of the macroscopic stress-strain curve, while the final linear portion of this curve depends almost exclusively on the collagen bundle elasticity. Our model also reveals the mechanical cooperation of the tissue’s key microstructural components: while the fibers carry tensile forces, the matrices undergo hydrostatic pressure.
3D Printed Integrated Multi-Layer Microfluidic Chips for Ultra-High Volumetric Throughput Nanoliposome Preparation
Authors: Shan Han , Lin Qibo , Wang Danfeng , Sun Xin , Quan Biao , Chen Xiang , Chen Zeyu 
Published: October 2021

Although microfluidic approaches for liposomes preparation have been developed, fabricating microfluidic devices remains expensive and time-consuming. Also, owing to the traditional layout of microchannels, the volumetric throughput of microfluidics has been greatly limited. Herein an ultra-high volumetric throughput nanoliposome preparation method using 3D printed microfluidic chips is presented. A high-resolution projection micro stereolithography (PμSL) 3D printer is applied to produce microfluidic chips with critical dimensions of 400 µm. The microchannels of the microfluidic chip adopt a three-layer layout, achieving the total flow rate (TFR) up to 474 ml min−1, which is remarkably higher than those in the reported literature. The liposome size can be as small as 80 nm. The state of flows in microchannels and the effect of turbulence on liposome formation are explored. The experimental results demonstrate that the 3D printed integrated microfluidic chip enables ultra-high volumetric throughput nanoliposome preparation and can control size efficiently, which has great potential in targeting drug delivery systems.
Making Use of Comparable Health Data to Improve Quality of Care and Outcomes in Diabetes: The EUBIROD Review of Diabetes Registries and Data Sources in Europe
Authors: Carinci Fabrizio , Štotl Iztok , Cunningham Scott G. , Poljicanin Tamara , Pristas Ivan , Traynor Vivie , Olympios George , Scoutellas Vasos , Azzopardi Joseph , Doggen Kris , Sandor János , Adany Roza , Løvaas Karianne F. , Jarosz-Chobot Przemka , Polanska Joanna , Pruna Simion , de Lusignan Simon , Monesi Marcello , Di Bartolo Paolo , Scheidt-Nave Christa , Heidemann Christin , Zucker Inbar , Maurina Anita , Lepiksone Jana , Rossing Peter , Arffman Martti , Keskimäki Ilmo , Gudbjornsdottir Soffia , Di Iorio Concetta Tania , Dupont Elisabeth , de Sabata Stella , Klazinga Niek , Benedetti Massimo Massi 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundRegistries and data sources contain information that can be used on an ongoing basis to improve quality of care and outcomes of people with diabetes. As a specific task of the EU Bridge Health project, we carried out a survey of diabetes-related data sources in Europe.ObjectivesWe aimed to report on the organization of different sources of diabetes information, including their governance, information infrastructure and dissemination strategies for quality control, service planning, public health, policy and research.MethodsSurvey using a structured questionnaire to collect targeted data from a network of collaborating institutions managing registries and data sources in 17 countries in the year 2017.ResultsThe 18 data sources participating in the study were most frequently academic centres (44.4%), national (72.2%), targeting all types of diabetes (61.1%) covering no more than 10% of the target population (44.4%). Although population-based in over a quarter of cases (27.8%), sources relied predominantly on provider-based datasets (38.5%), fewer using administrative data (16.6%). Data collection was continuous in the majority of cases (61.1%), but 50% could not perform data linkage. Public reports were more frequent (72.2%) as well as quality reports (77.8%), but one third did not provide feedback to policy and only half published ten or more peer reviewed papers during the last 5 years.ConclusionsThe heterogeneous implementation of diabetes registries and data sources hampers the comparability of quality and outcomes across Europe. Best practices exist but need to be shared more effectively to accelerate progress and deliver equitable results for people with diabetes.
Diagnostic Performance of Angiography-Based Fractional Flow Reserve for Functional Evaluation of Coronary Artery Stenosis
Authors: Li Changling , Leng Xiaochang , He Jingsong , Xia Yongqing , Jiang Wenbing , Pan Yibin , Dong Liang , Sun Yong , Hu Xinyang , Wang Jian'an , Xiang Jianping , Jiang Jun 
Published: October 2021

Background: A new method for calculating fraction flow reserve (FFR) without pressure-wire (angiography-derived FFR) based on invasive coronary angiography (ICA) images can be used to evaluate the functional problems of coronary stenosis.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of a novel method of calculating the FFR compared to wire-based FFR using retrospectively collected data from patients with stable angina.Methods: Three hundred patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent ICA and FFR measurement were included in this study. Two ICA images with projections &gt;25° apart at the end-diastolic frame were selected for 3D reconstruction. Then, the contrast frame count was performed in an angiographic run to calculate the flow velocity. Based on the segmented vessel, calculated velocity, and aortic pressure, AccuFFRangio distribution was calculated through the pressure drop equation.Results: Using FFR ≤ 0.8 as a reference, we evaluated AccuFFRangio performance for 300 patients with its accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). Comparison of AccuFFRangio with wire-measured FFR resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.954 (per-vessel, p &lt; 0.0001). Accuracy for AccuFFRangio was 93.7% for Pa set from measurement and 87% for Pa = 100 mmHg in this clinical study. Overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for per-vessel were 90, 95, 86.7, 96.3, and 57.5, 97.7, 90.2, 86.3%, respectively. Overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for 2-dimensional (2D) quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) were 63.3, 42.5, 70.9, 34.7, and 77.2%, respectively. The average processing time of AccuFFRangio was 4.30 ± 1.87 min.Conclusions: AccuFFRangio computed from coronary ICA images can be an accurate and time-efficient computational tool for detecting lesion-specific ischemia of coronary artery stenosis.
Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation and Associated Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Zuwei , Shao Wen , Zhang Jing , Ma Jianyong , Huang Shanshan , Yu Peng , Zhu Wengen , Liu Xiao 
Published: October 2021

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown that atrial fibrillation (AF) is a potential cardiovascular complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the prevalence and clinical impact of AF and new-onset AF in patients with COVID-19.Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and MedRxiv up to February 27, 2021, were searched to identify studies that reported the prevalence and clinical impact of AF and new-onset AF in patients with COVID-19. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021238423).Results: Nineteen eligible studies were included with a total of 21,653 hospitalized patients. The pooled prevalence of AF was 11% in patients with COVID-19. Older (≥60 years of age) patients with COVID-19 had a nearly 2.5-fold higher prevalence of AF than younger (&lt;60 years of age) patients with COVID-19 (13 vs. 5%). Europeans had the highest prevalence of AF (15%), followed by Americans (11%), Asians (6%), and Africans (2%). The prevalence of AF in patients with severe COVID-19 was 6-fold higher than in patients with non-severe COVID-19 (19 vs. 3%). Furthermore, AF (OR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.91 to 4.66) and new-onset AF (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.60 to 3.37) were significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality among patients with COVID-19.Conclusion: AF is quite common among hospitalized patients with COVID-19, particularly among older (≥60 years of age) patients with COVID-19 and patients with severe COVID-19. Moreover, AF and new-onset AF were independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Heart Rate Variability and Inflammatory Stress Response in Young African American Men: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Tell Dina , Burr Robert L. , Mathews Herbert L. , Janusek Linda Witek 
Published: October 2021

Background: African American men have a disproportionately higher incidence of and suffer greater severity and earlier death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). A common feature of many diseases, which disproportionately afflict disadvantaged African Americans, is inflammation. In particular, inflammation plays a decisive role in the pathogenesis of CVD in that persistent inflammation contributes to plaque evolution and destabilization. Adverse childhood experiences increase the risk for adult inflammatory based disease, particularly cardiovascular disease. This inflammatory burden becomes evident during stressful events and may be related to alterations in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. We previously reported that African American men who experienced childhood adversity exhibited a greater inflammatory (IL-6) response to acute stress challenge (Trier Social Stress Test – TSST). The purpose of this study was to determine whether altered ANS activity, as measured by heart rate variability (HRV), contributes to a greater proinflammatory response to stress in those exposed to childhood adversity.Methods: Thirty-four African American adult males underwent the TSST while instrumented with Holter monitors to record continuous heart rate for HRV determination. HRV was calculated as the low frequency (LF) to high frequency (HF) heart rate ratio (LF/HF), with higher LF/HF ratios corresponding to higher sympathetic vs. parasympathetic activity. Salivary samples were collected pre- and post-TSST to measure the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. Childhood adversity was assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire.Results: Hierarchical linear modeling demonstrated that higher levels of physical abuse were related to a steeper rise in LF/HF ratio during the TSST. Further, a higher LF/HF ratio, in combination with greater exposure to emotional and physical abuse was associated with a greater IL-6 response to the TSST.Conclusions: These findings suggest that adverse childhood experiences associate with an adult phenotype characterized by an altered ANS response to stress as well as a greater proinflammatory (IL-6) response to an acute stressor. Elevations in salivary inflammatory markers have been associated with increased CVD risk. In conclusion, these findings suggest a role for the ANS in the underlying neuro-biological processes whereby childhood adversity predisposes to a more intense inflammatory response to stressful challenge during adulthood.
Diagnostic Effect of Attenuation Correction in Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Different Coronary Arteries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Huang Jei-Yie , Huang Chun-Kai , Yen Ruoh-Fang , Chien Kuo-Liong , Wu Yen-Wen 
Published: October 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether, and if so how, attenuation correction (AC) improves the diagnostic performance of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in different coronary artery-supplied territories, using coronary angiography as the reference standard.Methods: PubMed and EMBASE were searched until December 2020 for studies evaluating AC MPI for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) with vessel-based data. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool. For each study, the sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratios and areas under summary receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of AC compared to non-AC MPI. A bivariate mixed-effects model was used to pool the data. Subgroup analyses considering the type of radiotracer and type of AC were performed.Results: A total of 264 articles were screened, of which 22 studies (2,608 patients) were enrolled. Significant improvements in specificity [0.78 vs. 0.58 in overall CAD, 0.87 vs. 0.61 in right coronary artery (RCA)] and diagnostic odds ratios (16 vs. 8 in overall CAD, 18 vs. 7 in RCA) after AC were shown in overall CAD at a patient level and RCA stenosis. Improvements in AUC were also noted. MPI had a similar diagnostic performance for detecting left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary artery stenosis with or without AC. There were trends of decreased sensitivity after AC, but none were significant. Diagnostic odds ratio showed significant improvement after AC only in the technetium-99m subgroup.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that AC should be applied to MPI to improve the diagnosis of CAD regardless of which type of radiotracer, and that AC MPI can improve the specificity of detecting RCA stenosis.
Role of Filler Content and Morphology in LLZO/PEO Membranes
Authors: Din Mir Mehraj Ud , Häusler M. , Fischer S. M. , Ratzenböck K. , Chamasemani F. F. , Hanghofer I. , Henninge V. , Brunner R. , Slugovc C. , Rettenwander D. 
Published: October 2021

Polymer electrolytes containing Li-ion conducting fillers are among the extensively investigated materials for the development of solid-state Li metal batteries. The practical realization of these electrolytes is, however, impeded by their low Li-ion conductivity, which is related to the filler and the interplay between the filler and the polymer. Therefore, we performed an in-depth analysis on the influence of the filler content (0, 10, and 20 wt%) and filler morphology (particles and nanowires) on the electrical and electrochemical properties of the PEO-based composite electrolyte using a wide spectrum of characterization techniques, such as 3D micro-X-ray computed tomography, cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry, impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic cycling. The studies reveal that the filler materials are well distributed within the membranes, without any indications for the formation of agglomerates. For 10 wt% filler, a decrease in the crystallinity compared to PEO was observed, in contrast to 20 wt% filler showing an increase in crystallinity. Impedance spectroscopic studies on the Li-ion conductivity of the membranes have shown that the change in the Li-ion conductivity is solely related to the change in the crystallinity, rather than to the participation of LLZO as an active transport mediator. The PEO membranes containing 10 wt% LLZO have been tested in terms of their rate capability in symmetrical Li cells by galvanostatic cycling. A critical current density of up to 1 mA cm−2 at 60°C was observed.
A Comparison of Muon Flux Models at Sea Level for Muon Imaging and Low Background Experiments
Authors: Su Ning , Liu Yuanyuan , Wang Li , Wu Bin , Cheng Jianping 
Published: October 2021

Cosmic-ray muons are a type of natural radiation with high energy and a strong penetration ability. The flux distribution of such particles at sea level is a key problem in many areas, especially in the field of muon imaging and low background experiments. This paper summarizes the existing models to describe sea-level muon flux distributions. According to different means used, four parametric analytical models and one Monte Carlo model, which is referred to as CRY, are selected as typical sea-level muon flux distribution models. Then, the theoretical values of sea-level muon fluxes given by these models are compared with the experimental sea-level muon differential flux data with kinetic energy values in the range of 1–1,000 GeV in the directions of zenith angles 0° and 75°. The goodness of fit of these models to the experimental data was quantitatively calculated by Pearson’s chi-square test. The results of the comparison show that the commonly used Gaisser model overestimates the muon flux in the low-energy region, while the muon flux given by the Monte Carlo model CRY at the large zenith angle of 75° is significantly lower than that of the experimental data. The muon flux distribution given by the other three parametric analytical models is consistent with the experimental data. The results indicate that the original Gaisser model is invalid in the low energy range, and CRY apparently deviates at large zenith angles. These two models can be substituted with the muon flux models given by Gaisser/Tang, Bugaev/Reyna, and Smith and Duller/Chatzidakis according to actual experimental conditions.
Effect of Gas Exchange Interval on CH4 Recovery Efficiency and Study of Mechanism of CH4 Hydrate Replacement by CO2 Mixture
Authors: Ding Ya-Long , Wang Hua-Qin , Lv Tao 
Published: October 2021

As an environment-friendly natural gas hydrate exploitation method, CO2 replacement method can not only achieve the purpose of mining natural gas hydrate, but also store the current greenhouse gas CO2 in the form of hydrate on the seabed, and maintain the stratum stability of hydrate deposit area. In order to improve the rate and efficiency of CH4-CO2 replacement reaction, researchers proposed to use CO2 contained gas mixture instead of pure CO2 to replace CH4 in natural gas hydrate. Based our previous work about CH4 hydrate recovery with 40% CO2 + 60% H2, in this study, the effect of gas concentration in gas phase on final CH4 recovery are investigated by implying different time interval of gas exchange operation. Experimental results show that The CH4 recovery efficiency is 10.41 when the gas exchange is continues through the whole replacement process, and CH4 recovery efficiency changes to 12.25, 32.24 and 28.86 when gas exchange operation is carried out every 12, 24, 36 h. Indicating that replaced CH4 needs to be discharged in time to avoid CH4 molecules being replaced to form hydrates again, and it is necessary to accurately control the time interval of gas exchange operation to avoid insufficient contact time between CO2 and H2 molecules and CH4 hydrate, which affects the final replacement efficiency. In addition, the mechanism of CO2 gas mixture containing small gas molecule such as H2, N2 are studied. The results indicate that when CO2 containing small molecules such as H2 and N2 displace CH4 hydrate, the existence of small molecules (H2, N2) can give rise to decompose the hydrate lattice and release CH4 gas. If the gas molecules (CO2, N2, H2, CH4) in the gas phase have enough driving force to enter the hydrate lattice and remain stability, CH4 hydrate will not decompose completely; If not, CH4 hydrate will be completely decomposed.
Spatial and Temporal Variability in Rainfall Erosivity Under Alpine Climate: A Slovenian Case Study Using Optical Disdrometer Data
Authors: Bezak Nejc , Petan Sašo , Mikoš Matjaž 
Published: October 2021

Rainfall erosivity is one of the most important parameters that influence soil erosion rates. It is characterized by a large spatial and temporal variability. For example, in Slovenia, which covers around 20,000 km2, the annual rainfall erosivity ranges from less than 1,000 MJ mm ha−1 h−1 to more than 10,000 MJ mm ha−1 h−1. Drop size distribution (DSD) data are needed to investigate rainfall erosivity characteristics. More than 2 years of DSD measurements using optical disdrometers located at six stations in Slovenia were used to investigate the spatial and temporal variability in rainfall erosivity in Slovenia. Experimental results have indicated that elevation is a poor predictor of rainfall erosivity and that erosivity is more strongly correlated to the mean annual precipitation. Approximately 90% of the total kinetic energy (KE) was accounted for in about 35% of 1 min disdrometer data. The highest 1 min intensities (I) and consequently also KE values were measured in summer followed by autumn and spring. The local KE-I equation yielded an acceptable fit to the measured data in case of all six stations. The relatively large percentage of 1 min rainfall intensities above 5 mm/h can at least partially explain some very high annual rainfall erosivity values (i.e., near or above 10,000 MJ mm ha−1 h−1). Convective and large-scale precipitation events also result in various rainfall erosivity characteristics. The station microlocation and wind impacts in case of some stations yielded relatively large differences between the data measured using the optical disdrometer and the pluviograph. Preliminary conclusions have been gathered, but further measurements are needed to get even better insight into spatial and temporal variability in rainfall erosivity under Alpine climate in Slovenia.