In order to make full use of the potential fatigue crack growth resistance provided by layered architectures, a validated crack path simulation algorithm for crack propagation through different elements of the layered architectures was established. The crack path approaching a material interface was predicted by using the maximum tangential strain (MTSN) criterion and the crack behaviour at the interface was simulated by a developed two-step method (a modified stress-and-energy-based cohesive zone method considering the change in direction of an interface penetrating crack). The crack path simulation by using this algorithm in layered example architectures indicates: 1) there are two criteria zones for the transition between crack deflection and penetration in terms of the relationship between interfacial strength and toughness; 2) the likelihood of a crack deflecting out of the interface will increase with the propagation of an interfacial crack and 3) the architecture difference which affects shielding or anti-shielding behaviour has a significant effect on crack deflection or penetration events.

Background. Pazopanib is an oral angiogenesis inhibitor approved to treat soft tissue sarcoma (STS) but associated with large interpatient pharmacokinetic (PK) variability and narrow therapeutic index. In order to improve its clinical use, this study aimed to define specific threshold of pazopanib trough concentration (Cmin) associated with better progression free survival in STS patients. Methods. In this observational study, pazopanib Cmin was monitored over the treatment course. For the primary endpoint, the 3-month PFS in STS was analyzed with logistic regression. Secondary, we performed exposure–overall survival (OS) in STS (Cox model plus Kaplan–Meier analysis/ log-rank test) and exposure-toxicity analyses. Results. One hundred eighteen patients (95 STS and 23 BS) were eligible for PK/PD assessment. In multivariable analysis, pazopanib Cmin < 27 mg/L was independently associated with a risk of progression at 3 months (OR 4.21, 95% CI [1.47-12.12], p = 0.008). OS was not statistically longer between patients with Cmin > 27 mg/L and those with Cmin < 27 mg/L (log-rank p = 0.07). A higher average of PAZ Cmin over the first 3 months of treatment was associated with a higher risk of grades 3-4 toxicities (40.0 vs 30.5 mg/L (OR 1.05, IC95 [1.01-1.09], p = 0.01) Conclusion. Pazopanib Cmin ≥ 27 mg/L was independently associated with improved 3-month PFS in a large cohort of STS patients. Pharmacokinetically-guided dosing could be helpful to optimize clinical management of STS patients in daily clinical practice.

Purpose We sought to investigate the association between left-sided prosthetic valve dysfunction and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Methods In a retrospective cohort of patients with left-sided prostheses, we identified those who experienced one or more GI bleeds. The latest or chronologically closest echocardiogram to the GI bleed was analyzed by a blinded investigator for prosthetic valve dysfunction. Results Among 334 unique patients, 166 had aortic prostheses, 127 had mitral prostheses, and 41 had both. A total of 58 (17.4%) subjects had GI bleeding events. Patients in the “GI Bleed” group had higher mean ejection fraction (56±14% vs. 49±15%; P = 0.003) and higher prevalence of hypertension, end-stage renal disease, and liver cirrhosis compared to the “No GI Bleed” group. There was a higher prevalence of moderate or severe prosthetic valve regurgitation in the GI Bleed vs. No GI Bleed group (8.6% vs. 2.2%; P = 0.027). Moderate or severe prosthetic valve regurgitation was independently associated with GI bleeding (odds ratio, 6.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-30.05; P = 0.024), after adjusting for ejection fraction, hypertension, end-stage renal disease and liver cirrhosis. Paravalvular regurgitation was associated with a higher incidence of GI bleeding compared to transvalvular regurgitation (35.7% vs. 11.9%; P = 0.044). The prevalence of prosthetic valve stenosis was similar between the GI Bleed and No GI Bleed groups (6.9% vs. 5.8%; P = 0.761). Conclusion In a cohort of patients with predominantly surgically placed prosthetic valves, moderate to severe left-sided prosthetic valve regurgitation was independently associated with GI bleeding.

Plant phenology is manifested in the seasonal timing of vegetative and reproductive processes, but also has ontogenetic aspects. The adaptive basis of seasonal phenology has been considered mainly in terms of climatic drivers. However, some biotic factors as likely evolutionary influences on plants’ phenology appear to have been under-researched. Several specific cases of putative biotic factors driving plant phenology are outlined, involving both herbivores and pathogens. These illustrate the diversity of likely interactions rather than any systematic coverage or review. Emphasis is on woody perennials, in which phenology is often most multi-faceted and complicated by the ontogenetic aspect. The complete seasonal leaf fall that characterises deciduous plants may be a very important defence against some pathogens. Whether biotic influences drive acquisition or long-term persistence of deciduousness is considered. In one case; of leaf rusts in poplars, countervailing influences of the rusts and climate suggest persistence. Often, however, biotic and environmental influences likely reinforce each other. The timing and duration of shoot flushing may in at least some cases contribute to defences against herbivores, largely through brief periods of ‘predator satiation’ when plant tissues have highest food value. Wide re-examination of plant phenology, accommodating the roles of biotic factors and their interplays with environments as additional adaptive drivers, is advocated, towards developing and applying hypotheses that are observationally or experimentally testable.

DNA metabarcoding is routinely used for biodiversity assessment, especially targeting highly diverse groups for which limited taxonomic expertise is available. Various protocols are currently in use, although standardization is key to its application in large-scale monitoring. DNA metabarcoding of arthropod bulk samples can be either conducted destructively from sample tissue, or non-destructively from sample fixative or lysis buffer. Non-destructive methods are highly desirable for the preservation of sample integrity but have yet to be experimentally evaluated in detail. Here, we compare diversity estimates from 14 size sorted Malaise trap samples processed consecutively with three non-destructive approaches (one using fixative ethanol and two using lysis buffers) and one destructive approach (using homogenized tissue). Extraction from commercial lysis buffer yielded comparable species richness and high overlap in species composition to the ground tissue extracts. A significantly divergent community was detected from preservative ethanol-based DNA extraction. No consistent trend in species richness was found with increasing incubation time in lysis buffer. These results indicate that non-destructive DNA extraction from incubation in lysis buffer could provide a comparable alternative to destructive approaches with the added advantage of preserving the specimens for post-metabarcoding taxonomic work.

Pallister-Hall syndrome is a very rare genetic disorder. The diagnosis is usually suspected at the young age when a hypothalamic hamartoma is associated with polydactyly. We report the case of an 18-year-old man in whom the diagnosis of PHS was made during his hospitalization for acute adrenal insufficiency.

Recent revisions to the definition of the “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) have considerably altered how wetlands are federally regulated under the Clean Water Act. The two most recent modifications to WOTUS, the Clean Water Rule (CWR) and the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), represent two opposing approaches to the federal wetland policy. Despite their implementation, the impacts of these rules on the regulation of wetlands have as of yet been poorly characterized at broad spatial scales. Using New York State (NYS) as a case study, we evaluated the jurisdictional statuses of more than 373,000 wetlands under the CWR and the NWPR to assess the landscape-scale effects of WOTUS re-definitions. We found that statewide and within each of NYS’s hydrologic regions, the NWPR protects fewer wetlands and less total wetland area than the CWR. The efficacy of the two regulations varied considerably in space across NYS, highlighting the need for comprehensive, nationwide assessments of wetland policy outcomes. We also observed that both rules produced non-uniform patterns in jurisdiction across a range of landscape positions and wetland sizes, preferentially protecting large wetlands close to the stream network. This effect was particularly pronounced under the NWPR, which excludes all geographically isolated wetlands from protection. Our findings in NYS emphasize the existence of unique patterns in protected wetlands across spatial scales, highlighting the value in applying geospatial analyses to evaluate environmental policy.

Bradyarrhhtmias can cause low cardiac output (CO) state despite normal left ventricular ejection fraction and normal stroke volume. CO defined as product of the heart rate (HR) and SV. Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) type I can be a consequences of Low CO state secondary to slow HR

To the editor: Is it possible to achieve long-term survival in relapsed Intracranial Non-Germinomatous Germ Cell Tumours?

Title: Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome and Necrotizing Enterocolitis in a Pediatric Patient with Medulloblastoma Infected with COVID-19

Introduction: Rapid advancements of genome sequencing (GS) technologies have enhanced our understanding of the relationship between genes and human disease. In order to incorporate genomic information into the practice of medicine, new processes for the analysis, reporting and communication of GS data are needed. Methods: blood samples were collected from adults with a PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) diagnosis (target N=1500). GS was performed. Data was filtered and analyzed using custom pipelines and gene panels. We developed unique patient-facing materials, including an online intake survey, group counseling presentation, and consultation letters in addition to a comprehensive GS report. Results: The final report includes results generated from GS data: 1) Monogenic disease risks; 2) Carrier status; 3) Pharmacogenomic variants; 4) Polygenic risk scores for common conditions; 5) HLA genotype; 6) Genetic ancestry; 7) Blood group; and, 8) COVID-19 viral lineage. Participants complete pre-test genetic counseling and confirm preferences for secondary findings before receiving results. Counseling and referrals are initiated for clinically significant findings. Conclusion: We developed a genetic counseling, reporting, and return of results framework that integrates GS information across multiple areas of human health, presenting possibilities for the clinical application of comprehensive GS data in healthy individuals.

In this paper, we consider a von Karman plate system with general type of relaxation functions on the boundary. Using some properties of the convex functions without the assumption that initial value w_0 \equiv 0 on the boundary, we study the general decay rate result.

Pulmonary fibrosis consists of progressive and irreversible lung tissue stiffening that is typically associated with organ failure. This is a major health problem and a leading cause of death worldwide. The mainstays of current therapy for lung fibrosis rely on lung transplantation in end-stage fibrotic diseases, which has severe limitations, such as the shortage of organ donors and risk of rejection. There is thus an active search for efficient treatments, which can only be achieved with a better understanding of pulmonary fibrosis pathophysiology. Recent advances in 3D tissue engineering led to the development of platforms for drug testing, and that contribute to a better understanding of pulmonary fibrosis pathophysiology. These complex 3D lung platforms recapitulate lung function, structure, and cell and matrix interactions, therefore providing the means for understanding the mechanisms and mediators involved in the fibrotic process. In this perspective, this review discusses the most relevant 3D cell culture platforms to engineer fibrotic lung models as well as their in vitro applications.

Healthcare applications may have strict availability requirements, such that system failures can affect patient monitoring. Therefore, a failure may lead to serious problems regarding patient health. This paper presents an approach for assessing the availability of healthcare Internet of Things (IoT) systems using Reliability Block Diagrams (RBD). A case study is presented for a hospital environment, in which patients are under constant observation. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out to identify the most influential components, and, then, we propose mechanisms to mitigate the impact of component failure.

Fish stocking to enhance freshwater fisheries is a common practice in many countries. Little is known, however, on the real effectiveness of these practices in small creeks in spite of the high efforts and investments required. The movement of 998 subadult/adult hatchery brown trout released in a small tributary of Lake Lugano (i.e., Laveggio creek, Ticino Cantone, Switzerland) was studied by passive telemetry. Hatchery fish were tagged with Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tags and detected by a submersible monitoring antenna anchored to the streambed in a pass-over orientation. The number of fish detected daily by the antenna was analyzed in relation to the daily water discharge and water temperature, to search for similar patterns in their fluctuation over time. Effect of light pollution on fish movement was also investigated. Among the environmental variables tested, only water discharge displayed a significant relationship with fish movement, with the highest number of fish detected during periods of high-water flow, occurring after heavy rains. No significant relationship was found with water temperature and light pollution. High-water discharge events were probably the main reason behind the steep decrease in hatchery trout abundance over time in our study site. Such events contributed to the poor effectiveness of restocking actions in this small tributary, providing further evidence against stocking strategies based on subadult/adult fish.

Extensive research is going on nowadays on the structural performance of Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) as an extension of the recent advances in concrete knowledge. Thesis offerings a direction to examine the shear behavior as well as determining the cracking and ultimate shear capacities of RPC T-beams. The mechanical features of this construction material and the approach to revise the reactive powder shear hybrid segment T- Beams are cast-off in this motion are investigated in this experimental study. In order to evaluate the effects of steel fiber volumetric ratio, silica fume ratio, tensile steel ratio, hybrid section on Reactive powder T-beam flexural efficiency, the experimental program involved testing four beams. The goal of the research was to figure out the load-deflection behavior, letdown mode, strain supply over the depth of the beams, and failure crack pattern. In examining the mechanical properties of Reactive powder mixtures, the volumetric ratio of steel fibers and the silica fume ratio were also studied. Furthermore, a hybrid beams study revealed that the use of reactive powder web and normal concrete in flange effectively improves the performance of T-beams when compared to normal concrete T-beams by 12%, and hybrid beams have also revealed that the use of reactive powder flange and normal concrete in web effectively improves the show of T-beams when compared to regular concrete T-beams by 28%

Reactive powder concrete (RPC) is one of the most recent and significant advancements in the world of building , Due to its higher concrete characteristics, it has a common excessive benevolence happening in the globe at the moment , excessive ductility, shrinkage resistance, and corrosion and abrasion resistance. In this experimental investigation is carried out on the way to revision the RPC punching shear slab activity and the mechanical properties of this construction material to investigate the properties of steel fiber volumetric ratio, silica fume ratio, tensile steel ratio, reinforced concrete is the most essential composition for construction which is a great combination to building structures in any desired form. Present research, investigational work of RC slab with (1000 X 1000 X 60) mm, dimensions were tested. The goal of this study is to see how the steel fiber volumetric ratio (Vf) and silica fume content (Sf) affect the behavior of RC slabs after being exposed to fire. It was originate that the accumulation of 2% steel fibers to concrete mix improved the RPC slab’s cracking and final punching shear. The presence of reactive powder increases fire resistance. The goal of this study’s experiments was to see how reactive powder and Slabs’ ultimate punching shear strength was affected by replacement ratio. when exposure to fire. After fire exposure, the initial and subsequent stiffness of reinforced concrete slabs reduced considerably as a temperature grew from 25 to 750 ° C.

This paper investigates steady and unsteady magnetohydrodynamic chemical kinetic exponent of free convective slip flow in a vertical channel filled with porous medium. The Navier slip and Newtonian heating at the plates were taken in to consideration. The governing equation were transformed from dimensional to non -dimensional form using dimensionless quantities, the steady state solution is obtained using Homotopy Perturbation Method (HMP), unsteady state solution was obtained through numerical approach refer to implicit finite difference scheme. The effects of various flow parameters entering into the problem such as Darcy number, Hartmann number, Navier slip parameter chemical reaction parameter, chemical kinetic exponent, local Biot number, as well as activation energy parameter with difference ratio were discussed with the aid of line graphs. It is found that greater values of chemical kinetic exponent (m) significantly improve the temperature and velocity gradients respectively in which the fluid velocity and temperature is higher at Biomolecular type of chemical reaction compare to that of Arrhenius and Sensitized. On the hand, Darcy number is seen to improve the fluid velocity. Furthermore, Comparison has been made for steady state and unsteady solution which shows excellent agreement.

In this letter, the issue of two-dimensional (2-D) direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation is discussed, and an extended virtual array based on covariance matrix (CM) or fourth-order cumulant (FOC) of signals from two subarrays is derived. Specifically, proposed method makes full use of sensors’ information by constructing virtual extended array, they can reduce the influence of noise and improve the Degrees-of-freedoms (DOFs) of arrays, thereby improving the estimation accuracy. Subsequently, the auto-paired angles can be obtained by CM of two subarrays (CMT). Simulations demonstrate the advantages of the proposed approach over the old one.

Optical and acoustic stereo imaging has great potential for the precise and consistent localization of intervention underwater robots; however, it is still being explored due to its sensing limitations and various technical challenges. This study presents a novel localization method by combining an inertial navigation system and an optical and acoustic stereo imaging system. As a strategy for localization correction relative to underwater structures, the robot’s pose is estimated based on a single acoustic image using a sonar simulator for mid-range localization, and a robust visual tracking using a 3-D wireframe model is employed for high-precision localization near the target structures. The performance of the proposed technique was demonstrated through experimental validation using real data obtained from a test tank.

Aim The efficiency of production depends greatly on knowledge of the plant’s performance (including stress tolerance, nutritional quality and overall yield) and genetics. The review was aimed at gathering information on the conservation of banana germplasm and its potential in breeding programs. Finding out whether banana cultivars being grown in Zimbabwe have been characterized both genetically and morphologically thus creating a catalogue and also assessing production and its impact in Zimbabwean economy. The evaluation of species distribution models that can better extrapolate production to new area within the country. Location Zimbabwe Methods Obtaining information on banana production in Zimbabwe has been done through phone call inquires to research stations and plantations, face to face inquires and literature search on peer-reviewed publications and also greys literature. Results Information obtained through database search was extremely limited. Literature citing banana production in Zimbabwe was not greater than 0.00028%. Interaction with farmers and the department of Agricultural, Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX) Officers yielded better results showing a clear picture of undocumented relevant banana information. Main Conclusion Characterization of Musa Spp. is a necessity for germplasm conservation, breeding and improved banana production. Currently, there is vast literature on characterized banana accessions across the globe, but limited publicly available information concerning accessions in Zimbabwe. Banana production in Zimbabwe is concentrated in the warm and humid areas and similar climatic conditions are found in areas dotted across Zimbabwe. Using species distribution models, cultivars can be mapped to new environments and this in return expands production area in the country. In so doing, cultivars digital maps are created for ease of banana information access. Cultivar maps and biological information from multi-locational gene banks has great potential for use in banana production improvement programs.

Several blends of palm olein (POo), super olein (SOo) and palm stearin (PS) with sunflower (SFO), soybean (SBO), rice bran (RBO), mustard (MO), olive (OO) and sesame (SMO) oils were prepared in different ratios to obtain improved blends with desired fatty acid profile and physicochemical properties as an alternate to PHO trans-free oils/fats. Among the prepared edible oil blends, the 6:4 (w/w) blends of POo/SOo with SFO and SBO, 2:8 (w/w) POo:RBO and 1:1 (w/w) blend of SOo:SMO, 1:1 /4:6 (w/w) blends of PS with RBO and SMO were found to have balanced FA profiles closer to AHA/JMHW/WHO recommended SFA:MUFA:PUFA ratios of 1:1:1/1:1.5:1/1:1.5:0.7 and also desired physico-chemical properties. These blends were further processed for enzymatic interesterification (IE) employing Lipozyme TLIM in a specially designed bioreactor to obtain trans-free IE structured lipids (SLs) for potential use in cooking and trans-free fat formulation applications. In addition, the developed palm-based edible oil blends and the respective IE products can help the stake holders in replacing PHO/vanaspati, which in turn can play a significant role in implementing the FSSAI regulation of reducing the trans fats to 2% in the country by 2022.

Recent debate has focused on whether variation in personality primarily reflects variation in resource allocation or resource acquisition of individuals. These two mechanisms differ in their expected patterns between personality and survival. If personality mainly reflects variation in resource allocation, then bold (i.e. risk-taking) individuals are expected to live shorter, whereas the opposite pattern is expected with resource acquisition. Here we studied the relationship between neonate personality and early-life survival in 269 juveniles of a population of fallow deer (Dama dama). We found that bolder individuals were more likely to survive, and therefore, paid no apparent survival cost. Interestingly, the physiological but not the behavioural dimension of neonate boldness was directly linked to survival, suggesting that these individuals may be of higher state than their shyer counterparts. As the first study linking neonate personality to survival in a free-ranging mammal, we provide novel insights into drivers behind early-life individual variation.

Re-analyzing data from our study, Bruun & Ejrnaes (2022) show that key species to productivity are more abundant than species threatened by extinction. They therefore conclude that biodiversity loss hardly hampers ecosystem processes. Acknowledging the validity of the findings, we clarify why we believe their conclusions are drawn too far.