Transition in a numerical model of contact line dynamics and forced dewetting

We investigate the transition to a Landau-Levich-Derjaguin film in forced dewetting using a quadtree adaptive solution to the Navier-Stokes equations with surface tension. We use a discretization of the capillary forces near the receding contact line that yields an equilibrium for a specified contact angle $\theta_\Delta$ called the numerical contact angle. Despite the well-known contact line singularity, dynamic simulations can proceed without any explicit additional numerical procedure. We investigate angles from $15^\circ$ to $110^\circ$ and capillary numbers from $0.00085$ to $0.2$ where the mesh size $\Delta$ is varied in the range of $0.0035$ to $0.06$ of the capillary length $l_c$. To interpret the results, we use Cox's theory which involves a microscopic distance $r_m$ and a microscopic angle $\theta_e$. In the numerical case, the equivalent of $\theta_e$ is the angle $\theta_\Delta$ and we find that Cox's theory also applies. We introduce the scaling factor or gauge function $\phi$ so that $r_m = \Delta/\phi$ and estimate this gauge function by comparing our numerics to Cox's theory. The comparison provides a direct assessment of the agreement of the numerics with Cox's theory and reveals a critical feature of the numerical treatment of contact line dynamics: agreement is poor at small angles while it is better at large angles. This scaling factor is shown to depend only on $\theta_\Delta$ and the viscosity ratio $q$. In the case of small $\theta_e$, we use the prediction by Eggers [Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 93, pp 094502, 2004] of the critical capillary number for the Landau-Levich-Derjaguin forced dewetting transition. We generalize this prediction to large $\theta_e$ and arbitrary $q$ and express the critical capillary number as a function of $\theta_e$ and $r_m$. An analogy can be drawn between $r_m$ and the numerical slip length.Comment: This version of the paper includes the corrections indicated in Ref. [1

Discussion required for correct interpretation

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the editorial by Romero and colleagues [1], which raises a number of important and interesting questions. Such discussion is mandatory if results of scientific techniques such as gene array are to be correctly interpreted and used as the basis for future improvements in patient care

Pandemic Teaching: Exploration of Instructional Method Shifts

COVID-19 forced educators to unexpectedly move to distance teaching, requiring a shift in instructional methods. This study examined practices instructors integrated into their online and face-to-face facilitation over the long term

Preparation and Loading with Rifampicin of Sub-50 nm Poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate) Nanoparticles by Semicontinuous Heterophase Polymerization

We report the preparation of poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate) (PECA) nanoparticles by semicontinuous heterophase polymerization carried out at monomer starved conditions at three monomer addition rates. Particles in the nanometer range were obtained, the size of which diminishes with decreasing monomer addition rate as shown by the fact that particles with mean diameters of ca. 42 and 30 nm were obtained at the faster and intermediate dosing rates, respectively, whereas two populations of particles, one of 15.5 and the other of 36 nm in mean diameters, were produced at the slower dosing rate. The obtained molecular weights were from 2,200 to 3,500 g/mol, depending on the addition rate, which are typical of the anionic polymerizations of cyanoacrylates in aqueous dispersions at low pHs. The rifampicin (RIF) loading into the nanoparticles was successful since the entire drug added was incorporated. The drug release study carried out at pH of 7.2 indicated a faster release from the free RIF at intermediate and larger release times as expected since, in the nanoparticles, first the drug has to diffuse through the nanoparticle structure. The comparison of several drug release models indicates that the RIF release from PECA nanoparticles follows that of Higuchi

Mechanisms Predisposing Penile Fracture And Long-term Outcomes On Erectile And Voiding Functions

Purpose. To determine the mechanisms predisposing penile fracture as well as the rate of long-term penile deformity and erectile and voiding functions. Methods. All fractures were repaired on an emergency basis via subcoronal incision and absorbable suture with simultaneous repair of eventual urethral lesion. Patients' status before fracture and voiding and erectile functions at long term were assessed by periodic follow-up and phone call. Detailed history included cause, symptoms, and single-question self-report of erectile and voiding functions. Results. Among the 44 suspicious cases, 42 (95.4%) were confirmed, mean age was 34.5 years (range: 18-60), mean follow-up 59.3 months (range 9-155). Half presented the classical triad of audible crack, detumescence, and pain. Heterosexual intercourse was the most common cause (28 patients, 66.7%), followed by penile manipulation (6 patients, 14.3%), and homosexual intercourse (4 patients, 9.5%). "Woman on top" was the most common heterosexual position (n = 14, 50%), followed by "doggy style" (n = 8, 28.6%). Four patients (9.5%) maintained the cause unclear. Six (14.3%) patients had urethral injury and two (4.8%) had erectile dysfunction, treated by penile prosthesis and PDE-5i. No patient showed urethral fistula, voiding deterioration, penile nodule/curve or pain. Conclusions. "Woman on top" was the potentially riskiest sexual position (50%). Immediate surgical treatment warrants long-term very low morbidity. © 2014 Leonardo O. Reis et al.Kamdar, C., Mooppan, U.M.M., Kim, H., Gulmi, F.A., Penile fracture: Preoperative evaluation and surgical technique for optimal patient outcome (2008) BJU International, 102 (11), pp. 1640-1644. , 2-s2.0-56649083856 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2008.07902.xKramer, A.C., Penile fracture seems more likely during sex under stressful situations (2011) Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8 (12), pp. 3414-3417. , 2-s2.0-82955237445 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02461.xSawh, S.L., O'Leary, M.P., Ferreira, M.D., Berry, A.M., Maharaj, D., Fractured penis: A review (2008) International Journal of Impotence Research, 20 (4), pp. 366-369. , 2-s2.0-48249147767 10.1038/ijir.2008.12Amit, A., Arun, K., Bharat, B., Navin, R., Sameer, T., Shankar, D.U., Penile fracture and associated urethral injury: Experience at a tertiary care hospital (2013) Canadian Urological Association Journal, 7, pp. E168-E170Moslemi, M.K., Evaluation of epidemiology, concomitant urethral disruption and seasonal variation of penile fracture: A report of 86 cases (2013) Canadian Urological Association Journal, 7, pp. E572-E575Hatzichristodoulou, G., Dorstewitz, A., Gschwend, J.E., Herkommer, K., Zantl, N., Surgical management of penile fracture and long-term outcome on erectile function and voiding (2013) The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10, pp. 1424-1430Nomura, J.T., Sierzenski, P.R., Ultrasound diagnosis of penile fracture (2010) Journal of Emergency Medicine, 38 (3), pp. 362-365. , 2-s2.0-77949914168 10.1016/j.jemermed.2008.03.010Ash, A., Miller, J., Preston, D., Point-of-care ultrasound used to exclude penile fracture (2012) Critical Ultrasound Journal, 417Beysel, M., Tekin, A., Gürdal, M., Yücebaş, E., Dengör, F., Evaluation and treatment of penile fractures: Accuracy of clinical diagnosis and the value of corpus cavernosography (2002) Urology, 60 (3), pp. 492-496. , 2-s2.0-0036753673 10.1016/S0090-4295(02)01813-7Gamal, W.M., Osman, M.M., Hammady, A., Aldahshoury, M.Z., Hussein, M.M., Saleem, M., Penile fracture:;ong-term results of surgical and conservative management (2011) Journal of Trauma, 71 (2), pp. 491-493. , 2-s2.0-80051783736 10.1097/TA.0b013e318209311

Onset of human preterm and term birth is related to unique inflammatory transcriptome profiles at the maternal fetal interface.

BackgroundPreterm birth is a main determinant of neonatal mortality and morbidity and a major contributor to the overall mortality and burden of disease. However, research of the preterm birth is hindered by the imprecise definition of the clinical phenotype and complexity of the molecular phenotype due to multiple pregnancy tissue types and molecular processes that may contribute to the preterm birth. Here we comprehensively evaluate the mRNA transcriptome that characterizes preterm and term labor in tissues comprising the pregnancy using precisely phenotyped samples. The four complementary phenotypes together provide comprehensive insight into preterm and term parturition.MethodsSamples of maternal blood, chorion, amnion, placenta, decidua, fetal blood, and myometrium from the uterine fundus and lower segment (n = 183) were obtained during cesarean delivery from women with four complementary phenotypes: delivering preterm with (PL) and without labor (PNL), term with (TL) and without labor (TNL). Enrolled were 35 pregnant women with four precisely and prospectively defined phenotypes: PL (n = 8), PNL (n = 10), TL (n = 7) and TNL (n = 10). Gene expression data were analyzed using shrunken centroid analysis to identify a minimal set of genes that uniquely characterizes each of the four phenotypes. Expression profiles of 73 genes and non-coding RNA sequences uniquely identified each of the four phenotypes. The shrunken centroid analysis and 10 times 10-fold cross-validation was also used to minimize false positive finings and overfitting. Identified were the pathways and molecular processes associated with and the cis-regulatory elements in gene's 5' promoter or 3'-UTR regions of the set of genes which expression uniquely characterized the four phenotypes.ResultsThe largest differences in gene expression among the four groups occurred at maternal fetal interface in decidua, chorion and amnion. The gene expression profiles showed suppression of chemokines expression in TNL, withdrawal of this suppression in TL, activation of multiple pathways of inflammation in PL, and an immune rejection profile in PNL. The genes constituting expression signatures showed over-representation of three putative regulatory elements in their 5'and 3' UTR regions.ConclusionsThe results suggest that pregnancy is maintained by downregulation of chemokines at the maternal-fetal interface. Withdrawal of this downregulation results in the term birth and its overriding by the activation of multiple pathways of the immune system in the preterm birth. Complications of the pregnancy associated with impairment of placental function, which necessitated premature delivery of the fetus in the absence of labor, show gene expression patterns associated with immune rejection

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Presumptive Group B Streptococcal Infection in Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes: Effect on Neonatal and Maternal Infectious Morbidity

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if the prevalence of neonatal and maternal infectious morbidity in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) who received ampicillin prophylaxis for presemptive group B streptococcal colonization is increased compared to those who received no prophylaxis

Embodied GHG emissions of buildings – The hidden challenge for effective climate change mitigation

Buildings are major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contributors to the climate crisis. To meet climate-change mitigation needs, one must go beyond operational energy consumption and related GHG emissions of buildings and address their full life cycle. This study investigates the global trends of GHG emissions arising across the life cycle of buildings by systematically compiling and analysing more than 650 life cycle assessment (LCA) case studies. The results, presented for different energy performance classes based on a final sample of 238 cases, show a clear reduction trend in life cycle GHG emissions due to improved operational energy performance. However, the analysis reveals an increase in relative and absolute contributions of so‐called ‘embodied’ GHG emissions, i.e., emissions arising from manufacturing and processing of building materials. While the average share of embodied GHG emissions from buildings following current energy performance regulations is approximately 20–25% of life cycle GHG emissions, this figure escalates to 45–50% for highly energy-efficient buildings and surpasses 90% in extreme cases. Furthermore, this study analyses GHG emissions at time of occurrence, highlighting the ‘carbon spike’ from building production. Relating the results to existing benchmarks for buildings’ GHG emissions in the Swiss SIA energy efficiency path shows that most cases exceed the target of 11.0 kgCO$^{2}$eq/m$^{2}$a. Considering global GHG reduction targets, these results emphasize the urgent need to reduce GHG emissions of buildings by optimizing both operational and embodied impacts. The analysis further confirmed a need for improving transparency and comparability of LCA studies

Embodied GHG emissions of buildings - Critical reflection of benchmark comparison and in-depth analysis of drivers

In the face of the unfolding climate crisis, the role and importance of reducing Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector is increasing. This study investigates the global trends of GHG emissions occurring across the life cycle of buildings by systematically compiling life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and analysing more than 650 building cases. Based on the data extracted from these LCA studies, the influence of features related to LCA methodology and building design is analysed. Results show that embodied GHG emissions, which mainly arise from manufacturing and processing of building materials, are dominating life cycle emissions of new, advanced buildings. Analysis of GHG emissions at the time of occurrence, shows the upfront \u27carbon spike\u27 and emphasises the need to address and reduce the GHG \u27investment\u27 for new buildings. Comparing the results with existing life cycle-related benchmarks, we find only a small number of cases meeting the benchmark. Critically reflecting on the benchmark comparison, an in-depth analysis reveals different reasons for cases achieving the benchmark. While one would expect that different building design strategies and material choices lead to high or low embodied GHG emissions, the results mainly correlate with decisions related to LCA methodology, i.e. the scope of the assessments. The results emphasize the strong need for transparency in the reporting of LCA studies as well as need for consistency when applying environmental benchmarks. Furthermore, the paper opens up the discussion on the potential of utilizing big data and machine learning for analysis and prediction of environmental performance of buildings

Assessing Usefulness, Ease of Use and Recognition Performance of Semi-Automatic Mulsemedia Authoring

Mulsemedia (Multiple Sensorial Media) authoring poses a considerable challenge as authors navigate the intricate task of identifying moments to activate sensory effects within multimedia content. A novel proposal is to integrate content recognition algorithms that use machine learning (ML) into authoring tools to alleviate the authoring effort. As author subjectivity is very important, it is imperative to allow users to define which sensory effects should be automatically extracted. This paper conducts a twofold evaluation of the proposed semi-automatic authoring. The first is from a user perspective within the STEVE 2.0 mulsemedia authoring tool, employing the Goal-Question-Metric (GQM) methodology and a user feedback questionnaire. Our user evaluation indicates that users perceive the semi-automatic authoring approach as a positive enhancement to the authoring process. The second evaluation targets sensory effect recognition using two different content recognition modules, quantifying their automatic recognition capabilities against manual authoring. Metrics such as precision, recall, and F1 scores provide insights into the strengths and nuances of each module. Differences in label assignments underscore the need for ML module result combination methodologies. These evaluations contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of sensory effect recognition modules in enhancing mulsemedia content authoring.The authors wish to thank CAPES, CAPES Print, CNPQ, INCT-MACC and FAPERJ for the partial financing of this work