Structural Finite Element Software Coupling Using Adapter Elements

This paper describes a versatile and computationally efficient method for coupling several finite element analysis(FEA)programs together so that the unique modeling and analysis capabilities of each code can be utilized simultaneously to simulate the static or dynamic response of a complete numerical system.An arbitrary number of finite element analysis software packages can be coupled by adding two special types of elements,namely generic and adapter elements,to each of the finite element applications using their programming interface.These elements are inserted at the interfaces between the different sub-domains of the complete system modeled by each finite element analysis software package.Exchange of data between the coupled FEA codes is accomplished in a modular and synchronized manner using OpenFresco(Opensource Framework for Experimental Setup and Control).OpenFresco is an objectoriented,environment independent software framework initially developed for hybrid simulation in which certain aspects of a complete structure are simulated numerically and other aspects are simultaneously tested physically.An important practical advantage of this coupled analysis approach is that all of the connected FEA codes run concurrently and continuously,decreasing analysis time consumption by an order of magnitude or more compared to more traditional approaches that shut down and restart the coupled analysis codes at each integration time step.The implementation and accuracy of this approach to FE software coupling are demonstrated using dynamic analyses of three simple structural models from the field of earthquake engineering.

An international Delphi consensus statement on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and risk of chronic kidney disease

Background:With the rising global prevalence of fatty liver disease related to metabolic dysfunction,the association of this common liver condition with chronic kidney disease(CKD)has become increasingly evident.In 2020,the more inclusive term metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)was proposed to replace the term non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).The observed association between MAFLD and CKD and our understanding that CKD can be a consequence of underlying metabolic dysfunction support the notion that individuals with MAFLD are at higher risk of having and developing CKD compared with those without MAFLD.However,to date,there is no appropriate guidance on CKD in individuals with MAFLD.Furthermore,there has been little attention paid to the link between MAFLD and CKD in the Nephrology community.Methods and Results:Using a Delphi-based approach,a multidisciplinary panel of 50 international experts from 26 countries reached a consensus on some of the open research questions regarding the link between MAFLD and CKD.Conclusions:This Delphi-based consensus statement provided guidance on the epidemiology,mechanisms,management and treatment of MAFLD and CKD,as well as the relationship between the severity of MAFLD and risk of CKD,which establish a framework for the early prevention and management of these two common and interconnected diseases.

Atomic-scale characterization of two-dimensional magnets and their heterostructures

The realization of long-range magnetic ordering in two-dimensional(2D)van der Waals systems significantly expands the scope of the 2D family as well as their possible spin-related phenomena and device applications.The atomically thin nature of 2D materials makes their magnetically ordered states sensitive to local environments,and this necessitates advanced characterization at the atomic scale.Here,we briefly review several representative 2D magnetic systems,namely,iron chalcogenides,chromium chalcogenides,chromium trihalides,and their het-erostructures.With powerful scanning-probe microscopy,atomically resolved characterization of their crystalline configurations,electronic structures,and magnetization distributions has been achieved,and novel phenomena such as giant tunneling magnetoresistance and topological superconductivity have been observed.Finally,we discuss the challenges and new perspectives in this flourishing field.

Proper interpretation of sectional analysis results

Displacement control algorithms commonly used to evaluate axial force-bending moment(PM)diagrams may lead to incorrect interpretations of the strength envelopes for asymmetric sections.This paper aims to offer valuable insights by comparing existing displacement control algorithms with a newly proposed force control algorithm.The main focus is on the PM diagrams of three example sections that exhibit varying degrees of asymmetry.The comparative study indicates that conventional displacement control algorithms inevitably introduce non-zero out-of-plane bending moments.The reported PM diagram in such cases erroneously neglects the out-of-plane moment and fails to represent the strength envelope accurately.This oversight results in significant and unconservative errors when verifying the strength of asymmetric sections.

FGF1^(△HBS) prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and reducing oxidative stress via AMPK/Nur77 suppression

As a classically known mitogen,fibroblast growth factor 1(FGF1)has been found to exert other pleiotropic functions such as metabolic regulation and myocardial protection.Here,we show that serum levels of FGF1 were decreased and positively correlated with fraction shortening in diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM)patients,indicating that FGF1 is a potential therapeutic target for DCM.We found that treatment with a FGF1 variant(FGF1^(△HBS))with reduced proliferative potency prevented diabetes-induced cardiac injury and remodeling and restored cardiac function.RNA-Seq results obtained from the cardiac tissues of db/db mice showed significant increase in the expression levels of anti-oxidative genes and decrease of Nur77 by FGF1AHBS treatment.Both in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that FGF1^(△HBS) exerted these beneficial effects by markedly reducing mitochondrial fragmentation,reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation and cytochrome c leakage and enhancing mitochondrial respiration rate and β-oxidation in a 5;AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/Nur77-dependent manner,all of which were not observed in the AMPK null mice.The favorable metabolic activity and reduced proliferative properties of FGF1^(△HBS) testify to its promising potential for use in the treatment of DCM and other metabolic disorders.

Deep learning quantified mucus-tumor ratio predicting survival of patients with colorectal cancer using whole-slide images

Background:In colorectal cancer(CRC),mucinous adenocarcinoma differs from other adenocarcinomas in gene-phenotype,morphology,and prognosis.However,mucinous components are present in a large number of adenocarcinomas,and the prognostic value of mucus proportion has not been investigated.Artificial intelligence provides a way to quantify mucus proportion on whole-slide images(WSIs)accurately.We aimed to quantify mucus proportion by deep learning and further investigate its prognostic value in two CRC patient cohorts.Methods:Deep learning was used to segment WSIs stained with hematoxylin and eosin.Mucus-tumor ratio(MTR)was defined as the proportion of mucinous component in the tumor area.A training cohort(N=419)and a validation cohort(N=315)were used to evaluate the prognostic value of MTR.Survival analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard model.Result:Patients were stratified tomucus-low andmucus-high groups,with 24.1%as the threshold.In the training cohort,patients with mucus-high had unfavorable outcomes(hazard ratio for high vs.low 1.88,95%confidence interval 1.18–2.99,P=0.008),with 5-year overall survival rates of 54.8%and 73.7%in mucus-high and mucus-lowgroups,respectively.The resultswere confirmed in the validation cohort(2.09,1.21–3.60,0.008;62.8%vs.79.8%).The prognostic value of MTR was maintained in multivariate analysis for both cohorts.Conclusion:The deep learning quantified MTR was an independent prognostic factor in CRC.With the advantages of advanced efficiency and high consistency,our method is suitable for clinical application and promotes precision medicine development.