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Human astrovirus (HAstV) is one of the common causes of acute gastroenteritis in children. The investigation of molecular epidemiology of HAstV is essential for monitoring the emergence and/or re-emergence of new HAstV genotypes, as well as understanding the evolution of HAstV circulating in children suffering from acute gastroenteritis. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and distribution of HAstVs strains circulating in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Mai, Thailand during 2017–2020. A total of 1500 fecal specimens collected from children with acute gastroenteritis were screened for HAstV by RT-PCR that targeted the partial RdRp in ORF1b and strains were characterized by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Of the 1500 fecal samples, 39 (2.6%) were positive for HAstV. Of these, both classic and novel HAstV genotypes, including classic HAstV1–HAstV5, novel HAstV-MLB1, MLB2, and HAstV-VA2, were detected. The data in this study revealed a high divergence of HAstV genotypes circulating in pediatric patients admitted to the hospitals with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Mai, Thailand during 2017–2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penetrating planetary regolith is extremely important to explore the secrets inside extraterrestrial celestial bodies. Applying the concept and method of bionics to endow planetary regolith-burrowing robots (PRBRs) with elegant and flexible mobility as natural creatures is gradually becoming a research hotspot in the field of planetary robotics. Compared with traditional penetrating methods, such as drilling and excavation, bioinspired burrowing methods are still seldom studied. This work presents a detailed review of the progress and perspective of bioinspired PRBRs. According to the burrowing mechanisms and strategies of creatures, the current bioinspired PRBRs are divided into seven categories, namely wriggling, undulating, dual-anchoring, grabbing-pushing, reciprocating, granular fluidizing methods inspired by animals, and root growth method inspired by plants. The general characteristics of these robots are summarized in-depth, and the advantages and disadvantages are compared. Then, the key technologies of determining the functionalities and performance of bioinspired PRBRs are comprehensively analyzed, including bioinspired mechanism design, motion control, robot-regolith interaction, and terrestrial validation. Finally, the development trend of bioinspired PRBRs is presented, including new mechanisms and materials, autonomous burrowing control, and intelligent perception and communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human astrovirus (HAstV) is one of the common causes of acute gastroenteritis in children. The investigation of molecular epidemiology of HAstV is essential for monitoring the emergence and/or re-emergence of new HAstV genotypes, as well as understanding the evolution of HAstV circulating in children suffering from acute gastroenteritis. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and distribution of HAstVs strains circulating in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Mai, Thailand during 2017–2020. A total of 1500 fecal specimens collected from children with acute gastroenteritis were screened for HAstV by RT-PCR that targeted the partial RdRp in ORF1b and strains were characterized by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Of the 1500 fecal samples, 39 (2.6%) were positive for HAstV. Of these, both classic and novel HAstV genotypes, including classic HAstV1–HAstV5, novel HAstV-MLB1, MLB2, and HAstV-VA2, were detected. The data in this study revealed a high divergence of HAstV genotypes circulating in pediatric patients admitted to the hospitals with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Mai, Thailand during 2017–2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface roughness affects the performance and service life of the formed components. To this end, efforts have been spent in the innovative incremental sheet forming (ISF) process. However, the researchers yet have not reached any agreement regarding the process effects on roughness. This demands further research to comprehend the knowledge in order to acquire a threshold level of understanding on surface roughening in the process. The present study investigates the processing effects upon the roughness of interior surfaces and on the friction indicator at the tool/sheet interface during forming of an aluminum sheet. Some of the sparsely studied parameters, namely flow stress, sheet thickness, and forming angle, are undertaken besides commonly considered ones (i.e., tool diameter and step size). The analysis of the results reveals that the friction indicator and roughness are analogous in respect of their response to parameter variations. Further, the roughness in general linearly increases with an increase in the friction indicator because the sheet abrasion correspondingly increases as revealed by the SEM-based surface morphology. A combination of parameters, among several attempted ones, namely dsinθ/2pt (where d is the tool diameter, θ is the forming angle, p is the step size, and t is the sheet thickness), is identified to have controlling influence on the roughness of interior surfaces. This combination is validated employing two materials namely Al1060 and Cu/Steel composite. In this combination, the factor d/2p followed by 1/t is found to have the greatest contribution towards the roughening of surfaces. Moreover, the value of this combination is proposed to keep low in order to produce components with good finish, say ≤ 50 mm−1 for Al10160 and 20 mm−1 for Cu/Steel composite. The present and past roughness studies in ISF are also compared, which reveals that the parameters effects are associated to the type of material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To investigate the short- and medium-term efficacy of inter-spinal distraction fusion (ISDF) for lumbar disc herniation with a spinal internal fixation device, the BacFuse Spinous Process Fusion Plate.Methods: Ninety-five patients who received ISDF between January 2014 and January 2015 were included for the current retrospective study. The symptoms and imaging results before surgery, immediately after surgery, at six months, and at the last follow-up were assessed using the leg visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and 12-item short-form survey (SF-12). The intra-operative intervertebral angle (IA), anterior disk height (ADH), posterior disk height (PDH), foramina height (FH), foramina width (FW), and range of motion (ROM) were assessed using X-rays. The foramina and herniated disc area were assessed using computed tomography (CT).Results: The leg VAS, ODI, and SF-12 were significantly improved after surgery. All indices except ADH were also significantly improved after surgery. PDH and FH increased by 15.5% (P < 0.001) and 9.7% (P < 0.001) at the last follow-up. ROM was statistically different from before surgery. CT images indicated that the herniated disc area decreased by 3.1%, while the foramina areas increased by 5.7% at the last follow-up. 92.6% patients demonstrated successful outcome.Conclusions: ISDF significantly alleviated the clinical symptoms, improved spinal structure, and partially retracted the herniated disc. Our findings imply that ISDF is an effective minimally invasive procedure in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author Correction: High divergence of human astrovirus genotypes circulating in pediatric patients hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2017-2020 Correction to: I Scientific Reports i https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02745-7, published online 01 December 2021 The original version of this Article contained errors in Table 1, where the percentage total (%) of "No. of HAstV co-infection" was incorrect. [Extracted from the article]

Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The original article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-021-00863-2 B Correction to: Space Sci. Rev. (2021) 217:87 b https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-021-00863-2 The original article was published with an affiliation sequence error introduced during typesetting. [Extracted from the article]

Deep space exploration can satisfy humanity's curiosity about the origin of life and the evolution of the universe and enhance our understanding of the internal geological structure and climate change of extraterrestrial bodies. The most direct way to explore extraterrestrial bodies is to sample and analyze the regolith. Drilling is the most effective sampling method, and extraterrestrial regolith drills have helped humans acquire many samples in planetary exploration. Developing high applicable and flexible ERDs for extraterrestrial regolith penetration and sampling has attracted strong attention from scientists and engineers worldwide. This paper presents a detailed review of extraterrestrial drilling technologies. Firstly, the particularities of extraterrestrial drilling are introduced. Then, the ERDs utilized in previous planetary exploration missions and the latest advances are reviewed in detail, including the categories, historical context, and (dis)advantages. Next, the general characteristics of extraterrestrial drilling are summarized, including the mainstream approaches to studying the drilling mechanics and thermophysics. Then, the critical technologies of ERDs, from a conceptual design to a practical prototype, are analyzed in depth. Finally, the prospects for extraterrestrial drilling technology are presented, including water ice drilling, long tunnel boring, deep drilling, and intelligent drilling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-point incremental forming (SPIF) of polymers was started back in the first decade of twenty-first century; since then, substantial studies have been performed on this topic. The present article reviews these studies and compiles the developments in a comprehensive manner. The review entails a number of forming aspects of polymers, the more important of which are deformation mechanics, failure modes, formability, forming forces, springback, and post-forming material characteristics. The agreements and disagreements amongst the researchers are recognized and critical remarks are provided. The issues are identified, and areas of future work are proposed to further comprehend knowledge on the subject in order to successfully deploy the process on industrial scale. The differences in the characteristics of SPIF of polymers and SPIF of metals are also outlined and discussed in this article. The review concludes that the operating parameters and material are the key factors that affect the process performance. Further, the innovative technology must be adopted, and a larger database should be established to enhance industrial viability of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare transoral and endoscopic transnasal anterior release without odontoidectomy and posterior reduction and fixation to treat irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD). Methods: From June 2006 to January 2017, 35 consecutive patients with IAAD underwent transoral (Tr-Oral group) or endoscopic transnasal (Tr-Nasal group) release and posterior fixation and fusion in our department. Clinical neurological recovery (Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score) and radiological reduction parameters including atlantodontoid interval (ADI), space available for the cord (SAC) and cervicomedullary angle (CMA) were analyzed and compared. The operation duration, blood loss, length of intensive care unit (ICU)/hospital stay and complications were recorded. Results: All 35 patients (18 and 17 patients in the Tr-Oral and Tr-Nasal groups, respectively) were followed up for a mean of 36.4 months (range, 21–60 months). All patients achieved excellent anatomical reduction and clinical neurological recovery, with no significant differences between the two groups. The JOA score, ADI, SAC and CMA were not significantly different between the two groups at various postoperative points. Although the Tr-Oral group had shorter operation time and less blood loss than the Tr-Nasal group, the Tr-Nasal group tended to have a significantly shorter hospital/ICU stay, earlier extubation and earlier oral intake than the Tr-Oral group. Conclusion: The transoral and endoscopic transnasal approaches can achieve equivalent release and reduction effects when treating IAAD. Compared to the transoral approach, the endoscopic transnasal route is less invasive with earlier extubation and oral intake, shorter hospital/ICU stays and lower medical costs, which is conducive to enhanced recovery after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of northeastern China is complicated by the interaction of the Central Asian Orogenic belt development and the initiation of subduction from the Pacific Ocean plate along the eastern margin of Asia. In this study, we elucidate this problem by collecting new geochemical and geochronological data from late Paleozoic bimodal igneous rocks from the eastern margin of the Jiamusi block. By LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating, the 206Pb/238U age of the granitoid sample is 313–279 Ma, and the diabase 206Pb/238U age is 298–276 Ma. Rock geochemical studies show that diabase and granitoid have obvious chemical differentiation characteristics, indicating that they are the products of non-homologous magmatic evolution. Zircon Lu–Hf isotopes indicate that diabase magma originates from the metasomatism of the mantle wedge by subducting oceanic crust melts, granitoid magma mainly comes from the lower crust and the new crust. Our results together with a synthesis of existing data show that bimodal magmatism occurred in the study area from the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian when the Jiamusi block was an active continental margin and in a stretching background. Our synthesis of the existing data places our new data into a regional tectonic framework, and our proposed tectonic model provides the following new insights: (1) the northward expansion of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean from the Late Carboniferous to the Early Triassic led to the overall northward drift of the Paleo-Asian Ocean and the Xing'an-Mongolian Orogenic belt, which marks the easternmost segment of the Central Asian Orogenic belt, (2) the Paleo-Asian Ocean continued Late Permian–Early Triassic subduction caused back extension that rifted the Jiamusi and Songnen blocks apart and formed the Mudanjiang Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new constrained flow mode was developed to improve the machining stability in pulse electrochemical machining (PECM) of micro channel arrays on metallic bipolar plate. In electrochemical machining (ECM), the electrolyte flow field in the machining region is a key factor influencing processing stability and surface quality. In this study, a multifunctional cathode (MFC) was designed in the process, which was prepared with casting molding method. MFC acted as electrode, as well as sealing device and isolating individual machining regions. The channels of electrode were filled with elastic blocks, which were tightly pressed against the surface of workpiece during process to separate the large machining region into multiple independent machining regions. Therefore, the machining area would have sufficient electrolyte, and the flow field of each channel was independent from each other. 3-D flow field simulation was developed in this study to analyze the flow field of the channel arrays. It indicated that multiple independent machining regions could effectively improve the velocity uniformity of each channel. The experiments revealed that the uniformity of flow field had a positive role to prevent from spark discharge and short circuit, as well as the machining efficiency and machining stability. The channel arrays with 466-μm depth were machined on SS304 metallic BP within 2 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several types of posterior approaches have been adopted for occipitocervical fusion. Prior to this study, Foerater et al. in 1927 used a fibular strut graft in the site between the occiput and the lower cervical spine to achieve fusion. Since then, various techniques including wrings, Hartshill loop, AO reconstructive plate, and AXIS occipital plate were described and used widely. As far as we know, all these techniques involve the screw placement vertical to the diploic bone; however none has ever addressed the feasibility of screw placement in occiput parallelling to the diploic bone. In our study, 30 dry specimens of human occiputs were measured manually using vernier calipers and protractors. The intradiploic screw was first supposed to be inserted inferiorly to the superior nuchal line (SNL) prominence. The entry point located at the superior edge of the SNL prominence. Afterward, the measurements of extracranial occiput in SNL area on midline and bilateral 15 mm to the midline saggital-cutting planes of the occiput were conducted. The thickness of the occipital bone at the location of SNL prominence, the entry point, the exit point and the screw orientation were measured, respectively. Afterward, 11 patients with craniocervical malformation were treated surgically using this alternative and their X-ray radiographs and CT scans were evaluated postoperatively. The data showed that the occipital at the site of SNL prominence was the thickest. The thickest point was external occipital protuberance (EOP), which was up to 14 mm. The thickness decreased gradually from the site of SNL to the superior border of surgical decompressed area. The actual length of screw channel was about 26 mm. The mean thickness for safe screw insertion ranged from 5.73 to 14.14 mm. A total of 22 intraocciput screws parallel to diploic bone were placed precisely, without injury to the cerebral and inner occipital venous sinus. The results confirm that occiput is available for holding intraocciput screw paralleling to diploic bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]