bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical Comparison of External Fixation and Double Plating for Stabilization of a Canine Cadaveric Supracondylar Humeral Fracture Gap Model
Authors: Castaldo Sarah , Syrcle Jason , Elder Steve , Wills Robert W.
Published: October 2020

Objective Successful stabilization of comminuted supracondylar humeral fractures is challenging, and biomechanical studies are scarce. This study compares double-plate (DB-PLATE) and linear external fixator with an intramedullary pin tie-in (ESF-IMP) fixation techniques in a cadaveric gap model. The hypothesis was the DB-PLATE construct would be stiffer, stronger and more resistant to repeated loading than the ESF-IMP construct in both cyclic and load-to-failure axial compression testing.

Study Design A 2 cm ostectomy was performed on 10 pairs of canine cadaveric humeri proximal to the supratrochlear foramen. Stabilization was with DB-PLATE (n = 10) or ESF-IMP (n = 10). Cyclic testing was performed by applying a 200 N load at 2 Hz for 63,000 cycles. Axial compressive load to failure testing followed. Data analysed included dynamic stiffness, stiffness and yield load.

Results No constructs failed during cyclic testing or lost stiffness over time. Mean dynamic stiffness over the final 100 cycles was greater for DB-PLATE compared with ESF-IMP. Mean stiffness of DB-PLATE in load-to-failure testing was not different than ESF-IMP. Yield load of DB-PLATE was higher than ESF-IMP.

Conclusion Both DB-PLATE and ESF-IMP survived cyclic testing with no change in dynamic stiffness. DB-PLATE was stronger than ESF-IMP in load-to-failure testing, which may make this construct preferable when prolonged healing or poor patient compliance is anticipated. Results suggest that either method may be appropriate for fixation of comminuted supracondylar humeral fractures.
Trigeminal Ophthalmic Branch Schwannoma: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Köhler Luiza Rech , Mesquita Filho Paulo Moacir , Santos Fabio Pires , Sawasaki Renato , Giacomelli Richard , Cordeiro Rafael , Ruschel Octavio Karam , Schwingel Daniela
Published: October 2020

Schwannomas are the fourth most common primary neoplasms affecting the brain and cranial nerves. Central lesions commonly arise from sensory nerve roots, and a common intracranial site is the vestibular branch of the 8th nerve (>85%). We present the case report of a patient who has a schwannoma extending from the pterygopalatine fossa to the orbit, complaining about facial pain in the trajectory of the trigeminal ophthalmic branch. Schwannomas represent 1 to 2% of all neoplasms of the orbit, and trigeminal schwannomas are extremely rare, accounting for less than 0.5% of all intracranial tumors.
A Novel Mutation in NIPBL Gene with the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and a 10q11.22-q11.23 Microdeletion in the Same Individual
Authors: Bağış Haydar , Öztürk Özden , Bolu Semih , Taşkın Bayram
Published: October 2020

The Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a genetic disorder characterized by multisystemic malformations. CdLS is due to mutations in one of the following genes: NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21, and HDAC8. On the other hand, 10q11.2 deletions cause a wide range of presentations in patients. Approximately 40 cases with variable deletions of 10q11.2 have been reported in literature. Some of the reported cases involve the coexistence of duplication or deletion affecting one copy of the chromosome. However, deletion of chromosome 10q11.22-q11.23 and CdLS syndrome caused by NIPBL gene mutations have not been reported previously. This report, therefore, is the first to report their coexistence together.
Case Series of Three Patients with Rifampicin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: M.T Chandramouli
Published: October 2020

Life-threatening adverse reactions of antitubercular drugs are uncommon; however, thrombocytopenia is one such rare complication encountered with rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Rifampicin is the most effective drug and its use in the tuberculosis treatment led to the emergence of modern and effective short-course regimens. I am reporting case series of three patients with pulmonary tuberculosis presented with rifampicin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Large Retroperitoneal Leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Saad Melissa Kyriakos , Ghandour Fatme , Abdallah Ali , Ghantous Imad , Raad Roy , Saikaly Elias
Published: October 2020

Retroperitoneal sarcomas, such as leiomyosarcoma, often invade or displace vital organs in the abdominal cavity and exhibit an aggressive clinical course. Complete surgical resection of the tumor with en-bloc resection of adjacent adherent organs is the cornerstone in management of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma.
Enhanced dynamics in the anomalous melting regime of DMPG lipid membranes
Authors: Kelley Elizabeth G. , Nagao Michihiro , Butler Paul D. , Porcar Lionel , Farago Bela
Published: October 2020

Like many soft materials, lipids undergo a melting transition associated with a significant increase in their dynamics. At temperatures below the main melting transition (Tm), all molecular and collective dynamics are suppressed, while above Tm the alkyl tail motions, lipid diffusivity, and collective membrane undulations are at least an order of magnitude faster. Here we study the collective dynamics of dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG, di 14:0 PG) using neutron spin echo spectroscopy throughout its anomalous phase transition that occurs over a 12 °C–20° C wide temperature window. Our results reveal that the membranes are softer and more dynamic during the phase transition than at higher temperatures corresponding to the fluid phase and provide direct experimental evidence for the predicted increase in membrane fluctuations during lipid melting. These results provide new insights into the nanoscale lipid membrane dynamics during the melting transition and demonstrate how these dynamics are coupled to changes in the membrane structure.
Shear-induced ordering in liquid microjets seen by x-ray cross correlation analysis
Authors: Markmann V. , Dartsch M. , Valerio J. , Frenzel L. , Lokteva I. , Walther M. , Westermeier F. , Grübel G. , Lehmkühler F.
Published: October 2020

We applied shear to a silica nanoparticle dispersion in a microfluidic jet device and observed direction-dependent structure along and across the flow direction. The asymmetries of the diffraction patterns were evaluated by x-ray cross correlation analysis. For different Rayleigh nozzle sizes and shapes, we measured the decay of the shear-induced ordering after the cessation of the shear. At large tube sizes and small shear rates, the characteristic times of the decay become longer, but Péclet-weighted times do not scale linearly with Péclet numbers. By modeling particle distributions with the corresponding diffraction patterns and comparing measured shape asymmetry to simulations, we determined the variation of volume fraction over the azimuthal angle for the maximum ordered state in the jet.
Simultaneous analyses of the rates of photoinduced charge separation and recombination between the excited flavin and tryptophans in some flavoproteins: Molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Lugsanangarm Kiattisak , Tamaoki Haruhiko , Nishina Yasuzo , Kitamura Masaya , Nunthaboot Nadtanet , Tanaka Fumio , Taniguchi Seiji , Chosrowjan Haik
Published: October 2020

Ultrafast transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy has been one of the most powerful experimental tools to study the mechanism of photoinduced electron transfer (ET) as in photosynthetic and flavin photoreceptor systems in plants. However, no work has been reported on their quantitative mechanisms. Apparent rates of charge separation (CS) from tryptophans (Trps) to the excited isoalloxazine (Iso*) and charge recombination (CR) from the produced ion pairs to Trps and Iso in the ground states are reported to be 0.25 ps and 3.2 ps in medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), and 0.15 ps and 6.6 ps in flavin mononucleotide binding protein (FMN-bp), obtained by an ultrafast TA method. The decays of the CS and CR processes were for the first time simultaneously analyzed with an ET theory and structures obtained by molecular dynamics simulation. MCAD and FMN-bp form a tetramer and dimer, respectively. The CS and CR rates of an individual donor and various related physical quantities were numerically obtained. It was found that both CS and CR rates were fastest from Trp166 among four Trps in MCAD and those from Trp106 among two Trps in FMN-bp. Logarithmic CS rates in MCAD were dependent on the donor–acceptor distance (Rc) with parabolic functions, while those of CR rates linearly decreased with Rc. Reasons why CS rates were faster than CR rates in both MCAD and FMN-bp were elucidated in terms of pre-exponential factors in the theory. The present method could be useful to understand the precise mechanisms of initial steps of biological functions of photoreceptors in plants.
Acoustoelectric drag current in vanadium oxide films
Authors: Lapa Pavel N. , Kassabian George , Torres Felipe , Salev Pavel , Lee Min-Han , del Valle Javier , Schuller Ivan K.
Published: October 2020

Two different Mott insulator wires, vanadium dioxide and vanadium sesquioxide, were prepared on the piezoelectric LiNbO3 substrates. Coupling of acoustic waves propagating in LiNbO3 with free carriers in vanadium oxide gives rise to the acoustoelectric effect that manifests itself as the generation of direct electric current by the acoustic wave. According to a phenomenological model, the value of the effect strongly depends on the wires conductivity, which, for the vanadium-oxide films, changes by a few orders of magnitude. We demonstrated that this yields a significant enhancement of the direct current (DC) current generated in the wires at the metal–insulator transition temperatures. The sign of the generated DC voltage is different for excitations by surface and bulk acoustic wave modes, which may happen due to reverse wave propagation at the substrate surface. For each resonance mode, polarities of the generated DC signal are the same in both wires, despite the signs of charge carriers being different for these materials. It was shown that two complementary techniques (acoustoelectric and Hall effect measurements) yield opposite signs of charge carriers in VO2.
CSIR and Australian industry: 1926–49
Authors: Upstill Garrett , Spurling Thomas H. , Healy Terence J.
Published: October 2020

The primary function of CSIR, founded in 1926, was to promote primary and secondary industries in Australia. In its first decade, CSIR developed a successful model for delivering research of benefit to the primary sector. The period from the late 1930s was characterised by the expansion of CSIR, notably into secondary-industry research, and its wide-ranging and effective response to the industry and government demands during the Second World War. In the post-war years CSIR placed increasing emphasis on longer term, underlying research, as the way to benefit Australian industry. This shift raised problems for technology transfer to the secondary industry sector; it also shaped the agenda of CSIR’s successor organisation, CSIRO, in the decades after its formation in 1949.
Conflict-motivated acts in the open letters of two former Nigerian presidents
Authors: Unuabonah Foluke Olayinka , Boluwaduro Eniola
Published: October 2020

This study investigates conflict-motivated pragmatic acts employed in the open letters exchanged by two former Nigerian
presidents (Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan). The data are analysed using Mey’s pragmatic act theory. The findings reveal that while
Obasanjo employs pragmatic acts of warning, appealing, and praising in order to counsel Jonathan, Jonathan employs pragmatic acts of
acknowledging, boasting, correcting, and reminding in order to defend himself. However, they both employ the pragmatic acts of insulting, complaining, accusing, and requesting. These acts are influenced by nationalist and anti-ethnic ideologies as well as the context of the
open letters, i.e., conflict among political leaders in Nigeria.
SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development, access, and equity
Authors: Kim Jerome H.
Published: October 2020

Over the past 9 mo, with 34 million infections and 1 million deaths, the COVID-19 pandemic has levied a grisly toll. Some countries, through political will and social organization, have successfully reduced the number of infections and deaths, but the global scale of loss reflects the difficulty of translating these approaches in other countries. An effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine presents a technological solution to the failure of social and political ones. Vaccines are, however, not a silver bullet, but a safe, cost-effective, and globally applicable tool that will require a substantial effort—cooperation, commitment, time, and funding—to be effective.
Synthesis and magnetic properties in quaternary Ca1−x
Pr
x
Co2As2 single crystals
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zong Bingbing , Cao Yating , Sun Peng , Zhang Ziyi , Qiu Xianggang , Zhao Run , Liu Huayi , Fu Yueju , Zhang Kai , Li Yubao
Published: October 2020

Series of Ca1−x
Pr
x
Co2As2 (x = 0, 0.10, 0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.75, 0.85, 1) single crystals have been synthesized in order to clarify the variation of magnetic order from antiferromagnetic (AFM) in CaCo2As2 to ferromagnetic (FM) in PrCo2As2. It is found that the lattice constant of c-axis are contracted with the introduction of Pr into Ca sites in CaCo2As2. Electronic transport measurements reveal the metallicity in this system. Systematic magnetic measurements and analysis show that substituting only 10% of Pr for Ca changes the magnetic ground state from A-type AFM ordering of Co magnetic moment in CaCo2As2 to FM ordering in Ca1−x
Pr
x
Co2As2 (0.1 ⩽ x ⩽ 1). Most importantly, the abrupt drop of low temperature magnetic susceptibility below T
FiM with x ⩾ 0.25 and the observed magnetic pole reversal with x ⩾ 0.4 suggests an AFM coupling between Co 3d and Pr 4f magnetic sublattice. Finally, a detailed magnetic phase diagram in this system has been obtained.
Solar energy application for LFR unit with trapezoidal cavity receiver considering radiative mode
Authors: Ebrahimpour Z , Sheikholeslami M , Farshad Seyyed Ali , Shafee Ahmad
Published: October 2020

In current article, influence of radiation and convection modes on behavior of air inside an absorber in trapezoidal shape has been investigated. Such cavity is part of Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) unit and it is important to analyze such geometry to reach higher performance. Properties of carrier fluid were assumed as function of temperature. To involve radiation effect, discrete ordinates model was implemented. Influences of external convective factor (hext), Angle of adiabatic wall (θ), temperature ratio (Tr) on irreversibility and heat transfer were depicted in outputs. Augment of Tr, θ and hext cause incident radiation to decline about 85.95%, 20.97% and 20.68% with assuming lowest values of other factors. Strength of eddy, temperature difference augments about 180% and 9.77% when θ enhances at Tr = 0.8. With considering highest level of other factors, as values of wind speed and θ intensify, Nu enhances 9.28% and 17.36% while it declines about 52.2% with rise of Tr. Given minimum values of other parameters, irreversibility intensifies about 45.45% and 8.3% with augment of hext and θ but it declines about 84.44% with augment of Tr.
Abnormal stiffness behaviour in artificial cactus-inspired reinforcement materials
Authors: Zampetakis Ioannis , Dobah Yousef , Liu Dong , Woods Ben , Bezazi Abderrezak , Perriman Adam , Scarpa Fabrizio
Published: October 2020

Cactus fibres have previously shown unusual mechanical properties in terms of bending and axial stiffness due to their hierarchical structural morphology. Bioinspiration from those cactus fibres could potentially generate architected materials with exciting properties. To that end we have built bioinspired artificial analogues of cactus fibres to evaluate their mechanical properties. We have generated 3D printed specimens from rendered models of the cactus structure using two different printing techniques to assess the reproducibility of the structural topology. Bioinspired additive manufactured materials with unusual mechanical properties constitute an ever-evolving field for applications ranging from novel wing designs to lightweight plant-inspired analogues. The cactus-inspired 3D printed specimens developed here demonstrate an unusually high bending to axial stiffness ratios regardless of the manufacturing method used. Moreover, when compared to their equivalent beam analogues the cactus specimens demonstrate a significant potential in terms of specific (weight averaged) flexural modulus. Imaging of the artificial cactus reinforcements has enabled the generation of a one-dimensional reduced order finite element model of the cactus structure, with a distribution of cross sections along the length that simulate the inertia and mechanical behaviour of the cactus topology. The novel bioinspired material structure shows an excellent reproducibility across different manufacturing methods and suggest that the tree-like topology of the cactus fibre could be very suited to applications where high bending to axial stiffness ratios are critical.
Influence of the integrity of tendinous membrane and fascicle on biomechanical characteristics of tendon-derived scaffolds
Authors: Cui Jing , Ning Liang-Ju , Yao Xuan , Zhang Yi , Zhang Yan-Jing , He Shu-Kun , Zhang Zhong , Ding Wei , Luo Jing-Cong , Qin Ting-Wu
Published: October 2020

The biomechanical characteristics of tendon grafts is essential for tendon reconstructive surgery due to its great role in providing a good mechanical environment for tendon healing and regeneration. In our previous studies, the decellularized tendon slices (DTSs) and decellularized bovine tendon sheets (DBTSs) scaffolds were successfully developed. However, the influence of the integrity of tendinous membrane (endotenon and epitenon) and fascicle on biomechanical characteristics of these two scaffolds was not investigated. In this study, we assessed the integrity of tendinous membrane and fascicle of the tendon derived scaffolds and its effect on the biomechanical characteristics. The results of histological staining indicated that the DBTSs had complete endotenon and epitenon, while DTSs had no epitenon at all, only part of endotenon was remained. Furthermore, the DBTSs, and DTSs with thickness of 900 μm had complete fascicles, while DTSs with thickness less than 600 μm had almost no complete fascicles. The fibrous configuration of epitenon was well-preserved in the surface of the DBTSs but the surface ultrastructure of the DTSs was aligned collagen fibers based on scanning electron microscopy examination. The results of transmission electron microscopy showed that there was no significant difference between the DBTSs and DTSs. Mechanically, the DBTSs and DTSs with thickness of 900 μm showed similar ultimate tensile strength and stiffness to native tendon segments (NTSs). The strain at break and suture retention strength of the DBTSs showed much higher than that of the DTSs (p < 0.05). Additionally, the DBTSs showed higher ultimate load than the DTSs when these scaffolds were sutured with NTSs (p < 0.05) through the modified Kessler technique based on a uniaxial tensile test. This study demonstrated that DTSs may be used as a patch for reinforcing tendon repair, while DBTSs may be used as a bridge for reconstructing tendon defects.
North American cold events following sudden stratospheric warming in the presence of low Barents-Kara Sea sea ice
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Wu Yutian , Chen Gang , Yu Yueyue
Published: October 2020

While the relationship between the Arctic sea ice loss and midlatitude winter climate has been well discussed, especially on the seasonal mean scale, it remains unclear whether the Arctic sea ice condition affects the predictability of North American cold weather on the subseasonal time scale. Here we find that, in the presence of low Barents-Kara Sea (BKS) sea ice, sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) can favor surface cold spells over North America at the subseasonal timescale based on observations and model experiments. A persistent ridge of wave-2 pattern emerges over the Bering Sea-Gulf of Alaska several weeks after the SSW onset, with a coherent structure from the stratosphere to the surface, which, in turn, is conducive to synoptic cold air outbreaks in Canada and midwestern USA. This highlights a planetary wave pathway relating to BKS sea ice changes, by which the stratospheric polar vortex impacts the regional surface temperature on the subseasonal scale. In contrast, this mechanism does not occur with positive BKS sea ice anomaly. These findings help to improve the subseasonal predictability over North America, especially under the background of rapid change of Arctic sea ice in a warming world.
Direct mineralization of atmospheric CO2using natural rocks in Japan
Authors: Myers Corey , Nakagaki Takao
Published: October 2020

Gas-solid mineralization of atmospheric CO2using naturally abundant surface rocks under ambient conditions and without thermochemical treatment was analyzed for application in Japan. Based on an empirically-verified theoretical framework, a tiered greenhouse containing finely ground rocks was designed with low-speed induced airflow to realize CO2mineralization reactions over 1 year. Negative CO2emissions were calculated accounting for CO2emissions from energy generation, materials production, and removal of vegetation and soil. Under practicable operating conditions, negative emissions using crystalline surface rocks in Japan can reach ∼7.6 Gt-CO2/y achieved across 726 sites. The average energy requirement was calculated to be 1.5 GJ t−1-CO2with an average land requirement of 1.1 km2per Mt-CO2annual removal capacity. Carbon debt is paid off after 60 d of operation.
Suitability and carrying capacity analyses for marine ecotourism development of the Medang Deras Subdistrict, Batubara district, province of North Sumatera
Authors: Ariani F , Rahimah I , Sipahutar R , Yanti E S , Paradini A
Published: October 2020

Medang Deras sub district is one of the attractions in the Batubara Regency which has appeal for the Batubara public and surrounding area. Increasing the number of visitors each year can reduce the comfort of tourists at the tourism attractions. It makes the researcher want to analyze the suitability and carrying capacity Medang deras coast region. This research used a descriptive method with an accidental random sampling technique. The results showed the suitability of marine ecotourism in Medang Deras included in the conditional category, two categories of suitability namely beach and swimming tourism. This is because the utilization and management of the area is not maximized yet, especially in terms of facilities and infrastructure. The number of tourists that can be accommodated by the tourist area is still adequate. However, if visitors have reached these numbers, the comfort and sustainability of tourism in the District of Medang Deras will be disrupted.
Carriying capacity of small island for tourism development
Authors: Mira  , Kurniawan T
Published: October 2020

This study aims to analyze the carrying capacity of the environment on small islands to develop marine tourism. Research carried out in the Thousand Islands Indonesia includes Bidadari Island, Untung Jawa, Pramuka, Karya, Ayer Besar, Rambut, Cipir, Moringa, and Onrust. The methodology used in this study is the environmental carrying capacity class. The carrying capacity of the beach to receive tourists on Bidadari Island, Untung Jawa, Pramuka, Karya, Ayer Besar, Rambut, Cipir, Moringa, and Onrust, are as follows: 50, 40, 40, 30, 30, 30, 30, 26, 26 and 10 tourists per day for low class. Tourists who visit have already exceeded the carrying capacity of the environment while on vacation on the island of Untung Jawa, Pramuka, Bidadari, Ayer Besar, and Onrust; there are 60-200 tourists. The island’s carrying capacity for accommodation is 11,200, 5,166, 7,700, 28,070, 4,221, 4,550, 8,400, 1,120, 1,400 and 14,000 beds for each island on Pramuka Island, Karya, Panggang, Untung Jawa, Bidadari, Ayer Besar, Onrust, Cipir, Kelor, and Rambut. While the environment carrying capacity for diving activities is between 5000-6000 divers, the interview results found out that, in reality, 9600 divers do diving activities around Pramuka Island’s waters. The government should limit the number of visitors according to the allotment of the island; for example, for Rambut island tourism development should be closed because it is a conservation area. For housing islands such as in Java Untung Island, Pramuka island should limit the tourism development, while for Angel Island and Big Ayer, tourism development committed intensively.
Effect of direct quenched and tempering temperature on the mechanical properties and microstructure of high strength steel
Authors: Yang Xiong , Yu Wei , Tang Di , Li Yuqian , Lv Dewen , Shi Jiaxin , Du Qiming , Mei Donggui , Fan Jia
Published: October 2020

The effect of direct quenched (DQ) and tempering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high strength steel were studied by means of SEM, EBSD, TEM and mechanical properties test. The results showed that in DQ state, the tensile strength could reach 1420 Mpa, the yield strength could be 1050 Mpa, and the elongation was about 9.0%, impact energy at −20 °C was 59 J. High density entangled dislocation was distributed inside the lath and at the boundary. A small amount of Nb and Ti carbide was precipitated at the dislocation and lath boundary, and a small amount (about 2.15%) of residual austenite distributed between the lath. With the tempering temperature rising from 500 °C to 720 °C, the tensile strength of the experimental steel decreased from 1220 MPa to 840 MPa, the yield strength decreased from 1190 MPa to 780 MPa, the elongation increased from 10% to 13%, and the impact energy at −20 °C increased from 84 J to 153 J. When the tempering temperature rised from 500 °C to 640 °C, the structure was mainly composed of lath martensite and a large number of dislocations were still distributed inside the lath. The size of carbides precipitated inside and on the boundary of the lath was about 20–30 nm. When tempered at 680 °C, the structure was mainly composed of martensite and a small amount of polygonal ferrite. There were still a large number of entangled dislocations inside and on the boundary of martensite. The carbide precipitate at the matrix boundary and dislocation line was obviously coarsening (70–80 nm). When tempered at 720 °C, the microstructure was mainly polygonal ferrite, the dislocation density in the matrix significantly decreased, and the carbide precipitated at the matrix boundary and dislocation line significantly coarsened (about 100 nm). With the tempering temperature rising from 500 °C to 720 °C, the proportion of small-angle grain boundary was gradually decreased from 88.64% to 70.50%.
Mechanical properties and friction coefficient of hybrid polypropylene Entada mannii composites
Authors: Balogun O P , Alaneme K K , Adediran A A , Omotoyinbo J A
Published: October 2020

The current study evaluates the mechanical properties and friction coefficient of polypropylene based composites reinforced with particulate derivatives from Entada mannii fiber. The composites were fabricated by mixing different ratios of fiber ash (FA) and fiber particulates (FP) with polypropylene matrix and compounded using compression moulding method. Tensile and flexural properties, impact strength, hardness and friction coefficient were assessed, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for structural and morphological studies of the composites. The results show that the tensile, flexural, impact and hardness properties of all the composites were enhanced in comparison with the unreinforced polypropylene. The hybrid reinforced composite composition containing FA and FP in ratio 3:1, had the best tensile, flexural, and hardness properties of all composites produced, ascribed to the achievement of a more uniform dispersion of FA/FP and stronger interface bonding with the polymer matrix. Specifically, enhancement of tensile and flexural strengths of 58.7% and 62.9%, respectively in comparison with the unreinforced propylene was obtained for this composition. The friction coefficient of the single reinforced composite compositions of FA and FP were higher compared to the hybrid reinforced composites and unreinforced polypropylene. The representative morphological assessments of the composites fracture surface showed that the single reinforced composite was characterized with the agglomeration of fiber ash/fiber particulates while the hybrid reinforced composites had relatively uniform distribution of reinforcement in the matrix.
Phosphomatics: interactive interrogation of substrate–kinase networks in global phosphoproteomics datasets
Authors: Leeming Michael G , O’Callaghan Sean , Licata Luana , Iannuccelli Marta , Lo Surdo Prisca , Micarelli Elisa , Ang Ching-Seng , Nie Shuai , Varshney Swati , Ameen Sadia , Cheng Heung-Chin , Williamson Nicholas A
Published: October 2020

Motivation

Mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics can routinely identify and quantify thousands of phosphorylated peptides from a single experiment. However interrogating possible upstream kinases and identifying key literature for phosphorylation sites is laborious and time-consuming.

Results

Here, we present Phosphomatics—a publicly available web resource for interrogating phosphoproteomics data. Phosphomatics allows researchers to upload phosphoproteomics data and interrogate possible relationships from a substrate-, kinase- or pathway-centric viewpoint.

Availability and implementation

Phosphomatics is freely available via the internet at: https://phosphomatics.com.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Andrographolide: A Review of Analytical Methods
Authors: Patil Rashmi , Jain Vandana
Published: October 2020

Bicyclic diterpenoid lactone andrographolide is regarded as a “natural antibiotic” as it is known to exhibit a range of bioactivities including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antipyretic, antineoplastic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and hypoglycaemic, and is present in Andrographis paniculata. The aim of this article is to review the information on analytical methods for andrographolide in biological samples, pharmaceutical formulations and plant materials. This article includes various techniques such as Spectrophotometry, Chemiluminescence method, Electroanalytical method, Chromatography and various hyphenated techniques.
Threat recognition and response in an avian brood-parasite host from New Caledonia
Authors: Attisano Alfredo , Hlebowicz Kasper , Gula Roman , Theuerkauf Jörn
Published: October 2020

Nest predation and avian brood parasitism are the main sources of nest failure in many passerine birds. Large predators threaten both brood and parents, whereas brood parasites pose only a danger to eggs or nestlings. The fan-tailed gerygone Gerygone flavolateralis from New Caledonia is subjected to high rates of nest predation by the New Caledonian crow Corvus moneduloides (responsible for about 20–40% of predation) and moderate rates of brood parasitism by the shining bronze-cuckoo Chalcites lucidus (parasitizing about 18% of nests), which also depredates nests that are too advanced for parasitism (13% of nests). To test if fan-tailed gerygones are able to discriminate predators from brood parasites, we presented 3 bird models at active gerygone nests: a brood parasite/small nest predator (shining bronze-cuckoo), a large nest predator (crow), and a small non-native bird (common chaffinch Fringilla coelebs), which is unknown to the gerygone, as a control. We assessed the response of adult gerygones to the presentation of each model by measuring the minimum approach distance, number of alarm calls, number of attacks, and time to first nest visit after the presentation (latency). Adult gerygones often attacked the cuckoo, approached but never attacked the chaffinch and always avoided the crow. Latency was shorter after an attack response and during brooding, but similar among models. We did not find any link between the cuckoo model presentation and later ejection of cuckoo nestlings. We conclude that adult fan-tailed gerygones discriminate between different models and respond accordingly to the level of threat, but do not show awareness of parasitism risk and increase of nestling ejection rates following exposure to the cuckoo model.
Not so black, not so white: differences in microorganism load of contiguous feathers from white stork chicks
Authors: Al Rubaiee Zaid , Al Murayati Haider , Tobolka Marcin , Tryjanowski Piotr , Møller Anders Pape
Published: October 2020

Many organisms are characterized by strikingly contrasting black and white coloration, but the function of such contrasts has been inadequately studied. In this article, we tested the function of black and white contrasting plumage in white stork Ciconia ciconia chicks. We found greater abundance and diversity of microorganisms on black compared with adjacent white feathers. In addition, nest size was positively correlated with the abundance and diversity of microorganisms on white feathers. Flight initiation distance (FID), defined as the distance at which adult white storks took flight when approached by a human, was negatively correlated with most measurements of microorganism abundance. Breeding success was generally positively correlated with the abundance and diversity of microorganisms on black feathers. The feather growth rate was positively correlated with some and negatively correlated with other measurements of microbial abundance and diversity. Finally, chick growth was negatively correlated with the number of microbial species on black feathers and positively with the abundance and diversity of microorganisms on white feathers. These findings are consistent not only with the role of microorganisms in the maintenance of a benign microbial environment which differs between black and white feathers, but also with the hypothesis that several taxa of microorganisms found in black and white plumage are virulent, with negative effects on the fitness of their hosts.
Quantifying Planococcus ficus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Invasion in Northern California Vineyards to Inform Management Strategy
Authors: Schartel Tyler E , Cooper Monica L , May Aubrey , Daugherty Matthew P
Published: October 2020

The spread and impact of invasive species in exotic ranges can be mitigated by increased understanding of pest invasion dynamics. Here, we used geospatial analyses and habitat suitability modeling to characterize the invasion of an important vineyard pest, vine mealybug (Planococcus ficus Signoret, Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), using nearly 15,000 trapping records from throughout Napa County, California, between 2012 and 2017. Spatial autocorrelation among P. ficus detections was strongest at distances of ~250 m and detectable at regional scales (up to 40 km), estimates of the rate and directionality of spread were highly idiosyncratic, and P. ficus detection hotspots were spatiotemporally dynamic. Generalized linear model, boosted regression tree, and random forest modeling methods performed well in predicting habitat suitability for P. ficus. The most important predictors of P. ficus occurrence were a positive effect of precipitation in the driest month, and negative effects of elevation and distance to nearest winery. Our results indicate that 250-m quarantine and treatment zones around P. ficus detections are likely sufficient to encompass most local establishment and spread, and that implementing localized regulatory procedures may limit inadvertent P. ficus spread via anthropogenic pathways. Finally, surveys of P. ficus presence at >300 vineyard sites validated that habitat suitability estimates were significantly and positively associated with P. ficus frequency of occurrence. Our findings indicate that habitat suitability predictions may offer a robust tool for identifying areas in the study region at risk to future P. ficus invasion and prioritizing locations for early detection and preventative management efforts.
Unraveling the Role of ACE2, the Binding Receptor for SARS-CoV-2, in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Ferreira-Duarte Mariana , Estevinho Maria Manuela , Duarte-Araújo Margarida , Magro Fernando , Morato Manuela
Published: October 2020

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been highlighted for its role as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic. This review summarizes current knowledge about ACE2 as a multifunctional protein, focusing on its relevance in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As an enzyme, ACE2 may be protective in IBD because it favors the counter-regulatory arm of the renin-angiotensin system or deleterious because it metabolizes other anti-inflammatory/repairing elements. Meanwhile, as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, the impact of ACE2 expression/activity on infection is still under debate because no direct evidence has been reported and, again, both protective and deleterious pathways are possible. Research has shown that ACE2 regulates the expression of the neutral amino acid transporter B0AT1, controlling tryptophan-associated intestinal inflammation and nutritional status. Finally, intact membrane-bound or shed soluble ACE2 can also trigger integrin signaling, modulating the response to anti-integrin biologic drugs used to treat IBD (such as vedolizumab) and fibrosis, a long-term complication of IBD. As such, future studies on ACE2 expression/activity in IBD can improve monitoring of the disease and explore an alternative pharmacological target.
Multiplex Real-Time Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays for Diagnostic Testing of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 and Seasonal Influenza Viruses: A Challenge of the Phase 3 Pandemic Setting
Authors: Mancini Fabiola , Barbanti Fabrizio , Scaturro Maria , Fontana Stefano , Di Martino Angela , Marsili Giulia , Puzelli Simona , Calzoletti Laura , Facchini Marzia , Di Mario Giuseppina , Fabiani Concetta , Bella Antonino , Riccardo Flavia , Pezzotti Patrizio , Stefanelli Paola , Rezza Giovanni , Ciervo Alessandra ,   Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) COVID-19 Team, Villa Laura , Fortini Daniela , Iacobino Angelo , Fiore Stefano , Benedetti Eleonora , Marchi Antonella , Venturi Giulietta , Fortuna Claudia , Amendola Antonello , Toma Luciano , Di Luca Marco , Severini Francesco
Published: October 2020

Background

Pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease represents a challenge for healthcare structures. The molecular confirmation of samples from infected individuals is crucial and therefore guides public health decision making. Clusters and possibly increased diffuse transmission could occur in the context of the next influenza season. For this reason, a diagnostic test able to discriminate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from influenza viruses is urgently needed.

Methods

A multiplex real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was assessed using 1 laboratory protocol with different real-time PCR instruments. Overall, 1000 clinical samples (600 from samples SARS-CoV-2–infected patients, 200 samples from influenza-infected patients, and 200 negative samples) were analyzed.

Results

The assay developed was able to detect and discriminate each virus target and to intercept coinfections. The limit of quantification of each assay ranged between 5 and 10 genomic copy numbers, with a cutoff value of 37.7 and 37.8 for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses, respectively. Only 2 influenza coinfections were detected in COVID-19 samples.

Conclusions

This study suggests that multiplex assay is a rapid, valid, and accurate method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses in clinical samples. The test may be an important diagnostic tool for both diagnostic and surveillance purposes during the seasonal influenza activity period.
The 1971 and 2019 Hague Judgments Conventions: Compared and Whether China Would Change Its Attitude Towards The Hague
Authors: Zhang Wenliang , Tu Guangjian
Published: October 2020

Under the auspices of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, decades of endeavours brought about the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention, being the newest achievement and a milestone. Serving the basic modern values of promoting access to justice and facilitating multilateral trade, the 2019 Convention reflects the global trend and maximizes the common grounds countries could agree to. As a historical culmination, the 2019 Convention refers to the experience of the past Hague conventions, in particular the 1971 Convention. On the one hand, the 2019 Convention duplicates the 1971 Convention in significant respects, maintaining its virtues; on the other hand, novelties are created to avoid the failures shadowing the 1971 Convention. Overall, the 2019 Convention is acceptable though it falls short of some long-lasting expectations. Recent years have seen China’s efforts to promote transboundary movement of judgments and its contribution to the arrival of the 2019 Convention. As an important global player with increasing ambition of claiming more international presence, the Convention is expected to fare well in China.
We Are All Coethnics: State Identities and Foreign Interventions in Violent Conflict
Authors: Huang Reyko , Tabaar Mohammad Ayatollahi
Published: October 2020

What is the role of religious identity in states’ decisions to intervene in foreign conflicts? Existing scholarship on external interventions in armed conflict pays little attention to religion, while many studies on religion and conflict give intrinsic importance to actors’ religious beliefs. In this article, we draw on insights from the comparative study of ethnic identity to explain foreign intervention decisions. Ethnic constructivism has been developed to explain domestic and group identity politics, but we demonstrate its utility for explaining state behavior in international politics. Based on the core premise of ethnic constructivism, we argue that coreligionism and coethnicity are poor predictors of states’ foreign policies. Rather, states create narratives of ethnic affinity in the service of political objectives. We use archival and other primary sources to test the theory's expectations through a structured within-case comparative analysis of Iran and its response to violent conflicts in Lebanon, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. Our findings offer robust support for our theory while providing theoretical and methodological implications for the study of “religious” and other identity-based conflicts in international politics.
Criticality of In-House Preparation of Viral Transport Medium in Times of Shortage During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Petersen Jeffrey , Dalal Sharvari , Jhala Darshana
Published: October 2020

Objective

With the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been supply challenges necessitating that laboratories must prepare their own viral transport medium (VTM), which provides stability for clinical specimens for diagnostic viral testing.

Methods

Within a veteran affairs medical center clinical laboratory, VTM was prepared with a Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) 500 mL bottle with phenol red, sterile heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS), gentamicin sulfate (50 mg/mL), and amphotericin B (250 μg/mL). An antimicrobial mixture was made of 50 mL each of amphotericin B and gentamicin sulfate. Ten mL of FBS and 2 mL of the antimicrobial mixture were mixed into the HBSS bottle, from which 3 mL aliquots were made. Sterility and efficacy check were assessed. These preparations were conducted at our VAMC’s clinical laboratory to assure adequate VTM supply during the COVID-19 shortage.

Results

The VTM was successfully prepared in-house, supporting uninterrupted testing for the facility and other affiliated medical facilities/centers and community living centers.

Conclusion

This quality assurance/improvement report represents the first published manuscript on feasible VTM preparation exclusively within a clinical microbiology laboratory during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Basic considerations for the observability of kinematically offset binary AGN
Authors: Kelley Luke Zoltan
Published: October 2020

The gravitational waves from massive black hole (MBH) binaries are expected to be detected by pulsar timing arrays in the next few years. While they are a promising source for multimessenger observations as binary active galactic nuclei (AGNs), few convincing candidates have been identified in electromagnetic surveys. One approach to identifying candidates has been through spectroscopic surveys searching for offsets or time-dependent offsets of broad emission lines (BLs), which may be characteristic of Doppler shifts from binary orbital motion. In this study, we predict the parameter space of MBH binaries that should be kinematically detectable. There is a delicate trade-off between requiring binary separations to be large enough for BL regions to remain attached to one of the AGNs, but also small enough such that their orbital velocity is detectable. We find that kinematic signatures are only observable for the lower mass secondary AGN, for binaries with total masses above about $10^8 \, \textrm {M}_{\odot }$, and separations between 0.1 and 1 pc. We motivate our usage of a kinematic offset sensitivity of 103 km s−1, and a sensitivity to changing offsets of 102 km s−1. With these parameters, and an Eddington ratio of 0.1, we find that $0.5{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of binaries have detectable offsets, and only $0.03{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ have detectable velocity changes. Overall, kinematic binary signatures should be expected in fewer than one in 104 AGNs. Better characterizing the intrinsic variability of BLs is crucial to understanding and vetting MBH binary candidates. This requires multi-epoch spectroscopy of large populations of AGNs over a variety of time-scales.
John Heil’s General Ontology
Authors: Bisconti Matthew
Published: October 2020

A categorial dualist, John Heil includes substance and property in his ontology. But in his case for dualism, there are pressures to drop substance or property and endorse monism, as well as pressures to include both. Rather than defend monism or dualism, I introduce a distinction. If a category is a kind of entities, then substance is the only category. If an accounting of categories is to include property, then property must enter not as a kind of entities but (to coin a term) a kind of aspects of reality. The distinction is worth deploying for two main reasons. First, it makes plain an important difference between substances and properties, which categorial dualism obscures. Second, the distinction reduces puzzlement about whether and how to include relation in an accounting of categories.