bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exotic Place, White Space: Racialized Volunteer Spaces in Honduras
Authors: Schneider Matthew Jerome
Published: May 2018

In every year between 2004 and 2012, more than 800,000 Americans reported volunteering internationally (Lough). These volunteers are overwhelmingly white (McBride and Lough) and entering a largely nonwhite and developing world. This study starts by questioning how racial status informs volunteer/volunteer tourist interactions, both with locals and with other volunteers, in a global context. In‐depth interviews with 23 missionaries, teachers, and volunteers from the United States and Canada reveal that (1) international volunteering is largely motivated by romantic and exotic understandings of the Global South and (2) in spite of a stated interest in cultural immersion, participants’ notions of their whiteness guided their perceptions of Hondurans and their actions as they sought out and retreated to white spaces protected from Honduran influence. These findings further the work of those who have argued first world travelers have homogenized spaces on reserve, by demonstrating that whiteness can be the basis for the construction and maintenance of protected spaces in predominantly nonwhite countries.
Characterization of friction and moisture of porcine lingual tissue in vitro in response to artificial saliva and mouthwash solutions
Authors: Zundel J. , Ansari S. A. , Trivedi H. M. , Masters J. G. , Mascaro S.
Published: May 2018

Background

The purpose of this research is to characterize the effects of mouthwash solutions on oral friction and moisture using a quantitative in vitro approach.

Materials and methods

The frictional coefficient of in vitro porcine tongue samples was measured using a magnetic levitation haptic device equipped with a custom tactor designed to mimic human skin. A commercially available moisture meter was used to measure moisture content of the samples. Tongue samples were first tested before treatment, then after application of saliva (either human or artificial), and again after application of 1 of 11 different mouthwash solutions.

Results

The data indicate that the samples treated with artificial saliva vs real saliva have comparable friction coefficient and moisture content. Furthermore, the moisture and friction coefficient remain relatively constant for up to 60 minutes after exposure to ambient conditions. Samples treated with artificial saliva have an average friction coefficient in the range of 0.70‐0.80. Application of mouthwash solutions produced an average friction coefficient of 0.39‐0.49 but retained the high moisture content of the artificial salivary layer. Several mouthwash solutions resulted in statistically significant differences in the friction coefficient relative to each other.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that a magnetic levitation device can be an effective tool for in vitro oral tribology and that artificial saliva is an effective substitute for real saliva in extended in vitro experiments. The application of mouthwash generally reduces the coefficient of friction of the tongue samples while preserving a relatively high moisture level, and some mouthwashes reduce friction significantly more than others.
Evaluation of the new continuous mononuclear cell collection protocol versus an older version on two different apheresis machines
Authors: Spoerl Silvia , Wäscher Dagmar , Nagel Stefanie , Peschel Christian , Verbeek Mareike , Götze Katharina , Krackhardt Angela M.
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Cell separators are routinely used to collect CD34+ blood stem cells in the context of customized stem cell transplantation procedures. The Spectra Optia (Terumo BCT) is a novel development of the precursor instrument, the Cobe Spectra (Terumo BCT).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In this report, 146 autologous and 42 allogeneic donors undergoing apheresis on the Cobe Spectra using the mononuclear cell (MNC) program 4.7 or on the Spectra Optia using the new continuous mononuclear cell (cMNC) program 11.2 are compared.

RESULTS

Viability of cells and collection efficacy within the apheresis products was comparable for autologous and allogeneic products collected with the MNC or cMNC method. However, we found a reduced duration of the apheresis procedure and lower hematocrit within the apheresis products when using the cMNC in autologous and allogeneic donors. Moreover, allogeneic donors collected substantially more CD34+ cells per kilogram of body weight when using the cMNC method. Differences in platelets before and after apheresis were substantially smaller in this cohort when compared to the cohort collected with the MNC method. Neutrophil and platelet engraftment after autologous or allogeneic transplantation with a product collected with the MNC procedure was comparable to a transplantation with a product processed according to the cMNC method.

CONCLUSION

Comparison of the MNC (Cobe Spectra) and the cMNC (Spectra Optia) methods demonstrated an equal performance and outcome. However, advantages were present using the cMNC method with respect to apheresis duration and hematocrit within the apheresis product (autologous/allogeneic donors) and numbers of CD34+ cells collected, especially in allogeneic donors.
Update on cellular encapsulation
Authors: Smith Kate E. , Johnson Robert C. , Papas Klearchos K.
Published: May 2018

There is currently a significant disparity between the number of patients who need lifesaving transplants and the number of donated human organs. Xenotransplantation is a way to address this disparity and attempts to enable the use of xenogeneic tissues have persisted for centuries. While immunologic incompatibilities have presented a persistent impediment to their use, encapsulation may represent a way forward for the use of cell‐based xenogeneic therapeutics without the need for immunosuppression. In conjunction with modern innovations such as the use of bioprinting, incorporation of immune modulating molecules into capsule membranes, and genetic engineering, the application of xenogeneic cells to treat disorders ranging from pain to liver failure is becoming increasingly realistic. The present review discusses encapsulation in the context of xenotransplantation, focusing on the current status of clinical trials, persistent issues such as antigen shedding, oxygen availability, and donor selection, and recent developments that may address these limitations.
The Influence of Uniform in Establishing Unity, Hierarchy, and Conformity at Thai Universities
Authors: Bunyawanich Sasanun , Järvelä Maria-Liisa , Ghaffar Abdul
Published: May 2018

In most countries, wearing uniform in the university level is a rare practice. Interestingly, Thailand is one of a very few countries requiring the undergraduate students to wear the student uniform to attend class on daily basis. The university uniform has been seen to represent the ideas of politeness, honor, unity, and uniqueness of Thai culture. Hence, the practice of wearing the uniform is anchored on Thainess, the core of which is founded on kingship, religion, and nation creating a sense of shared identity among the Thai people. This research investigated (1) students’ experiences of wearing the uniform concerning power relation among Thai university students inside and outside their universities, and (2) students’ experiences regarding their personal development and how the university dress code affects them. This is the qualitative study of which theoretical frameworks are grounded on concepts of habitus and cultural representation by Pierre Bourdieu and Stuart Hall. As the study focuses on students’ experiences, the phenomenological approach was applied. A total of eight interviews were carried out with students in Kasetsart University (Kamphaeng Saen Campus) and Nakorn Pathom Rajabhat University by purposive sampling. Data analysis was conducted with thematic content analysis. The research findings reveal experiences of the strict dress code indicating that the uniform engages with symbolic communication and hierarchical empowerment. Wearing the uniform keeps up the illusion of uniformity while exerting suppression of individuality. Further the strict dress code creates problematic gender issues but does not promote students’ life goals.
Microstructure Features Contributing to Heat Affected Zone Damage in Grade 91 Steel Feature Type Cross-Weld Tests
Authors: Siefert John A. , Thomson Rachel C. , Parker Jonathan D.
Published: May 2018

Grade 91 steel has been widely utilized in power plants over the last 20 years. Its specification for worldwide power plant construction has dramatically increased since the acceptance of Code Case 1943 for this material in 1983. Recent evaluation of a combination of ex-service Grade 91 steel components and virgin material has provided a unique opportunity to independently assess the performance of a combination of base metals and weldments. This approach has been grounded in the fundamental objective of identifying and quantifying metallurgical risk factors in 9%Cr creep strength enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steels and in Grade 91 steel in particular.

Identification of metallurgical risk factors is essential in the integration of a meaningful life management strategy for complex 9%Cr CSEF steels. In particular, there is a need to link the damage developed either in-service or through well-controlled testing to features in the material. These features may include, but not be limited to, carbonitride precipitates (and distribution of these phases along grain boundaries, e.g. M23C6 and MX-type), inclusions developed as a consequence of the steel making process (such as MnS, Al-rich or complex Ca-modified) and intermetallic phases which evolve in-service (Laves or Z-phase) or through product forming (AlN or BN). Identification and linking of these particles to damage is considered a critical need for widely used 9%Cr CSEF steels as Grade 91 steel can show widely variable behavior with respect to creep ductility whilst Grade 92 shows a marked and consistent trend to low creep ductility.

In this study, the evaluation of damage is detailed for an ex-service Grade 91 steel heat which exhibited a marked susceptibility to the evolution of in-service damage. This evaluation focuses on the evolution of HAZ damage under well-controlled, uniaxial creep test conditions using feature, cross-weld creep tests. For interrupted and failed samples, evaluation of damage was performed using state-of-the-art scanning electron microscopy (SEM) based techniques. Particular emphasis was made to link the post-test condition with the as-fabricated weldment and the parent material condition. It will be shown that there is a significant population of cavities associated with second phase particles, and particularly inclusions and intermetallic phases resulting from steel making and product manufacturing processes.
Microstructures of Grade 91 Steels Under Long-Term Creep Conditions
Authors: Kako Kenji , Yamada Susumu , Yaguchi Masatsugu , Minami Yusuke
Published: May 2018

Type IV damage has been found at several ultra-supercritical (USC) plants that used high-chromium martensitic steels in Japan, and the assessment of the remaining life of the steels is important for electric power companies. The assessment of the remaining life needs long-term creep data for over 10 years, but such data are limited. We have attempted to assess the remaining life by creep tests and by microstructural observation of Grade 91 steels welded pipes which were used in USC plants for over 10 years. Following the results of microstructural observation of USC plant pipes, we find that microstructures, especially distribution of MX precipitates, have large effect on the creep life of Grade 91 steels.
Diffusion Bonding of a Cold-Worked Ni-Base Superalloy
Authors: Kim Sung Hwan , Kim Chaewon , Jang Changheui
Published: May 2018

Diffusion bonding was conducted on cold-worked Alloy 600. Cold-work of 50 % was applied prior to diffusion bonding in order to incite recrystallization and limit grain growth. Tensile testing was conducted at room temperature and 550 °C for evaluation of joint efficiency, while premature brittle failure at the bond-line was observed for most diffusion bonding conditions. It was found that such premature failure was related to a planar bond-line that indicated lack of grain boundary diffusion across the bonding surfaces. Additional application of post-bond heat treatments did not result in significant bond-line migration. Microstructural analyses revealed the existence of Cr-rich carbides and Ti-rich precipitates along the bond-line, which prevented bond-line migration by acting as pinning points.
Estimation of Creep Strength of Grade 91 Steel Welded Joint in Time Region Over 100,000 Hours
Authors: Yaguchi Masatsugu , Nakahashi Sosuke , Tamura Koji
Published: May 2018

A creep strength of welded joint of ASME Grade 91 steel in a region exceeding 100,000 hours was examined in this work. Creep tests were conducted on the steel used at USC plants for long-term, and remaining creep life of the material for operating condition was calculated on a fitting curve using Larson-Miller parameter. Total creep life of the material, which means a creep life at initial state, was presumed to be a summation of the service time at the plants and the remaining creep life. The estimation was conducted for welded joints used at five plants for long-term, and all results lay within 99% confidential band by the creep life evaluation curve of the material proposed by Japanese committee in 2015, while a significant heat-heat variation of creep strength was found even in the region exceeding 100,000 hours. Creep tests on base metals related to each welded joint were also conducted, and the estimation results of the total creep life of the base metals were compared to those of the welded joints. It was suggested that the heat-heat variation of the welded joints eminently depends on the creep life property of the corresponding base metal.
Development of Creep-Resistant, Alumina-Forming Ferrous Alloys for High-Temperature Structural Use
Authors: Yamamoto Y. , Brady M. P. , Muralidharan G. , Pint B. A. , Maziasz P. J. , Shin D. , Shassere B. , Babu S. S. , Kuo C.-H.
Published: May 2018

This paper overviews recent advances in developing novel alloy design concepts of creep-resistant, alumina-forming Fe-base alloys, including both ferritic and austenitic steels, for high-temperature structural applications in fossil-fired power generation systems. Protective, external alumina-scales offer improved oxidation resistance compared to chromia-scales in steam-containing environments at elevated temperatures. Alloy design utilizes computational thermodynamic tools with compositional guidelines based on experimental results accumulated in the last decade, along with design and control of the second-phase precipitates to maximize high-temperature strengths. The alloys developed to date, including ferritic (Fe-Cr-Al-Nb-W base) and austenitic (Fe-Cr-Ni-Al-Nb base) alloys, successfully incorporated the balanced properties of steam/water vapor-oxidation and/or ash-corrosion resistance and improved creep strength. Development of cast alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) stainless steel alloys is also in progress with successful improvement of higher temperature capability targeting up to ∼1100°C. Current alloy design approach and developmental efforts with guidance of computational tools were found to be beneficial for further development of the new heat resistant steel alloys for various extreme environments.
The Study of the Effect of the Hot Box on the Stress-Strain State of the High Temperature Petrochemical Vessels
Authors: Laskin Igor , Volfson Boris , Redikultsev Pavel
Published: May 2018

The majority of studies of the heat transfer inside the hot box treats the heat transfer as a steady-state process. This paper demonstrates that this approach cannot be applied to the most dangerous cases of the cyclic thermal stress. The significant thermal gradients may occur in the skirt to shell junction of a high-temperature vessel and set up critical thermal stresses. It is a common practice to use a hot box to equalize temperatures of a shell and a skirt support. Reduction of thermal gradient results from a radiative heat transfer inside this hot box. Where a heating/cooling rate is high enough, as in coke drums, for example, the accounting of transient alters radically the distribution of a thermal stress state, and allows us to reconsider the mechanics of the fracture growth in the skirt to shell weld. This paper proves that during the cooling of coke drums some parts of the skirt support have higher temperatures than the shell, which causes tensile circumferential stresses in the weld. The intensity of the radiative heat transfer falls rapidly, when cooling a shell down to 247 °C, which leads to the increase of thermal gradients in the weld zone. This paper proposes a solution to the thermal problem in 2D, and strain-state analysis — in 3D, due to the presence of skirt slots equally spaced around skirt circumference, which increases the circumferential flexibility. The two-dimensional thermal field has been interpolated to a three-dimensional hexagonal grid for solving the thermo-strength transient problem.
Allowable Compressive Stress Rules in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, in the Creep Regime
Authors: Jawad Maan
Published: May 2018

This paper outlines several procedures for developing allowable compressive stress rules in the creep regime (time dependent regime). The rules are intended for the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel codes (Sections I and VIII). The proposed rules extend the methodology presently outlined in Sections I, II-D, and VIII of the ASME code for temperatures below the creep regime into temperatures where creep is a consideration.
Creep Rupture Analysis of Candidate Steels for the Traveling Wave Reactor
Authors: Xu Cheng
Published: May 2018

TerraPower has developed sophisticated computational analysis tools to support the design and fabrication of high temperature components to be used in the Traveling Wave Reactor (TWR). One of the key material properties required to predict material damage and remaining lifetime of key in-reactor components is the thermal creep rupture time. Although TerraPower optimized ferritic-martensitic (FM) HT9 steel has shown consistent improvement in yield stress and creep rupture strength through uniaxial tensile tests, extrapolations of existing test data are still needed to fully support the complex analysis used in the TWR design.

Traditional Larson-Miller analysis for creep rupture was used to compare the TerraPower optimized HT9 steel to the existing historical database. The results of the Larson-Miller analysis were compared to the results from the Wilshire analysis to explore the relative advantages and disadvantages of each method. The best estimate values for fitting constants and activation energies were determined for both methods, taking into account the effects of the higher yield stress observed in TerraPower optimized HT9 compared to historic HT9.

Likewise, the best estimate creep rupture stresses for TerraPower optimized HT9 at various times and temperatures were determined by extrapolations using both the Larson-Miller and Wilshire analysis. The allowable stresses of historical and TerraPower optimized HT9 steels were compared to those of existing materials (9Cr-1Mo-V) in the ASME high temperature code. The comparison of analysis methods and rupture stresses demonstrate that TerraPower FM steel thermal creep performance and analysis methods are comparable to existing ASME qualified materials for high temperature applications.
Changing research methodology: Two case studies of Critical Realism informing social work doctoral research
Authors: Peter Shajimon , Park Lynne Soon-Chean
Published: May 2018

INTRODUCTION: Critical Realism (CR) has much to offer to social work research because of its recognition of the existence of objective and subjective realities. Bhaskar (1978) classifies these levels of reality as the empirical, the actual and the real. Empirical realities emerge from our experience of the world and include our subjective constructions. The underlying real reality is seen as a productive force, causing the empirical to appear. Researchers using CR methodology can employ an analytic process called retroduction. This approach involves moving back and forth from the empirical to the real to identify causal mechanisms that drive the empirical to manifest.APPROACH: This research brief is the outcome of a research methodology literature review undertaken by two doctoral students who employ CR perspectives. Their research proposals have been used as case studies to demonstrate the usefulness of CR in informing social work research. These findings were presented at the ANZSWWER international symposium held at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.FINDINGS: CR uncovers the epistemic fallacy of reducing ontology to the realm of epistemology. The totalising truth claims of both objectivism and subjectivism are replaced with an alternative conception of stratified forms of reality – the real, actual and empirical. Reality exists both objectively and subjectively. This enables researchers to bridge social constructionism and structural causation. It allows for study that explores the subjective considerations of respondents while examining the objective existence of causal mechanisms such as social structures, systems or processes. CONCLUSION: CR offers an alternative that social work researchers have long been searching for: to engage meaningfully in studies that examine perceived realities at the empirical level and the causal mechanisms that lie behind them.
What we're reading
Authors: Hyslop Ian , Hay Kathryn , Beddoe Liz
Published: May 2018

The editorial for issue 30(1).
Effects of the generated functional groups by PECVD on adhesiveness of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Kwon Sungyool , Ban Wonjin , Lim Hyuna , Seo Youngsik , Park Heonyong , Kim Eun-Joo , Cho Yong Ki , Park Sang Gyu , Jung Donggeun
Published: May 2018

Plasma techniques extending into bio-applications have attracted much attention from researchers studying biomaterials and tissue engineering. Since the biocompatibility of culture dishes depends on the physicochemical properties of the surface and the cultured cell type, plasma techniques to appropriately modify these properties are useful for cell culture. In this study, the authors attempted to fabricate a culture dish that exhibits optimal surface properties for the culture of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs). For this purpose, the authors modified polystyrene culture dishes using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system that forms various chemical functional groups on the dishes. The modified culture dishes were fabricated using three methods, which were argon/hydrogen plasma surface treatment and functional film deposition from either pyrrole or acetylene precursors. ADMSC adhesion was dramatically enhanced on the culture dishes deposited with pyrrole precursors. The authors optimized the process condition of pyrrole deposition to improve ADMSC adhesion by varying the plasma power from 100 to 900 V. The strongest ADMSC adhesion was shown with a plasma power of 900 V. ADMSC adhesion was improved with higher amounts of nitrogen-related functional groups such as imine, amide, and amine groups. In conclusion, pyrrole deposition on culture dishes is an effective method to promote the growth of ADMSCs and will be a useful technique for enhancing the biocompatibility of polystyrene materials in stem cell engineering.
Transient response of the human ear to impulsive stimuli: A finite element analysis
Authors: Zhang Jing , Tian Jiabin , Ta Na , Rao Zhushi
Published: May 2018

Nowadays, the steady-state responses of human ear to pure tone stimuli have been widely studied. However, the temporal responses to transient stimuli have not been investigated systematically to date. In this study, a comprehensive finite element (FE) model of the human ear is used to investigate the transient characteristics of the human ear in response to impulsive stimuli. There are two types of idealized impulses applied in the FE analysis: the square wave impulse (a single positive pressure waveform) and the A-duration wave impulse (both of positive and negative pressure waveforms). The time-domain responses such as the displacements of the tympanic membrane (TM), the stapes footplate (SF), the basilar membrane (BM), the TM stress distribution, and the cochlea input pressure are derived. The results demonstrate that the TM motion has the characteristic of spatial differences, and the umbo displacement is smaller than other locations. The cochlea input pressure response is synchronized with the SF acceleration response while the SF displacement response appears with some time delay. The BM displacement envelope is relatively higher in the middle cochlea and every portion of BM vibrates at its best frequency approximately. The present results provide a good understanding of the transient response of the human ear.
Highlight: A tasteful conversation with atypical mitochondria at atypical synapses
Authors: Dubyak George R.
Published: May 2018

Atypical mitochondria produce ATP used as a neurotransmitter by type II taste cells to transduce sweet, bitter, or savory flavors.
Germicidal Activity against Carbapenem/Colistin-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Using a Quantitative Carrier Test Method
Authors: Kanamori Hajime , Rutala William A. , Gergen Maria F. , Sickbert-Bennett Emily E. , Weber David J.
Published: May 2018

Susceptibility to germicides for carbapenem/colistin-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
is poorly described. We investigated the efficacy of multiple germicides against these emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens using the disc-based quantitative carrier test method that can produce results more similar to those encountered in health care settings than a suspension test. Our study results demonstrated that germicides commonly used in health care facilities likely will be effective against carbapenem/colistin-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
when used appropriately in health care facilities.
Autoregulation of the Streptococcus mutans SloR Metalloregulator Is Constitutive and Driven by an Independent Promoter
Authors: Monette Patrick , Brach Richard , Cowan Annie , Winters Roger , Weisman Jazz , Seybert Foster , Goguen Kelsey , Chen James , Glasfeld Arthur , Spatafora Grace
Published: May 2018

Streptococcus mutans, one of ∼600 bacterial species in the human oral cavity, is among the most acidogenic constituents of the plaque biofilm. Considered to be the primary causative agent of dental caries,S. mutansharbors a 25-kDa SloR metalloregulatory protein which controls metal ion transport across the bacterial cell membrane to maintain essential metal ion homeostasis. The expression of SloR derives in part from transcriptional readthrough of thesloABCoperon, which encodes a Mn2+/Fe2+ABC transport system. Here we describe the details of thesloABCpromoter that drives this transcription as well as those for a novel independent promoter in an intergenic region (IGR) that contributes to downstreamsloRexpression. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) studies support the occurrence ofsloRtranscription that is independent ofsloABCexpression, and the results of 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5′ RACE) revealed asloRtranscription start site in the IGR, from which the −10 and −35 promoter regions were predicted. The results of gel mobility shift assays support direct SloR binding to the IGR, albeit with a lower affinity than that for SloR binding to thesloABCRpromoter. The function of thesloRpromoter was validated by semiquantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) experiments. Interestingly,sloRexpression was not significantly affected when bacteria were grown in the presence of a high manganese concentration, whereas expression of thesloABCoperon was repressed under these conditions. The results ofin vitrotranscription studies support the occurrence of SloR-mediated transcriptional activation ofsloRand repression ofsloABC. Taken together, these findings implicate SloR as a bifunctional regulator that repressessloABCpromoter activity and encouragessloRtranscription from an independent promoter.

IMPORTANCETooth decay is a ubiquitous infectious disease that is especially pervasive in underserved communities worldwide.S. mutans-induced carious lesions cause functional, physical, and/or esthetic impairment in the vast majority of adults and in 60 to 90% of schoolchildren in industrialized countries. Billions of dollars are spent annually on caries treatment, and productivity losses due to absenteeism from the workplace are significant. Research aimed at alleviatingS. mutans-induced tooth decay is important because it can address the socioeconomic disparity that is associated with dental cavities and improve overall general health, which is inextricably linked to oral health. Research focused on theS. mutansSloR metalloregulatory protein can guide the development of novel therapeutics and thus alleviate the burden of dental cavities.
T Cell-Derived Lymphotoxin Is Essential for the Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Humoral Immune Response
Authors: Yang Kaiting , Liang Yong , Sun Zhichen , Xue Diyuan , Xu Hairong , Zhu Mingzhao , Fu Yang-Xin , Peng Hua
Published: May 2018

B cell-derived lymphotoxin (LT) is required for the development of follicular dendritic cell clusters for the formation of primary and secondary lymphoid follicles, but the role of T cell-derived LT in antibody response has not been well demonstrated. We observed that lymphotoxin β-receptor (LTβR) signaling is essential for optimal humoral immune response and protection against an acute herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection. Blocking the LTβR pathway caused poor maintenance of germinal center B (GC-B) cells and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells. Using bone marrow chimeric mice and adoptive transplantation, we determined that T cell-derived LT played an indispensable role in the humoral immune response to HSV-1. Upregulation of gamma interferon by the LTβR-Ig blockade impairs the sustainability of Tfh-like cells, leading to an impaired humoral immune response. Our findings have identified a novel role of T cell-derived LT in the humoral immune response against HSV-1 infection.

IMPORTANCEImmunocompromised people are susceptible to HSV-1 infection and lethal recurrence, which could be inhibited by anti-HSV-1 humoral immune response in the host. This study sought to explore the role of T cell-derived LT in the anti-HSV-1 humoral immune response using LT-LTβR signaling-deficient mice and the LTβR-Ig blockade. The data indicate that the T cell-derived LT may play an essential role in sustaining Tfh-like cells and ensure Tfh-like cells' migration into primary or secondary follicles for further maturation. This study provides insights for vaccine development against infectious diseases.
Bone Marrow Is a Major Parasite Reservoir in Plasmodium vivax Infection
Authors: Obaldia Nicanor , Meibalan Elamaran , Sa Juliana M. , Ma Siyuan , Clark Martha A. , Mejia Pedro , Moraes Barros Roberto R. , Otero William , Ferreira Marcelo U. , Mitchell James R. , Milner Danny A. , Huttenhower Curtis , Wirth Dyann F. , Duraisingh Manoj T. , Wellems Thomas E. , Marti Matthias
Published: May 2018

Plasmodium vivax
causes heavy burdens of disease across malarious regions worldwide. Mature
P. vivax
asexual and transmissive gametocyte stages occur in the blood circulation, and it is often assumed that accumulation/sequestration in tissues is not an important phase in their development. Here, we present a systematic study of
P. vivax
stage distributions in infected tissues of nonhuman primate (NHP) malaria models as well as in blood from human infections. In a comparative analysis of the transcriptomes of
P. vivax
and
Plasmodium falciparum
blood-stage parasites, we found a conserved cascade of stage-specific gene expression despite the greatly different gametocyte maturity times of these two species. Using this knowledge, we validated a set of conserved asexual- and gametocyte-stage markers both by quantitative real-time PCR and by antibody assays of peripheral blood samples from infected patients and NHP (
Aotus
sp.). Histological analyses of
P. vivax
parasites in organs of 13 infected NHP (
Aotus
and
Saimiri
species) demonstrated a major fraction of immature gametocytes in the parenchyma of the bone marrow, while asexual schizont forms were enriched to a somewhat lesser extent in this region of the bone marrow as well as in sinusoids of the liver. These findings suggest that the bone marrow is an important reservoir for gametocyte development and proliferation of malaria parasites.

IMPORTANCE
Plasmodium vivax
malaria continues to cause major public health burdens worldwide. Yet, significant knowledge gaps in the basic biology and epidemiology of
P. vivax
malaria remain, largely due to limited available tools for research and diagnostics. Here, we present a systematic examination of tissue sequestration during
P. vivax
infection. Studies of nonhuman primates and malaria patients revealed enrichment of developing sexual stages (gametocytes) and mature replicative stages (schizonts) in the bone marrow and liver, relative to those present in peripheral blood. Identification of the bone marrow as a major
P. vivax
tissue reservoir has important implications for parasite diagnosis and treatment.
Loss of Ethanolamine Utilization in Enterococcus faecalis Increases Gastrointestinal Tract Colonization
Authors: Kaval Karan Gautam , Singh Kavindra V. , Cruz Melissa R. , DebRoy Sruti , Winkler Wade C. , Murray Barbara E. , Garsin Danielle A.
Published: May 2018

Enterococcus faecalis
is paradoxically a dangerous nosocomial pathogen and a normal constituent of the human gut microbiome, an environment rich in ethanolamine.
E. faecalis
carries the
eut
(ethanolamine utilization) genes, which enable the catabolism of ethanolamine (EA) as a valuable source of carbon and/or nitrogen. EA catabolism was previously shown to contribute to the colonization and growth of enteric pathogens, such as
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium and enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC), in the gut environment. We tested the ability of
eut
mutants of
E. faecalis
to colonize the gut using a murine model of gastrointestinal (GI) tract competition and report the surprising observation that these mutants outcompete the wild-type strain.

IMPORTANCE
Some bacteria that are normal, harmless colonizers of the human body can cause disease in immunocompromised patients, particularly those that have been heavily treated with antibiotics. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that promote or negate these organisms’ ability to colonize. Previously, ethanolamine, found in high concentrations in the GI tract, was shown to promote the colonization and growth of bacteria associated with food poisoning. Here, we report the surprising, opposite effect of ethanolamine utilization on the commensal colonizer
E. faecalis
, namely, that loss of this metabolic capacity made it a better colonizer.
Probing the effect of donor-fragment substitution in Mor-DalPhos on palladium-catalyzed C–N and C–C cross-coupling reactivity
Authors: Crawford Sarah M. , Wheaton Craig A. , Mishra Vinayak , Stradiotto Mark
Published: May 2018

The competitive catalytic screening of 18 known and newly prepared Mor-DalPhos ligand variants in the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of chlorobenzene with aniline, octylamine, morpholine, indole, ammonia, or acetone is presented, including ligands derived from the new secondary phosphine HP(Me2Ad)2 (Me2Ad = 3,5-dimethyladamantyl). Although triarylphosphine ancillary ligand variants performed poorly in these test reactions, ligands featuring either PAd2 or P(Me2Ad)2 donors (Ad = 1-adamantyl) gave rise to superior catalytic performance. Multiple Mor-DalPhos variants proved effective in cross-couplings involving aniline, octylamine, or morpholine; conversely, only a smaller subset of ligands proved useful in related cross-couplings of indole, ammonia, or acetone. In the case of the N-arylation of indole, a Mor-DalPhos ligand variant featuring ortho-disposed PAd2 and dimethylmorpholino donor fragments (L13) proved superior to all other ligands surveyed, including the parent ligand Mor-DalPhos (L5). Conversely, L5 was found to be superior to all other ligands in the palladium-catalyzed monoarylation of ammonia. Ligand L6 (i.e., the P(Me2Ad)2 variant of L5) proved superior to all other ligands in the monoarylation of acetone and, with the exception of indole N-arylation, was the most broadly useful of the Mor-DalPhos ligands surveyed herein.
Archaeaare prominent members of the prokaryotic communities colonizing common forest mushrooms
Authors: Rinta-Kanto J.M. , Pehkonen K. , Sinkko H. , Tamminen M.V. , Timonen S.
Published: May 2018

In this study, the abundance and composition of prokaryotic communities associated with the inner tissue of fruiting bodies of Suillus bovinus, Boletus pinophilus, Cantharellus cibarius, Agaricus arvensis, Lycoperdon perlatum, and Piptoporus betulinus were analyzed using culture-independent methods. Our findings indicate that archaea and bacteria colonize the internal tissues of all investigated specimens and that archaea are prominent members of the prokaryotic community. The ratio of archaeal 16S rRNA gene copy numbers to those of bacteria was >1 in the fruiting bodies of four out of six fungal species included in the study. The largest proportion of archaeal 16S rRNA gene sequences belonged to thaumarchaeotal classes Terrestrial group, Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotic Group (MCG), and Thermoplasmata. Bacterial communities showed characteristic compositions in each fungal species. Bacterial classes Gammaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacilli, and Clostridia were prominent among communities in fruiting body tissues. Bacterial populations in each fungal species had different characteristics. The results of this study imply that fruiting body tissues are an important habitat for abundant and diverse populations of archaea and bacteria.
Greedy Palindromic Lengths
Authors: Bucci Michelangelo , Richomme Gwenaël
Published: May 2018

In [A. Frid, S. Puzynina and L. Q. Zamboni, On palindromic factorization of words, Adv. in Appl. Math. 50 (2013) 737–748], it was conjectured that any infinite word whose palindromic lengths of factors are bounded is ultimately periodic. We introduce variants of this conjecture and prove this conjecture when the bound is 2. Especially we introduce left and right greedy palindromic lengths. These lengths are always greater than or equals to the initial palindromic length. When the greedy left (or right) palindromic lengths of prefixes of a word are bounded then this word is ultimately periodic.
Optimal Bounds for Disjoint Hamilton Cycles in Star Graphs
Authors: Derakhshan Parisa , Hussak Walter
Published: May 2018

In interconnection network topologies, the [Formula: see text]-dimensional star graph [Formula: see text] has [Formula: see text] vertices corresponding to permutations [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] symbols [Formula: see text] and edges which exchange the positions of the first symbol [Formula: see text] with any one of the other symbols. The star graph compares favorably with the familiar [Formula: see text]-cube on degree, diameter and a number of other parameters. A desirable property which has not been fully evaluated in star graphs is the presence of multiple edge-disjoint Hamilton cycles which are important for fault-tolerance. The only known method for producing multiple edge-disjoint Hamilton cycles in [Formula: see text] has been to label the edges in a certain way and then take images of a known base 2-labelled Hamilton cycle under different automorphisms that map labels consistently. However, optimal bounds for producing edge-disjoint Hamilton cycles in this way, and whether Hamilton decompositions can be produced, are not known for any [Formula: see text] other than for the case of [Formula: see text] which does provide a Hamilton decomposition. In this paper we show that, for all n, not more than [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is Euler’s totient function, edge-disjoint Hamilton cycles can be produced by such automorphisms. Thus, for non-prime [Formula: see text], a Hamilton decomposition cannot be produced. We show that the [Formula: see text] upper bound can be achieved for all even [Formula: see text]. In particular, if [Formula: see text] is a power of 2, [Formula: see text] has a Hamilton decomposable spanning subgraph comprising more than half of the edges of [Formula: see text]. Our results produce a better than twofold improvement on the known bounds for any kind of edge-disjoint Hamilton cycles in [Formula: see text]-dimensional star graphs for general [Formula: see text].
The Iota-Delta Function as an Alternative to Boolean Formalism
Authors: Ozelim Luan Carlos de Sena Monteiro , Cavalcante Andre Luis Brasil
Published: May 2018

Representing binary truth tables is an easy task to Boolean functions. When the number of Boolean variables increases, the complexity of the Boolean functions also increases. Thus, alternative ways of representing binary truth tables are necessary. It is known that this can be accomplished by means of other approaches, such as real polynomials. In the present paper it is shown that the recently introduced iota-delta function can be used to represent every binary truth table.
Hepatoprotective Effect of Wedelolactone against Concanavalin A-Induced Liver Injury in Mice
Authors: Luo Qingqiong , Ding Jieying , Zhu Liping , Chen Fuxiang , Xu Lili
Published: May 2018

Eclipta prostrata L. is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been used in the treatment of liver diseases. However, its biological mechanisms remain elusive. The current study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of wedelolactone, a major coumarin ingredient of Eclipta prostrata L., on immune-mediated liver injury. Using the well-established animal model of Concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis (CIH), we found that pretreatment of mice with wedelolactone markedly reduced both the serum levels of transaminases and the severity of liver damage. We further investigated the mechanisms of the protective effect of wedelolactone. In mice treated with wedelolactone prior to the induction of CIH, increases of serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[Formula: see text], interferon (IFN)-[Formula: see text], and interleukin (IL)-6 were dramatically attenuated. Additionally, expressions of the interferon-inducible chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 gene CXCL10 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene ICAM1 were lower in livers of the treated mice. Moreover, wedelolactone-treated CIH mice exhibited reduced leukocyte infiltration and T-cell activation in liver. Furthermore, wedelolactone suppressed the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-[Formula: see text]B), a critical transcriptional factor of the above-mentioned inflammatory cytokines by limiting the phosphorylation of I kappa B alpha (I[Formula: see text]B[Formula: see text] and p65. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the inhibitory potential of wedelolactone in immune-mediated liver injury in vivo, and show that this protection is associated with modulation of the NF-[Formula: see text]B signaling pathway.
Numerical tools to predict the environmental loads for offshore structures under extreme weather conditions
Authors: Wu Yanling
Published: May 2018

In this paper, the extreme waves were generated using the open source computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tools — OpenFOAM and Waves2FOAM — using linear and nonlinear NewWave input. They were used to conduct the numerical simulation of the wave impact process. Numerical tools based on first-order (with and without stretching) and second-order NewWave are investigated. The simulation to predict force loading for the offshore platform under the extreme weather condition is implemented and compared.
Flow patterns of vertical plane thermal buoyant jet in shallow water
Authors: Zhao Li-Qing , Sun Jian-Hong , Lu Yang
Published: May 2018

A heated plane water jet impinging vertically onto free water surface has been numerically studied based on large eddy simulation method coupled with the volume of fluid approach. The Boussinesq approximation is adopted to simulate the effect of buoyancy. Results showed that there exist two flow patterns for the plane thermal buoyant jet, which are the stable impinging flow pattern and the flapping impinging flow pattern. Distinct temperature stratification can be found in the stable impinging flow pattern, while it disappears in the flapping impinging flow pattern.
Investigation on flow oscillation modes and aero-acoustics generation mechanism in cavity
Authors: Yang Dang-Guo , Lu Bo , Cai Jin-Sheng , Wu Jun-Qiang , Qu Kun , Liu Jun
Published: May 2018

Unsteady flow and multi-scale vortex transformation inside a cavity of L/D = 6 (ratio of length to depth) at Ma = 0.9 and 1.5 were studied using the numerical simulation method of modified delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES) in this paper. Aero-acoustic characteristics for the cavity at same flow conditions were obtained by the numerical method and 0.6 m by 0.6 m transonic and supersonic wind-tunnel experiments. The analysis on the computational and experimental results indicates that some vortex generates from flow separation in shear-layer over the cavity, and the vortex moves from forward to downward of the cavity at some velocity, and impingement of the vortex and the rear-wall of the cavity occurs. Some sound waves spread abroad to the cavity fore-wall, which induces some new vortex generation, and the vortex sheds, moves and impinges on the cavity rear-wall. New sound waves occur. The research results indicate that sound wave feedback created by the impingement of the shedding-vortices and rear cavity face leads to flow oscillations and noise generation inside the cavity. Analysis on aero-acoustic characteristics inside the cavity is feasible. The simulated self-sustained flow-oscillation modes and peak sound pressure on typical frequencies inside the cavity agree well with Rossiter’s and Heller’s predicated results. Moreover, the peak sound pressure occurs in the first and second flow-oscillation modes and most of sound energy focuses on the low-frequency region. Compared with subsonic speed (Ma = 0.9), aerodynamic noise is more intense at Ma = 1.5, which is induced by compression wave or shock wave in near region of fore and rear cavity face.
The Principle of Homology Continuity and Geometrical Covering Learning for Pattern Recognition
Authors: Ning Xin , Li Weijun , Xu Jiang
Published: May 2018

Homology Continuity is a fundamental property of the nature, but few of the traditional pattern recognition algorithms were aware of it. Firstly, this paper gives a brief description to the Principle of Homology Continuity (PHC), and tries to mathematically redefine it. Then, we introduce a PHC-based pattern learning method — Geometrical Covering Learning (GCL), following the Hyper sausage neural network as an instance of GCL. Lastly, we propose a GCL solution to the “two-spirals” pattern recognition problem. The final experimental results show that the new method is feasible and efficient.