bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crohn’s disease with dilated cardiomyopathy in a child: An experience with heart transplantation
Authors: Konduri Anusha , Blake Jennifer , Aggarwal Sanjeev
Published: April 2021

Background

DCM has rarely been reported in children with CD, but is a recognized complication in adults. DCM with uncontrolled heart failure may need heart transplantation, which could be challenging in CD.

Case Description

We present a 9‐year‐old female with CD who was diagnosed with DCM and a measured Ejection fraction ~25.8%. She was initiated on heart failure treatment, but continued to have progressive symptoms and underwent bicaval OHT three months after her initial presentation. Her post‐operative course was complicated by perforation of the rectosigmoid junction requiring exploratory laparotomy and primary repair of the perforation. This was believed to be secondary to her underlying CD and possibly reperfusion injury after heart transplant. During the first‐year post heart transplant, she had 4 episodes of acute cellular rejection. These episodes were treated with high dose steroids with good results. The patient has been in remission from CD since transplantation. For the last two years she is doing well, with no further rejection episodes on current immunosuppression.

Conclusion

DCM, though rare, can occur in patients with CD, whether active or in remission. The development of DCM could be insidious and keeping a high index of suspicion is important and subtle signs suggestive of cardiac involvement should warrant further investigation. The post‐transplant management can be challenging with early morbidity in the first post‐transplant year but overall good median survival and quality of life for our patient to date.
Antioxidant effects of supplementation of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl glycol on sperm parameters and oxidative markers following cryopreservation in canine semen
Authors: Shakouri Nastaran , Soleimanzadeh Ali , Rakhshanpour Alaleh , Bucak Mustafa Numan
Published: April 2021

Supplementing the extender with antioxidants with low molecular weight can enhance the quality of the post‐thaw sperm during the freezing process. This study was aimed at determining the impacts of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl glycol (DHPG) on the spermatozoa of the canine undergoing freeze‐thawing process. In this study, 24 ejaculates were obtained from three mixed‐breed dogs and were diluted in a Tris‐based extender. The diluted semen was divided into aliquots for supplementation of 10, 30, 50 and 70 µg/ml of DHPG, control (without antioxidant) and control sham (DMSO). After being extended, the semen was equilibrated at a temperature of 4°C and then transferred to the straws and kept 4 cm above the liquid nitrogen for 20 min and was finally immersed in the liquid nitrogen. They were cryopreserved for seven days; then, sperm parameters including sperm motility evaluation, motility characteristics, viability, DNA and plasma membrane integrity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione content (GSH), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx]) activity malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated. This study showed that spermatozoa cryopreservation with 50, 30 and 70 µg/ml of DHPG concentrations had better progressive motility, Curvilinear Velocity, Linearity, viability, intact plasma membrane and the levels of TAC, GPx and GSH were higher than the control group. The 50, 30 and 70 µg/ml of DHPG concentrations led to the significant decrease of DNA damage compared to the control group. Total motility, average path velocity, straight‐line velocity and CAT activity were significantly improved in 30 and 50 µg/ml of DHPG concentrations, compared to the control group. Also, the 50 and 30 µg/ml of DHPG concentrations, decreased MDA levels compared to the other groups, significantly. In conclusion, our study showed that the addition 50 µg/ml of DHPG to the canine semen extender improved the semen characteristics and oxidative markers in the cryopreservation process.
Market reactions to enterprise risk management adoption, incorporation by rating agencies, and ORSA Act passage
Authors: Eastman Evan M. , Xu Jianren
Published: April 2021

Prior literature on Enterprise Risk Management's (ERM) value implications focuses on cost–benefit analyses of implementing an ERM program. We take a novel approach by examining the implementation dynamics and study whether the timing of firms' adoption affects ERM's value implication. We find that firms experienced positive (negative) abnormal returns when adopting ERM following (before) 2005 when Standard & Poor's (S&P) issued their ERM‐related rating criteria. We also find evidence that ERM firms experienced positive abnormal market reactions to this rating criteria change by S&P but find no evidence for the following change by A.M. Best. In addition, our study documents that the market rewarded ERM adopters and penalized nonadopters after November 2011 on key dates leading to the passage of the Own Risk Solvency Assessment (ORSA) Act when there was less uncertainty regarding ultimate passage of the Act. Overall, our results imply that the capital market's view on ERM is shaped by rating agency and regulatory changes. Our findings are also consistent with the view that investors gain a greater understanding of ERM over time.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and all‐cause mortality in adults diagnosed with cancer systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ezzatvar Yasmin , Ramírez‐Vélez Robinson , Sáez de Asteasu Mikel L. , Martínez‐Velilla Nicolás , Zambom‐Ferraresi Fabricio , Lobelo Felipe , Izquierdo Mikel , García‐Hermoso Antonio
Published: April 2021

Introduction

The inverse association between cardiorespiratory fitness and all‐cause mortality in apparently healthy populations has been previously reported; however, the existence of this association among adults diagnosed with cancer is unclear.

Aim

To determine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and all‐cause mortality in adults diagnosed with cancer.

Methods

Medline, Embase, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched. Eligible prospective cohort studies that examined the association of cardiorespiratory fitness with all‐cause mortality in adults diagnosed with cancer were included. Hazard ratios (HRs) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted from studies for all‐cause mortality and pooled HRs were calculated using the random‐effects inverse‐variance model with the Hartung‐Knapp‐Sidik‐Jonkman adjustment.

Results

Data from 13 studies with 6,486 adults were included. Compared with lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, high levels were associated with a reduced risk of all‐cause mortality among adults diagnosed with any cancer (HR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.35–0.77), lung cancer (HR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46–0.83), and among those with cardiorespiratory fitness measurement via indirect calorimetry (HR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27–0.80). Pooled HRs for the reduction in all‐cause mortality risk per 1‐MET increase were also statistically significant (HR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69–0.99). Neither age at baseline nor the length of follow‐up had a significant influence on the HR estimates for all‐cause mortality risk.

Conclusion

Cardiorespiratory fitness may confer an independent protective benefit against all‐cause mortality in adults diagnosed with cancer. The use of cardiorespiratory fitness as a prognostic parameter might help determine risk for future adverse clinical events and optimize therapeutic management strategies to reduce long‐term treatment‐related effects in adults diagnosed with cancer.
A case series of canine cutaneous inverted papilloma with one case showing evidence of recurrence
Authors: Boehm Teresa M.S.A. , Bettenay Sonya , von Bomhard Wolf , Majzoub‐Altweck Monir , Klinger Christoph J. , Mueller Ralf S.
Published: April 2021

Background

This article describes a case of multiple, recurrent, cutaneous inverted papillomas (CIPs) in a German shepherd dog, combined with a retrospective follow‐up assessment of eight cases.

Methods

A 3‐year‐old, black, female German shepherd dog presented with four rapidly growing, alopecic, domed, hyperpigmented, shiny nodules, compatible with CIP. The dog was managed for pruritus, associated with atopic dermatitis, with long‐term prednisolone therapy and this therapy was continued after the surgical excision. Twelve months after the initial presentation the dog was represented for two new CIP lesions, coinciding with an increased dosage of prednisolone during an allergic flare‐up period.

Results

Histopathological evaluation was conducted on both the original and subsequent lesions from the case with recurrence. Eight cases of CIP, based on histopathological findings, were identified retrospectively from the authors’ diagnostic pathology service over the previous two years. All nine cases had lesions that exhibited varying degrees of inverted epithelial hyperplasia, multiple, endophytic, papillary epidermal projections, a cup‐shaped base with central hyperkeratosis and active viral pathological findings (koilocytes). The submitting veterinarians were contacted and follow‐up regarding recurrence and concurrent medications was obtained.

Conclusions and clinical importance

CIP is uncommonly reported, typically as a single lesion with no previous reports of recurrence, although one group of dogs with severe combined immunodeficiency developed invasive malignancies. In seven of eight retrospective cases no recurrence of CIP was recorded. The authors speculate that the recurrence in the German shepherd dog may have been associated with chronic (although low‐dose) glucocorticoid administration.
Evolutionary history of Heptapteridae catfishes using ultraconserved elements (Teleostei, Siluriformes)
Authors: Silva Gabriel S. C. , Roxo Fábio F. , Melo Bruno F. , Ochoa Luz E. , Bockmann Flávio A. , Sabaj Mark H. , Jerep Fernando C. , Foresti Fausto , Benine Ricardo C. , Oliveira Claudio
Published: April 2021

Heptapteridae is composed of 228 valid species allocated in 24 genera, making it the most diverse family within superfamily Pimelodoidea, a clade endemic to the Neotropical freshwaters. Heptapterids are widely distributed from southern Mexico to the Pampas of Argentina and occupy a variety of habitats generally in small‐ to medium‐sized rivers. To evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of Heptapteridae, we used a matrix with 1,319 ultraconserved elements (UCEs) from the genome from 56 specimens spanning 42 species and 24 genera of Heptapteridae and 19 related siluriform taxa. Maximum likelihood, Bayesian and coalescent‐based analyses strongly supported the monophyly of Heptapteridae and confirmed previous hypotheses of a sister relationship between Heptapteridae and Conorhynchos conirostris. We provide the evidence to recognize two subfamilies: (1) Rhamdiinae (Goeldiella, Rhamdella, Rhamdia, Brachyrhamdia, Pimelodella) and (2) Heptapterinae; with two tribes: Brachyglaniini new tribe (Gladioglanis, Myoglanis, Brachyglanis and Leptorhamdia) and Heptapterini (Mastiglanis, Chasmocranus, Cetopsorhamdia, Pariolius, Phenacorhamdia, Nemuroglanis, Imparfinis, Taunayia, Rhamdioglanis, Acentronichthys, Rhamdiopsis and Heptapterus). Inside Heptapterini, we recognize five subclades and provide putative morphological synapomorphies. This paper represents the first molecular hypothesis of intergeneric and interspecific relationships helping to better delineate heptapterid taxa.
UNA COLISIÓN PEER TO PEER: HABEAS DATA VERSUS DERECHOS DE AUTOR
Authors: León Robayo Édgar Iván , Varela Pezzano Eduardo Secondo
Published: April 2021

Las redes P2P les permiten a millones de usuarios en Internet descargararchivos que, al menos en teoría, deberían protegerse por las normas sobrederecho de autor. La reacción de la industria del entretenimiento ha sido iniciarmúltiples procesos judiciales en contra de los usuarios de esta tecnología, endiferentes partes del mundo. Uno de los medios que con mayor frecuencia seha empleado para este propósito ha sido el descubrimiento de la identidad delos usuarios a través de sus direcciones IP, mediante órdenes impartidas porjueces a los proveedores de servicio de Internet. Sin embargo, esta prácticaconstituye una manifiesta y comprobada violación de derechos constitucionalescomo el habeas data y la privacidad.
LA DOCTRINA DE LOS ACTOS PROPIOS Y LA INTERPRETACIÓN DEL CONTRATO
Authors: Bernal Fandiño Mariana
Published: April 2021

Este artículo es uno de los productos del proyecto de investigación “Interpretación y aplicación del derecho privado” adelantado por el Grupo de Investigación en Derecho Privado de la facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Este texto pretende demostrar la utilidad de la doctrina de los actos propios como herramienta para la interpretación de los contratos. Con este fin, en primer lugar, se explica la noción de acto propio, una figura que no ha sido analizada en profundidad en Colombia. Se analiza el concepto de manera general para luego revisar su relación con el principio de la buena fe, desde la perspectiva de su función integradora e interpretativa del derecho. En segundo lugar, se analizan los requisitos de aplicación de la doctrina y finalmente sus límites, temas indispensables para el uso adecuado de la misma en el proceso interpretativo de los contratos.
¡EL ESTADO HA MUERTO. VIVA EL ESTADO!
Authors: Trujillo Muñoz Augusto
Published: April 2021

Los estados nacionales nacieron de la paulatina disolución de la sociedad medievaly terminaron convertidos en un paradigma del pensamiento moderno.Sin embargo en el siglo xxi acusan factores de crisis. La nueva realidad “glocal”pone al descubierto muchas ficciones asumidas como verdades incontrovertiblesdurante los últimos quinientos años.
VALIDACIÓN JUDICIAL DE ACUERDOS PRIVADOS DE REORGANIZACIÓN: UN EJEMPLO DE LA “PRIVATIZACIÓN” DEL DERECHO CONCURSAL EN COLOMBIA
Authors: Talero Castro Diana Lucía , Wilches Durán Rafael E.
Published: April 2021

El artículo 84 de la Ley 1116 del 2006 introdujo al ordenamiento jurídico colombiano una norma que permite que acuerdos privados de reorganización tengan los mismos efectos que los celebrados dentro de un procedimiento judicial de insolvencia de los regulados por dicha ley. Con lo anterior, el derecho colombiano da otro paso adelante en lo que podría denominarse la “privatización del Derecho concursal”, fenómeno que viene observándose desde años atrás, no sólo en Colombia sino en diversos ordenamientos jurídicos.En el presente artículo se realiza un estudio detallado de la figura de la validación judicial de acuerdos privados de reorganización en Colombia,para comprender los efectos e implicaciones que la misma posee con respecto al Derecho concursal colombiano.
Reductions in Unburned Ammonia and Nitrous Oxide Emissions From an Ammonia-Assisted Diesel Engine With Early Timing Diesel Pilot Injection
Authors: Niki Yoichi
Published: April 2021

The global drive to limit the effects of climate change affords a strong incentive to reduce CO2 emissions. H2 is one of the cleanest energy sources, because its combustion does not produce CO2. It is well known that NH3 stores as well as carries H2 and does not produce CO2 on combustion. NH3 has been investigated for its use as an alternative fuel and for use in internal combustion engines. Investigations of NH3 and N2O emissions from NH3-assisted diesel engines operated using NH3–diesel dual fuel have been scarce. NH3 and N2O cause air pollution and are toxic to humans; therefore, these pollutants should be reduced to acceptable levels. In addition, N2O is a greenhouse gas with high global warming potential. In this study, a combustion strategy was developed to reduce NH3 and N2O emissions from an NH3-assisted diesel engine. NH3 and diesel fuel worked as low- and high-reactivity fuels, respectively, in our strategy for reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion. The present paper reports the insights obtained from an understanding of the chemical processes of diesel fuel ignition and NH3 decomposition. Experiments revealed the effects of advancing diesel pilot injection timing on emissions and combustion performance, and the manipulation of combustion phasing using a change in the amount of injected diesel fuel and NH3. Finally, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions considering the global warming effects of N2O was estimated using an NH3-assisted diesel engine that applied the proposed combustion strategy.
Vortex-Induced Vibrations of Two Degrees-of-Freedom Sprung Cylinder With a Rotational Nonlinear Energy Sink: A Numerical Investigation
Authors: Chen Dongyang , Gu Chaojie , Zhang Ruihua , Liu Jiaying , Guo Dian , Marzocca Pier
Published: April 2021

Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) is a common fluid–structure interaction phenomenon in the field of wind engineering and marine engineering. The large-amplitude VIV has a marked impact on the slender structure in fluids, at times even destructive. To study how the VIV can be controlled, the dynamics of a rigid cylinder attached to a rotational nonlinear energy sink (R-NES) is investigated in this paper. This is done using a two degrees-of-freedom (2DOF) Van der Pol wake oscillator model adapted to consider a coupled vibration in cross-flow and streamwise directions. The governing equation of R-NES is coupled to the wake oscillator model; hence, a flow-cylinder–NES coupled system is established. While exploring the dynamics of the cylinders with different mass ratios under the action of R-NES, it was found that the R-NES delivers better performance in suppressing the VIV of a cylinder with high mass ratios than that of a low mass ratios cylinder. The effect of the distinct parameters of R-NES on VIV response was also systematically investigated in this study. The results indicate that higher mass parameter β and rotation radius r̂ can lead to improved performance, while the effect of the damping parameter ξ is complex and appears to be linked to the mass ratio of the column structure.
Observations From an Empirical Study of the Workspaced Activity of Design Teams
Authors: Tang J. C. , Leifer L. J.
Published: April 2021

Small group design sessions were studied empirically to better understand collaborative work. Shared workspace activity — the listing, drawing and gesturing of the group — was studied in order to guide the design, development, and introduction of tools to support group work. An understanding of workspace activity needs to include the role of gestures, the use of the workspace to develop ideas, and the use of the workspace to help mediate interaction. The following observations of group workspace activity are reported:

• gestures, and the relationship of gestures to the workspace, convey important information

• the process of storing information can be problematic

• the process of expressing ideas conveys information beyond the resulting artifacts created

• listing, drawing, and gesturing activities fluently intermix

• orientation, amount of simultaneous access, and proximity to the workspace structure the use of the workspace

These observations are illustrated with examples from the video data.
Quantitative Inference in a Mechanical Design “Compiler”
Authors: Ward A. C. , Seering W. P.
Published: April 2021

This paper introduces the theory underlying a computer program that takes as input a schematic of a mechanical or hydraulic power transmission system, plus specifications and a utility function, and returns catalog numbers from predefined catalogs for the optimal selection of components implementing the design. Unlike programs for designing single components or systems, this program provides the designer with a high level “language“ in which to compose new designs. It then performs much of the detailed design process.

The process of “compilation”, or transformation from a high to a low level description, is based on a formalization of quantitative inferences about hierarchically organized sets of artifacts and operating conditions. This allows design compilation without the exhaustive enumeration of alternatives. The paper introduces the formalism, illustrating its use with examples. It then outlines some differences from previous work, and summarizes early tests and conclusions.
Application of Variational Geometry to the Analysis of Mechanical Tolerances
Authors: Martino P. M. , Gabriele G. A.
Published: April 2021

The proper selection of tolerances is an important part of mechanical design that can have a significant impact on the cost and quality of the final product. Yet, despite their importance, current techniques for tolerance design are rather primitive and often based on experience and trial and error. Better tolerance design methods have been proposed but are seldom used because of the difficulty in formulating the necessary design equations for practical problems.

In this paper we propose a technique for the automatic formulation of the design equations, or design functions, which is based on the use of solid models and variational geometry. A prototype system has been developed which can model conventional and statistical tolernaces, and a limited set of geometric tolerances. The prototype system is limited to the modeling of single parts, but can perform both a worst case analysis and a statistical analysis. Results on several simple parts with known characteristics are presented which demonstrate the accuracy of the system and the types of analysis it can perform. The paper concludes with a discussion of extensions to the prototype system to a broader range of geometry and the handling of assemblies.
Energy-Based Models for Free-Form Surface Shape Design
Authors: Celniker G. , Gossard D.
Published: April 2021

A parametric description of an elastic surface is used as the basis for a free-form shape design package. The energy functional of shape deformation are used to develop the equations of motion for the surface. The user, interacting with the model during a time simulation of its motion, is capable of guiding the surface into desirable configurations.

The dynamic nature of these models cause them to seek shapes with desirable properties which can free the user from having to control every aspect of the surface while achieving design goals. The strong analogy between these models and physical systems allows the user to control the shape in intuitive fashions. This approach gives the user considerable control of the global aspects of the shape while retaining control of small scale local shape.
Evaluation of Actual Geometric Tolerances Using Coordinate Measuring Machine Data
Authors: ElMaraghy W. H. , Wu Z. , ElMaraghy H. A.
Published: April 2021

This paper focuses on the development of a procedure and algorithms for the systematic comparison of geometric variations of measured features with their specified geometric tolerances.

To automate the inspection of mechanical parts, it is necessary to analyze the measurement data captured by coordinate measuring machines (CMM) in order to detect out-of-tolerance conditions. A procedure for determining the geometric tolerances from the measured three dimensional coordinates on the surface of a cylindrical feature is presented. This procedure follows the definitions of the geometric tolerances used in the current Standards, and is capable of determining the value of each geometric tolerance from the composite 3-D data. The developed algorithms adopt the minimum tolerance zone criterion. Nonlinear numerical optimization techniques are used to fit the data to the minimum tolerance zone. Two test cases are given in the paper which demonstrate the successful determination of geometric tolerances from given simulated data.
Archtecture of a Design System for Engineering Idealizations
Authors: Korngold E. V. , Shephard M. S. , Wentorf R. , Spooner D. L.
Published: April 2021

This paper describes the conceptual architecture of a design system that supports engineering idealizations and allows the development of an engineering model in all phases of the design cycle from preliminary design through manufacture. The model representation for the design system consists of functional, geometric, and attribute models. Modelers, analytic applications, and knowledge-based applications communicate via links which support functional capabilities. The process navigator tracks and controls model idealizations by interacting with the major components of the design system.
A Structured Design Methodology and Metadesigner: A System Shell Concept for Computer Aided Creative Design
Authors: Liu C. R. , Trappey J. C.
Published: April 2021

This paper discusses the concept of managing the design process using Objected Oriented Programming Paradigm. A software system shell, called MetaDesigner is being developed for aiding the human designer to create new designs, based on the hierarchical nature of the design space. This system shell is intended to have the following capabilities: (1) interactive and system-guided design process to analyze design structure and to characterize design options, (2) to provide interactive and system-guided knowledge acquisition, classification, and retrieval to achieve machine learning, and (3) to build a flexible and forever expandable structure for knowledge-based system implementation.
Optimal Design Rules Applied to the Design of High-Speed Mechanisms Under Deflection and Stress Constraints
Authors: Liou F. W. , Liu J. D.
Published: April 2021

Presented in this paper are two approaches for the design of flexible mechanisms under stress and deflection constraints. Based on the optimality conditions derived in this paper, two procedures are developed to design the minimum weight of mechanisms subject to stress and deflection limitations. The first procedure is the improvement of Thornton’s design process [17], and the second procedure is based on the interpolation technique. Several design examples are also presented to demonstrate these methods.
Design Sensitivity Analysis of Multibody Dynamic Systems for Parallel Processing
Authors: Tak T. , Kim S. S.
Published: April 2021

Design sensitivity analysis of large scale multibody systems is a computationally intensive process, which is well suited for implementation on a parallel computer. This paper presents a parallel processing oriented generalized design sensitivity analysis method for multibody dynamic systems. A direct differentiation method, which is more efficient than an adjoint variable method in a parallel processing environment due to the inherent parallelism, is applied to a recursive formulation for multibody dynamics to set up dynamic sensitivity equations. A high level of parallelism is achieved, exploiting the independence of each set of design sensitivity equations. To verify the formulation for design sensitivity analysis and to demonstrate the speedup on a parallel computer, an example is presented.
Workspace Analysis of Closed Loop Mechanisms With Unilateral Constraints
Authors: Jo D.-Y. , Haug E. J.
Published: April 2021

Kinematics of mechanisms that contain elements with unilateral constraints such as stops are characterized by systems of equalities and inequalities. A slack variable formulation is introduced to convert inequality constraints to equalities, in a higher dimensional space of variables. The slack variable formulation permits use of manifold based theoretical and numerical methods for analysis of the boundaries of workspaces. The workspace of a simplified Stewart platform is analyzed, including rotatability of the top platform. Sets of reachable points of the top platform of a three dimensional Stewart platform, with fixed platform orientation, are analyzed.
Comparative Performance of Isotropic and Composite Bladed Disks
Authors: Seshu P. , Ramamurti V.
Published: April 2021

Using a 3-noded, multilayered anisotropic triangular plate and shell element combined with cyclic symmetry method, a comparison has been drawn on the steady state as well as free vibration behaviour of isotropic and composite bladed disks, taking into account all the geometric and material complexities. Results are presented for a representative model for three cases – isotropic bladed disk, isotropic disk-composite blade, and composite bladed disk.
DEAD-box helicases modulate dicing body formation in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Qi , Liu Ningkun , Liu Qing , Zheng Xingguo , Lu Lu , Gao Wenrui , Liu Yang , Liu Yan , Zhang Shicheng , Wang Qian , Pan Jing , Chen Chen , Mi Yingjie , Yang Meiling , Cheng Xiaofei , Ren Guodong , Yuan Yao-Wu , Zhang Xiaoming
Published: April 2021

RH6, RH8, and RH12 are previously unidentified D-body components and drive the formation of D-bodies through LLPSs.
Ultrafast pulse shaping modulates perceived visual brightness in living animals
Authors: Gaulier Geoffrey , Dietschi Quentin , Bhattacharyya Swarnendu , Schmidt Cédric , Montagnese Matteo , Chauvet Adrien , Hermelin Sylvain , Chiodini Florence , Bonacina Luigi , Herrera Pedro L. , Rothlisberger Ursula , Rodriguez Ivan , Wolf Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2021

Vision in living mice is sensitive to femtosecond pulse shaping.
Crystal critters: Self-ejection of crystals from heated, superhydrophobic surfaces
Authors: McBride Samantha A. , Girard Henri-Louis , Varanasi Kripa K.
Published: April 2021

An unusual and beautiful phenomenon in which life-like crystal structures spontaneously grow from nano-engineered materials.
Voxelated three-dimensional miniature magnetic soft machines via multimaterial heterogeneous assembly
Authors: Zhang Jiachen , Ren Ziyu , Hu Wenqi , Soon Ren Hao , Yasa Immihan Ceren , Liu Zemin , Sitti Metin
Published: April 2021

Complex 3D miniature wireless soft machines for biomedical applications were fabricated with a 3D heterogeneous integration approach.
Emergence of W272C Substitution in Hmg1 in a Triazole-Resistant Isolate of Aspergillus fumigatus from a Chinese Patient with Chronic Cavitary Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Liang Tianyu , Yang Xinyu , Li Ruoyu , Yang Ence , Wang Qiqi , Osherov Nir , Chen Wei , Wan Zhe , Liu Wei
Published: April 2021

Recently, mutations in the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase gene (
hmg1
) have been identified to be associated with triazole resistance in
Aspergillus fumigatus
. Here, we describe the first case of the G929C mutation in the
hmg1
gene, leading to the W272C amino acid substitution, in a triazole-resistant isolate of
A. fumigatus
recovered from a chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis patient who failed voriconazole therapy in China.
Laboratory Safety: Handling Burkholderia pseudomallei Isolates without a Biosafety Cabinet
Authors: Gassiep Ian , Bauer Michelle J. , Harris Patrick N. A. , Chatfield Mark D. , Norton Robert
Published: April 2021

Burkholderia pseudomallei
is a tier 1 select agent that is associated with laboratory-acquired melioidosis, with international guidelines recommending isolate handling within a class II biosafety cabinet (BSC) in a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) facility. In low-resource settings, this may not be practical; therefore, we aimed to assess the risk of laboratory-acquired melioidosis during routine work.
Simultaneous Detection and Differentiation of Clinically Relevant Relapsing Fever
Borrelia
with Semimultiplex Real-Time PCR
Authors: Dietrich Elizabeth A. , Replogle Adam J. , Sheldon Sarah W. , Petersen Jeannine M.
Published: April 2021

Bacterial vector-borne diseases, including
Borrelia
species, present a significant diagnostic, clinical, and public health challenge due to their overlapping symptoms and the breadth of causative agents and arthropod vectors. The relapsing fever (RF) borreliae encompass both established and emerging pathogens and are transmitted to humans by soft ticks, hard ticks, or lice.
Lytic Infection with Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Activates Host and Viral RNA Polymerase III Promoters and Enhances Noncoding RNA Expression
Authors: Knox Ashley N. , Mueller Alice , Medina Eva M. , Clambey Eric T. , van Dyk Linda F.
Published: April 2021

Gammaherpesviruses are a prime example of how viruses can alter the host transcriptional landscape to establish infection. Despite major insights into how these viruses modify RNA polymerase II-dependent generation of messenger RNAs, how these viruses influence the activity of host RNA polymerase III remains much less clear.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Antimicrobial-Producing Bacillus velezensis Sam8H1 Isolate from the Makgadikgadi Saltpans of Botswana
Authors: Modikwe Gorata , Manoharan Lokeshwaran , Mabutho Gomolemo , Lebani Kebaneilwe , Lebogang Lesedi , Zhou Nerve
Published: April 2021

The global antimicrobial drug resistance crisis requires urgency in searching for more effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs. Here, we present a complete circular genome sequence and a plasmid of an antimicrobial-producing isolate,
Bacillus velezensis
strain Sam8H1, from the Makgadikgadi saltpans in Botswana. Bioinformatic analyses revealed 12 putative secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters important for genome-guided drug discovery studies.
Draft Genome Assemblies of Two Campylobacter novaezeelandiae and Four Unclassified Thermophilic
Campylobacter
Isolates from Canadian Agricultural Surface Water
Authors: Ivanova Mirena , Oh Bonnie , Khan Izhar U. H. , Nightingale Kendra , Bugarel Marie , Brown Amanda M. V. , Loneragan Guy H.
Published: April 2021

This report presents the draft genome sequences of two
Campylobacter novaezeelandiae
and four unclassified
Campylobacter
isolates from Canadian agricultural surface water. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that the six isolates formed unique clades, closely related to the disease-causing species
C. jejuni
,
C. coli
, and
C. hepaticus
.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus albus
Strain
IB84, Isolated from Mexican Soil
Authors: García-García Jorge H. , Moreno-Peña Carlos J. , Hernández-Vásquez Cesar I. , Galán-Wong Luis J. , Pereyra-Alférez Benito
Published: April 2021

Bacillus albus
is a new species, but it lies on the borderline with
Bacillus thuringiensis
. In this work, we report a strain previously identified as
Bacillus thuringiensis
IB84, which now, based on average nucleotide identity and rRNA 16S,
gyr
B,
gro
EL, and XRE gene sequences, must be identified as
Bacillus albus
.
Mud in sandy riverbed deposits as a proxy for ancient fine-sediment supply
Authors: Wysocki N. , Hajek E.
Published: April 2021

The amount of silt and clay available to rivers reflects source-terrain composition and weathering and can be a primary control on the form and dynamics of channel networks. Fine sediment also affects the permeability of buried fluvial reservoirs. Despite this significance, there is currently a lack of methods for reconstructing how much fine sediment was transported by ancient rivers. Mud accumulations in sandy river deposits are often interpreted as indicators of variable flow conditions; however, these deposits may present an opportunity to constrain how much fine sediment was transported through ancient rivers. We report results from a series of experiments designed to evaluate how much clay and silt are preserved in sandy riverbed deposits under constant and variable discharge conditions. Our results demonstrate that (1) mud deposits, including drapes and lenses, form readily under constant, high-discharge conditions, (2) the amount of fine sediment recovered from bed-material deposits increases as fine-sediment supply increases, and (3) fine-sediment retention is higher during bed aggradation than during bypass conditions. These results indicate that the net retention of clay and silt in sandy riverbed deposits may be a simple but powerful proxy for comparing the overall amount of fine sediment supplied to ancient rivers.
Did accretion of the Caribbean oceanic plateau drive rapid
crustal thickening in the northern Andes?
Authors: George Sarah W.M. , Horton Brian K. , Vallejo Cristian , Jackson Lily J. , Gutierrez E. Gabriela
Published: April 2021

The onset of orogenic shortening in the northern Andes Mountains coincided with latest Cretaceous accretion of the Caribbean oceanic plateau. We present isotopic data (εHf in zircon and εNd) coupled with arc position to test whether accretion led to abrupt crustal thickening in the northern Andes of Ecuador and Colombia. A rapid isotopic excursion toward more evolved crustal compositions was synchronous with ca. 75–70 Ma collision in Ecuador and preceded a similar deviation in Colombia at ca. 70–55 Ma. The rapid but diachronous shift to more evolved isotopic signatures is attributed to progressive northward accretion of the oceanic plateau and associated thickening of continental crust. We emphasize the effects of accretion on the magmatic evolution of Cordilleran-type margins, initially provoking shortening and crustal thickening, and ultimately providing a substrate for subsequent arcs.
Scrub typhus with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a rare presentation
Authors: Das Sayonee , Chattopadhyay Sidhartha , Munsi Kausik , Basu Sagar
Published: April 2021

This is a rare presentation of scrub typhus with cerebral venous thrombosis. A 32-year-old woman presented with signs of raised intracranial tension. Examination revealed maculopapular skin rashes and an ‘eschar’ over the right thigh. Nuchal rigidity and bilateral papilloedema were found. Scrub typhus was diagnosed by the presence of IgM antibody in serum. CT scan of the brain showed cerebral oedema. MRI of the brain was normal. Magnetic resonance venography of the brain showed thrombosis of several venous sinuses. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis with raised protein level. Other causes of prothrombotic states were ruled out by doing specific test results. There was no history of hormonal contraception and prolonged bed rest. A case of scrub typhus complicated with meningoencephalitis and cerebral venous thrombosis was diagnosed. She responded to treatment with doxycycline, anticoagulants, antipyrectics and intravenous saline. Early identification of such atypical neurological involvement in scrub typhus was helpful in satisfactory outcome.
Trauma resource pit stop: increasing efficiency in the evaluation of lower severity trauma patients
Authors: Dandan Imad S , Tominaga Gail T , Zhao Frank Z , Schaffer Kathryn B , Nasrallah Fady S , Gawlik Melanie , Bayat Dunya , Dandan Tala H , Biffl Walter L
Published: April 2021

Background

Overtriage of trauma patients is unavoidable and requires effective use of hospital resources. A ‘pit stop’ (PS) was added to our lowest tier trauma resource (TR) triage protocol where the patient stops in the trauma bay for immediate evaluation by the emergency department (ED) physician and trauma nursing. We hypothesized this would allow for faster diagnostic testing and disposition while decreasing cost.

Methods

We performed a before/after retrospective comparison after PS implementation. Patients not meeting trauma activation (TA) criteria but requiring trauma center evaluation were assigned as a TR for an expedited PS evaluation. A board-certified ED physician and trauma/ED nurse performed an immediate assessment in the trauma bay followed by performance of diagnostic studies. Trauma surgeons were readily available in case of upgrade to TA. We compared patient demographics, Injury Severity Score, time to physician evaluation, time to CT scan, hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. Comparisons were made using 95% CI for variance and SD and unpaired t-tests for two-tailed p values, with statistical difference, p<0.05.

Results

There were 994 TAs and 474 TRs in the first 9 months after implementation. TR’s preanalysis versus postanalysis of the TR group shows similar mean door to physician evaluation times (6.9 vs. 8.6 minutes, p=0.1084). Mean door to CT time significantly decreased (67.7 vs. 50 minutes, p<0.001). 346 (73%) TR patients were discharged from ED; 2 (0.4%) were upgraded on arrival. When admitted, TR patients were older (61.4 vs. 47.2 years, p<0.0001) and more often involved in a same-level fall (59.5% vs. 20.1%, p<0.0001). Undertriage was calculated using the Cribari matrix at 3.2%.

Discussion

PS implementation allowed for faster door to CT time for trauma patients not meeting activation criteria without mobilizing trauma team resources. This approach is safe, feasible, and simultaneously decreases hospital cost while improving allocation of trauma team resources.

Level of evidence

Level II, economic/decision therapeutic/care management study.
Assessment of Structural Damage Following the October 30, 2020 Aegean Sea Earthquake and Tsunami
Authors: Altunişik Ahmet Can , Atmaca Barbaros , Kartal Murat Emre , Günaydin Murat , Demir Serhat , Uluşan Alper
Published: April 2021

The strong shallow earthquake with a moment magnitude (Mw) range between 6.6 and 7.0 according to different sources (AFAD, KOERI and USGS) took place at local time 14:51 on 30th October 2020, in Aegean Sea near Samos Island. According to the data given from Earthquake Department of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the epicenter of the earthquake is 27.17[Formula: see text]km far away from the İzmir coast and the duration of the earthquake that occurred in 14.9[Formula: see text]km deep of the ground is 15.68[Formula: see text]s. The main shock of the earthquake brought about a small local tsunami that struck especially Seferihisar district in Izmir and Vathi in Samos. The main shock was followed by more than 5799 aftershocks with magnitudes varying between 0.7 and 5.1 in 62 days. Turkey, Greece and the islands in Aegean Sea felt the earthquake but it caused heavy damage and casualties at Bayraklı location in the city center of Izmir due to ground effects and structural problems. According to the data released after the field investigations made by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization in the regions affected by the earthquake, 103 buildings collapsed and urgently demolished, 700 were severely damaged, 814 were moderately damaged, 7889 were slightly damaged and 159,000 were undamaged. The earthquake and tsunami resulted in 117 deaths and 1632 injured in Turkey, whereas two deaths and several injured in Samos, despite the distance between the epicenter and Turkey coast being more than Samos Island. One of these deaths occurred as a result of the tsunami and according to official sources; it was recorded as the first person to die from a tsunami in Turkey. This study aims to examine the damage and collapses that occurred on the structures due to the earthquake and the tsunami. The types and causes of damage that occurred on both reinforced concrete (RC) and masonry structures were evaluated in detail with taking into account the conditions of the existing Turkish Building Earthquake Design Code, [TBEC, [2018] Turkish Building Earthquake Design Code. Specifications for Structures to be Built in Disaster Areas (Earthquake Department of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Ankara, Turkey).] and previous Turkish Earthquake Codes (TECs).
Three-dimensional spread analysis of a Dengue disease model with numerical season control
Authors: Gazori Fereshte , Hesaaraki Mahmoud
Published: April 2021

Dengue is among the most important infectious diseases in the world. The main contribution of our paper is to present a mixed system of partial and ordinary differential equations. This combined model is a generalization of the two presented mathematical models (A. L. de Araujo, J. L. Boldrini and B. M. Calsavara, An analysis of a mathematical model describing the geographic spread of dengue disease, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 444 (2016) 298–325) and (L. Cai, X. Li, N. Tuncer, M. Martcheva and A. A. Lashari, Optimal control of a malaria model with asymptomatic class and superinfection, Math. Biosci. 288 (2017) 94–108), describing the geographic spread of dengue disease. Our model has the ability to consider the possibility of asymptomatic infection, which leads to investigate the effect of dengue asymptomatic individuals on disease dynamics and to go into the possibility of superinfection of asymptomatic individuals. In the light of considering these factors, as well as the movements of human and mature female mosquitoes, more realistic modeling of dengue disease can be achieved. We present a mathematical analysis and show the global existence of a unique non-negative solution to this model and then establish ways to control dengue disease using numerical simulations and sensitivity analysis of model parameters (which are related to the contact rates and death rate of winged mosquitoes). To show different biological behaviors, we provide several numerical results, showing the role of parameters in controlling dengue disease transmission. From our numerical simulations, it can also be concluded that local control of dengue transmission can be done at a lower cost.
Radio-Frequency Interference at the McGill Arctic Research Station
Authors: Dyson T. , Chiang H. C. , Egan E. , Ghazi N. , Ménard T. , Monsalve R. A. , Moso T. , Peterson J. , Sievers J. L. , Tartakovsky S.
Published: April 2021

The frequencies of interest for redshifted 21[Formula: see text]cm observations are heavily affected by terrestrial radio-frequency interference (RFI). We identify the McGill Arctic Research Station (MARS) as a new RFI-quiet site and report its RFI occupancy using 122[Formula: see text]h of data taken with a prototype antenna station developed for the Array of Long-Baseline Antennas for Taking Radio Observations from the Sub-Antarctic. Using an RFI flagging process tailored to the MARS data, we find an overall RFI occupancy of 1.8% averaged over 20–125[Formula: see text]MHz. In particular, the FM broadcast band (88–108[Formula: see text]MHz) is found to have an RFI occupancy of at most 1.6%. The data were taken during the Arctic summer, when degraded ionospheric conditions and an active research base contributed to increased RFI. The results quoted here therefore represent the maximum-level RFI environment at MARS.
A Potential PES Mechanism for Agroforestry-Led Industrial Wastewater Remediation Using Short-Rotation Trees
Authors: Ranjan Ram
Published: April 2021

Industrial effluents and municipal wastewaters are increasingly finding their way into freshwater bodies, posing serious health and environmental challenges. In this paper, the potential for industrial wastewater remediation through agroforestry is explored for a peri-urban farming region in India. Farmers are incentivized under a payment for ecosystem services (PES) mechanism to convert their farmlands into poplar-based agroforestry and utilize industrial effluents for irrigating trees. Additional income can be derived through sale of poplar timber which enhances the attractiveness of such a PES mechanism. A dynamic optimization model compares farmers’ optimal land use allocation to a socially optimal case. Further, the firm’s effluent discharge outcomes are compared to an alternative arrangement where it is fined for discharging untreated wastewater into waterbodies in the absence of the agroforestry remediation option. Results support the attractiveness of such PES mechanisms in addressing the industrial effluent discharge problem while simultaneously mitigating the effects of water scarcity through wastewater reclamation. The optimal level of tax required to accomplish complete treatment of effluents by polluting firms is several times higher compared to PES payments. Further, the incentive to convert farmland into poplar plantations improves with PES payments but declines with higher profitability of agricultural crops.
Rotobreather in a carbon nanotube bundle
Authors: Dmitriev Sergey V. , Semenov Alexander S. , Savin Alexander V. , Ilgamov Marat A. , Bachurin Dmitry V.
Published: April 2021

Carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles exhibit unusual mechanical properties, but nonlinear dynamics and possible energy localization in such systems have not yet been analyzed. The dynamics of a rotobreather in the form of a CNT rotating around its axis and placed in an array of similar CNTs is analyzed using a molecular dynamics model with a reduced number of degrees of freedom. The height of the Peierls–Nabarro potential associated with the discreteness of CNTs is estimated. It is found that if a CNT is given rotational kinetic energy not sufficient to overcome the Peierls–Nabarro potential, it does not rotate. Several resonant angular velocities are identified at which the rotating CNT loses its kinetic energy relatively quickly and eventually stops rotating. CNT with a sufficiently large, non-resonant angular velocity emits the rotational energy very slowly.