bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Still getting it on online: Thirty years of queer male spaces brokered through digital technologies
Authors: Miles Sam
Published: September 2018

Research across the social sciences testifies to an ongoing relationship between queerness and digital technology. This article tracks how different online spaces for queer menhave changed as the internet has developed over the past 30 years. It argues that queer spaces have become increasingly dominated by, and predicated on, internet technology. I review early interpretations of cyberspace as a liberatory space freed from heteronormativity and later more critical assessments of its potential, positioning arguments for and against the internet's status as a protective space. I then evaluate the huge popularity of mobile phone‐based dating and hook‐up apps such as Grindr and Tinder. These platforms have developed from static desktop offerings including Gaydar and PlanetRomeo, but emphasise a distinctly hybridised socio‐technical experience in partner seeking. Finally, I consider the impact of locative media on more traditional queer concepts of cruising and community, concluding that contemporary apps refigure both structures in distinctive ways reflecting larger changes in sexuality and space studies.
Home maintenance expenditures and income fluctuations
Authors: Mok Diana
Published: September 2018

In this paper, I study the role of a household’s expenditures on durables in its smoothing strategy for consumption. I ask, “Do homeowners spend less on maintaining their homes when they earn less than expected?” To answer this question, I estimate the elasticity of home maintenance expenditures to transitory earnings. The results show that households do smooth consumption by reducing home maintenance expenditures when transitory earnings are negative, but do not do so by spending more when transitory earnings are positive. Households that are mobility constrained do use home maintenance expenditures as a smoothing strategy, but those that are not constrained do not. The results also show an asymmetry by gender: Males reduce maintenance expenditures for negative transitory earnings while females increase these expenditures for positive transitory earnings.
Utilisation of beef lung protein powder as a functional ingredient to enhance protein and iron content of fresh pasta
Authors: Jayawardena S. Reshan , Morton James D. , Brennan Charles S. , Bekhit Alaa El‐Din A.
Published: September 2018

Beef lungs are an underutilised co‐product of the meat industry that could be used as an ingredient to supplement the protein content of cereal foods. Beef lung powder (BLP) had a protein content of 87% (dry weight basis), an amino acid score of 1, and contained 1 mg g−1 iron. Fresh semolina pasta was used as a model food, and BLP was incorporated up to 20%. Incorporation of 10% BLP improved the indispensable amino acid score of the pasta from 0.48 to 0.91. At that level of incorporation, higher cooking loss and redder (increased ‘a’ value) and darker (decreased ‘L’ value) colour resulted. The fresh pasta with BLP had a lower glycaemic response compared to control samples. BLP improved the functional value of the fresh pasta and is a potential ingredient in the development of new food products.
Restraint interventions in people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities: Perspectives of support staff and family members
Authors: Embregts Petri J. C. M. , Negenman Annemarieke , Habraken Jolanda M. , de Boer Marike E. , Frederiks Brenda J. M. , Hertogh Cees M. P. M.
Published: September 2018

Background

Due to incompatibilities in communication, it is key that family members and support staff can take the perspective of people with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities (ID) whilst putting aside their own perspectives.

Method

Ten vignettes describing types of restraint interventions (RIs) were presented to 20 unique pairs of support staff and family members related to individuals with moderate to profound ID.

Results

In taking their own perspective, more than half of the support staff and family members perceived all RIs as involuntary and severe. In contrast, when asked to put themselves in the position of the client/family member, only three RIs were considered involuntary by a majority of support staff and family members.

Conclusions

These results indicate that support staff and family members can take into account the perspective of people with moderate to profound ID in the evaluation and consideration of involuntary care.
Surgical approaches in women with endometrial cancer with a body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2
Authors: Raventós‐Tato Rut M. , de la Torre‐Fernández de Vega Javier , Sánchez‐Iglesias José L. , Díaz‐Feijoó Berta , Sabadell Jordi , Pérez‐Benavente María A. , Gil‐Moreno Antonio
Published: September 2018

Aim

Endometrial cancer is often associated with obesity. We want to compare the outcomes of surgical staging according to the surgical approach in patients with a body mass index ≥35 kg/m2.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study with 138 patients with endometrial cancer and body mass index ≥35 kg/m2 with different surgical staging routes: laparotomy (LPT; n = 94) and minimally invasive surgery (MIS): laparoscopy (LPC; n = 18) + robotic assisted laparoscopy (n = 26).

Results

Lymphadenectomy rate was similar in the three groups; there were no differences in the number of nodes removed. Decreased bleeding (P = 0.002) and hospital admission length (P < 0.001) was observed in the endoscopic group. Less early‐postoperative complications were observed in the robotic approach (P = 0.007). Significant differences were not observed in recurrence‐free survival or in overall survival.

Conclusion

Minimal invasive surgical staging in obese women with endometrial cancer could represent the surgical route of choice because it decreases operative bleeding, hospital admission length and the early postoperative complication rate without compromising recurrence‐free survival or overall survival.
Systemic bevacizumab for the treatment of chronic bleeding in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
Authors: Al‐Samkari H. , Kritharis A. , Rodriguez‐Lopez J. M. , Kuter D. J.
Published: September 2018

Background

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare hereditary multisystem vascular disorder causing visceral arteriovenous malformations and mucocutaneous bleeding. Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding and epistaxis often produce profound anaemia refractory to conventional treatment. Bevacizumab, an anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody, may be effective in treatment of bleeding inHHT.

Methods

AllHHTpatients treated with systemic bevacizumab for chronic bleeding were selected for retrospective analysis. Data collected included demographics, baselineHHTcharacteristics, epistaxis grade, surgical interventions, bevacizumab dosing, adverse events, haemoglobin, red cell transfusions, intravenous iron infusions, and other anaemia and/or bleeding‐directed therapies.

Results

ThirteenHHTpatients were treated with bevacizumab for a median of 13.9 (range 4.9–30.1) months. Compared with pretreatment values, bevacizumab treatment increased the mean haemoglobin by 4.0 g dL−1(95%CI, 2.6–5.3 g dL−1) [mean (95%CI) haemoglobin 8.5 (7.8, 9.9) g dL−1vs. 12.5 (11.2, 13.7) g dL−1,P< 0.001)], reduced red cell units transfused by 92% [median of 6 (range 0–59) units vs. 0 (range 0–15) units,P= 0.004] and reduced quantity of iron infused by 73% [mean (95%CI) 462 (257, 668) mg month−1vs. 126 (75, 178) mg month−1,P= 0.002]. Epistaxis control was achieved in 85% with bevacizumab versus 0% before treatment (P< 0.001). No patient required nasal orGIprocedures during the maintenance period. Two patients (15%) developed grade 3 hypertension requiring medical management.

Conclusion

Systemic bevacizumab was highly effective to treat chronic bleeding inHHT. Further study is needed to confirm the magnitude of benefit and further define optimal dosing, treatment duration and long‐term safety.
Potential clinical implications of HPV status and expressions of p53 and cyclin D1 among oropharyngeal cancer patients
Authors: Lu X. J. David , Liu Kelly Y. P. , Soares Rosilene C. , Thomson Thomas , Prisman Eitan , Wu Jonn , Poh Catherine F.
Published: September 2018

Background

There is increasing evidence that high‐risk human papillomavirus plays significant role in oropharyngeal cancer; however, there is lack of knowledge on the interplay between the virus and its downstream‐related molecules and their possible prognostic values. The objectives of the study are to better understand the interplay of the HR‐HPV and its associated downstream molecules and to evaluate potential biomarkers for patient outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study with available formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue from 244 oropharyngeal cancer patients that received curative radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy from 2000 to 2008. In addition to chart review, we performed HPV DNA and RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry for p53, the retinoblastoma protein, p16, and cyclin D1 analysis. Cox proportional hazard and Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis were used to determine the prognostic markers for clinical outcomes.

Results

Patients averaged 57.3 ± 9.4 year‐old and were mostly males (76.2%) and ever‐smokers (76.2%). All patients received curative radiotherapy, and 44.3% received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. We detected the human papillomavirus in 77.9% of study patients. Ever‐smokers, more advanced tumor stage, and receiving radiotherapy only had poorer 5‐year overall survival, disease‐specific survival, and loco‐regional recurrence. Cases with positive human papillomavirus and p53 overexpression had poorer disease‐specific survival. Cases without human papillomavirus, but cyclin D1 overexpression, were associated with poorer 5‐year overall survival.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that additional p53 and cyclin D1 testing may benefit oropharyngeal cancer patients with known human papillomavirus status.
Transcriptomic responses to extreme low salinity among locally adapted populations of Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida)
Authors: Maynard Ashley , Bible Jillian M. , Pespeni Melissa H. , Sanford Eric , Evans Tyler G.
Published: September 2018

The Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida) is a foundation species inhabiting estuaries along the North American west coast. In California estuaries, O. lurida is adapted to local salinity regimes and populations differ in low salinity tolerance. In this study, oysters from three California populations were reared for two generations in a laboratory common garden and subsequently exposed to low salinity seawater. Comparative transcriptomics was then used to understand species‐level responses to hyposmotic stress and population‐level mechanisms underlying divergent salinity tolerances. Gene expression patterns indicate Olympia oysters are sensitive to hyposmotic stress: All populations respond to low salinity by up‐regulating transcripts indicative of protein unfolding, DNA damage and cell cycle arrest after sub‐lethal exposure. Among O. lurida populations, transcriptomic profiles differed constitutively and in response to low salinity. Despite two generations in common‐garden conditions, transcripts encoding apoptosis modulators were constitutively expressed at significantly different levels in the most tolerant population. Expression of cell death regulators may facilitate cell fate decisions when salinity declines. Following low salinity exposure, oysters from the more tolerant population expressed a small number of mRNAs at significantly higher levels than less tolerant populations. Proteins encoded by these transcripts regulate ciliary activity within the mantle cavity and may function to prolong valve closure and reduce mortality in low salinity seawater. Collectively, gene expression patterns suggest sub‐lethal impacts of hyposmotic stress in Olympia oysters are considerable and that even oysters with greater low salinity tolerance may be vulnerable to future freshwater flooding events.
Circadian control of abscisic acid biosynthesis and signalling pathways revealed by genome‐wide analysis of LHY binding targets
Authors: Adams Sally , Grundy Jack , Veflingstad Siren R. , Dyer Nigel P. , Hannah Matthew A. , Ott Sascha , Carré Isabelle A.
Published: September 2018

The LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) transcription factor functions as part of the oscillatory mechanism of the Arabidopsis circadian clock. This paper reports the genome‐wide analysis of its binding targets and reveals a role in the control of abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and downstream responses.

LHY directly repressed expression of 9‐cis‐epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase enzymes, which catalyse the rate‐limiting step of ABA biosynthesis. This suggested a mechanism for the circadian control of ABA accumulation in wild‐type plants. Consistent with this hypothesis, ABA accumulated rhythmically in wild‐type plants, peaking in the evening. LHY‐overexpressing plants had reduced levels of ABA under drought stress, whereas loss‐of‐function mutants exhibited an altered rhythm of ABA accumulation.

LHY also bound the promoter of multiple components of ABA signalling pathways, suggesting that it may also act to regulate responses downstream of the hormone. LHY promoted expression of ABA‐responsive genes responsible for increased tolerance to drought and osmotic stress but alleviated the inhibitory effect of ABA on seed germination and plant growth.

This study reveals a complex interaction between the circadian clock and ABA pathways, which is likely to make an important contribution to plant performance under drought and osmotic stress conditions.
Misdiagnosis of mycorrhizas and inappropriate recycling of data can lead to false conclusions
Authors: Brundrett Mark , Tedersoo Leho
Published: September 2018

We draw attention to a worrying trend for the uncritical use of ‘recycled’ mycorrhizal data to compile host species lists that include obvious errors or undertake risky analyses that correlate mycorrhizal colonisation levels with environmental or physiological factors despite inherent limitations in datasets. We are not suggesting that all meta‐studies are wrong, only that more care should be taken to resolve what can safely be done with recycled mycorrhizal data in the future. We also recommend that mycorrhizal species lists should be checked against standard references since the majority of EM hosts and NM plant belong to families that are well resolved. However, additional research is required in cases where plant families have multiple root types within genera or occur in habitats where mycorrhizal associations are often suppressed (see Brundrett & Tedersoo, 2018). We hope that the mycorrhizal science community will work together more closely in the future to develop and enforce standards for mycorrhizal diagnosis and to share carefully corrected datasets for realistic meta‐studies.
Worldwide pacemaker and defibrillator reuse: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of contemporary trials
Authors: Sinha Sunil K. , Sivasambu Bhradeev , Yenokyan Gayane , Crawford Thomas C. , Chrispin Jonathan , Eagle Kim A. , Barth Andreas S. , Rickard John “Jack” , Spragg David D. , Vlay Stephen C. , Berger Ronald , Love Charles , Calkins Hugh , Tomaselli Gordon F. , Marine Joseph E.
Published: September 2018

Background

Patients go without pacemaker, defibrillator, and cardiac resynchronization therapies (devices) each year due to the prohibitive costs of devices.

Objective

We sought to examine data available from studies regarding contemporary risks of reused devices in comparison with new devices.

Methods

We searched online indexing sites to identify recent studies. Peer‐reviewed manuscripts reporting infection, malfunction, premature battery depletion, and device‐related death with reused devices were included. The primary study outcome was the composite risk of infection, malfunction, premature battery depletion, and death. Secondary outcomes were the individual risks.

Results

Nine observational studies (published 2009–2017) were identified totaling 2,302 devices (2,017 pacemakers, 285 defibrillators). Five controlled trials were included in meta‐analysis (2,114 devices; 1,258 new vs 856 reused). All device reuse protocols employed interrogation to confirm longevity and functionality, disinfectant therapy, and, usually, additional biocidal agents, packaging, and ethylene oxide gas sterilization. Demographic characteristics, indications for pacing, and median follow‐up were similar. There were no device‐related deaths reported and no statistically significant difference in risk between new versus reused devices for the primary outcome (2.23% vs 3.86% respectively, P = 0.807, odds ratio = 0.76). There were no significant differences seen in the secondary outcomes for the individual risks of infection, malfunction, and premature battery depletion.

Conclusions

Device reuse utilizing modern protocols did not significantly increase risk of infection, malfunction, premature battery depletion, or device‐related death in observational studies. These data provide rationale for proceeding with a prospective multicenter noninferiority randomized control trial.
Withdrawal of oral anticoagulants 3 months after successful radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Deng Liyu , Xiao Ying , Hong Huashan
Published: September 2018

Background

The best anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) remains a challenge.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane Library was conducted identifying at clinical trials which evaluated the differences between thromboembolism (TE) and hemorrhage in an off‐oral anticoagulants (OACs) treatment group (the observation group) and an on‐OACs treatment group (the control group), at 3 months after successful RFCA. Meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software, and the fixed effect model was used as a relevant statistical model. χ2 test and I2 were used to test for the presence of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed.

Results

The results showed no significant differences between two groups in TE (relative risk [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51–1.33, P = 0.42), and only mild heterogeneity (P = 0.22, I2 = 29%). No significant differences in TE between two subgroups were found according to < 3 years and ≥ 3 years follow‐up analyses (RR 0.58, 95% CI, 0.26–1.28, P = 0.18; RR 1.00, 95% CI, 0.54–1.85, P = 1.00). Furthermore, there was a lower risk of TE in the observation subgroup (< 60 years) compared to the control group (RR 0.31, 95% CI, 0.12–0.78, P = 0.01). Also, there were no significant differences in TE between two subgroups (≥ 60 years, RR 1.24, 95% CI, 0.67–2.28, P = 0.49). The risk of hemorrhage in the observation group was significantly lower compared to the control group (RR 0.05, 95%CI, 0.02–0.14, P < 0.00001).

Conclusions

The withdrawal of OACs 3 months after successful radiofrequency catheter ablation for patients with AF may be safe and feasible. It needs to be tested by randomized controlled trial.
Maternal control of seed weight in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.): the causal link between the size of pod (mother, source) and seed (offspring, sink)
Authors: Li Na , Song Dongji , Peng Wei , Zhan Jiepeng , Shi Jiaqin , Wang Xinfa , Liu Guihua , Wang Hanzhong
Published: September 2018

Seed size/weight is one of the key traits related to plant domestication and crop improvement. In rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) germplasm, seed weight shows extensive variation, but its regulatory mechanism is poorly understood. To identify the key mechanism of seed weight regulation, a systematic comparative study was performed. Genetic, morphological and cytological evidence showed that seed weight was controlled by maternal genotype, through the regulation of seed size mainly via cell number. The physiological evidence indicated that differences in the pod length might result in differences in pod wall photosynthetic area, carbohydrates and the final seed weight. We also identified two pleiotropic major quantitative trait loci that acted indirectly on seed weight via their effects on pod length. RNA‐seq results showed that genes related to pod development and hormones were significantly differentially expressed in the pod wall; genes related to development, cell division, nutrient reservoir and ribosomal proteins were all up‐regulated in the seeds of the large‐seed pool. Finally, we proposed a potential seed weight regulatory mechanism that is specific to rapeseed and novel in plants. The results demonstrate a causal link between the size of the pod (mother, source) and the seed (offspring, sink) in rapeseed, which provides novel insight into the maternal control of seed weight and will open a new research field in plants.
Financial Innovation and Money Demand: Evidence from Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Dunne John Paul , Kasekende Elizabeth
Published: September 2018

While the effect of financial innovation on money demand has been widely researched in industrialised countries, because of its major role in monetary policy, few studies have focused on developing countries. This is surprising given the considerable growth in financial innovation in Sub‐Saharan Africa in recent years and its potential implications for developing country macroeconomic policy. This paper investigates the development of financial innovation and its impact on money demand in the region using panel data estimation techniques for 34 countries between 1980 and 2013. The results indicate that there is a negative relationship between financial innovation and money demand. This implies that financial innovation plays a crucial role in explaining money demand in Sub‐Saharan Africa and given innovations such as mobile money in the region this can have important implications for future policy design.
Joining the Great Majority: An Analysis of Senate Deaths, 1919–2015*
Authors: Brant Hanna K. , Masthay Theodore J. , Overby L. Marvin
Published: September 2018

Objective

In this article, we explore the deaths in office of U.S. senators between 1919 and 2015, examining both historical trends at the aggregate level and at the individual level searching for partisan and other patterns in mortality rates.

Methods

We employ Cox proportional hazard models to examine the effects of factors such as age, tenure in office, electoral factors, and legislative engagement, as well as partisanship and ideology.

Results

Notably, we find no significant partisan or ideological effects. When we examine the parties separately, we find that other institutional factors (tenure in office, vote share, bill sponsorship) matter for Democrats, while expectation of who would replace them in office matters for Republicans.

Conclusion

Our findings contribute to previous work on legislative turnover in Congress by taking the first step to analyze deaths among U.S. senators from almost the entire history of the elected Senate.
Prevalence and zoonotic risk of tropical rat mite (Ornithonyssus bacoti) in exotic companion mammals in southern Italy
Authors: d'Ovidio Dario , Noviello Emilio , Santoro Domenico
Published: September 2018

Background

Exotic companion mammals are popular pets worldwide. They are a potential source of zoonotic infections transmissible to their owners.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine the prevalence and zoonotic risks of tropical rat mite (Ornithonyssus bacoti) in exotic companion mammals in Italy.

Animals

The records of 782 exotic pet mammals seen in multiple veterinary clinics (n = 20), pet shops (n = 10) and private breeders (n = 2) around Naples (Italy) were searched.

Methods and results

The isolation of O. bacoti was the only inclusion criterion. Relative (in the subgroups) and absolute prevalence (in the entire population sampled) of clinical signs in pets and owners were calculated. The prevalence of clinical signs in pets and their owners was also calculated based on their housing (pet shops versus private housing) using Fisher's exact test. A P‐value < 0.05 was considered significant. Seventy seven records (9.8%) of animals infested were identified. Of those, 33.8% (26 of 77) were hamsters, 25.9% (20 of 77) gerbils, 11.7% (nine of 77) guinea pigs, 7.8% (six of 77) rabbits, 7.8% (six of 77) degus, 5.2% (four of 77) kangaroo mice, 2.6% (two of 77) hedgehogs, 2.6% (two of 77) squirrels and 2.6% (two of 77) were sugar gliders. The frequency of owners affected by the rat mite dermatitis was very high in gerbils (20 of 20), hamsters (21 of 26) and guinea pigs (seven of nine).

Conclusions and clinical importance

The results of the present survey indicate that exotic pet mammals may serve as an active reservoir for O. bacoti infestation. The results of this study also suggest a lack of species specificity for O. bacoti when favourable conditions are present (overcrowding).
Adherence to clinical guidelines for use of blood components at a tertiary hospital in Ghana
Authors: Dhariwal Ankush , Allotey Emmanuel , Fisher Amelia , Bates Imelda
Published: September 2018

Background and objectives

Guidelines for blood transfusions can help to ensure that blood is used appropriately, to avoid wastage and minimize risks, and are particularly important in sub‐Saharan Africa because chronic blood shortages are widespread. This study explored transfusion practices and guideline compliance among clinicians at a tertiary hospital in the Volta region of Ghana.

Materials and methods

Participants in this 3‐month study were clinicians from several hospital departments. The mixed methods study used a questionnaire to assess clinicians’ knowledge of transfusion. Retrospective data from hospital records were used to assess whether each transfusion given during the study period complied with recommendations in the national transfusion guidelines.

Results

Although 44/50 clinicians self‐rated their knowledge of transfusion in the questionnaire as good, only two were aware of the national transfusion guidelines, 48% listed incorrect indications for fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and there was considerable variation in haemoglobin thresholds they used to guide transfusion decisions. Of the 313 transfusions of whole blood/packed cells and FFP given during the study, 49% were not in accordance with the guidelines. For the 31 FFP transfusions, under‐dosing was common (87%) and 52% were not in accordance with the guidelines. 46/220 (21%) patients had no cause for anaemia documented during their admission.

Conclusion

There is a need to improve awareness of, and compliance with, national guidelines. A multi‐faceted approach including education, guideline dissemination, transfusion audits and oversight from a hospital transfusion committee could contribute to much more effective use of blood components.
A Parametric Study of the Effects of Inlet Distortion on Fan Aerodynamic Stability
Authors: Zhang Wenqiang , Vahdati Mehdi
Published: September 2018

The performance and aerodynamic stability of fan blades operating in a circumferentially nonuniform inlet flow is a key concern in the design of turbofan engines. With the recent trends in the design of civil engines with shorter inlet ducts (such as low-speed fans), or boundary layer ingesting engines, quick and reliable modeling of rotor/distortion interactions is becoming very important. The aim of this paper is to study the effects of inlet distortions on the aerodynamic stability of a fan blade and to identify the parameters that have a major impact on the stability of the blade. NASA rotor 67, for which a significant amount of measured data is available, was used for this study. In the first part of this study, the behavior of the fan with inlet distortion at near stall (NS) condition is analyzed, and it is shown how rotating stall is triggered. In the second part of this study, unsteady simulations with inlet distortion were performed to study how exit duct length influences the stall margin of the blade.
A Feasibility Study of Controllable Gas Foil Bearings With Piezoelectric Materials Via Rotordynamic Model Predictions
Authors: Park Jisu , Sim Kyuho
Published: September 2018

This study presents a new concept of controllable gas foil bearings (C-GFBs) with piezoelectric actuators. The C-GFB consists of a laminated top foil, bump foil, and piezo stacks and can simply change the bearing shape or film thickness locally and globally by varying the thickness of the piezo stacks with input voltages. The control schemes are (1) clearance control: the bearing clearance adjusted by changing overall piezo stack thickness, and (2) preload control: the mechanical preload modulated by the thickness expansion of several piezo stacks. Bearing lubrication performance is predicted for four cases of C-GFBs with different bearing clearances and preloads. The piezo stack control generates meaningful differences in the fluid-film thickness and pressure. Clearance control has a great effect on the dynamic force coefficients, but preload control slightly increases. Furthermore, the rotordynamic prediction of a rotor supported on two journal C-GFBs is conducted. As a result, both control modes for C-GFB are found to have a positive effect on rotordynamic amplitudes. Finally, using the orbit simulations, the C-GFB is controlled to have a small bearing clearance and large preload at critical speeds to make it possible to stably pass through the critical speeds. Consequently, it turns out that the C-GFB can improve bearing lubrication and rotordynamic performances by controlling only the input voltage of the piezo stacks. In addition, the C-GFB can be used to form various shapes to meet the operation conditions of an applied system.
A Small Disturbance Model for Transonic Flow of Pure Steam With Condensation
Authors: Virk Akashdeep Singh , Rusak Zvi
Published: September 2018

A small-disturbance model to study transonic steady condensing flow of pure steam around a thin airfoil is developed. Water vapor thermodynamics is described by the perfect gas model and its dynamics by the compressible inviscid flow equations. Classical nucleation and droplet growth theory for homogeneous and nonequilibrium condensation is used to compute the condensate mass fraction. The model is derived from an asymptotic analysis of the flow and condensation equations in terms of the proximity of upstream flow Mach number to 1, the small thickness ratio of airfoil, the small quantity of condensate, and the small angle-of-attack. The flow field may be described by a nonhomogeneous and nonlinear partial differential equation along with a set of four ordinary differential equations for calculating condensate mass fraction. The analysis provides a list of similarity parameters that describe the flow physics. A numerical scheme, which is composed of Murman and Cole's algorithm for the computation of flow parameters and Simpson's integration method for calculation of condensate mass fraction, is applied. The model is used to analyze the effects of heat release due to condensation on the aerodynamic performance of airfoils operating in steam at high temperatures and pressures near the vapor–liquid saturation dome.
Comparative Studies of RANS Versus Large Eddy Simulation for Fan–Intake Interaction
Authors: Ma Yunfei , Vadlamani Nagabhushana Rao , Cui Jiahuan , Tucker Paul
Published: September 2018

The present research applied a mixed-fidelity approach to examine the fan–intake interaction. Flow separation induced by a distortion generator (DG) is either resolved using large eddy simulation (LES) or modeled using the standard k–ω model, Spalart–Allmaras (SA) model, etc. The immersed boundary method with smeared geometry (immersed boundary method with smeared geometry (IBMSG)) is employed to represent the effect of the fan and a wide range of test cases is studied by varying the (a) height of the DG and (b) proximity of the fan to the DG. Comparisons are drawn between the LES and the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) approaches with/without the fan effect. It is found that in the “absence of fan,” the discrepancies between RANS and LES are significant within the separation and reattachment region due to the well-known limitations of the standard RANS models. “With the fan installed,” the deviation between RANS and LES decreases substantially. It becomes minimal when the fan is closest to the DG. It implies that with an installed fan, the inaccuracies of the turbulence model are mitigated by the strong flow acceleration at the casing due to the fan. More precisely, the mass flow redistribution due to the fan has a dominant primary effect on the final predictions and the effect of turbulence model becomes secondary, thereby suggesting that high fidelity eddy resolving simulations provide marginal improvements to the accuracy for the installed cases, particularly for the short intake–fan strategies with fan getting closer to intake lip.
Axial–Torsional Vibrational Modes of Braided and Trapezoidal Wires
Authors: Alkharisi Mohammed K. , Heyliger Paul R.
Published: September 2018

The coupled axial–torsional modes of vibration are examined for three common types of braided wires: the well-known (1 + 6) configuration, the trapezoidal configuration, and the so-called twisted-pair. Representative volume elements of these systems with angles of twist ranging from 0 deg to 30 deg are described using three-dimensional elasticity theory and subjected to pure axial deformation and then pure twist to determine the stiffness coefficients that are used to describe the force–displacement relationship. These are compared with the results of existing braided wire models for the (1 + 6) geometry. Both analytical and finite element models of all three wires are then introduced to determine the level of coupling between the axial and torsional modes of vibration for representative homogeneous and composite cables.
Optimal Design of a Stable Fuzzy Controller for Beyond Pull-In Stabilization of Electrostatically Actuated Circular Microplates
Authors: Bakhtiari-Shahri Mohsen , Moeenfard Hamid
Published: September 2018

The current paper aims to provide an optimal stable fuzzy controller to extend the travel range of a pair of flexible electrostatically actuated circular microplates beyond their pull-in limit. The single mode assumption is utilized to derive the equation of motion of the system based on a Lagrangian approach. The static behavior of the system is studied using the proposed model, and the utilized assumption and the relevant results are closely verified by nonlinear finite element simulations. The open-loop dynamic analysis is also performed to derive the linguistic rules governing the voltage-deflection behavior of the system. The mentioned rules are then employed for designing a fuzzy controller, which controls the deflection of the microplates. The controller is then optimized to provide better response specifications. The performance of the optimal fuzzy controller is compared with that of the optimal proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller and obvious superiorities in terms of noise suppression and stability enhancement are observed. To guarantee the stability of the closed-loop system, another higher level controller is designed to oversee the behavior of the fuzzy controller. Simulation results reveal that the superintended fuzzy controller can prevent instability, while fairly extending the travel range of system and providing it with a better transient response. The suggested design approach proposed in this paper may be used to improve the performance of many nano/micro devices and nano/micro positioning systems.
Nitric oxide-mediated fibrinogen deposition prevents platelet adhesion and activation
Authors: Zang Yanyi , Popat Ketul C. , Reynolds Melissa M.
Published: September 2018

Thrombosis is one of the most critical challenges faced by successful clinical use of blood-contacting medical devices. The formation of blood clots on medical device surfaces is a multistep process that includes protein adsorption, platelet adhesion and activation, and platelet aggregation, resulting in platelet consumption and blockage of blood flow. Without proper treatment, thrombosis will lead to ultimate device failure and create complications in patients. Nitric oxide (NO), a small signaling molecule generated from natural endothelial cells, has been widely shown to reduce platelet adhesion and activation, which occurs in the second step of blood clotting cascade. However, few studies have investigated the effect of NO on protein adsorption, which is the first step of blood clotting cascade. In this study, the effects of NO on fibrinogen (Fb) adsorption and subsequent effects of Fb on platelet adhesion and activation were investigated. This was done by using a model NO-releasing polymer film system, plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and S-nitrosoglutathione, to examine how NO-mediated pre-adsorbed Fb, a major blood serum protein that initiates the blood clotting cascade, affects platelet adhesion and activation. The NO-releasing polymer films were found to increase Fb adsorption, but decrease platelet adhesion and activation on the surface when compared to plasticized PVC control films. Further, to eliminate the effects of NO on platelets, NO-releasing polymer films were first exposed to Fb and then incubated until all NO was released. This experiment isolates the effect of NO-mediated pre-adsorbed Fb on platelets in the absence of continuing NO release. Surprisingly, the results show that films with adsorbed Fb that no longer release NO continue to prevent platelet adhesion and activation. This study suggests that NO can affect adsorbed Fb to further prevent platelet adhesion and activation.
Calibration of vertical array tilt using snapping shrimp sound
Authors: Yuan Zhuqing , Richards Edward L. , Song H. C. , Hodgkiss W. S. , Yan Shefeng
Published: September 2018

Snapping shrimp are the dominant biological source of high-frequency (>2 kHz) ambient noise in warm coastal waters. In a recent experiment, the highly impulsive signals produced by shrimp snaps were recorded continually by a large-aperture vertical array (56 m) that was bottom-moored in 100-m deep shallow water. Assuming the array vertical, initial localization of individual snaps based on wavefront curvature along the array indicated that all snaps came from either above or beneath the flat seabed. By constraining all snaps to originate from the seabed, several hundred snaps within a radius of 500 m from the array over a 20-s window were detected successfully and localized in the three-dimensional space of time-of-arrival, range, and array tilt. Since the estimated array tilt for each snap is a projection of the absolute array tilt onto the nominal array-snap plane, the maximal tilt in the range and tilt domain corresponds to the absolute array tilt. Both simulations and data demonstrate that snapping shrimp can be exploited as a source of opportunity for calibration of vertical array tilt.
Ionic decision-maker created as novel, solid-state devices
Authors: Tsuchiya Takashi , Tsuruoka Tohru , Kim Song-Ju , Terabe Kazuya , Aono Masakazu
Published: September 2018

Adaptive human decision-making, including collision and mutual concession, is computed by solid-state ionic devices.
CovR and VicRKX Regulate Transcription of the Collagen Binding Protein Cnm of Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Araújo Alves Lívia , Ganguly Tridib , Mattos-Graner Renata O. , Kajfasz Jessica , Harth-Chu Erika N. , Lemos José A. , Abranches Jacqueline
Published: September 2018

Streptococcus mutans
is a major pathogen associated with dental caries and also implicated in systemic infections, in particular, infective endocarditis. The Cnm adhesin of
S. mutans
is an important virulence factor associated with systemic infections and caries severity. Despite its role in virulence, the regulatory mechanisms governing
cnm
expression are poorly understood. Here, we describe the identification of two independent regulatory systems controlling the transcription of
cnm
and the downstream
pgfS-pgfM1-pgfE-pgfM2
operon. A better understanding of the mechanisms controlling expression of virulence factors like Cnm can facilitate the development of new strategies to treat bacterial infections.
Modulation of Vaccine-Induced CD4 T Cell Functional Profiles by Changes in Components of HIV Vaccine Regimens in Humans
Authors: Pissani Franco , Schulte Bianca , Eller Michael A. , Schultz Bruce T. , Ratto-Kim Silvia , Marovich Mary , Thongcharoen Prasert , Sriplienchan Somchai , Rerks-Ngarm Supachai , Pitisuttithum Punnee , Esser Stefan , Alter Galit , Robb Merlin L. , Kim Jerome H. , Michael Nelson L. , Streeck Hendrik
Published: September 2018

Only one HIV-1 candidate vaccine strategy has shown protection, albeit marginally (31%), against HIV-1 acquisition, and correlates of protection suggested that a multifunctional CD4 T cell immune response may be important for this protective effect. Therefore, the functional phenotypes of HIV-specific CD4 T cell responses induced by different phase I and phase II clinical trials were assessed to better show how different vaccine strategies influence the phenotype and function of HIV-specific CD4 T cell immune responses. The significance of this research lies in our comprehensive comparison of the compositions of the T cell immune responses to different HIV vaccine modalities. Specifically, our work allows for the evaluation of vaccination strategies in terms of their success at inducing Tfh cell populations.
How well do activity monitors estimate energy expenditure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the validity of current technologies
Authors: O’Driscoll Ruairi , Turicchi Jake , Beaulieu Kristine , Scott Sarah , Matu Jamie , Deighton Kevin , Finlayson Graham , Stubbs James
Published: September 2018

Objective

To determine the accuracy of wrist and arm-worn activity monitors’ estimates of energy expenditure (EE).

Data sources

SportDISCUS (EBSCOHost), PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), PsycINFO (EBSCOHost), Embase (Ovid) and CINAHL (EBSCOHost).

Design

A random effects meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the difference in EE estimates between activity monitors and criterion measurements. Moderator analyses were conducted to determine the benefit of additional sensors and to compare the accuracy of devices used for research purposes with commercially available devices.

Eligibility criteria

We included studies validating EE estimates from wrist-worn or arm-worn activity monitors against criterion measures (indirect calorimetry, room calorimeters and doubly labelled water) in healthy adult populations.

Results

60 studies (104 effect sizes) were included in the meta-analysis. Devices showed variable accuracy depending on activity type. Large and significant heterogeneity was observed for many devices (I
2
>75%). Combining heart rate or heat sensing technology with accelerometry decreased the error in most activity types. Research-grade devices were statistically more accurate for comparisons of total EE but less accurate than commercial devices during ambulatory activity and sedentary tasks.

Conclusions

EE estimates from wrist and arm-worn devices differ in accuracy depending on activity type. Addition of physiological sensors improves estimates of EE, and research-grade devices are superior for total EE. These data highlight the need to improve estimates of EE from wearable devices, and one way this can be achieved is with the addition of heart rate to accelerometry.

PROSPEROregistration number

CRD42018085016.
eTICI reperfusion: defining success in endovascular stroke therapy
Authors: Liebeskind David S , Bracard Serge , Guillemin Francis , Jahan Reza , Jovin Tudor G , Majoie Charles BLM , Mitchell Peter J , van der Lugt Aad , Menon Bijoy K , San Román Luis , Campbell Bruce CV , Muir Keith W , Hill Michael D , Dippel Diederik WJ , Saver Jeffrey L , Demchuk Andrew M , Dávalos Antoni , White Philip , Brown Scott , Goyal Mayank
Published: September 2018

Background

Revascularization after endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke is measured by the Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale, yet variability exists in scale definitions. We examined the degree of reperfusion with the expanded TICI (eTICI) scale and association with outcomes in the HERMES collaboration of recent endovascular trials.

Methods

The HERMES Imaging Core, blind to all other data, evaluated angiography after endovascular therapy in HERMES. A battery of TICI scores (mTICI, TICI, TICI2C) was used to define reperfusion of the initial target occlusion defined by non-invasive imaging and conventional angiography.

Results

Angiography of 801 subjects was available, including 797 defined by non-invasive imaging (154 internal carotid artery (ICA), 583 M1, 60 M2) and 748 by conventional angiography (195 ICA, 459 M1, 94 M2). Among 729 subjects in whom the reperfusion grade could be established, using eTICI (3=100%, 2C=90–99%, 2b67=67–89%, 2b50=50–66%) of the conventional angiography target occlusion, there were 63 eTICI 3 (9%), 166 eTICI 2c (23%), 218 eTICI 2b67 (30%), 103 eTICI 2b50 (14%), 100 eTICI 2a (14%), 19 eTICI 1 (3%), and 60 eTICI 0 (8%). Modified Rankin Scale shift analyses from baseline to 90 days showed that increasing TICI grades were linked with better outcomes, with significant distinctions between TICI 0/1 versus 2a (p=0.028), 2a versus 2b50 (p=0.017), and 2b50 versus 2b67 (p=0.014).

Conclusions

The benefit of endovascular therapy in HERMES was strongly associated with increasing degrees of reperfusion defined by eTICI. The eTICI metric identified meaningful distinctions in clinical outcomes and may be used in future studies and routine practice.
Electric quadrupole (E2) and magnetic dipole (M1) transitions for doubly and triply ionized krypton, xenon, and radon
Authors: Eser Selda , Özdemir Leyla
Published: September 2018

We have reported the wavelengths, transition probabilities (or rates), oscillator strengths, and line strengths for forbidden transitions (electric quadrupole, E2, and magnetic dipole, M1) in doubly and triply ionized krypton, xenon, and radon using the general-purpose relativistic atomic structure package (GRASP). The results obtained from transitions between the levels of ground state configuration are in agreement with other available results in the literature. The data on forbidden transitions between high levels for these ions have been firstly presented in this work.
Harbourne–Hirschowitz surfaces whose anticanonical divisors consist only of three irreducible components
Authors: Frías-Medina J. B. , Lahyane M.
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we provide new families of Harbourne–Hirschowitz surfaces whose effective monoids are finitely generated, and consequently, their Cox rings are finitely generated. Indeed, these properties are achieved by imposing some reasonable numerical conditions. Our method gives an efficient way of computing the minimal generating sets whenever the effective monoids are finitely generated. These surfaces are anticanonical ones having triangle anticanonical divisors consisting of smooth projective rational curves. Moreover, we present some families that do not satisfy the imposed numerical conditions but their effective monoids are still finitely generated by giving explicitly the minimal generating sets.
Classical electrodynamics and gauge symmetry of the X-boson
Authors: Neves Mario J. , Labre Lucas , Miranda L. S. , Abreu Everton M. C.
Published: September 2018

The classical electrodynamics for X-boson model is studied to understand it propagation in the space–time. The Maxwell equations of model and the correspondents wave equations are obtained. It indicate the dispersion relations of a massive and massless particle, that we interpret as photon and the X-boson. Thereby, a full diagonalization of the model is introduced to get a Maxwell sector summed up to Proca sector. Posteriorly, the X-fields and X-potentials of a relativistically moving charge is obtained in terms of a time-proper integral, and as an example, we calculate the fields and potentials for a charge in uniform moving. Finally, the gauge symmetry and gauge transformations were discussed.