bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the transition k-kL-ω model application to transitional oscillatory pipe flows
Authors: Ramadan Ahmed B. , Abd El-Rahman Ahmed I. , Sabry Ashraf S.
Published: March 2019

The flow transition from laminar to turbulent inside of typical thermoacoustic devices influences the heat-exchange capacities of these devices and dramatically impacts overall performances as well. A few measurements [Eckmann and Grotberg (1991), J. Fluid Mech. 222, 329–350; Hino, Sawamoto, and Takasu (1976). J. Fluid Mech. 75, 193–207] and direct simulations [Feldmann and Wagner (2012). J. Turbul. 13(32), 1–28; Feldmann and Wagner (2016a). New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics X, pp. 113–122] were reported that describe the transitional oscillatory flows; however, almost no turbulence model has been developed that enables accurate detection and characterization of the reported intermittent turbulent fluctuations. The present work aims to assess the applicability of the k-kL-ω transition model to transitional oscillatory pipe flows. A sinusoidal pressure gradient is introduced into ANSYS finite-volume solver for flow field simulation at different acoustic frequencies, while a friction Reynolds number of 1440 is retained. The stationary turbulent and the laminar oscillatory pipe flows are first considered for validation and model calibration against published LDA measurements [Durst, Kikura, Lekakis, Jovanovic, and Ye (1996). Exp. Fluids 20, 417–428] and DNS results [Feldmann and Wagner (2012). J. Turbul. 13(32), 1–28] in addition to the Sexl's laminar-flow theory [Sexl (1930). Zeitschrift Phys. 61(5), 349–362]. Investigation of the total fluctuation kinetic energy of transitional oscillations reveals the appearance of intermittent fluctuations within the near-wall region at Wo = 13 during deceleration, while fully turbulent oscillations are predicted in the entire pipe domain at Wo = 5. Although the present results are qualitatively in good agreement with reported experimental [Eckmann and Grotberg (1991). J. Fluid Mech. 222, 329–350] and DNS findings [Feldmann and Wagner (2012). J. Turbul. 13(32), 1–28], the velocity profiles show poor agreement with corresponding DNS data during flow acceleration at Wo = 5.
Expanding the Clostridioides difficile Genetics Toolbox
Authors: Shen Aimee
Published: March 2019

Clostridioides difficile
genetics has rapidly advanced in recent years thanks to the development of tools for allelic replacement and transposon mutagenesis. In this
Journal of Bacteriology
issue, Müh et al. extend the genetics toolbox by developing a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) strategy for gene silencing in
C. difficile
(U.
Ethanolamine Utilization and Bacterial Microcompartment Formation Are Subject to Carbon Catabolite Repression
Authors: Kaval Karan Gautam , Gebbie Margo , Goodson Jonathan R. , Cruz Melissa R. , Winkler Wade C. , Garsin Danielle A.
Published: March 2019

Ethanolamine (EA) is a compound commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that can affect the behavior of human pathogens that can sense and utilize it, such as
Enterococcus faecalis
and
Salmonella
. Therefore, it is important to understand how the genes that govern EA utilization are regulated. In this work, we investigated two regulatory factors that control this process. One factor, a small RNA (sRNA), is shown to be important for generating the right levels of gene expression for maximum efficiency. The second factor, a transcriptional repressor, is important for preventing expression when other preferred sources of energy are available. Furthermore, a global bioinformatics analysis revealed that this second mechanism of transcriptional regulation likely operates on similar genes in related bacteria.
Decreased Effective Macromolecular Crowding in Escherichia coli Adapted to Hyperosmotic Stress
Authors: Liu Boqun , Hasrat Zarief , Poolman Bert , Boersma Arnold J.
Published: March 2019

Bacteria adapt to ever-changing environmental conditions such as osmotic stress and energy limitation. It is not well understood how biomolecules reorganize themselves inside
Escherichia coli
under these conditions. An altered biochemical organization would affect macromolecular crowding, which could influence reaction rates and diffusion of macromolecules. In cells adapted to osmotic upshift, protein diffusion is indeed faster than expected on the basis of the biopolymer volume fraction. We now probe the effects of macromolecular crowding in cells adapted to osmotic stress or depleted in metabolic energy with a genetically encoded fluorescence-based probe. We find that the effective macromolecular crowding in adapted and energy-depleted cells is lower than in unstressed cells, indicating major alterations in the biochemical organization of the cytoplasm.
Quorum Sensing Signal Selectivity and the Potential for Interspecies Cross Talk
Authors: Wellington Samantha , Greenberg E. Peter
Published: March 2019

Specific recognition of cognate signals is considered fundamental to cell signaling circuits as it creates fidelity in the communication system. In bacterial quorum sensing (QS), receptor specificity ensures that bacteria cooperate only with kin. There are examples, however, of QS receptors that respond promiscuously to multiple signals. “Eavesdropping” by these promiscuous receptors can be beneficial in both interspecies competition and cooperation. Despite their potential significance, we know little about the prevalence of promiscuous QS receptors. Further, many studies rely on methods requiring receptor overexpression, which is known to increase apparent promiscuity. By systematically studying QS receptors in their natural parent strains, we find that the receptors display a wide range of selectivity and that there is potential for significant cross talk between QS systems. Our results provide a basis for hypotheses about the evolution and function of promiscuous signal receptors and for predictions about interspecies interactions in complex microbial communities.
CRISPR Spacers Indicate Preferential Matching of Specific Virioplankton Genes
Authors: Nasko Daniel J. , Ferrell Barbra D. , Moore Ryan M. , Bhavsar Jaysheel D. , Polson Shawn W. , Wommack K. Eric
Published: March 2019

The CRISPR-Cas system is one means by which bacterial and archaeal populations defend against viral infection which causes 20 to 50% of cell mortality in the ocean. We tested the hypothesis that certain viral genes are preferentially targeted for the initial attack of the CRISPR-Cas system on a viral genome. Using CASC, a pipeline for CRISPR spacer discovery, and metagenome data from oceanic microbes and viruses, we found a clear subset of viral genes with high match frequencies to CRISPR spacers. Moreover, we observed a many-to-many relationship of spacers and viral genes. These high-match viral genes were involved in nucleotide metabolism, DNA methylation, and viral structure. It is possible that CRISPR spacer matching is an evolutionary algorithm pointing to those viral genes most important to sustaining infection and lysis. Studying these genes may advance the understanding of virus-host interactions in nature and provide new technologies for leveraging CRISPR-Cas systems in beneficial microbes.
Introducing THOR, a Model Microbiome for Genetic Dissection of Community Behavior
Authors: Lozano Gabriel L. , Bravo Juan I. , Garavito Diago Manuel F. , Park Hyun Bong , Hurley Amanda , Peterson S. Brook , Stabb Eric V. , Crawford Jason M. , Broderick Nichole A. , Handelsman Jo
Published: March 2019

The manipulation and engineering of microbiomes could lead to improved human health, environmental sustainability, and agricultural productivity. However, microbiomes have proven difficult to alter in predictable ways, and their emergent properties are poorly understood. The history of biology has demonstrated the power of model systems to understand complex problems such as gene expression or development. Therefore, a defined and genetically tractable model community would be useful to dissect microbiome assembly, maintenance, and processes. We have developed a tractable model rhizosphere microbiome, designated THOR, containing
Pseudomonas koreensis
,
Flavobacterium johnsoniae
, and
Bacillus cereus
, which represent three dominant phyla in the rhizosphere, as well as in soil and the mammalian gut. The model community demonstrates emergent properties, and the members are amenable to genetic dissection. We propose that THOR will be a useful model for investigations of community-level interactions.
Impact of the Southwark and Lambeth Integrated Care Older People’s Programme on hospital utilisation and costs: controlled time series and cost-consequence analysis
Authors: Exley Josephine , Abel Gary A , Fernandez José-Luis , Pitchforth Emma , Mendonca Silvia , Yang Miaoqing , Roland Martin , McGuire Alistair
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To estimate the impact on hospital utilisation and costs of a multi-faceted primary care intervention for older people identified as being at risk of avoidable hospitalisation.

Design

Observational study: controlled time series analysis and estimation of costs and cost consequences of the Programme. General practitioner (GP)’s practice level data were analysed from 2009 to 2016 (intervention operated from 2012 to 2016). Mixed-effect Poisson regression models of hospital utilisation included comparisons with control practices and background trends in addition to within-practice comparisons. Cost estimation used standard tariff values.

Setting

94 practices in Southwark and Lambeth and 263 control practices from other parts of England.

Main outcome measures

Hospital utilisation: emergency department attendance, emergency admissions, emergency admissions for ambulatory sensitive conditions, outpatient attendance, elective admission and length of stay.

Results

By the fourth year of the Programme, there were reductions in accident and emergency (A&E) attendance (rate ratio 0.944, 95% CI 0.913 to 0.976), outpatient attendances (rate ratio 0.938, 95% CI 0.902 to 0.975) and elective admissions (rate ratio 0.921, 95% CI 0.908 to 0.935) but there was no evidence of reduced emergency admissions. The costs of the Programme were £149 per resident aged 65 and above but savings in hospital costs were only £86 per resident aged 65 and above, equivalent to a net increase in health service expenditure of £64 per resident though the Programme was nearly cost neutral if set-up costs were excluded. Holistic assessments carried out by GPs and consequent Integrated Care Management (ICM) plans were associated with increases in elective activity and costs; £126 increase in outpatient attendance and £936 in elective admission costs per holistic assessment carried out, and £576 increase in outpatient and £5858 in elective admission costs per patient receiving ICM.

Conclusions

The Older People’s Programme was not cost saving. Some aspects of the Programme were associated with increased costs of elective care, possibly through the identification of unmet need.
A Retrospective cohort study on the risk factors of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) for patients with traumatic fracture at Honghui Hospital
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan , Huai Ying , Wang Wei , Xue Kaiyue , Chen Lei , Chen Chu , Qian Airong
Published: March 2019

Objective

To explore the risk factors of perioperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with traumatic fracture after orthopaedic surgery and their potential diagnostic values in clinical.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Clinical Laboratory of Honghui Hospital, Xi’an JiaoTong University College of Medicine, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China.

Materials and methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted with surgically treated fracture patients in Honghui Hospital from 1 May 2016 to 31 February 2017.χ2test, independent sample t test and regression analysis were applied to examine the correlation between perioperative DVT and the factors of preoperative time, fracture sites, D-dimer value and chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes and coronary disease).

Results

462 patients were enrolled for analysis. The preoperative time of patients with DVT was significantly longer than that of non-DVT patients (7.14±5.51 vs 5.45±3.75) (P<0.01).χ2test showed the significant differences in the rate of DVT among patients with different fracture sites (P<0.01). By the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value of preoperative D-dimer and postoperative D-dimer in diagnosing perioperative DVT was 4.01 µg/mL and 5.03 µg/mL, respectively. Area under the curve was 0.593 (95% CI 0.533 to 0.652) and 0.728 (95% CI 0.672 to 0.780), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of preoperative D-dimer for DVT diagnosis were 71.30% and 44.83%, and as for postoperative D-dimer were 63.90% and 70.51%.

Conclusions

Fracture site was correlated to the incidence of DVT; prolonged preoperative time and increased D-dimer value were independent risk factors for DVT in patients with lower extremity traumatic fractures.
Cannabis use among a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of smokers and non-smokers in the Netherlands: results from the 2015 ITC Netherlands Gold Magic Survey
Authors: Fix Brian Vincent , Smith Danielle , O’Connor Richard , Heckman Bryan W , Willemsen Marc C , Cummings Michael , Fong Geoffrey
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Existing evidence shows that co-occurring use of tobacco and cannabis is widespread. Patterns of co-use of tobacco and cannabis may change as more jurisdictions legalise medicinal and/or recreational cannabis sales. This analysis examined predictors of current cannabis use and characterised methods of consumption among smokers and non-smokers in a context where cannabis use is legal.

Setting

The 2015 International Tobacco Control Netherlands—Gold Magic Survey conducted between July and August 2015.

Participants

Participants (n=1599; 1003 current smokers, 283 former smokers and 390 non-smokers) were asked to report their current (past 30-day) use of cigarettes and cannabis. Cigarette smokers reported whether they primarily used factory made of roll-your-own cigarettes. Those who reported any cannabis use in the last 30 days were asked about forms of cannabis used. X2and logistic regression analyses were used to assess relationships among combustible tobacco and cannabis use.

Results

Past 30-day cannabis use was somewhat higher among current tobacco (or cigarette) smokers (n=57/987=5.8%) than among former or never smokers (n=10/288=3.5% and n=6/316=1.9%, respectively). Joints were the most commonly used form of cannabis use for both current cigarette smokers (96.9%) and non-smokers (76.5%). Among those who smoked cannabis joints, 95% current smokers and 67% of non-smokers reported that they ‘always’ roll cannabis with tobacco.

Conclusions

In this Netherlands-based sample, most cannabis was reported to be consumed via smoking joints, most often mixed with tobacco. This behaviour may present unique health concerns for non-cigarette smoking cannabis users, since tobacco use could lead to nicotine dependence. Moreover, many non-cigarette smoking cannabis users appear to be misclassified as to their actual tobacco/nicotine exposure.
Protocol for the ORaClES study: an online randomised controlled trial to improve clinical estimates of survival using a training resource for medical students
Authors: Oostendorp Linda , White Nicola , Harries Priscilla , Yardley Sarah , Tomlinson Christopher , Ricciardi Federico , Gokalp Hulya , Stone Patrick
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Clinicians often struggle to recognise when palliative care patients are imminently dying (last 72 hours of life). A previous study identified the factors that expert palliative care doctors (with demonstrated prognostic skills) had used, to form a judgement about which patients were imminently dying. This protocol describes a study to evaluate whether an online training resource showing how experts weighted the importance of various symptoms and signs can teach medical students to formulate survival estimates for palliative care patients that are more similar to the experts’ estimates.

Methods and analysis

This online double-blind randomised controlled trial will recruit at least 128 students in the penultimate or final year of medical school in the UK. Participants are asked to review three series of vignettes describing patients referred to palliative care and provide an estimate about the probability (0%–100%) that each patient will die within 72 hours. After the first series, students randomised to the intervention arm are given access to an online training resource. All participants are asked to complete a second series of vignettes. After 2 weeks, all participants are asked to complete a third series. The primary outcome will be the probability of death estimates (0%–100%) provided by students in the intervention and control arms for the second series of vignettes. Secondary outcomes include the maintenance effect at 2-week follow-up, weighting of individual symptoms and signs, and level of expertise (discrimination and consistency).

Ethics and dissemination

Approval has been obtained from the UCL Research Ethics Committee (8675/002) and local approvals will be obtained as appropriate. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals using an open access format and presented at academic conferences. We will also publicise our findings on the Marie Curie website.

Trial registration number

NCT03360812; Pre-results.
A provider feedback intervention to increase uptake of colorectal cancer screening in a Swiss academic general practice
Authors: Mota Pau , Auer Reto , Gouveia Alexandre , Selby Kevin
Published: March 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cancer screening uptake is low in our diverse, outpatient teaching clinic. A state-level public screening programme was recently launched that provides faecal immunochemical tests or screening colonoscopy to all citizens aged 50–69 years via mailed invitations, with the possibility of earlier, opportunistic inclusion. Mailed outreach is expected to be rolled out over the next 5 years. In the interim, we aimed to increase CRC screening by accelerating the inclusion of patients into the programme by implementing a provider feedback programme with residents. We used billing reports to define the eligible target population and monthly lists of included patients to track progress. All residents received a standard intervention that provided basic training and communication tools facilitating shared decision making in CRC screening decisions. We then developed and implemented the intervention over 3 Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles in 2 of 4 groups of residents, each with 7 residents and approximately 250 eligible patients. The intervention consisted of individualised reports on the proportion of each resident’s patients that had been included in the screening programme and the names of patients who had not yet been included. The first group that received the intervention had included 58 of 232 eligible patients (25%) at 8 months after the feedback intervention and the second group 51 of 249 eligible patients (20%) at 4 months. In comparison, the 2 groups with only the standard intervention had included 32 of 252 (13%) and 27 of 260 (10%) of their patients, respectively, at 11 months after the baseline intervention. These results suggest that provider feedback to medical residents can promote resident self-awareness and increase the proportion of patients included in a public programme when provided in addition to educational interventions.
Using street imagery and crowdsourcing internet marketplaces to measure motorcycle helmet use in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Merali Hasan S. , Lin Li-Yi , Li Qingfeng , Bhalla Kavi
Published: March 2019

Introduction

The majority of Thailand’s road traffic deaths occur on motorised two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles. Accurately measuring helmet use is important for the evaluation of new legislation and enforcement. Current methods for estimating helmet use involve roadside observation or surveillance of police and hospital records, both of which are time-consuming and costly. Our objective was to develop a novel method of estimating motorcycle helmet use.

Methods

Using Google Maps, 3000 intersections in Bangkok were selected at random. At each intersection, hyperlinks of four images 90° apart were extracted. These 12 000 images were processed in Amazon Mechanical Turk using crowdsourcing to identify images containing motorcycles. The remaining images were sorted manually to determine helmet use.

Results

After processing, 462 unique motorcycle drivers were analysed. The overall helmet wearing rate was 66.7 % (95% CI 62.6 % to 71.0 %). Taxi drivers had higher helmet use, 88.4% (95% CI 78.4% to 94.9%), compared with non-taxi drivers, 62.8% (95% CI 57.9% to 67.6%). Helmet use on non-residential roads, 85.2% (95% CI 78.1 % to 90.7%), was higher compared with residential roads, 58.5% (95% CI 52.8% to 64.1%). Using logistic regression, the odds of a taxi driver wearing a helmet compared with a non-taxi driver was significantly increased 1.490 (p<0.01). The odds of helmet use on non-residential roads as compared with residential roads was also increased at 1.389 (p<0.01).

Conclusion

This novel method of estimating helmet use has produced results similar to traditional methods. Applying this technology can reduce time and monetary costs and could be used anywhere street imagery is used. Future directions include automating this process through machine learning.
Identifying sociodemographic risk factors associated with residential fire fatalities: a matched case control study
Authors: Jonsson Anders , Jaldell Henrik
Published: March 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the association between sociodemographic factors and residential fire fatalities in Sweden. A majority of fatal fires occur in housing. An understanding of risk factors and risk groups is a must for well-founded decisions regarding targeted prevention efforts. There is a lack of consideration of the interrelation between sociodemographic factors and fire fatalities and there is a lack of high quality large-scale studies.

Methods

In this matched case-control study, residential fire fatalities (cases, n=850) (age above 19 years old) were identified in the national register on fatal fires. Four controls per case were randomly matched by gender and age. ORs were calculated to assess the association between different sociodemographic factors with residential fire fatalities using conditional logistic regression.

Results

Having low income, receiving social allowance and receiving health-related early retirement pension were associated with an increased risk of dying in residential fires. The results also show clearly that adults dying in residential fires to a significantly lower extent were living together with a partner, were in work, were highly educated and lived in urban areas. However, contrary to previous research, living in rented apartments appeared not to influence the risk of death.

Conclusions

In this study, we show that fatalities due to residential fires in Sweden are associated with some but not all of previously published sociodemographic risk factors. The results provide valuable information that can improve the guiding and targeting of fire mortality prevention strategies in Sweden.
Waiting it out: consultation delays prolong in-patient length of stay
Authors: Rahman Arifeen Sylvanna , Shi Siyu , Meza Pamela Katherine , Jia Justin Lee , Svec David , Shieh Lisa
Published: March 2019

Background

Decreasing delays for hospitalised patients results in improved hospital efficiency, increased quality of care and decreased healthcare expenditures. Delays in subspecialty consultations and procedures can cause increased length of stay due to reasons outside of necessary medical care.

Objective

To quantify, describe and record reasons for delays in consultations and procedures for patients on the general medicine wards.

Methodology

We conducted weekly audits of all admitted patients on five Internal Medicine teams over 8 weeks. A survey was reviewed with attending physicians and residents on five internal medicine teams to identify patients with a delay due to consultation or procedure, quantify length of delay and record reason for delay.

Results

During the study period, 316 patients were reviewed and 48 were identified as experiencing a total of 53 delays due to consultations or procedures. The average delay was 1.8 days for a combined total of 83 days. Top reasons for delays included scheduling, late response to page and a busy service. The frequency in length of consult delays vary among different specialties. The highest frequency of delays was clustered in procedure-heavy specialties.

Conclusion

This report highlights the importance of reviewing system barriers that lead to delayed service in hospitals. Addressing these delays could lead to reductions in length of stay for inpatients.
Setting the international standard for longitudinal follow-up of patients with systemic sclerosis: a Delphi-based expert consensus on core clinical features
Authors: Hoffmann-Vold Anna-Maria , Distler Oliver , Murray Baron , Kowal-Bielecka Otylia , Khanna Dinesh , Allanore Yannick
Published: March 2019

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe, progressive multiorgan disease but to date, there are no established standardised international guidelines for follow-up of patients with SSc. The goal of this project was to develop an expert consensus for annual systematic investigations in patients with SSc to enhance their standard-of-care.

Material and methods

The Delphi method was applied. All SSc experts from the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group network and the Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium were invited to participate. All experts were asked to answer questionnaires in five Delphi steps to determine the domains of interest and tools for each domain for an annual systematic assessment of patients with SSc. Each item was rated on a scale between 0% and 100% (not and very important), and parameters rated >80% by more than 75% of the experts were regarded as acceptable.

Results

In total, 157 experts worldwide participated with 71.3% experts seeing >50 patients with SSc annually. In the first round, 23 domains and 204 tools were suggested. After five Delphi steps, experts agreed on 10 domains including (1) Raynaud’s phenomenon; (2) Digital ulcers; (3) Skin and mucosa; (4) Lung; (5); Heart; (6) GI domain, (7) Renal; (8) Musculoskeletal; (9) Laboratory and (10) Treatment. Overall, 55 tools were identified including clinical assessments, laboratory measurements and imaging or functional investigations.

Conclusion

Through five Delphi steps with world leading experts, a consensus was established on strongly suggested tools for a minimum annual systemic assessment of organ involvement in SSc. This work should enhance the standardisation and homogenisation of the practices.
Up, down, or sideways: emplacement of magmatic Fe–Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide melts in large igneous provinces
Authors: Lesher C.M.
Published: March 2019

The preferential localization of Fe–Ni–Cu–PGE sulfides within the horizontal components of dike–sill–lava flow complexes in large igneous provinces (LIPs) indicates that they were fluid dynamic traps for sulfide melts. Many authors have interpreted them to have collected sulfide droplets transported upwards, often from deeper “staging chambers”. Although fine (<1–2 cm) dilute (<10%–15%) suspensions of dense (∼4–5 g/cm3) sulfide melt can be transported in ascending magmas, there are several problems with upward-transport models for almost all LIP-related deposits: (1) S isotopic data are consistent with nearby crustal sources, (2) xenoliths appear to be derived from nearby rather than deeper crustal sources, (3) lateral sheet flow or sill facies of major deposits contain few if any sulfides, (4) except where there is evidence for a local S source, sulfides or chalcophile element enrichments rarely if ever occur in the volcanic components even where there is mineralization in the subvolcanic plumbing system, and (5) some lavas are mildly to strongly depleted in PGE >>> Cu > Ni > Co, indicating that unerupted sulfides sequestered PGEs at depth. Two potential solutions to this paradox are that (i) natural systems contained surfactants that lowered sulfide–silicate interfacial tensions, permitting sulfide melts to coalesce and settle more easily than predicted from theoretical/experimental studies of artificial/analog systems, and (or) (ii) sulfides existed not as uniformly dispersed droplets, as normally assumed, but as fluid-dynamically coherent pseudoslugs or pseudolayers that were large and dense enough that they could not be transported upwards. Regardless of the ultimate explanation, it seems likely that most high-grade Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide deposits in LIPs formed at or above the same stratigraphic levels as they are found.
Protective Effects of Serotonin and its Derivatives, N-Feruloylserotonin and N-(p-Coumaroyl) Serotonin, Against Cisplatin-Induced Renal Damage in Mice
Authors: Park Chan Hum , Lee Ah Young , Kim Ji Hyun , Seong Su Hui , Cho Eun Ju , Choi Jae Sue , Kim Min Jo , Yang Siyoung , Yokozawa Takako , Shin Yu Su
Published: March 2019

This study examined whether serotonin and two of its derivatives, [Formula: see text]-feruloylserotonin and [Formula: see text]-([Formula: see text]-coumaroyl) serotonin, have a renoprotective effect in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. Cisplatin (20[Formula: see text]mg/kg body weight) was administered by intraperitoneal injection to male BALB/c mice that had received oral serotonin, [Formula: see text]-feruloylserotonin or [Formula: see text]-([Formula: see text]-coumaroyl) serotonin (7.5[Formula: see text]mg/kg body weight per day) during the preceding 2 days. At 3 days after the cisplatin injection, serum and renal biochemical factors, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis-related protein expression were evaluated, and histological examinations were performed. Cisplatin caused reduction in body weight and an increase in kidney weight; however, [Formula: see text]-([Formula: see text]-coumaroyl) serotonin and [Formula: see text]-feruloylserotonin attenuated these effects. Moreover, the serotonin derivatives significantly decreased serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. They also significantly reduced the level of reactive oxygen species and upregulated the expression of glutathione peroxidase in the kidney. Furthermore, the serotonin derivatives improved the abnormal expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases activation-dependent inflammation- and apoptosis-related protein and caused less renal damage. These results provide important evidence that [Formula: see text]-([Formula: see text]-coumaroyl) serotonin and [Formula: see text]-feruloylserotonin exert a pleiotropic effect on several parameters related to oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. The derivatives also have a renoprotective effect in cisplatin-treated mice; however, this effect is higher with [Formula: see text]-([Formula: see text]-coumaroyl) serotonin.
Chiral strings, topological branes, and a generalised Weyl-invariance
Authors: Arvanitakis Alex S.
Published: March 2019

We introduce a sigma model Lagrangian generalising a number of new and old models which can be thought of as chiral, including the Schild string, ambitwistor strings, and the recently introduced tensionless AdS twistor strings. This “chiral sigma model” describes maps from a [Formula: see text]-brane worldvolume into a symplectic space and is manifestly invariant under diffeomorphisms as well as under a “generalised Weyl invariance” acting on space–time coordinates and worldvolume fields simultaneously. Construction of the Batalin–Vilkovisky master action leads to a BRST operator under which the gauge-fixed action is BRST-exact; we discuss whether this implies that the chiral brane sigma model defines a topological field theory.
Effect of moisture absorption and fiber orientation on electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding of carbon fiber reinforced bioplastic composites
Authors: Solafide Wahyu , Murakami Ri-Ichi
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study is to discuss the effect of moisture absorption on electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference of the carbon fiber (CF) reinforced bioplastic composite. The composites were prepared by the hot press machine, and immersed in water for 20 and 40 days. The electrical conductivity measurements were carried out as a function immersed time. The electrical conductivity of CF with two layers is greater than that of one layer, because the electrical conductivity increases with increasing the volume filler of CF. The electrical conductivity slightly increases with increasing the immersion time. The EMI SE (electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness) of the composite was examined with the frequency from 500 MHz to 2000 MHz. The EMI SE of the CF increases with increasing the content of the CF, and the EMI SE result of composite is around 50 dB to 60 dB. There is scarcely significant effect of orientation on composite on the EMI SE.
Operation, Control and Verification of Seven-Level Quasi-Z-Source-Based T-Type Inverter
Authors: Jammy Ramesh Rahul , Annamalai Kirubakaran , Das Chinmay Kumar
Published: March 2019

In this paper, a novel seven-level Quasi-Z-Source-based [Formula: see text]-type inverter (7L[Formula: see text]qZST[Formula: see text]) is proposed. The proposed inverter is an upgrade of Quasi-Z-source (qZs) network and seven-level [Formula: see text]-type inverter. The 7L qZST[Formula: see text] comprises of three qZs-based impedance networks, two bidirectional switches and an [Formula: see text]-bridge inverter. It owns the advantages of reduced switch count, improved output voltage gain, enhanced reliability and better quality of output voltage and current. The performance of the proposed topology is tested for two different pulse width modulation techniques based on shoot-through control. The first technique offers simple control and operated at a fixed shoot-through duty cycle for realizing output voltage level. The second technique facilitates independent control of each qZs network dc-link voltage and they can be operated at different shoot through duty cycle which overcomes the limitation of first technique with better quality in output voltage. The detailed operation of the proposed topology and control schemes have been elaborated for different switching states for each output voltage level generation. Extensive simulation and experimentation are performed for both the switching schemes to verify their performance under steady state and dynamic conditions. Furthermore, a brief comparison is constructed to highlight the merits of the proposed inverter with conventional topologies.
ELECTRONIC AND STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF Si–Gd–O ELECTRON EMITTER
Authors: FEDORCHENKO M. I. , MELNIK P. V. , NAKHODKIN M. G. , GUDYMENKO O. I. , KLADKO V. P. , LYTVYN P. M.
Published: March 2019

Rare earth metals, when deposited and oxidized on semiconductor surfaces, can be an alternative to unstable compounds of alkali metals while creating stable and effective emitters with a low work function. A procedure giving rise to the adsorption of Gd and O atoms on the Si(100) surface and the formation of a Si–Gd–O film with a work function of about 1 eV in the near-surface region is described. The films have been studied using the Auger electron and photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as X-ray diffraction, atomic force and Kelvin probe force microscopy techniques. Information about their electronic properties, structure, surface morphology, and surface distribution of potential was obtained. The main component of the film formed on the Si surface is a polycrystalline Gd2O3phase, which plays the role of a matrix containing textured microcrystallites of one of the following phases: SiO2, GdO2, or GdSi2. The film surface consists of salient clusters 20[Formula: see text]nm to 80[Formula: see text]nm in diameter and up to 20[Formula: see text]nm in height, as well as craters up to 90[Formula: see text]nm in depth. The surface relief inhomogeneities correlate with the surface distribution of the local work function. This correlation can also be a result of the piezoelectric effect in the strained crystallites of the textured phase located in the bulk of the film. The obtained system was stable in time under vacuum conditions and heating up to [Formula: see text]C. The method proposed for the formation of surfaces with a low work function making use of rare earth metals can be applied to create effective and stable electron emitters.
Ergodicity of 3D Leray-α model with fractional dissipation and degenerate stochastic forcing
Authors: Li Shihu , Liu Wei , Xie Yingchao
Published: March 2019

By using the asymptotic coupling method, the asymptotic log-Harnack inequality is established for the transition semigroup associated to the 3D Leray-[Formula: see text] model with fractional dissipation driven by highly degenerate noise. As applications, we derive the asymptotic strong Feller property and ergodicity for the stochastic 3D Leray-[Formula: see text] model with fractional dissipation, which is the stochastic 3D Navier–Stokes equation regularized through a smoothing kernel of order [Formula: see text] in the nonlinear term and a [Formula: see text]-fractional Laplacian. The main results can be applied to the classical stochastic 3D Leray-[Formula: see text] model ([Formula: see text]), stochastic 3D hyperviscous Navier–Stokes equation ([Formula: see text]) and stochastic 3D critical Leray-[Formula: see text] model ([Formula: see text]).
Design of implicit pulsed-dual edge triggering flip flop for low power and high speed clocking systems
Authors: Nagarajan P. , Kumar N. Ashok , Ramana P. Venkat
Published: March 2019

The flip-flops are considered as major contributors to the power dissipation of the clocking system, which is made up of the clock provision network and storage elements (latches, flip-flops). The power- and delay-efficient new implicit-pulsed dual-edge triggering flip-flop circuit (IP-DETFF) is proposed with two latching stages by employing an implicit-pulse triggering, dual-edge clocking and reducing the number of clocked loads. This leads to the reduction of power consumption due to clock allocation tree (pclk-tree) and reduces the delay time. The dual-edge clocking technique is incorporated into this proposed design without an increment of the number of transistors and minimizes the operating frequency as half. This methodology is also employed in this proposed design to construct new latching part of the flip-flop circuit. The performance of proposed flip-flop is analyzed by simulating the circuit at 0.12[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) process technology. The simulation results show that the proposed design achieves power saving from 11.22% to 54.81%, improvement of speed from 67% to 71.50%, power-delay product (PDP) from 74.85% to 81.26 %, energy-delay product (EDP) from 87.86% to 92.4% and power-energy product (PEP) from 75.24% to 93.57% compared to the conventional flip-flops.
A Blended Compact Difference (BCD) Method for Solving 3D Convection–Diffusion Problems with Variable Coefficients
Authors: Ma Tingfu , Ge Yongbin
Published: March 2019

In this study, we present a fourth-order and a sixth-order blended compact difference (BCD) schemes for approximating the three-dimensional (3D) convection–diffusion equation with variable convective coefficients. The proposed schemes, where transport variable, its first and second derivatives are carried as the unknowns, combine virtues of compact discretization, fourth-order Padé scheme and sixth-order combined compact difference (CCD) scheme for spatial derivatives and can efficiently capture numerical solutions of linear and nonlinear convection–diffusion equations with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The fourth-order scheme requires only 7 grid points and the sixth-order scheme requires 19 grid points. The distinguishing feature of the present method is that methodologies of explicit compact difference and implicit compact difference are blended together. The truncation errors of the two difference schemes are analyzed for the interior grid points, respectively. Simultaneously, a sixth-order accuracy scheme is proposed to compute the first and second derivatives of the grid points on boundaries. Finally, the presented methods are applied to several test problems from the literature including linear and nonlinear problems. It is found that the presented schemes exhibit good performance.
Developing a Hand Gesture Recognition System for Mapping Symbolic Hand Gestures to Analogous Emojis in Computer-Mediated Communication
Authors: Koh Jung In , Cherian Josh , Taele Paul , Hammond Tracy
Published: March 2019

Recent trends in computer-mediated communication (CMC) have not only led to expanded instant messaging through the use of images and videos but have also expanded traditional text messaging with richer content in the form of visual communication markers (VCMs) such as emoticons, emojis, and stickers. VCMs could prevent a potential loss of subtle emotional conversation in CMC, which is delivered by nonverbal cues that convey affective and emotional information. However, as the number of VCMs grows in the selection set, the problem of VCM entry needs to be addressed. Furthermore, conventional means of accessing VCMs continue to rely on input entry methods that are not directly and intimately tied to expressive nonverbal cues. In this work, we aim to address this issue by facilitating the use of an alternative form of VCM entry: hand gestures. To that end, we propose a user-defined hand gesture set that is highly representative of a number of VCMs and a two-stage hand gesture recognition system (trajectory-based, shape-based) that can identify these user-defined hand gestures with an accuracy of 82%. By developing such a system, we aim to allow people using low-bandwidth forms of CMCs to still enjoy their convenient and discreet properties while also allowing them to experience more of the intimacy and expressiveness of higher-bandwidth online communication.
Roles of the cGAS-STING Pathway in Cancer Immunosurveillance and Immunotherapy
Authors: Yum Seoyun , Li Minghao , Frankel Arthur E. , Chen Zhijian J.
Published: March 2019

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a cytosolic DNA sensor that initiates innate immune responses. DNA-bound cGAS produces cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which activates stimulator of interferon genes (STING) to induce inflammatory cytokines and other immune mediators. cGAS detects DNA without sequence specificity and responds to both cytosolic foreign DNA from pathogens and self-DNA leaked into the cytosol due to genome instability or cellular damage. Because of the diverse sources of cytosolic DNA, the cGAS-STING pathway plays a critical role during infection, autoimmune diseases, and senescence. Moreover, cGAS detects tumor-derived DNA and stimulates endogenous antitumor immunity. Thus, the cGAS-STING pathway is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we review the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in various diseases and highlight various approaches targeting the cGAS-STING pathway for cancer therapy.
Dietary Fat and Sugar in Promoting Cancer Development and Progression
Authors: Goncalves Marcus D. , Hopkins Benjamin D. , Cantley Lewis C.
Published: March 2019

The uncontrolled cellular growth that characterizes tumor formation requires a constant delivery of nutrients. Since the 1970s, researchers have wondered if the supply of nutrients from the diet could impact tumor development. Numerous studies have assessed the impact of dietary components, specifically sugar and fat, to increased cancer risk. For the most part, data from these trials have been inconclusive; however, this does not indicate that dietary factors do not contribute to cancer progression. Rather, the dietary contribution may be dependent on tumor, patient, and context, making it difficult to detect in the setting of large trials. In this review, we combine data from prospective cohort trials with mechanistic studies in mice to argue that fat and sugar can play a role in tumorigenesis and disease progression. We find that certain tumors may respond directly to dietary sugar (colorectal and endometrial cancers) and fat (prostate cancer) or indirectly to the obese state (breast cancer).
Modeling a Telemedicine Screening Program for Diabetic Retinopathy in Iran and Implementing a Pilot Project in Tehran Suburb
Authors: Safi Sare , Ahmadieh Hamid , Katibeh Marzieh , Yaseri Mehdi , Nikkhah Homayoun , Karimi Saeed , Nourinia Ramin , Tivay Ali , Zareinejad Mohammad , Azarmina Mohsen , Ramezani Alireza , Moradian Siamak , Dehghan Mohammad Hossein , Daftarian Narsis , Abbasi Davood , Eshghi Fallah Afshin , Kheiri Bahareh
Published: March 2019

Purpose. To model a community-based telescreening program for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Iran and to implement a pilot project at the Iranian Diabetes Society (IDS) branch in a Tehran suburb. Methods. In this mixed model study, a web application called the “Iranian Retinopathy Teleophthalmology Screening (IRTOS)” was launched. The educational course for DR screening was established for general practitioners (GPs). Registered patients in IDS branch were recalled for fundus photography; images were transferred to the reading center via IRTOS to be graded by GPs, and patients were informed about the results via mobile messaging. All images were independently reviewed by a retina specialist as the gold standard. Patients who required further assessment were referred to an eye hospital. Results. Overall, 604 subjects with diabetes were screened; of these, 50% required referral. The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of any stage of DR by trained GPs were 82.8% and 86.2%, respectively, in comparison to the gold standard. The corresponding values for detecting any stage of diabetic macular edema (DME) were 63.5% and 96.6%, respectively. Conclusions. Telescreening was an effective method for detecting DR in a Tehran suburb. This screening model demonstrated its capacity for promoting diabetic eye care services at the national level. However, the sensitivity for detecting DME needs to be improved by modifying the referral pathway and promoting the skill of GPs.
Discrete Robustness Optimization on Emergency Transportation Network Based on Prospect Theory
Authors: Zhang Zheng-kun , Zhu Chang-feng , Wang Qing-rong , Yuan Jia-shan
Published: March 2019

This paper focuses on the discrete robustness optimization of emergency transportation network with the consideration of timeliness and decision behavior of decision-maker under the limited rationality. Based on a situation that the nearer to disaster area, the higher probability of time delay, prospect theory is specially introduced to reflect the subjective decision behavior of decision-maker. Then, a discrete robustness optimization model is proposed with the purpose of the better timeliness and robustness. The model is based on the emergency transportation network with multistorage centers and multidisaster points. In order to obtain the optimal solution, an improved genetic algorithm is designed by introducing a bidirectional search strategy based on a newfangled path cluster to obtain specific paths that connect each storage centers and each disaster points. Finally, a case study is exhibited to demonstrate the reasonability of the model, theory, and algorithm. The result shows that the path cluster with the better timeliness and robustness can be well obtained by using the prospect theory and improved genetic algorithm. The analysis especially reveals that the robustness is correspondent to the risk aversion in prospect theory.