bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF TNT EQUIVALENCE TO PE4 CHARGES USING A BLAST TEST DEVICE
Authors: PANDELANI THANYANI , REINECKE DAVID , HAMILTON SILUMKO
Published: September 2022

A considerable amount of scientific effort has been expended over many decades on developing means of predicting the loading generated when a blast wave impact structures. The energetic output and the blast load associated with the detonation of a mass of high explosive will differ depending on the chemical composition of the explosive itself. It is therefore convenient to equate the effects of an explosive to TNT. The “TNT equivalent (TNTeq) ratio” refers to the mass ratio of the explosive in question that will produced equal peak overpressure to that equivalent mass of TNT. There is vast range of equivalency ratios for PE4 in the literature. However, there appears to be no research that determines effect of TNT equivalency of spherical shape of PE4 charge detonated on rigid ground surface This paper presents experimental measurements of reflected pressure-time histories from a series of well-controlled small scale blast tests. An investigation of TNT equivalent ratio of spherical PE4 charge detonation on rigid ground was performed using the Blast Test Device (BTD). Our results presented here clearly demonstrates that the TNTeq ratio of 1.37 is higher in the near field environment and TNTeq of 1.2 will be the best to produce blast wave by the hemispherical PE4 detonations on rigid surface. It is also better to compare the peak pressure rather that the injury caused by the pressure profile.
NUMERICAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF ROCKET JET ON THE ROLLING MOMENT OF ARTILLERY ROCKETS WITH WRAP AROUND FINS
Authors: CHOPDE RAHUL
Published: September 2022

Tube launched unguided artillery rockets are stabilized in general by canted wrap around fins in order to nullify thrust misalignment and aerodynamic asymmetries. Wrap around fins are located at the rear end of the rocket and are in close proximity of the rocket jet. The effect of rocket jet on the rolling moment generated by the wrap around fins is studied for the powered phase using ANSYS Fluent CFD simulation. External flow over the rocket and internal flow through the rocket nozzle are simulated simultaneously in order to capture the effect of rocket jet on rolling moment generated by the fins. External flow is simulated for subsonic as well as supersonic Mach numbers. Results clearly show that presence of jet alters the rolling moment only for the subsonic external flow. The rolling moment for subsonic external flow has a higher magnitude in the presence of rocket jet.
EFFECT OF BOURRELET LENGTH ON MAGNUS MOMENTS AND FLIGHT STABILITY OF THE PROJECTILE
Authors: SHARMA SANGEETA , ANANDARAJ A. , KUMAR SANJAY
Published: September 2022

Aerodynamic design of an artillery shell often presents a challenging situation for the designer. Design parameters which enhance in-bore performance of shell in terms of reduced balloting & acceptable yaw rates at the muzzle end, in-turn disturbs the in-flight stability in certain flight regime. Similarly, design parameters which enhances in-flight static & dynamic stability, adversely affect the motion of shell inside barrel. Hence, an optimal selection of values of each design parameter is mandatory to attain desired performance of the ammunition both outside and inside the barrel. One of such design parameters is the Bourrelet distance or wheelbase, which is considered for this study. Parametric studies to evaluate comparative aerodynamic performance of artillery shell with varying bourrelet distance in terms of four major performance parameters such as Muzzle Jump Factor (MJF), Drag characteristics, Gyroscopic Stability & Dynamic Stability are carried out using commercially available software, PRODAS Version 3.2. Out of these four parameters, only MJF & Dynamic stability parameters are analysed in detail in the present work. Comparative values of MJF are used to evaluate inbore stability in terms of initial yaw rate at muzzle exit. Dynamic stability is evaluated in terms of Magnus moment generated by spinning shell. Effect of Magnus moment in terms of total angle of attack damping response during flight is studied by simulating trajectory of the shell for all firing zones. To study the effect of bourrelet distance on performance parameters, bourrelet distance is varied from 0.6 Cal to 1.4 Cal, where Cal is the maximum
FURTHER EVALUATION OF CRITICAL RICOCHET ANGLES FOR WHA PROJECTILES ON METALLIC TARGETS
Authors: VARDY A. WEISS, M. , ASAF Z. , RAVID M. , SHAPIRA N.
Published: September 2022

Critical ricochet angles of 25 mm APDS-T and APFSDS-T projectiles have been evaluated numerically for a range of steel plate thicknesses. Ricochet is a phenomenon of projectile deflection that may be observed when striking highly oblique targets. Critical ricochet angle is defined here as a transition angle from regime of ricochet to perforation. The critical ricochet angle may depend on material properties of both target and projectile i.e. density, strength, failure, high strain rate properties, geometry, target thickness, projectile L/D ratio, shape, and the impact velocity. This study investigates the effect of thickness and strength of steel plates on critical ricochet angle. In addition, critical ricochet angles of 25 mm medium caliber projectiles were compared. Each armor steel target was impacted at varying angles of incidence until ricochet was observed. We demonstrate that there is an optimal thickness of steel targets against the two types of penetrators. The optimum may be used for armor platforms frontal upper hull design. It is recommended to continue to validate the numerical model results with more experimental data.
Aplikasi Kitosan berbasis Kulit Udang Sebagai Alternatif Subtitusi Lilin Pelapis dalam Rangka Peningkatan Umur Simpan Buah-Buahan: A Review
Authors: Rohmah Aisyah Alifatul Zahidah , Fajrin Alifah Nur Aini , Gunawan Setiyo
Published: September 2022

Sebagai negara dengan mayoritas penduduk beragama islam, pasar pangan di Indonesia sangat erat kaitannya dengan hukum halal haram. Salah satu pangan yang kerap dikonsumsi adalah buah-buahan, namun dengan karakternya yang mudah rusak dan membusuk, diperlukan suatu pelapis yang berperan sebagai pengawet untuk memperpanjang usia simpan buah-buahan tersebut termasuk dengan melapisi menggunakan lilin pelapis. Lilin pelapis dapat membahayakan tubuh jika dikonsumsi terus menerus sehingga tidak memenuhi syarat thayyib. Kitosan dari kulit udang dapat menjadi alternatif pengganti lilin pelapis karena dibuat dari bahan halal dan aman bagi tubuh. Kitosan dapat diproduksi secara enzimatis dan kimiawi. Proses pengkajian halal telah dilakukan baik dengan metode produksi secara enzimatik maupun kimiawi dimana keduanya memiliki beberapa titik kritis pada bahan yang digunakan yaitu pada komposisi bahan media untuk fermentasi untuk proses enzimatik dan pada penggunaan ionic liquids beserta etanol untuk proses kimiawi.
Kajian Penelusuran Produk Halal Kornet Daging Sapi
Authors: Safitri Amelia , Fahmi Mohammad Zakki , Gunawan Setiyo
Published: September 2022

Indonesia adalah negara dengan mayoritas penduduk beragama islam. Islam telah mengajarkan bahwa dalam keseharian diwajibkan mengkonsumsi makanan halal. Halal dapat ditentukan melalui beberapa metode, salah satunya dengan metode pendekatan telusur halal atau traceability. Traceability bertujuan  untuk melihat asal bahan baku, proses pengolahan hingga produk yang dihasilkan sebagai kriteria mendapatkan sertifikasi halal. Sertifikasi Halal adalah sertifikat yang dikeluarkan oleh Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal yang berguna sebagai informasi dan kenyamanan demi terjaganya produk-produk yang halal utuk dikonsumsi oleh masyarakat sebagai konsumen terutama konsumen yang beragama Islam sesuai dengan Undang-undang Nomor 33 Tahun 2014 Tentang Jaminan Produk Halal. Kornet daging merupakan bahan makanan yang mudah diolah dan sering dikonsumsi oleh masyarakat Indonesia. Kornet daging sapi terdiri atas beberapa merk dengan komposisi yang berbeda-beda dari bahan baku, bahan tambahan hingga bahan penolongnya. Hasil penelusuran diperoleh adanya bahan yang termasuk titik kritis dan non titik kritis baik untuk produk dalam negri maupun luar negri yang telah diakui dan belum diakui oleh Majelis Ulama Indonesia.
Effects of Isoflavone Profiles of Thermally Treated Soybean Extracts on α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities
Authors: Lee Hwa-Lim , Chung Ha-Yull
Published: September 2022

The structure of isoflavone moiety in soybean could be altered by thermal treatment. Thus, this study analyzed the isoflavone profiles of raw soybean extract (RSe, no pretreatment), blanched soybean extract (BSe, at 85°C for 3 min), and cooked soybean extract (CSe, at 95°C for 30 min) and measured their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. The content of malonylglucosides in RSe decreased considerably during their transformation into BSe and CSe. The total content of isoflavones in RSe and BSe was fairly similar, although there was a significant difference in the respective values for RSe and CSe. It was concluded that the cooking treatment significantly impacted soybean isoflavone content and, eventually, one-quarter of isoflavones were lost in CSe. According to authentic isoflavone tests, the inhibition of α-glucosidase by isoflavone aglycones was more effective than that of the corresponding isoflavone glucosides. The α-glucosidase inhibitions were observed in the order of BSe (70.0%), CSe (53.3%), and RSe (32.3%). However, it was challenging to identify which isoflavone derivative had contributed to the phenomenon mentioned above. Hence, the blanching of soybean seemed to be more appropriate than cooking for preparing soybean extract to inhibit α-glucosidase due to the higher loss of isoflavone during cooking.
Quality Characteristics of Jeung-pyun Added with Hardy Kiwi Powder
Authors: Kim Myung Hyun
Published: September 2022

This study examined the antioxidant activity and quality of Jeung-pyun prepared with different concentrations of hardy kiwi powder at 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. When the moisture content of Jeung-pyun was between 49.94-53.33%, the pH measurement showed a significant decrease with the increase of the hardy kiwi powder from 3.95 to 4.82. The L (lightness) values and the (redness) values decreased, whereas the b (yellowness) values increased with increasing amounts of hardy kiwi powder. The study showed a significant decrease in hardness, chewiness, and gumminess as the proportion of hardy kiwi powder in the Jeung-pyun increased. The total polyphenol content and DPPH radical scavenging activity increased noticeably as more hardy kiwi powder was added to the Jeung-pyun. As a result, the study groups with added hardy kiwi powder showed higher antioxidant activity than the control groups. Based on the results, this study recommends hardy kiwi as a good ingredient for enhancing the functionality of Jeung-pyun.
Effect of Extraction Temperature on Bio-Functional Properties of Cassia tora Seed Processed by Germination and Roasting
Authors: Kang Sun-Woong , Koo Na-Gyeong , Lee Young-Tack
Published: September 2022

Cassia tora seed was processed by germination and roasting to develop a germinated Cassia tora tea. The effects of extraction temperature on antioxidative compounds in tea extracts were examined and compared to four different commercial Cassia tora tea products. The contents of antioxidative compounds, such as phenolics, flavonoids, and β-carotene, increased as the extraction temperature increased (5 to 80°C), subsequently increasing in vitro antioxidant activities (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities). Germinated Cassia tora tea had higher antioxidative activity than selected commercial Cassia tora teas, and the difference was significant at low extraction temperature. Therefore, the germinated Cassia tora tea could contribute to a new type of tea product with enhanced bioactive and antioxidative activities by adopting appropriate processing and extraction conditions.
Plasmonic hot-electron reconfigurable photodetector based on phase-change material Sb2S3
Authors: Santos Gonzalo , Georghe Marin , Cobianu Cornel , Modreanu Mircea , Losurdo Maria , Gutiérrez Yael , Moreno Fernando
Published: September 2022

Hot-carrier based photodetectors and enhanced by surface plasmons (SPs) hot-electron injection into semiconductors, are drawing significant attention. This photodetecting strategy yields to narrowband photoresponse while enabling photodetection at sub-bandgap energies of the semiconductor materials. In this work, we analyze the design of a reconfigurable photodetector based on a metal-semiconductor (MS) configuration with interdigitated dual-comb Au electrodes deposited on the semiconducting Sb2S3 phase-change material. The reconfigurability of the device relies on the changes of refractive index between the amorphous and crystalline phases of Sb2S3 that entail a modulation of the properties of the SPs generated at the dual-comb Au electrodes. An exhaustive numerical study has been realized on the Au grating parameters formed by the dual-comb electrodes, and on the SP order with the purpose of optimizing the absorption of the device, and thus, the responsivity of the photodetector. The optimized photodetector layout proposed here enables tunable narrowband photodetection from the O telecom band (λ = 1310 nm) to the C telecom band (λ = 1550 nm).
Iterative correction method of a retrace error in interferometry
Authors: Hu Chenhui , Chen Lei , Zheng Donghui , Wang Yuntao , Ma Zhiyao , Zhang Zhe
Published: September 2022

In interferometer measurements, the inconsistency of the optical range through which the reference and test lights pass introduces a retrace error in the phase measurement. In this study, we propose an iterative retrace error correction method in interferometry. A black-box model is established based on the linear and squared relationships between the retrace error and the tilt of the testing surface. The error correction phase is obtained using the least-squares method; thereafter, the global tilt is determined to iteratively correct the retrace error. The root mean square (RMS) of the residuals was > 3.2 × 10−5λ, >6.4 × 10−3λ, and >1.4 × 10−3λ in the simulation, experimentally computed retrace error correction in the planar measurement, and spherical measurement, respectively, proving that the retrace error can be effectively corrected.
Large dynamic strain range slope-assisted Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry based on a graded-index multi-mode fiber
Authors: Liu Ge , Lu Hanglin , Tang Jian , Zou Dongjiang , Wei Ruoxue , Li Tian , Qin Zixiong , Yang Li , Hu Junhui
Published: September 2022

A slope-assisted Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry system with large dynamic strain range was proposed and demonstrated using graded-index multi-mode fiber (GI-MMF) as sensing fiber. Analysis of the simulated and experimental results indicated that the Brillouin gain spectrum in GI-MMF could be broadened by controlling the coupling efficiency of optical and acoustic modes. The coupling efficiency could be controlled by adjusting lateral offset between single mode fiber (SMF) and GI-MMF. The system realized the maximum strain dynamic measurement of 3000 µɛ with the spatial resolution of 5 m along ∼1 km GI-MMF, and exhibited significant linear relationship between signal intensity and strain at vibrational frequency of 7.83 and 15.47 Hz. The measured error of vibration frequency was less than 0.2 and 1.5 Hz, respectively. The measured strain range of this system was more than three times that of traditional systems based on SMF and could be achieved at relatively low cost.
Scanning single-pixel imaging lidar
Authors: Huang Jian , Li Zhicai , Shi Dongfeng , Chen Yafeng , Yuan Kee , Hu Shunxing , Wang Yingjian
Published: September 2022

Long-range light detection and ranging (lidar) of active illumination optical imaging has widespread applications, such as remote sensing, satellite-based global topography, and target recognition and identification. Here, to make trade-offs among imaging efficiency, resolution, receiving field of view, divergence angle, and detected distance, we demonstrate a scanning single-pixel imaging lidar (SSPIL), enjoying the merits of the traditional pointing-by-pointing scanning imaging and single-pixel imaging. The imaging strategy of SSPIL is divided into scanning search and staring imaging processes. These strategies can save most time consumption for imaging background areas and thus improve imaging efficiency. Three imaging experiments were conducted in real urban atmospheric conditions. The preliminary results show SSPIL has the ability for long-range imaging with high efficiency, high resolution, and a large receiving field of view. Also, from the imaging results, we found that multiple samples can improve the SNR of imaging in the real urban atmosphere. The present work may provide a valuable alternative approach in the long-range active illumination optical imaging fields.
Collinear opto-optical loss modulation for carrier-envelope offset stabilization of a fiber frequency comb
Authors: Herman Daniel I. , Deschênes Jean-Daniel , Timmers Henry , Coddington Ian , Newbury Nathan R.
Published: September 2022

Opto-optical loss modulation (OOM) for stabilization of the carrier-envelope offset (CEO) frequency of a femtosecond all-fiber laser is performed using a collinear geometry. Amplitude-modulated 1064 nm light is fiber coupled into an end-pumped semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM)-mode-locked all-polarization-maintaining erbium fiber femtosecond laser, where it optically modulates the loss of the SESAM resulting in modulation of the CEO frequency. A noise rejection bandwidth of 150 kHz is achieved when OOM and optical gain modulation are combined in a hybrid analog/digital loop. Collinear OOM provides a simple, all-fiber, high-bandwidth method for improving the CEO frequency stability of SESAM mode-locked fiber lasers.
Strong optical coupling in metallo-dielectric hybrid metasurfaces
Authors: Ravishankar Ajith P , Vennberg Felix , Anand Srinivasan
Published: September 2022

Metasurfaces consisting of hybrid metal/dielectric nanostructures carry advantages of both material platforms. The hybrid structures can not only confine electromagnetic fields in subwavelength regions, but they may also lower the absorption losses. Such optical characteristics are difficult to realize in metamaterials with only metal or dielectric structures. Hybrid designs also expand the scope of material choices and the types of optical modes that can be excited in a metasurface, thereby allowing novel light matter interactions. Here, we present a metallo-dielectric hybrid metasurface design consisting of a high-index dielectric (silicon) nanodisk array on top of a metal layer (aluminum) separated by a buffer oxide (silica) layer. The dimensions of Si nanodisks are tuned to support anapole states and the period of the nanodisk array is designed to excite surface plasmon polariton (SPP) at the metal-buffer oxide interface. The physical dimensions of the Si nanodisk and the array periods are optimized to excite the anapole and the SPP at normal incidence of light in the visible-NIR (400-900 nm) wavelength range. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations show that, when the nanodisk grating is placed at a specific height (∼200 nm) from the metal surface, the two modes strongly couple at zero detuning of the resonances. The strong coupling is evident from the avoided crossing of the modes observed in the reflectance spectra and in the spectral profile of light absorption inside the Si nanodisk. A vacuum Rabi splitting of up to ∼ 129 meV is achievable by optimizing the diameters of Si nanodisk and the nanodisk array grating period. The proposed metasurface design is promising to realize open cavity strongly coupled optical systems operating at room temperatures.
Annular phase grating-assisted recording of an ultrahigh-order optical orbital angular momentum
Authors: Ni Wenjun , Liu Rui , Yang Chunyong , Tian Yongsheng , Hou Jin , Shum Perry Ping , Chen Shaoping
Published: September 2022

Ultrahigh-order optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of the identification over ±270 orders are implemented by annular phase grating (APG) and Gaussian beams with different wavelengths. Particularly, the far-field diffraction intensity patterns feature the spiral stripes instead of Hermitian-Gaussian (HG)-like fringes. It’s worth noting that the spiral stripes present uniform distribution, thus the order of OAM states can be intuitively acquired. More specifically, the OAM states can be confirmed from the total amount and rotating direction of the spiral stripes. Compared with traditional methods, the propose scheme contributes to the perfect-distributed and sharper spiral stripes. Moreover, it also makes an easier observation of the patterns in the CCD camera with limited imaging targets. In our experimental setup, the optical filter is removed and the APG parameters are not strictly required. Therefore, the propose optical transmission system is equipped with the advantages of efficiency, robustness and low cost, which paves a promising way for the communication capacity enhancement.
Optimization of surface enhanced Raman scattering performance based on Ag nanoparticle-modified vanadium-titanium nanorods with tunable nanogaps
Authors: Yuan Wenzhi , Wu Yanjun , Zhang Zhibin , Shi Guochao , Han Wei , Li Kuihua , Gu Jungai , Chen Congzhe , Ge Jialin , Zhou Wenying , Cui Jiahao , Wang Mingli
Published: September 2022

The combination of new noble metal nanomaterials and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology has become a new strategy to solve the problem of low sensitivity in the detection of traditional Chinese medicine. In this work, taking natural cicada wing (C.w.) as a template, by optimizing the magnetron sputtering experimental parameters for the growth of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on vanadium-titanium (V-Ti) nanorods, the nanogaps between the nanorods were effectively regulated and the Raman signal intensity of the Ag15/V-Ti20/C.w. substrate was improved. The proposed homogeneous nanostructure exhibited high SERS activity through the synergistic effect of the electromagnetic enhancement mechanism at the nanogaps between the Ag NPs modified V-Ti nanorods. The analytical enhancement factor (AEF) value was as high as 1.819 × 108, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 1 × 10−11 M for R6G. The large-scale distribution of regular electromagnetic enhancement “hot spots” ensured the good reproducibility with the relative standard deviation (RSD) value less than 7.31%. More importantly, the active compound of Artemisinin corresponded the pharmacological effect of Artemisia annua was screened out by SERS technology, and achieved a LOD of 0.01 mg/l. This reliable preparation technology was practically applicable to produce SERS-active substrates in detection of pharmacodynamic substance in traditional Chinese medicine.
A spatially resolved stochastic model reveals the role of supercoiling in transcription regulation
Authors: Geng Yuncong , Bohrer Christopher Herrick , Yehya Nicolás , Hendrix Hunter , Shachaf Lior , Liu Jian , Xiao Jie , Roberts Elijah
Published: September 2022

InEscherichia coli, translocation of RNA polymerase (RNAP) during transcription introduces supercoiling to DNA, which influences the initiation and elongation behaviors of RNAP. To quantify the role of supercoiling in transcription regulation, we developed a spatially resolved supercoiling model of transcription. The integrated model describes how RNAP activity feeds back with the local DNA supercoiling and how this mechanochemical feedback controls transcription, subject to topoisomerase activities and stochastic topological domain formation. This model establishes that transcription-induced supercoiling mediates the cooperation of co-transcribing RNAP molecules in highly expressed genes, and this cooperation is achieved under moderate supercoiling diffusion and high topoisomerase unbinding rates. It predicts that a topological domain could serve as a transcription regulator, generating substantial transcriptional noise. It also shows the relative orientation of two closely arranged genes plays an important role in regulating their transcription. The model provides a quantitative platform for investigating how genome organization impacts transcription.
Impact of school closures and reopening on COVID-19 caseload in 6 cities of Pakistan: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Authors: Mueed Abdul , Ahmad Taimoor , Abdullah Mujahid , Sultan Faisal , Khan Adnan Ahmad
Published: September 2022

Schools were closed all over Pakistan on November 26, 2020 to reduce community transmission of COVID-19 and reopened between January 18 and February 1, 2021. However, these closures were associated with significant economic and social costs, prompting a review of effectiveness of school closures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections in a developing country like Pakistan. A single-group interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was used to measure the impact of school closures, as well as reopening schools, on daily new COVID-19 cases in 6 major cities across Pakistan: Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, and Muzaffarabad. However, any benefits were contingent on continued closure of schools, as cases bounced back once schools reopened. School closures are associated with a clear and statistically significant reduction in COVID-19 cases by 0.07 to 0.63 cases per 100,000 population, while reopening schools is associated with a statistically significant increase. Lahore is an exception to the effect of school closures, but it too saw an increase in COVID-19 cases after schools reopened in early 2021. We show that closing schools was a viable policy option, especially before vaccines became available. However, its social and economic costs must also be considered.
Distinct loiasis infection states and associated clinical and hematological manifestations in patients from Gabon
Authors: Veletzky Luzia , Eberhardt Kirsten Alexandra , Hergeth Jennifer , Stelzl Daniel Robert , Zoleko Manego Rella , Mombo-Ngoma Ghyslain , Kreuzmair Ruth , Burger Gerrit , Adegnika Ayôla Akim , Agnandji Selidji Todagbe , Matsiegui Pierre Blaise , Boussinesq Michel , Mordmüller Benjamin , Ramharter Michael
Published: September 2022

Background

Loiasis–a filarial disease endemic in Central and West Africa–is increasingly recognized as significant individual and public health concern. While the understanding of the disease characteristics remains limited, significant morbidity and excess mortality have been demonstrated. Here, we characterize clinical and hematological findings in a large cohort from Gabon.

Methods

Loiasis-related clinical manifestations and microfilaremia, hemoglobin and differential blood counts were recorded prospectively during a cross-sectional survey. For analysis, participants were categorized into distinct infection states by the diagnostic criteria of eye worm history and microfilaremia.

Results

Analysis of data from 1,232 individuals showed that occurrence of clinical and hematological findings differed significantly between the infection states. Eye worm positivity was associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations while microfilaremia by itself was not. Loa loa infection was associated with presence of eosinophilia and absolute eosinophil counts were associated with extent of microfilaremia (p-adj. = 0.012, ß-estimate:0.17[0.04–0.31]).

Conclusions

Loiasis is a complex disease, causing different disease manifestations in patients from endemic regions. The consequences for the affected individuals or populations as well as the pathophysiological consequences of correlating eosinophilia are largely unknown. High-quality research on loiasis should be fostered to improve patient care and understanding of the disease.
Attachment insecurities, caregiver burden, and psychological distress among partners of patients with heart disease
Authors: Laflamme Simone Zofia , Bouchard Karen , Sztajerowska Karolina , Lalande Kathleen , Greenman Paul S. , Tulloch Heather
Published: September 2022

Caregiver psychological distress (i.e., depression and anxiety) is harmful to both caregiver and patient. Different affect-regulation strategies associated with attachment orientations may impact a caregiver’s perception of their caregiving role as a burden, thereby contributing to their psychological distress. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the links among attachment orientations, caregiver burden, and psychological distress in a cardiac context. Participants (N = 181, Mage = 61.79, SD = 10.49; males = 24.7%) were romantic partners of patients with heart disease (i.e., informal caregivers) who completed validated questionnaires. The majority of caregivers had partners with coronary artery disease (n = 127, 70. 2%). 66.3% of caregivers reported low burden, 87.6% reported low levels of depression and 89.9% reported low levels of anxiety. The mean anxious attachment score was 2.74 (SD = 1.37) and the mean avoidant attachment score was 2.95 (SD = 1.26). Four mediation analyses were run using PROCESS macro for IBM SPSS (version 26). Statistical models showed that the relationships between attachment anxiety and psychological distress were mediated by caregiver burden [abanxiety= 0.15, 95% C.I. (0.04, 0.29); abdepression = 0.15, 95% C.I. (0.05, 0.28)] and that attachment avoidance was not a significant covariate (cvanxiety = −0.02, p>0.05; cvdepression = 0.40, p>0.05). The relationships between attachment avoidance and psychological distress were also mediated by caregiver burden [abanxiety = 0.23, 95% C.I. (0.10, 0.42); abdepression = 0.21, 95% C.I. (0.09, 0.37]with attachment anxiety as a significant covariate (cvanxiety = 1.09, p<0.001; cvdepression = 1.09, p<0.001). Interventions for caregivers reporting attachment insecurity and burden should be explored to potentially lessen caregiver distress as they support their partners with heart disease.
Frailty and risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality
Authors: Liu Xiao , Tou Nien Xiang , Gao Qi , Gwee Xinyi , Wee Shiou Liang , Ng Tze Pin
Published: September 2022

Background

Prospective cohort studies suggest that frailty is associated with an increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality, but their mechanistic and developmental relations are not fully understood. We investigated whether frailty predicted an increased risk of incident nonfatal and fatal CVD among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

A population cohort of 5015 participants aged 55 years and above free of CVD at baseline was followed for up to 10 years. Pre-frailty and frailty were defined as the presence of 1–2 and 3–5 modified Fried criteria (unintentional weight loss, weakness, slow gait speed, exhaustion, and low physical activity), incident CVD events as newly diagnosed registered cases of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and CVD-related mortality (ICD 9: 390 to 459 or ICD-10: I00 to I99). Covariate measures included traditional cardio-metabolic and vascular risk factors, medication therapies, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and blood biomarkers (haemoglobin, albumin, white blood cell counts and creatinine).

Results

Pre-frailty and frailty were significantly associated with elevated HR = 1.26 (95%CI: 1.02–1.56) and HR = 1.54 (95%CI:1.00–2.35) of overall CVD, adjusted for cardio-metabolic and vascular risk factors and medication therapies, but not after adjustment for GDS depression and MMSE cognitive impairment. The HR of association between frailty status and both CVD mortality and overall mortality, however, remained significantly elevated after full adjustment for depression, cognitive and blood biomarkers.

Conclusion

Frailty was associated with increased risk of CVD morbidity and especially mortality, mediated in parts by traditional cardio-metabolic and vascular risk factors, and co-morbid depression and associated cognitive impairment and chronic inflammation. Given that pre-frailty and frailty are reversible by multi-domain lifestyle and health interventions, there is potential benefits in reducing cardiovascular diseases burden and mortality from interventions targeting pre-frailty and early frailty population.
Chimeric DNA byproducts in strand displacement amplification using the T7 replisome
Authors: Nye Dillon B. , Tanner Nathan A.
Published: September 2022

Recent advances in next generation sequencing technologies enable reading DNA molecules hundreds of kilobases in length and motivate development of DNA amplification methods capable of producing long amplicons. In vivo, DNA replication is performed not by a single polymerase enzyme, but multiprotein complexes called replisomes. Here, we investigate strand-displacement amplification reactions using the T7 replisome, a macromolecular complex of a helicase, a single-stranded DNA binding protein, and a DNA polymerase. The T7 replisome may initiate processive DNA synthesis from DNA nicks, and the reaction of a 48 kilobase linear double stranded DNA substrate with the T7 replisome and nicking endonucleases is shown to produce discrete DNA amplicons. To gain a mechanistic understanding of this reaction, we utilized Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing technology. Sequence analysis of the amplicons revealed chimeric DNA reads and uncovered a connection between template switching and polymerase exonuclease activity. Nanopore sequencing provides insight to guide the further development of isothermal amplification methods for long DNA, and our results highlight the need for high-specificity, high-turnover nicking endonucleases to initiate DNA amplification without thermal denaturation.
A meta-analysis of the value of circulating tumor cells in monitoring postoperative recurrence and metastasis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Wu Jiao , Li Zhongyu , Zou Jianhua , Li Liusheng , Cui Ning , Hao Tengteng , Yi Kangjun , Yang Jingyan , Wu Yu
Published: September 2022

Objective

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as novel biomarkers are widely investigated in various cancers, although most of the literature shows that CTCs have predictive value for recurrence, metastasis, and prognosis after CRC surgery, results remain controversial. We aimed to systematically evaluate the value of CTCs in monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence and metastasis after surgery.

Method

The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and other databases were searched from the establishment of the database to May 27, 2021. Relevant literature searches and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The quality assessment was performed using the QUADAS2 scale developed by the Cochrane collaboration. The heterogeneity was checked using the Spearman correlation coefficient and the Cochran-Q test in the Meta-Disc1.4 software. Subgroup analysis was used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Considering that all the included papers were clinical studies with clinical heterogeneity, random effect model was adopted for analysis. And the sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves of CTCs, in monitoring recurrence and metastasis after CRC, were calculated. The publication bias of the included studies was assessed using Deek’s funnel figure.

Result

The literature included a total of 13 articles, comprising 1788 cases, and the overall quality of the literature was high. After summing up the indicators, the sensitivity pooled-value of the peripheral blood CTCs to monitor the recurrence and metastasis value of CRC after CRC was 0.67 [95%CI (0.62, 0.71)], specificity pooled-value was 0.71 [95%CI (0.67, 0.72)], PLR pooled-value was 2.37 [95%CI [1.52, 3.71]), NLR pooled into 0.53 [95%CI (0.36, 0.78)], DOR pooled into 4.97 [95%CI (2.11, 11.72)], AUC was 0.7395.

Conclusion

Peripheral blood CTCs have a moderate monitoring value for recurrence and metastasis after CRC; CTCs detected one week after surgery may be more correlated with recurrence and metastasis.
Digestive tolerability and acceptability of Fibersol-2 in healthy and diarrheal children 1–3 years old at a rural facility, Bangladesh: Results from a four arm exploratory study
Authors: Shahid Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayeem Bin , Ahmed Shahnawaz , Renesa Tanzina Tazul , Onni Anindita Tasnim , Dash Sampa , Kishimoto Yuka , Kanahori Sumiko , Ahmed Tahmeed , Faruque Abu Syed Golam , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer
Published: September 2022

Background

Fibersol-2 has some beneficial effects on human health. We aimed to evaluate the digestive tolerability and acceptability of Fibersol-2 in healthy and diarrheal children, as well as improvement in stool consistencies in young diarrheal children.

Methods

Sixty children of either sex, aged 1–3 years having four groups (healthy children/low dose, healthy children/high dose, children with diarrhea/low dose and children with diarrhea/high dose) were enrolled into this exploratory study between 1st August to 23rd October 2017. Two presumptive doses, low (2.5g) and high (5g), twice daily with 50 ml drinking water for seven days were the interventions. Outcomes were to observe the development of possible abdominal symptoms, such as pain, distension, rumbling, and bloating during the intervention and post-intervention periods in healthy and diarrheal children as well as improvement in stool consistencies in diarrheal children.

Results

Among the diarrheal children, the median (IQR) duration of resolution of diarrhea was 3.9 (2.9, 5.1) days vs. 3.5 (2.0, 8.0) days, p = 0.885; in low dose and high dose groups, respectively. Significant difference was observed in terms of abdominal pain (27% vs. 7%, p = 0.038) and distension (40% vs. 0%, p<0.001) in diarrheal children, compared to healthy children during the pre-intervention period. We also observed significant difference in respect of abdominal distension (23% vs. 0%, p = 0.011), rumbling (27% vs. 0%, p = 0.005) and bloating (43% vs. 3%, p = 0.001) in diarrheal children, compared to healthy children during the intervention period. However, no significant difference was observed in relation to abdominal pain (p = 0.347) and distension (p = 0.165) during the pre-intervention period, compared to the intervention period in diarrheal children. Moreover, no significant difference was observed during the post-intervention period for the diarrheal and healthy children.

Conclusion

Fibersol-2 was found to be well tolerated in healthy and diarrheal children aged 1–3 years.

Trial registration

This study was registered as part of a randomized trial at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03565393. The authors confirmed that all ongoing and related trials for this drug/intervention were registered.
Improving business performance through TPM method: The evidence from the production and processing of crude oil
Authors: Drewniak Rafał , Drewniak Zbigniew
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, customers expect manufacturers to supply high quality products, on-time deliveries and competitive prices. The consequence of the increased market requirements is the need to maintain high reliability and efficiency of machines and the production process. The existing methods of production management have proved to be inefficient enough to maintain the company’s competitive position on the market. The Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) concept is one of the tools to maximize equipment efficiency by establishing an optimal relationship between people and machines. The aim of the article is to present the issues related to TPM and demonstrate in the process of empirical research that it serves the purpose of improving efficiency and supports quality in the enterprise. The considerations are based on the thesis that TPM is an economical variant of maintenance and guarantees stability, quality and maximization of production efficiency. The article presents the results of empirical research in an enterprise extracting and processing pre-crudes and gas from Caspian Sea. The data from the SAP management system of the investigated enterprise were used. Based on 146 maintenance orders for 40 devices, a correlation between preventive and corrective maintenance was determined using statistical tools. The main goal of the study was to show whether preventive maintenance reduces the occurrence of failures contributing to the elimination of disturbances in the production process. In addition, we analyzed real cases of equipment failures to answer the question whether the procedure of preventive maintenance of equipment in the studied population would prevent the occurrence of these defects. The empirical study demonstrated a clear impact of Preventive Maintenance on limiting the occurrence of equipment failures, and thus production disturbances.
Real-time and high precision feature matching between blur aerial images
Authors: Dai Dongchen , Zheng Lina , Yuan Guoqin , Zhang He , Zhang Yu , Wang Haijiang , Kang Qi
Published: September 2022

When aerial cameras get aerial remote sensing images, the defocus will occur because of reasons such as air pressure, temperature and ground elevation changes, resulting in different image sharpness of continual aerial remote sensing images. Nowadays, the rapidly developing feature matching algorithm will rapidly reduce the registration rate between images with different image sharpness. Therefore, in order to enable aerial cameras to get image sharpness parameters according to the locations of aerial image feature points with inconsistent sharpness, this paper proposes a feature matching algorithm between aerial images with different sharpness by using DEM data and multiple constraints. In this paper, the feature matching range is extended according to the modified aerial imaging model and the nonlinear soft margin support vector machine. Then the relative moving speed and its variation of the feature points in the image are obtained by using the extended L-k optical flow, and finally the epipolar geometric constraint is introduced. To locate the feature points is obtained under multiple constraints, there is no need to calculate the feature point descriptors, and some mismatched point pairs are corrected, which improves the matching efficiency and precision. The experimental results show the feature matching precision of this algorithm is more than 90%, and the running time and matching precision can meet various application needs of aerial cameras.
Metabolic flexibilities and vulnerabilities in the pentose phosphate pathway of the zoonotic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Xia Ningbo , Guo Xuefang , Guo Qinghong , Gupta Nishith , Ji Nuo , Shen Bang , Xiao Lihua , Feng Yaoyu
Published: September 2022

Metabolic pathways underpin the growth and virulence of intracellular parasites and are therefore promising antiparasitic targets. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is vital in most organisms, providing a reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and ribose sugar for nucleotide synthesis; however, it has not yet been studied inToxoplasma gondii, a widespread intracellular pathogen and a model protozoan organism. Herein, we show thatT.gondiihas a functional PPP distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of its acutely-infectious tachyzoite stage. We produced eight parasite mutants disrupting seven enzymes of the PPP inT.gondii. Our data show that of the seven PPP proteins, the two glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases (TgG6PDH1,TgG6PDH2), one of the two 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases (Tg6PGDH1), ribulose-5-phosphate epimerase (TgRuPE) and transaldolase (TgTAL) are dispensablein vitroas well asin vivo, disclosing substantial metabolic plasticity inT.gondii. Among these,TgG6PDH2 plays a vital role in defense against oxidative stress by the pathogen. Further, we show thatTg6PGDH2 and ribulose-5-phosphate isomerase (TgRPI) are critical for tachyzoite growth. The depletion ofTgRPI impairs the flux of glucose in central carbon pathways, and causes decreased expression of ribosomal, microneme and rhoptry proteins. In summary, our results demonstrate the physiological need of the PPP inT.gondiiwhile unraveling metabolic flexibility and antiparasitic targets.
Influenza A virus activates cellular Tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) signaling to promote viral replication and lung inflammation
Authors: Verma Vikram , Dileepan Mythili , Huang Qinfeng , Phan Thu , Hu Wei-Shou , Ly Hinh , Liang Yuying
Published: September 2022

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection causes acute respiratory disease with potential severe and deadly complications. Viral pathogenesis is not only due to the direct cytopathic effect of viral infections but also to the exacerbated host inflammatory responses. Influenza viral infection can activate various host signaling pathways that function to activate or inhibit viral replication. Our previous studies have shown that a receptor tyrosine kinase TrkA plays an important role in the replication of influenza viruses in vitro, but its biological roles and functional mechanisms in influenza viral infection have not been characterized. Here we show that IAV infection strongly activates TrkA in vitro and in vivo. Using a chemical-genetic approach to specifically control TrkA kinase activity through a small molecule compound 1NMPP1 in a TrkA knock-in (TrkA KI) mouse model, we show that 1NMPP1-mediated TrkA inhibition completely protected mice from a lethal IAV infection by significantly reducing viral loads and lung inflammation. Using primary lung cells isolated from the TrkA KI mice, we show that specific TrkA inhibition reduced IAV viral RNA synthesis in airway epithelial cells (AECs) but not in alveolar macrophages (AMs). Transcriptomic analysis confirmed the cell-type-specific role of TrkA in viral RNA synthesis, and identified distinct gene expression patterns under the TrkA regulation in IAV-infected AECs and AMs. Among the TrkA-activated targets are various proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as IL6, IL-1β, IFNs, CCL-5, and CXCL9, supporting the role of TrkA in mediating lung inflammation. Indeed, while TrkA inhibitor 1NMPP1 administered after the peak of IAV replication had no effect on viral load, it was able to decrease lung inflammation and provided partial protection in mice. Taken together, our results have demonstrated for the first time an important biological role of TrkA signaling in IAV infection, identified its cell-type-specific contribution to viral replication, and revealed its functional mechanism in virus-induced lung inflammation. This study suggests TrkA as a novel host target for therapeutic development against influenza viral disease.
Üdvözlet az ábrázoló geometria világából
Authors: Nagy Valéria
Published: September 2022

Az elmúlt több mint egy évtizedben – de a világjárvány időszakában
még inkább – előtérbe került annak a kérdésnek a megválaszolása Hogyan
tanítsunk és tanuljunk ábrázoló geometriát a technikai fejlődés dinamikus
változásainak közegében? E rövid közlemény tulajdonképpen széljegyzet az
ábrázoló geometria oktatás margójára egyetemi környezetben, ugyanakkor a
leírtak minden oktatási szintet érintenek. Hazai és külföldi
(szak)irodalmak, írásművek mondanivalóinak kiemelésével – támaszkodva a
saját tapasztalatokra is – rámutat arra, hogy azok a (szak)módszertani
megközelítések lehetnek helyesek és hatékonyak, amelyek nem tévesztik szem
elől azt az örökérvényű „axiómát”, amelyet még 1777-ben a Ratio Educationis
fogalmazott meg elsőként. Nevezetesen, hogy a geometria „… bámulatosan
képezi az ifjak elméjét a helyes gondolkodásra és a tárgyakról való igaz
fogalmaknak a megalkotására”. Továbbá „Fő gondunk itt arra irányuljon, hogy
csak azokat a meghatározásokat és feladatokat vegyük föl, melyeknek
alkalmazása és megfejtése a közéletben előfordul.” Kiegészítve e gondolatot
azzal, hogy a személyiségformálásnak is (egyik) eszköze a rajzolás, ami még
teljesebb lehet, ha a technikai, technológiai fejlettség is hozzájárul. A
közlemény fontos megállapítása, hogy a tanítás–tanulás folyamatában Triplum
modellként értelmezhető a tanító–tananyag–tanított viszonya, amely
kapcsolatnak közvetlennek és dinamikusnak kell lennie. Továbbá a sokat
hangoztatott tanítotti élmény mellett éppoly fontos a tanítói élmény is,
ezért ezekkel – mint az oktatás mozgatórugóival, a jövő oktatási
kihívásaival – kiegészülve pedig Quintuplum modell.