bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infiltrative laryngeal disease in dogs
Authors: Dixon A. , Tivers M. S. , Packham L. , Black V.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To describe the clinical features and outcome of neoplastic and inflammatory infiltrative laryngeal disease in dogs.

Materials and Methods

Medical records at a single referral centre were retrospectively reviewed for dogs diagnosed with infiltrative laryngeal disease by CT or laryngoscopy.

Results

Fifteen dogs were included, with a median age of 6 years (range 1‐14 years). Thirteen dogs were diagnosed with inflammatory disease including granulation tissue (n = 4) and neutrophilic (n = 2), septic neutrophilic (n = 2), eosinophilic (n = 1) lymphocytic/plasmacytic (n = 1) and mixed/unclassified (n = 3) inflammation. One dog was diagnosed with large cell lymphoma and one dog was diagnosed with mast cell tumour. Twelve dogs survived to discharge.

Follow‐up was available for 10 dogs diagnosed with inflammatory disease. Four had fully recovered (7, 10, 23 and 32 months) and one dog developed acute leukaemia and was euthanased at 2 months. Five dogs had recurrence of clinical signs at 1, 1, 5, 17 and 26 months. The dog with lymphoma was euthanased at 8 months and the dog with mast cell tumour died at 5 months.

Clinical Significance

In this cohort, infiltrative inflammatory lesions of the larynx were more common than neoplastic infiltration. For dogs that survived to discharge, outcome was fair although relapse was common.
Sleep of preschoolers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak
Authors: Liu Zhijun , Tang Hui , Jin Qiyun , Wang Guanghai , Yang Zixin , Chen Hongyan , Yan Hongxia , Rao Wenjie , Owens Judith
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has resulted in a significantly large number of psychological consequences, including sleep health. The present study evaluated sleep patterns, sleep disturbances, and associated factors in Chinese preschoolers confined at home during the COVID‐19 outbreak. Caregivers of 1619 preschoolers (aged 4–6 years) recruited from 11 preschools in Zunyi, Guizhou province completed the Children’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ) between 17th and 19th February 2020. Data were compared to a sociodemographically similar sample of preschoolers (included in the 11 preschools) in 2018. Compared to the 2018 sample, the confined preschoolers demonstrated changes in sleep patterns characterized by later bedtimes and wake times, longer nocturnal and shorter nap sleep durations, comparable 24‐hr sleep duration, and fewer caregiver‐reported sleep disturbances. Moreover, behavioural practices (sleeping arrangement, reduced electronic device use, regular diet) and parenting practices (harmonious family atmosphere and increased parent‐child communication) were associated with less sleep disturbances in the confined sample. The present study provides the first description of the impact of prolonged home confinement during the COVID‐19 outbreak on sleep patterns and sleep disturbances in preschoolers, as well as highlighting the importance of the link between sleep health and family factors. Given that disrupted and insufficient sleep has been linked to immune system dysfunction, our findings also have potential implications for resilience to infection in young children during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Future studies should further explore deficient sleep as a risk factor for coronavirus infection.
Significance of cytosolic cathepsin D in Alzheimer's disease pathology: Protective cellular effects of PLGA nanoparticles against β‐amyloid‐toxicity
Authors: Wang Y. , Wu Q. , Anand B. G. , Karthivashan G. , Phukan G. , Yang J. , Thinakaran G. , Westaway D. , Kar S.
Published: July 2020

Background

Evidence suggests that amyloid β (Aβ) peptides play an important role in the degeneration of neurons during the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the prevalent cause of dementia affecting the elderly. The endosomal–lysosomal system, which acts as a major site for Aβ metabolism, has been shown to exhibit abnormalities in vulnerable neurons of the AD brain, reflected by enhanced levels/expression of lysosomal enzymes including cathepsin D (CatD). At present, the implication of CatD in selective neuronal vulnerability in AD pathology remains unclear.

Methods

We evaluated the role of CatD in the degeneration of neurons in Aβ‐treated cultures, transgenic AD mouse model (that is 5xFAD) and post mortem AD brain samples.

Results

Our results showed that Aβ1‐42‐induced toxicity in cortical cultured neurons is associated with impaired lysosomal integrity, enhanced levels of carbonylated proteins and tau phosphorylation. The cellular and cytosolic levels/activity of CatD are also elevated in cultured neurons following exposure to Aβ peptide. Additionally, we observed that CatD cellular and subcellular levels/activity are increased in the affected cortex, but not in the unaffected cerebellum, of 5xFAD mice and post mortem AD brains. Interestingly, treatment of cultured neurons with nanoparticles PLGA, which targets lysosomal system, attenuated Aβ toxicity by reducing the levels of carbonylated proteins, tau phosphorylation and the level/distribution/activity of CatD.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that increased cytosolic level/activity of CatD play an important role in determining neuronal vulnerability in AD. Additionally, native PLGA can protect neurons against Aβ toxicity by restoring lysosomal membrane integrity, thus signifying its implication in attenuating AD.
Conceptions of national identity, turnout and party preference: Evidence from Germany
Authors: Mader Matthias , Pesthy Maria , Schoen Harald
Published: July 2020

As globalisation makes national boundaries both permeable and contested, conflicts over national identity and related policy issues are bound to increase the salience of citizens' individual national identitiesand, consequently, increase their impact on political attitudes and behaviour. We study the link between ethnocultural and civic dimensions of national identity and turnout and party preferences. After providing a theoretical discussion that integrates conceptions of national identity into established models of turnout and party preference formation, we explore the merit of accounting for these conceptions of national identity in a case study of Germany. Analysing data from two surveys conducted in the period between 2015 and 2017, we show that acceptance of civic criteria of national identity was positively associated with turnout and partisan support for all German parties besides the AfD. Acceptance of ethnocultural criteria was associated with increased support for (centre‐) right and decreased support for (centre‐) left parties. Some of these patterns differ significantly and in predictable ways between the two data points bracketing the height of the European refugee crisis. These findings suggest that individual conceptions of national identity may be of importance for our understanding turnout decisions and party preferences, but the specific relationships presumably depend on contextual conditions.
Pharmacological management of orofacial pain – a clinician’s guide
Authors: Clark M.V. , Donnell C.C. , Durham J. , Balasubramaniam R.
Published: July 2020

Managing orofacial pain can be a daunting prospect for the dentally qualified clinician. This article aims to alleviate some of these concerns by providing guidance when pharmacological intervention may be recommended, alongside their dosing regimens and contraindications. The medications discussed include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, clonazepam, capsaicin, baclofen, lamotrigine, alpha‐lipoic acid, lidocaine hydrochloride and benzydamine hydrochloride. Management of orofacial pain is complex and, hence, often requires the input of specialists in secondary care. While the scope of this guide is aimed chiefly at pharmacological management by secondary care dental prescribers, a holistic approach encompassing all biopsychosocial factors is encouraged. The main take home points have been summarised in a table, aimed for use as a ‘quick reference guide’ during clinic sessions. Other contemporaneous prescribing guides and guidelines should always be used in conjunction with this article as licensing and dosing regimens of medications can be different around the world.
Nursing and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a COVID‐19 world: The state of the science and a call for nursing to lead
Authors: Osingada Charles Peter , Porta Carolyn M.
Published: July 2020

The World Health Organization declared 2020 the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife well before the world was plunged into a pandemic response to SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19). Worldwide, nurses are advancing critical research and policy efforts to achieve all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nursing is best positioned to ask and answer how to achieve the SDGs over the next decade, and in this COVID‐19 era. In this article, we summarize the state of the nursing and midwifery literature about the SDGs. Twenty‐four publications met criteria for inclusion, with nearly half published in 2019. Findings emphasize a need for: (a) nursing curricula and training revisions to include SDG content and strengthen development of a future nursing workforce comprised of global citizens; (b) innovative and disruptive nursing research documenting advances toward achieving the SDG 2030 agenda; (c) nursing practice that operates within a SDG framework; and (d) responsive and proactive nursing policy development that foresees what is needed to achieve the SDGs. When the urgency of COVID‐19 response subsides, the world will adjust to a new normal and nursing must be positioned to lead and contribute to micro‐ and macro‐level efforts toward achieving the SDGs.
The phenology of gross ecosystem production in a macroalga and seagrass canopy is driven by seasonal temperature
Authors: Hinode Kenjiro , Punchai Peeraporn , Saitsu Mako , Nishihara Gregory N. , Inoue Yukio , Terada Ryuta
Published: July 2020

Global changes in climatic conditions are expected to disrupt marine ecosystems. Ocean warming is one of many concerns, since more than 90% of the Earth's warming occurs in the oceans. Macrophyte‐dominated communities recently have become the focus of climate mitigation due to their high carbon sequestration rate. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the effects of environmental variables on the phenological response of photosynthesis in entire macrophyte communities (i.e., community production). We conducted 30 monitoring surveys from May 2015 to February 2017 and collected time‐series data of environmental variables in Zostera marina (3 m depth) and Sargassum siliquastrum (1 m depth) communities. The community production and respiration from two different macrophyte communities were calculated from dissolved oxygen time‐series. Analysis of the time‐series indicated strong diurnal frequencies for dissolved oxygen, light, and net ecosystem production, whereas weekly frequencies dominated for water temperature, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and current speed. Water temperature appeared to drive mean gross ecosystem production over the course of a year and light induced variations in the short‐term and were similar in both macrophyte communities.
Avoiding high‐risk rotator cuff loading: Muscle force during three pull‐up techniques
Authors: Urbanczyk Caryn A. , Prinold Joseph A. I. , Reilly Peter , Bull Anthony M. J.
Published: July 2020

Heavily loaded overhead training tasks, such as pull‐ups are an effective strength training and rehabilitation exercise requiring high muscle forces maintained over a large range of motion. This study used experiments and computational modeling to examine loading patterns during three different pull‐up variants and highlighted risks to vulnerable musculoskeletal structures. Optical motion tracking and a force platform captured kinematics and kinetics of 11 male subjects with no history of shoulder pathology, during performance of three pull‐up variants—pronated front grip, pronated wide grip, and supinated reverse grip. UK National Shoulder model (UKNSM) simulated biomechanics of the shoulder girdle. Muscle forces and activation patterns were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA with post‐hoc comparisons. Motor group recruitment was similar across all pull‐up techniques, with upper limb depression occurring secondary to torso elevation. Stress‐time profiles show significant differences in individual muscle patterns among the three pull‐up variants, with the most marked differences between wide grip and reverse grip. Comparing across techniques, latissimus dorsi was relatively more active in wide pull‐ups (P < .01); front pull‐ups favored activation of biceps brachii and brachialis (P < .02); reverse pull‐ups displayed higher proportional rotator cuff activation (P < .01). Pull‐ups promote stability of the shoulder girdle and activation of scapula stabilizers and performing pull‐ups over their full range of motion is important as different techniques and phases emphasize different muscles. Shoulder rehabilitation and strength & conditioning programs should encourage incorporation of all three pull‐up variants with systematic progression to provide greater global strengthening of the torso and upper limb musculature.
Editor's Introduction: Best of Papers From the 17th International Conference on Cognitive Modeling
Authors: Stewart Terrence C.
Published: July 2020

Cognitive modeling involves the creation of computer simulations that emulate the internal processes of the mind. This set of papers are the five best representatives of the papers presented at the 17th International Conference on Cognitive Modeling, ICCM 2019. While they represent a diversity of techniques and tasks, they all also share a striking similarity: They make strong statements about the importance of accounting for individual differences.
The histone deacetylase HDA703 interacts with OsBZR1 to regulate rice brassinosteroid signaling, growth and heading date through repression of Ghd7 expression
Authors: Wang Huacai , Jiao Xiaoming , Kong Xiaoyu , Liu Yawen , Chen Xiaoying , Fang Rongxiang , Yan Yongsheng
Published: July 2020

The plant steroid hormones brassinosteroids (BRs) play crucial roles in plant growth and development. The BR signal transduction pathway from perception to the key transcription factors has been well understood in Arabidopsis thaliana and in rice (Oryza sativa); however, the mechanisms conferring BR‐mediated growth and flowering remain largely unknown, especially in rice. In this study, we show that HDA703 is a histone H4K8 and H4K12 deacetylase in rice. Hda703 mutants display a typical BR loss‐of‐function phenotype and reduced sensitivity to brassinolide, the most active BR. Rice plants overexpressing HDA703 exhibit some BR gain‐of‐function phenotypes dependent on BR biosynthesis and signaling. We also show that HDA703 is a direct target of BRASSINAZOLE‐RESISTANT1 (OsBZR1), a primary regulator of rice BR signaling, and HDA703 interacts with OsBZR1 in rice. We further show that GRAIN NUMBER, PLANT HEIGHT, and HEADING DATE 7 (Ghd7), a central regulator of growth, development, and the stress response, is a direct target of OsBZR1. HDA703 directly targets Ghd7 and represses its expression through histone H4 deacetylation. HDA703‐overexpressing rice plants phenocopy Ghd7‐silencing rice plants in both growth and heading date. Together, our study suggests that HDA703, a histone H4 deacetylase, interacts with OsBZR1 to regulate rice BR signaling, growth, and heading date through epigenetic regulation of Ghd7.
Using matrix stability for variable telegraph partial differential equation
Authors: Modanli Mahmut , Faraj Bawar Mohammed , Ahmed Faraedoon Waly
Published: July 2020

The variable telegraph partial differential equation depend on initial boundary value problem has been studied. The coefficient constant time-space telegraph partial differential equation is obtained from the variable telegraph partial differential equation throughout using Cauchy-Euler formula. The first and second order difference schemes were constructed for both of coefficient constant time-space and variable time-space telegraph partial differential equation. Matrix stability method is used to prove stability of difference schemes for the variable and coefficient telegraph partial differential equation. The variable telegraph partial differential equation and the constant coefficient time-space telegraph partial differential equation are compared with the exact solution. Finally, approximation solution  has been found for both equations. The error analysis table presents the obtained numerical results.
Numerical investigation of nonlinear generalized regularized long wave equation via delta-shaped basis functions
Authors: Oruç Ömer
Published: July 2020

In this study we will investigate generalized regularized long wave (GRLW)equation numerically. The GRLW equation is a highly nonlinear partialdifferential equation. We use finite difference approach for timederivatives and linearize the nonlinear equation. Then for space discretizationwe use delta-shaped basis functions which are relatively few studiedbasis functions. By doing so we obtain a linear system of equationswhose solution is used for constructing numerical solution of theGRLW equation. To see efficiency of the proposed method four classictest problems namely the motion of a single solitary wave, interactionof two solitary waves, interaction of three solitary waves and Maxwellianinitial condition are solved. Further, invariants are calculated.The results of numerical simulations are compared with exact solutionsif available and with finite difference, finite element and some collocationmethods. The comparison indicates that the proposed method is favorableand gives accurate results.
Changes in prefrontal cerebral oxygenation and microvascular blood volume in hypoxia and possible association with acute mountain sickness
Authors: Manferdelli Giorgio , Marzorati Mauro , Easton Chris , Porcelli Simone
Published: July 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

The role of the cerebral haemodynamic response to either normobaric or hypobaric hypoxia in people susceptible to acute mountain sickness (AMS) is still under debate. Prefrontal cortex near‐infrared spectroscopy‐derived parameters were monitored in normobaric hypoxia at rest and during moderate‐intensity exercise in AMS‐prone and non‐AMS individuals.

What is the main finding and its importance?

The AMS‐prone individuals did not increase microvascular blood volume and showed lower prefrontal cerebral oxygenation in normobaric hypoxia both at rest and during exercise compared with non‐AMS subjects, suggesting that these changes might underpin later development of AMS at altitude.

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in prefrontal cerebral oxygenation and microvascular blood volume during exercise in normobaric hypoxia and to investigate possible associations with the occurrence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) at altitude. Twenty‐two healthy individuals (age, 26 ± 4 years; peak oxygen uptake, 42 ± 4 ml kg−1 min−1) were tested in two different conditions: normoxia (NORM) and normobaric hypoxia (fraction of inspired O2 = 0.13; HYPO). Data were collected at rest and during submaximal constant‐speed exercise. The peripheral oxyhaemoglobin saturation was measured by finger pulse oximeter. Changes in prefrontal cerebral oxygenation (ΔHbO2), deoxygenation (ΔHHb) and microvascular blood volume (ΔHbtot) were obtained by near‐infrared spectroscopy. Within 2 weeks after laboratory testing, subjects rapidly ascended to 3647 m a.s.l., and AMS was evaluated using the Lake Louise scale. Eight subjects were AMS+, whereas 14 were AMS−. During NORM, near‐infrared spectroscopy variables did not change from baseline values both at rest and during exercise, with similar results in AMS+ and AMS− subjects. During HYPO, ΔHHb increased to a similar extent in both groups, both at rest and during exercise. The ΔHbO2 was significantly less in AMS+ compared with AMS− subjects, both at rest [−3.23 ± 5.90 versus 1.44 ± 2.14 μm, P = 0.04, effect size (ES) = 1.1, respectively] and during exercise (−6.56 ± 5.51 versus 0.37 ± 4.36 μm, P < 0.01, ES = 1.2, respectively). Total haemoglobin did not change from baseline, both at rest (−1.67 ± 9.53 μm) and during exercise (−0.96 ± 9.12 μm) in AMS+ subjects, which was significantly different from the AMS− group (5.49 ± 3.99 μm, P = 0.03, ES = 1.0 and 8.17 ± 7.34 μm, P = 0.02, ES = 1.0, respectively). Individuals prone to AMS seem to be unable to increase microvascular blood volume and to maintain oxygenation at the cerebral level during exercise in acute normobaric hypoxia, suggesting that these changes might underpin later development of AMS.
Effect of novel short‐arm human centrifugation‐induced gravitational gradients upon cardiovascular responses, cerebral perfusion and g‐tolerance
Authors: Laing Charles , Green David A. , Mulder Edwin , Hinghofer‐Szalkay Helmut , Blaber Andrew P. , Rittweger Joern , Goswami Nandu
Published: July 2020

Key points

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rotational axis position (RAP and thus g‐gradient) during short‐arm human centrifugation (SAHC) upon cardiovascular responses, cerebral perfusion and g‐tolerance.

In 10 male and 10 female participants, 10 min passive SAHC runs were performed with the RAP above the head (P1), at the apex of the head (P2), or at heart level (P3), with foot‐level Gz at 1.0 g, 1.7 g and 2.4 g.

We hypothesized that movement of the RAP from above the head (the conventional position) towards the heart might reduce central hypovolaemia, limit cardiovascular responses, aid cerebral perfusion, and thus promote g‐tolerance.

Moving the RAP footward towards the heart decreased the cerebral tissue saturation index, calf circumference and heart rate responses to SAHC, thereby promoting g‐tolerance.

Our results also suggest that RAP, and thus g‐gradient, warrants further investigation as it may support use as a holistic spaceflight countermeasure.

Artificial gravity (AG) through short‐arm human centrifugation (SAHC) has been proposed as a holistic spaceflight countermeasure. Movement of the rotational axis position (RAP) from above the head towards the heart may reduce central hypovolaemia, aid cerebral perfusion, and thus promote g‐tolerance. This study determined the effect of RAP upon cardiovascular responses, peripheral blood displacement (i.e. central hypovolaemia), cerebral perfusion and g‐tolerance, and their inter‐relationships. Twenty (10 male) healthy participants (26.2 ± 4.0 years) underwent nine (following a familiarization run) randomized 10 min passive SAHC runs with RAP set above the head (P1), at the apex of the head (P2), or at heart level (P3) with foot‐level Gz at 1.0 g, 1.7 g and 2.4 g. Cerebral tissue saturation index (cTSI, cerebral perfusion surrogate), calf circumference (CC, central hypovolaemia), heart rate (HR) and digital heart‐level mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were continuously recorded, in addition to incidence of pre‐syncopal symptoms (PSS). ΔCC and ΔHR increases were attenuated from P1 to P3 (ΔCC: 5.46 ± 0.54 mm to 2.23 ± 0.42 mm; ΔHR: 50 ± 4 bpm to 8 ± 2 bpm, P < 0.05). In addition, ΔcTSI decrements were also attenuated (ΔcTSI: −2.85 ± 0.48% to −0.95 ± 0.34%, P < 0.05) and PSS incidence lower in P3 than P1 (P < 0.05). A positive linear relationship was observed between ΔCC and ΔHR with increasing +Gz, and a negative relationship between ΔCC and ΔcTSI, both independent of RAP. Our data suggest that movement of RAP towards the heart (reduced g‐gradient), independent of foot‐level Gz, leads to improved g‐tolerance. Further investigations are required to assess the effect of differential baroreceptor feedback (i.e. aortic–carotid g‐gradient).
Spinal motoneurones are intrinsically more responsive in the adult G93A SOD1 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Jensen Dennis B. , Kadlecova Marion , Allodi Ilary , Meehan Claire F.
Published: July 2020

Key points

Although in vitro recordings using neonatal preparations from mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suggest increased motoneurone excitability, in vivo recordings in adult ALS mouse models have been conflicting.

In adult G93A SOD1 models, spinal motoneurones have previously been shown to have deficits in repetitive firing, in contrast to the G127X SOD1 mouse model.

Our in vivo intracellular recordings in barbiturate‐anaesthetized adult male G93A SOD1 mice reveal that the incidence of failure to fire with current injection was equally low in control and ALS mice (∼2%).

We show that failure to fire repetitively can be a consequence of experimental protocol and should not be used alone to classify otherwise normal motoneurones as hypo‐excitable.

Motoneurones in the G93A SOD1 mice showed an increased response to inputs, with lower rheobase, higher input–output gains and increased activation of persistent inward currents.

In vitro studies from transgenic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models have suggested an increased excitability of spinal motoneurones. However, in vivo intracellular recordings from adult amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice models have produced conflicting findings. Previous investigations using barbiturate anaesthetized G93A SOD1 mice have suggested that some motoneurones are hypo‐excitable, defined by deficits in repetitive firing. Our own previous recordings in G127X SOD1 mice using different anaesthesia, however, showed no repetitive firing deficits and increased persistent inward currents at symptom onset. These discrepancies may be a result of differences between models, symptomatic stage, anaesthesia or technical differences. To investigate this, we repeated our original experiments, but in adult male G93A SOD1 mice, at both presymptomatic and symptomatic stages, under barbiturate anaesthesia. In vivo intracellular recordings from antidromically identified spinal motoneurones revealed that the incidence of failure to fire with current injection was equally low in control and G93A SOD1 mice (∼2%). Motoneurones in G93A SOD1 mice fired significantly more spontaneous action potentials. Rheobase was significantly lower and the input resistance and input–output gain were significantly higher in both presymptomatic and symptomatic G93A SOD1 mice. This was despite a significant increase in the duration of the post‐spike after‐hyperpolarization in both presymptomatic and symptomatic G93A SOD1 mice. Finally, evidence of increased activation of persistent inward currents was seen in both presymptomatic and symptomatic G93A SOD1 mice. Our results do not confirm previous reports of hypo‐excitability of spinal motoneurones in the G93A SOD1 mouse and demonstrate that the motoneurones show an increased response to inputs.
Water Energy Resource Innovation on the Cavitation Characteristics
Authors: Qandil Mohammad D. , Abbas Ahmad I. , ElGammal Tarek , Abdelhadi Ahmad I. , Amano Ryoichi S.
Published: July 2020

The main purpose of this study is to numerically correlate the amount of generated vapor over a hydrofoil to the lift and drag coefficients acting on it. Cavitation characteristics were investigated of a hydrofoil in the cavitating, sub-cavitating, and non-cavitating flows for different angles of attacks (AoA) with the high upstream flow velocity. The hydrofoil was tested in a square water tunnel with water entering the tunnel at various velocities for each AoA ranges from 9.1 m/s to 12.2 m/s. It was found that lift and drag forces acting on the hydrofoil follow the trend of the experimental data quite closely. While the cavitation can be identified by a unique number (averaged vapor volume fraction), the work done created an inverse correlation between this number and the cavitation number at the same angle of attack. The lift force declines with the increase in the vapor content on the hydrofoil surface, meanwhile the drag force peaks at certain vapor volume fraction, and then, a huge reduction occurs with the considerable decrease in the corresponding cavitation number. A fourth-order correlation generated between the lift to drag (L/D) and the cavitation number (σ). It was found the lift-to-drag ratio decreases by the formation of the cavitation over the hydrofoil, thus causing a drop in the efficiency of the turbomachines.
Optimization of Interval-Based Back Surface Water Cooling For Photovoltaic/Thermal Systems
Authors: Sainthiya Himanshu , Garg Navneet , Beniwal Narendra S.
Published: July 2020

The efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) cells degrades, when the temperature increases more than a certain limit. To maintain the temperature within the limit, we consider and analyze a back surface-based water cooled PV system. This analysis shows that the cell temperatures are proportional to the negative exponent of the water flowrates and higher flowrates increase the power consumption. Keeping this in mind, we present interval-based cooling in order to reduce the total consumed power. Moreover, the active pump duration and water flowrates are optimized to maximize the electrical efficiency of the PV system. Due to non-convex nature of the objective function, the Genetic algorithm is employed to get the solutions. Simulation results show that the optimized water flowrate for a given interval duration minimizes the consumed power in pumping system, while maintaining the temperatures within the limit.
Optimization of Al2O3 and TiO2 Blends to be Used as Erosion Resistant Coating for Mild Steel
Authors: Singh Varinder , Kumar Satish , Ratha Dwarikanath
Published: July 2020

In the hydro power plants, mild steel pipes are used to transport river water from Dam to the turbine house. This water usually contains sand particles that are also transported through these pipelines that are observed to erode the pipelines at different locations. The present study is thus conducted to investigate the erosion phenomenon of similar sand particles on a mild steel specimen. The base material mild steel is coated with two different coating powder in three different proportions viz. 70 Al2O3 + 30 TiO2, 80 Al2O3 + 20 TiO2, and 60 Al2O3 + 40 TiO2. The experiments are performed in a slurry pot tested at 750, 1000, 1250, and 1500 rpm for 30–120 min. The results show that on the blending of 30% TiO2 feedstock coating powder with 70%, Al2O3 is more beneficial to improve the erosion resistance of mild steel.
Theoretical Analysis on Sequential Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Architecture
Authors: Zheng Ruixiang , Wang Yijie , Li Mian
Published: July 2020

In the past few decades, multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) has become a very important research topic along with the increase of the system complexity. In an MDO problem, it is very typical that multiple disciplines are involved, making the problem coupled and complex. Monolithic and distributed architectures have been proposed for solving MDO problems. However, efficient architectures are still needed. In the prior work, a sequential multidisciplinary design optimization (S-MDO) architecture was proposed that has a distributed structure that decomposes the original MDO problem into several subproblems. However, in the original S-MDO work, the theoretical behaviors were not analyzed because its mathematical representations were not clear. In this article, we present a clear mathematical representation of the S-MDO architecture and conduct theoretical analysis on the S-MDO architecture to explain its performance in solving MDO problems. The optimality condition of the S-MDO architecture is derived and summarized as a theorem and a proposition. To demonstrate the general formulation of solving an MDO problem using the S-MDO architecture and validate the correctness of the optimality condition, we use it to obtain the Pareto frontier of a benchmark MDO problem. From the spread of the obtained Pareto frontier, we can conclude that the S-MDO architecture performs well, as long as the global optimum of each disciplinary subproblem can be found.
A Shared Framework of Reference, a First Step Toward Engineers’ and Biologists’ Synergic Reasoning in Biomimetic Design Teams
Authors: Graeff Eliot , Maranzana Nicolas , Aoussat Améziane
Published: July 2020

Biomimetic practice requires a diverse set of knowledge from both biology and engineering. Several researchers have been supporting the integration of biologists within biomimetic design teams in order to meet those biological requirements and improve the effectiveness of biomimetic processes. However, interdisciplinarity practices create well-known communication challenges. Based on functional representations (like SAPPhIRE or function behavior structure (FBS)), several approaches to model biological information have been investigated in the literature. Nonetheless, actual communication processes within interdisciplinary biomimetic design teams are yet to be studied. Following this research axis, this publication focuses on communication noises and wonders if a shared framework of reference can be defined to improve communication between biologists and engineers? Through the comparison of processes and graphic representations between biology and engineering design, a set of guidelines is defined to structure a shared framework of reference. Within this framework, a new tool referred to as LINKAGE is then proposed to assist interdisciplinary communication during the biomimetic process.
An Experimental and Theoretical Study of Quasi-Static Behavior of Double-Helical Gear Sets
Authors: Kang M.R. , Kahraman A.
Published: July 2020

The quasi-static behaviors of a double-helical gear pair is investigated both experimentally and theoretically with the main focus on the influence of the key design and manufacturing parameters associated with double-helical gears, including nominal right-to-left stagger angle, the stagger angle deviation (error) from the nominal stagger angle, and axial gear supporting conditions. On the experimental side, a double-helical gear test setup proposed earlier (Kang, M. R., and Kahraman, A., 2015, “An Experimental and Theoretical Study of Dynamic Behavior of Double-Helical Gear Sets,” J. Sound Vib., 350, pp. 11–29). for studying dynamics of the same system is employed that allows adjustable right-to-left stagger angles, intentional stagger errors, and axial support conditions. Specific measurement systems are developed and implemented simultaneously to measure the static motion transmission error and axial motions of the gears under low-speed conditions, as well as gear root strains to determine right-to-left load-sharing factors. A test matrix that covers wide ranges of stagger angles, intentional stagger error, and axial support conditions is executed within a range of torque transmitted to establish an extensive database. On the modeling side, the measured quasi-static behavior of double-helical gear pairs is simulated by using an existing quasi-static double-helical load distribution model (Thomas, J., and Houser, D. R., 1992, “A Procedure for Predicting the Load Distribution and Transmission Error Characteristics of Double Helical Gears,” World Congress-Gear and Power Transmission, The 3rd World Congress—Gear and Power Transmission, Paris.). Direct comparison of the measurements and predictions of loaded static transmission error, axial play, root stresses, and right-to-left load-sharing factors are used to validate the quasi-static model as well as describing the measured behavior.
Identifying Higher-Order Interactions in Wave Time-Series
Authors: Ewans Kevin , Christou Marios , Ilic Suzana , Jonathan Philip
Published: July 2020

Reliable design and reanalysis of coastal and offshore structures require, among other things, characterization of extreme crest elevation corresponding to long return periods. Extreme crests typically correspond to focused wave events enhanced by wave–wave interactions of different orders—third-order, four-wave interactions dominating in deep water (Janssen, P. A. E. M., 2003, “Nonlinear Four-Wave Interactions and Freak Waves,” J. Phys. Oceanogr., 33(4), pp. 863–884). Higher-order spectral (HOS) analysis can be used to identify wave–wave interactions in time-series of water surface elevation; trispectral analysis is needed to detect third-order, four-wave interactions. Four-wave interactions between Fourier components can involve interactions of the type where f1 + f2 + f3 = f4 and where f1 + f2 = f3 + f4, resulting in two definitions of the trispectrum—the T- and V-trispectrum (with corresponding tricoherences), respectively. It is shown that the T-tricoherence is capable of detecting phase-locked four-wave interactions of the type f4 = f1 + f2 + f3 when these are simulated with simple sinusoids, but such interactions were not detected in HOS model simulations and field data. It is also found that high V-tricoherence levels are detected at frequencies at which four-wave interactions of the type f1 + f2 = f3 + f4 are expected, but these may simply indicate combinations of independent pairs of Fourier components that happen to satisfy the frequency relationship. Preliminary analysis shows that using a cumulant-based trispectrum (Kravtchenko-Berejnoi, V., Lefeuvre, F., Krasnosel'skikh, V. V., and Lagoutte, D., 1995, “On the Use of Tricoherent Analysis to Detect Nonlinear Wave–Wave Interactions,” Signal Process., 42(3), pp. 291–309) may improve identification of wave–wave interactions. These results highlight that caution needs to be exercised in interpreting trispectra in terms of specific four-wave interactions occurring in sea states and further research is needed to establish whether this is in fact possible in practice.
Effect of Isometric Hip Abduction on Foot and Ankle Muscle Activity and Medial Longitudinal Arch During Short-Foot Exercise in Individuals With Pes Planus
Authors: Choi Jung-Hoon , Cynn Heon-Seock , Yi Chung-Hwi , Yoon Tae-Lim , Baik Seung-Min
Published: July 2020

Context: The improvement of hip joint stability can significantly impact knee and rearfoot mechanics. Individuals with pes planus have a weak abductor hallucis (AbdH), and the tibialis anterior (TA) may activate to compensate for this. As yet, no studies have applied isometric hip abduction (IHA) for hip stability during short-foot exercise (SFE). Objective: To compare the effects of IHA on the muscle activity of the AbdH, TA, peroneus longus (PL), and gluteus medius (Gmed), as well as the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) angle during sitting and standing SFE. Design: Two-way repeated analyses of variance were used to determine the statistical significance of AbdH, TA, PL, and Gmed electromyography activity, as well as the change in MLA angle. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: Thirty-two participants with pes planus. Intervention(s): The participants performed SFE with and without isometric hip abduction in sitting and standing positions. Main Outcome Measures: Surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of the AbdH, TA, PL, and Gmed muscles, and Image J was used to measure the MLA angle. Results: Significant interactions between exercise type and position were observed in terms of the PL muscle activity and in the change in MLA angle only, while other muscles showed significant main effects. The IHA during SFE significantly increased the AbdH muscle activity, while the TA muscle activity was significantly lower. The muscle activity of Gmed and PL was significantly increased in the standing position compared with sitting, but there was no significant difference with or without IHA. The change in the MLA angle was significantly greater in SFE with IHA in a standing position than in the other SFE conditions. Conclusions: IHA may be an effective method for reducing compensatory TA activity and increasing AbdH muscle activity during SFE for individuals with pes planus.
A colorimetric RT-LAMP assay and LAMP-sequencing for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in clinical samples
Authors: Dao Thi Viet Loan , Herbst Konrad , Boerner Kathleen , Meurer Matthias , Kremer Lukas PM , Kirrmaier Daniel , Freistaedter Andrew , Papagiannidis Dimitrios , Galmozzi Carla , Stanifer Megan L. , Boulant Steeve , Klein Steffen , Chlanda Petr , Khalid Dina , Barreto Miranda Isabel , Schnitzler Paul , Kräusslich Hans-Georg , Knop Michael , Anders Simon
Published: July 2020

A colorimetric isothermal RNA amplification method was shown to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in clinical samples with excellent sensitivity and specificity.
HIV Coinfection Is Associated with Low-Fitness
rpoB
Variants in Rifampicin-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Loiseau Chloé , Brites Daniela , Reinhard Miriam , Zürcher Kathrin , Borrell Sonia , Ballif Marie , Fenner Lukas , Cox Helen , Rutaihwa Liliana K. , Wilkinson Robert J. , Yotebieng Marcel , Carter E. Jane , Abimiku Alash'le , Marcy Olivier , Gotuzzo Eduardo , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Zetola Nicola , Doulla Basra , Böttger Erik C. , Egger Matthias , Gagneux Sebastien
Published: July 2020

We analyzed 312 drug-resistant genomes of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates collected from HIV-coinfected and HIV-negative TB patients from nine countries with a high tuberculosis burden. We found that rifampicin-resistant
M. tuberculosis
strains isolated from HIV-coinfected patients carried disproportionally more resistance-conferring mutations in
rpoB
that are associated with a low fitness in the absence of the drug, suggesting these low-fitness
rpoB
variants can thrive in the context of reduced host immunity.
NisI Maturation and Its Influence on Nisin Resistance in Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Liu Jiaheng , Xiong Hui , Du Yuhui , Wiwatanaratanabutr Itsanun , Wu Xiaofang , Zhao Guangrong , Zhu Hongji , Caiyin Qinggele , Qiao Jianjun
Published: July 2020

Nisin, a safe and natural antimicrobial peptide, has a long and impressive history as a food preservative and is also considered a novel candidate to alleviate the increasingly serious threat of antibiotic resistance. Nisin is produced by certain
L. lactis
strains. The nisin immunity protein NisI, a membrane-bound lipoprotein, is expressed by nisin producers to avoid suicidal action. Here, we report the roles of Lsp and Lgt in NisI maturation and nisin resistance of
L. lactis
F44. The results verified the importance of Lsp to NisI-conferred immunity and Lgt to localization. Our study revealed the process of NisI maturation in
L. lactis
and presented a potential strategy to enhance industrial nisin production.
Group A Streptococcus Infection of the Nasopharynx Requires Proinflammatory Signaling through the Interleukin-1 Receptor
Authors: LaRock Doris L. , Russell Raedeen , Johnson Anders F. , Wilde Shyra , LaRock Christopher N.
Published: July 2020

Group A
Streptococcus
(GAS) is the etiologic agent of numerous high-morbidity and high-mortality diseases. Infections are typically highly proinflammatory. During the invasive infection necrotizing fasciitis, this is in part due to the GAS protease SpeB directly activating interleukin-1β (IL-1β) independent of the canonical inflammasome pathway. The upper respiratory tract is the primary site for GAS colonization, infection, and transmission, but the host-pathogen interactions at this site are still largely unknown.
Application of Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Assay on a Portable Sequencing Platform for Culture-Free Detection of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis from Clinical Samples
Authors: Cabibbe Andrea M. , Spitaleri Andrea , Battaglia Simone , Colman Rebecca E. , Suresh Anita , Uplekar Swapna , Rodwell Timothy C. , Cirillo Daniela M.
Published: July 2020

Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) has emerged as a comprehensive alternative to existing methods for drug susceptibility testing (DST) of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
from patient sputum samples for clinical diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). However, the complexity of sequencing platforms has limited their uptake in low-resource settings. The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of the tNGS-based DST solution Genoscreen Deeplex Myc-TB, for use on the compact, low-cost Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencer.
A MARTX Toxin
rtxA
Gene Is Controlled by Host Environmental Signals through a CRP-Coordinated Regulatory Network in Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Lee Zee-Won , Hwang Seung-Ho , Choi Garam , Jang Kyung Ku , Lee Tae Hee , Chung Kyung Min , Kim Byoung Sik , Choi Sang Ho
Published: July 2020

A MARTX toxin, RtxA, is an essential virulence factor of many pathogens, including
Vibrio
species. H-NS and HlyU repress and derepress, respectively,
rtxA
expression of a life-threatening pathogen,
Vibrio vulnificus
. We found that Lrp directly activates
rtxA
independently of H-NS and HlyU, and leucine inhibits the Lrp-mediated activation of
rtxA
. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CRP represses
rtxA
but derepresses in the presence of exogenous glucose. CRP represses
rtxA
not only directly by binding to upstream of
rtxA
but also indirectly by repressing
lrp
and
hlyU
. This is the first report of a regulatory network comprising CRP, Lrp, H-NS, and HlyU, which coordinates the
rtxA
expression in response to environmental signals such as leucine and glucose during infection. This elaborate regulatory network will enhance the fitness of
V. vulnificus
and contribute to its successful infection within the host.
Consumption of a Western-Style Diet Modulates the Response of the Murine Gut Microbiome to Ciprofloxacin
Authors: Cabral Damien J. , Wurster Jenna I. , Korry Benjamin J. , Penumutchu Swathi , Belenky Peter
Published: July 2020

Due to the growing incidence of disorders related to antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, it is essential to determine how our “Western”-style diet impacts the response of the microbiome to antibiotics. While diet and antibiotics have profound impacts on gut microbiome composition, little work has been done to examine their combined effects. Previous work has shown that nutrient availability, influenced by diet, plays an important role in determining the extent of antibiotic-induced disruption to the gut microbiome. Thus, we hypothesize that the Western diet will shift microbiota metabolism toward simple sugar and mucus degradation and away from polysaccharide utilization. Because of bacterial metabolism’s critical role in antibiotic susceptibility, this change in baseline metabolism will impact how the structure and function of the microbiome are impacted by ciprofloxacin exposure. Understanding how diet modulates antibiotic-induced microbiome disruption will allow for the development of dietary interventions that can alleviate many of the microbiome-dependent complications of antibiotic treatment.