bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of sedentary time and physical activity during pregnancy with maternal and neonatal birth outcomes. The GESTAFIT Project
Authors: Baena‐García Laura , Ocón‐Hernández Olga , Acosta‐Manzano Pedro , Coll‐Risco Irene , Borges‐Cosic Milkana , Romero‐Gallardo Lidia , de la Flor‐Alemany Marta , Aparicio Virginia A.
Published: November 2018

Aim

(a) To analyse the association of objectively measured sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) during early second trimester of pregnancy with maternal and neonatal birth outcomes; (b) to explore if ST and PA differ between women with vaginal or caesarean section deliveries.

Methods

Ninety‐four Caucasian pregnant women (32.9 ± 4.6 years old) participated in this prospective longitudinal study. Triaxial accelerometers were used to assess ST and PA intensity levels for seven consecutive days during second trimester of pregnancy. Birth data were collected from the obstetric medical records. Umbilical cord arterial and venous blood gas (pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide and oxygen, and oxygen saturation) were analysed after birth.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounders, greater ST was associated with higher arterial and venous cord blood partial pressure of carbon dioxide and more acidic arterial and venous pH (all, P < 0.01). Moderate PA, moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA), total PA and steps per day were positively associated with arterial cord blood oxygen saturation (all P < 0.05). Steps per day were inversely associated with gestational age at birth (P < 0.01), and duration of first stage of labor (P < 0.05). Total and light PA were associated with a more alkaline pH in umbilical vein (all, P < 0.01). Vigorous PA was inversely associated with the Apgar score (P < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in ST and PA levels between women with vaginal and women with caesarean section deliveries (all, P > 0.10).

Conclusion

Increasing PA and decreasing ST during pregnancy might promote better maternal and neonatal birth markers.
Are you my attachment figure? A (currently) unanswerable question
Authors: Kammrath Lara K. , Clifton Mona
Published: November 2018

The attachment figure construct is the centerpiece of attachment theory. Research has suggested that most adults have three to five such figures at any given time, many of whom are in normative attachment roles, such as mothers, fathers, and romantic partners, but some of whom are not, such as friends and other family members. An important challenge in attachment research is to identify who a given individual's unique attachment figures are. In this paper, we review the definitional criteria for attachment figures and summarize existing methods to identify idiographic attachment figures. While recognizing the advancements current measures have brought the field, we argue that they oversimplify the challenges in attachment figure identification. We argue that if one uses enacted behavioral data rather than perceived data to measure specific attachment criteria, one quickly encounters unsolvable complexities that preclude attachment figure classifications. This has deep implications for the status of attachment figure construct itself. We outline the implications for current attachment theory and discuss potential paths forward.
A randomized clinical trial comparing Nitrofurazone‐coated and uncoated urinary catheters in kidney transplant recipients: Results from a pilot study
Authors: Menezes Fernando Gatti , Corrêa Luci , Medina‐Pestana Jose Osmar , Aguiar Wilson Ferreira , Camargo Luis Fernando Aranha
Published: November 2018

Background

Urinary tract infections are frequent complications early after kidney transplantation, and the use of antimicrobial coated catheters in settings other than transplantation has shown promising results for infection prevention. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of Nitrofurazone‐coated silicone urinary catheters with non‐impregnated silicone urinary catheters in reducing bacteriuria and urinary tract infections in kidney transplant recipients.

Methods

This single‐center study, randomized controlled trial at the Hospital do Rim, a tertiary referral center in kidney transplantation, located in São Paulo, Brazil. Subjects involved living donor kidney transplant recipients, and were randomized 1:1 ratio with a computer‐generated system to a Nitrofurazone‐coated silicone urinary catheter and non‐impregnated silicone urinary catheter from March 2013 to December 2014. Patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria or urinary tract infection at baseline, deceased kidney transplant donors, patients with known hypersensitivity to nitrofurantoin, pregnancy, and those refusing to sign the informed consent form were excluded from the study.

Results

Two hundred fourteen subjects were randomized and one hundred seventy‐six completed the study. There were no differences in the rates of asymptomatic bacteriuria (12.5% in the Nitrofurazone group and 11.4% in the control group, P = 0.99) and urinary tract infection (8% and 6.8%, P = 0.99) and the incidence of side effects was more frequent in the Nitrofurazone‐impregnated silicone urinary catheter group (46.6% and 26.1%, P = 0.007).

Conclusion

The study suggests that there is no beneficial effect of the employment of Nitrofurazone‐coated urinary catheter. Trial registration number: ISRCTN57888785.
Safety evaluation of a lyophilized platelet‐derived hemostatic product
Authors: Barroso Jeffrey , Osborne Barbara , Teramura Gayle , Pellham Esther , Fitzpatrick Michael , Biehl Ruth , Yu Anna , Pehta Joan , Slichter Sherrill J.
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage causes significant morbidity and mortality in people aged <65 years. A lyophilized platelet‐derived hemostatic agent (Thrombosomes) demonstrated hemostatic efficacy in animal models. We report the results of the first safety trial of autologous Thrombosomes given to normal subjects.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Ten subjects received autologous Thrombosomes prepared from their apheresis platelets, and five control subjects received a buffer solution. There were five cohorts, with three subjects per cohort (two in the Thrombosomes group and one in the control group). Doses escalated from 1/1,000 to 1/10 of a proposed efficacious dose. Cohorts 4 and 5 received the highest dose, but in Cohort 5, one‐half the dose was infused 2 hours apart. Cohorts 1 through 3 were monitored for 42 days, Cohorts 4 and 5 were monitored for 60 days using hematology, coagulation, and chemistry assays and antibody testing.

RESULTS

There were no serious adverse events (AEs) and no subject withdrawals. There were eight treatment‐related AEs (TRAEs) in 5 of 15 subjects (33%) (four in the Thrombosomes group and one in the control group). Of four subjects receiving the highest doses, three had TRAEs. One had elevated D‐dimer, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, and white blood cell count (subject had concurrent upper respiratory tract infection); one had T‐wave inversions in precordial leads V2 and V3 without elevated troponin or symptoms; and one had a platelet autoantibody without change in platelet count. All subjects’ TRAEs resolved by Day 21.

CONCLUSION

There were no serious AEs in this small study. Thrombosomes were considered safe at the doses assessed. Future, larger trials will be needed to further assess safety and efficacy.
Comparison of filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, and lipegfilgrastim added to chemotherapy for mobilization of CD34+ cells in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma patients
Authors: Partanen A. , Valtola J. , Ropponen A. , Kuitunen H. , Kuittinen O. , Vasala K. , Ågren L. , Penttilä K. , Keskinen L. , Pyörälä M. , Nousiainen T. , Selander T. , Mäntymaa P. , Pelkonen J. , Varmavuo V. , Jantunen E.
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Data are limited on the long‐acting granulocyte‐colony stimulating factors (G‐CSFs) pegfilgrastim (PEG) and lipegfilgrastim (LIPEG) compared with filgrastim (FIL) regarding the mobilization efficiency of CD34+ cells, graft cellular composition, and engraftment.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In this prospective nonrandomized study, 36 patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma received FIL, 67 received PEG, and 16 patients received LIPEG as a cytokine after chemotherapy. We analyzed the mobilization and collection of CD34+ cells, cellular composition of blood grafts, and hematologic recovery after auto‐SCT according to the type of G‐CSF used.

RESULTS

Patients in the LIPEG group had fewer apheresis sessions (1 vs. 2, p = 0.021 for FIL and p = 0.111 for PEG) as well as higher median blood CD34+ cell counts at the start of the first apheresis (LIPEG 74 × 106/L vs. FIL 31 × 106/L, p = 0.084 or PEG 27 × 106/L, p = 0.021) and CD34+ yields of the first apheresis (FIL 5.1 × 106/kg vs. FIL 2.3 × 106/kg, p = 0.105 or PEG 1.8 × 106/kg, p = 0.012). Also, the costs associated with G‐CSF mobilization and apheresis were lower in the LIPEG group. The graft composition was comparable except for the higher infused CD34+ cell counts in the LIPEG group. The engraftment kinetics were significantly slower in the FIL group.

CONCLUSION

LIPEG appears to be more efficient compared with PEG after chemotherapy to mobilize CD34+ cells for auto‐SCT demonstrated as fewer sessions of aphereses needed as well as 2.8‐fold CD34+ cell yields on the first apheresis day. Early hematologic recovery was more rapid in the LIPEG group. Thus further studies on LIPEG in the mobilization setting are warranted.
Modeling rare blood in Canada
Authors: Blake John T. , Clarke Gwen
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Many countries maintain rare blood programs to provide access to blood for patients with complex serologies. These include a process to screen donors and a registry to record information about rare donors; blood agencies may also freeze some units. However, frozen blood is much more expensive than liquid blood.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS.

A two‐phase approach to analysis was used to evaluate how rare a blood type must be before a frozen inventory is necessary and what screening rates are required to support a rare blood program. A simulation model was employed to evaluate the impact of inventory on patient access.

RESULTS

Results suggested that, for 27 of 29 phenotypes managed by Canadian Blood Services, insufficient donors had been identified to ensure a stable inventory. Analytic results showed the screening rate necessary to ensure a stable inventory and the time frame to build a rare donor base.

Twenty‐nine simulation scenarios were executed to evaluate patient access to rare blood against inventory levels. Results show that some amount of frozen inventory is necessary for phenotypes rarer than 1 in 3000. However, holding more than two units apiece of O−, O+, A−, and A+ did not improve patient access.

CONCLUSION

While some level of frozen blood is needed for rare blood, large inventories do not improve access. Modest amounts of frozen inventory, combined with increased door screening, provides the greatest chance of maximizing patient access.
Experimental Investigation on Additively Manufactured Transpiration and Film Cooling Structures
Authors: Min Zheng , Huang Gan , Parbat Sarwesh Narayan , Yang Li , Chyu Minking K.
Published: November 2018

The last 50 years has witnessed significant improvement in film cooling technologies while transpiration cooling is still not implemented in turbine airfoil cooling. Although transpiration cooling could provide higher cooling efficiency with less coolant consumption compared to film cooling, the fine pore structure and high porosity in transpiration cooling metal media always raised difficulties in conventional manufacturing. Recently, the rapid development of additive manufacturing (AM) has provided a new perspective to address such challenge. With the capability of the innovative powder bed selective laser metal sintering (SLMS) AM technology, the complex geometries of transpiration cooling part could be precisely fabricated and endued with improved mechanical strength. This study utilized the SLMS AM technology to fabricate the transpiration cooling and film cooling structures with Inconel 718 superalloy. Five different types of porous media including two perforated plates with different hole pitches, metal sphere packing, metal wire mesh, and blood vessel shaped passages for transpiration cooling were fabricated by EOS M290 system. One laidback fan-shaped film cooling coupon was also fabricated with the same printing process as the control group. Heat transfer tests under three different coolant mass flow rates and four different mainstream temperatures were conducted to evaluate the cooling performance of the printed coupons. The effects of geometry parameters including porosity, surface outlet area ratio, and internal solid–fluid interface area ratio were investigated as well. The results showed that the transpiration cooling structures generally had higher cooling effectiveness than film cooling structure. The overall average cooling effectiveness of blood vessel-shaped transpiration cooling reached 0.35, 0.5, and 0.57, respectively, with low (1.2%), medium (2.4%), and high (3.6%) coolant injection ratios. The morphological parameters analysis showed the major factor that affected the cooling effectiveness most was the internal solid–fluid interface area ratio for transpiration cooling. This study showed that additive manufactured transpiration cooling could be a promising alternative method for turbine blade cooling and worthwhile for further investigations.
Broadband Vibration Isolation for Rods and Beams Using Periodic Structure Theory
Authors: Prasad Rajan , Sarkar Abhijit
Published: November 2018

The alternating stop-band characteristics of periodic structures have been widely used for narrow band vibration control applications. The objective of this work is to extend this idea for broadband excitations. Toward this end, we seek to synthesize a longitudinal and a flexural periodic structure having the largest fraction of the frequencies falling in the attenuation bands of the structure. Such a periodic structure when subjected to broadband excitation has minimal transmission of the response away from the source of excitation. The unit cell of such a periodic structure is constituted of two distinct regions having different inertial and stiffness properties. We derive guidelines for suitable selection of inertial and stiffness properties of the two regions in the unit cell such that the maximal frequency region corresponds to attenuation bands of the periodic structure. It is found that maximal dissimilarity between the neighboring regions of the unit cell leads to maximal attenuating frequencies. In the extreme case, it is found that more than 98% of the frequencies are blocked. For seismic excitations, it is shown that large, finite periodic structures corresponding to the optimal unit cell derived using the infinite periodic structure theory has significant vibration isolation benefits in comparison to a homogeneous structure or an arbitrarily chosen periodic structure.
Effects of Elastase Digestion on the Murine Vaginal Wall Biaxial Mechanical Response
Authors: Akintunde Akinjide R. , Robison Kathryn M. , Capone Daniel J. , Desrosiers Laurephile , Knoepp Leise R. , Miller Kristin S.
Published: November 2018

Although the underlying mechanisms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) remain unknown, disruption of elastic fiber metabolism within the vaginal wall extracellular matrix (ECM) has been highly implicated. It has been hypothesized that elastic fiber fragmentation correlates to decreased structural integrity and increased risk of prolapse; however, the mechanisms by which elastic fiber damage may contribute to prolapse are poorly understood. Furthermore, the role of elastic fibers in normal vaginal wall mechanics has not been fully ascertained. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the contribution of elastic fibers to murine vaginal wall mechanics. Vaginal tissue from C57BL/6 female mice was mechanically tested using biaxial extension–inflation protocols before and after intraluminal exposure to elastase. Elastase digestion induced marked changes in the vaginal geometry, and biaxial mechanical properties, suggesting that elastic fibers may play an important role in vaginal wall mechanical function. Additionally, a constitutive model that considered two diagonal families of collagen fibers with a slight preference toward the circumferential direction described the data reasonably well before and after digestion. The present findings may be important to determine the underlying structural and mechanical mechanisms of POP, and aid in the development of growth and remodeling models for improved assessment and prediction of changes in structure–function relationships with prolapse development.
Generating Constructal Networks for Area-to-Point Conduction Problems Via Moving Morphable Components Approach
Authors: Li Baotong , Xuan Chengbin , Liu Guoguang , Hong Jun
Published: November 2018

In this article, we focus on a generative design algorithm for area-to-point (AP) conduction problems in a Lagrangian framework. A physically meaningful continuous area to point path solution is generated through an adaptive growth procedure, which starts from the source point and extends spreading the whole conduction domain. This is achieved by using a set of special moving morphable components (MMCs) whose contour and skeleton are described explicitly by parameterized level-set surfaces. Unlike in the conventional methods where topology optimization was carried out in an Eulerian framework, the proposed optimizer is Lagrangian in nature, which is consistent with classical shape optimization approaches, giving great potential to reduce the total number of design variables significantly and also yielding more flexible modeling capability to control the structural feature sizes. By doing this, the growth elements are separated from the underlying finite element method (FEM) grids so that they can grow toward an arbitrary direction to form an optimized area-to-point path solution. The method is tested on an electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) power plane design example; both simulation and experiment verified the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Flame and Spray Dynamics During the Light-Round Process in an Annular System Equipped With Multiple Swirl Spray Injectors
Authors: Prieur Kevin , Vignat Guillaume , Durox Daniel , Schuller Thierry , Candel Sébastien
Published: November 2018

A successful ignition in an annular multi-injector combustor follows a sequence of steps. The first injector is ignited; two arch-shaped flame branches nearly perpendicular to the combustor backplane form; they propagate, igniting each injection unit; they merge. In this paper, characterization of the propagation phase is performed in an annular combustor with spray flames fed with liquid n-hepane. The velocity and the direction of the arch-like flame branch are investigated. Near the backplane, the flame is moving in a purely azimuthal direction. Higher up in the chamber, it is also moving in the axial direction due to the volumetric expansion of the burnt gases. Time-resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements are used to investigate the evaporating fuel droplets dynamics. A new result is that, during the light-round, the incoming flame front pushes the fuel droplets in the azimuthal direction well before its leading point. This leads to a decrease in the local droplet concentration and local mixture composition over not yet lit injectors. For the first time, the behavior of an individual injector ignited by the passing flame front is examined. The swirling flame structure formed by each injection unit evolves in time. From the ignition of an individual injector to the stabilization of its flame in its final shape, approximately 50 ms elapse. After the passage of the traveling flame, the newly ignited flame flashbacks into the injector during a few milliseconds, for example, 5 ms for the conditions that are tested. This could be detrimental to the service life of the unit. Then, the flame exits from the injection unit, and its external branch detaches under the action of cooled burnt gases in the outer recirculation zone (ORZ).
A Novel Reactor Configuration for Industrial Methanol Production From the Synthesis Gas
Authors: Parvasi Payam , Mohammad Jokar Seyyed
Published: November 2018

In this work, the methanol synthesis on a commercial industrial catalyst in a novel cylindrical radial flow packed-bed reactor is investigated. The adiabatic and nonadiabatic cylindrical radial flow reactors were proposed and modeled in this research. The proposed configuration has been compared with conventional reactor for methanol production. It leads to higher methanol production and lower pressure drop, with the same catalyst consumption. Furthermore, the results show that the nonadiabatic radial flow packed-bed reactor has a higher methanol content compared with the adiabatic one. The improvement in methanol production was studied by optimizing the essential parameters such as inlet temperatures of the feed and cooling water as well as the number of cooling tubes. The nonlinearity and complexity of the reactor models make the traditional optimization methods ineffective and improbable. Therefore, the process was optimized by genetic algorithm (GA) method, which is one of the most powerful methods. The optimum values for the number of cooling tubes, feed and cooling water temperatures were 308, 507.6 K, and 522.43 K, respectively. The optimization results showed that a new reactor design could be proposed to reduce the cost of methanol synthesis.
Identification of Speed-Dependent Active Magnetic Bearing Parameters and Rotor Balancing in High-Speed Rotor Systems
Authors: Prasad Vikas , Tiwari Rajiv
Published: November 2018

Estimating residual unbalances of a flexible rotor that is fully levitated on active magnetic bearings (AMBs) are challenging tasks due to the modeling error of AMB rotordynamic parameters. In this work, an identification algorithm has been developed for the estimation of dynamic parameters of speed-dependent AMBs and residual unbalances in a high-speed flexible rotor-bearing system. Parameters are identified during an estimation process with the help of displacement and current information at AMB locations only. For reducing the finite element model to suit the measurement availability, an improved dynamic reduction scheme has been proposed, which considers the gyroscopic matrix also in the transformation matrix. For a numerical testing of the developed identification algorithm, a multidisk flexible-shaft rotor is considered, which is fully levitated on AMBs. Speed-dependent AMB parameters have been modeled by a cubic function. Proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers are used to control the supply current to AMBs. Displacements and currents are generated using the finite element method of the rotor-AMB numerical model. These responses have been used in the identification algorithm for the estimation of the AMB displacement and current stiffness as well as of residual unbalances, concurrently. The algorithm with the proposed reduction scheme has shown an excellent estimation agreement in the presence of noisy responses and bias errors in rotor model parameters.
Fretting Wear Behavior and Damage Mechanisms of Inconel X-750 Alloy in Dry Contact Condition
Authors: Rustamov Ibrohim , Zhang Gaolong , Skotnikova Margarita , Wang Yuming , Wang Zixi
Published: November 2018

Frictional and fretting wear behaviors of Inconel X-750 alloy against GCr15 steel ball were investigated in dry contact condition with ∼60% air humidity. Fretting tests were run at the high frequency tribosystem SRV 4 in room temperature and ball-on-flat contact configuration were adopted with the relative oscillatory motion of small displacement amplitude (40 μm). Sliding regimes, wear volumes, frictional properties, and material damage mechanisms were studied with regard to different normal loading and test durations. After the tests, the worn surface morphologies were analyzed by three-dimensional (3D) optical surface profiler, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to distinguish fretting running conditions and material responses for different test cases. It was found that the material removals by abrasive and adhesive wear, debris formation and oxidization, and wear delamination were the main damage mechanisms under the lower normal load where the full slide or gross slip regime (GSR) was dominant between the contact surfaces. On the other hand, fretting regime was found to be a stick-slip or a partial slip at greater loads where damage mechanisms were correlated with deformed asperities, fatigue cracks, and thick layer removal due to highly concentrated cyclic stresses. Time dependence was crucial during GSR where the wear volume increased substantially; however, the wear volumes and scars sizes were consistent over time because of stick-slip effects under the higher normal load.
Nonlinear Vibration of Saturated Water Journal Bearing and Bifurcation Analysis
Authors: Tadayoshi Shoyama
Published: November 2018

We developed a turbo compressor that has water-lubricated bearings driven at 30,000 rpm in a saturation condition, where the ambient pressure is at the saturation point of the discharged lubricant water. The bearings are supported with nonlinear elastomeric O-rings. At rotational speed exceeding 15,000 rpm, the rotor showed many subharmonic vibrations that are nonlinear phenomena unpredictable from a linear equation of motion. Instead, a stability analysis with a bifurcation diagram is an effective method to tackle these problems. In this paper, we investigated these rotor vibrations by bifurcation diagrams of the vibrations measured in experiments of saturated water journal bearings. The angular velocity was used as a bifurcation parameter. The bifurcations among synchronous, subharmonic, and chaotic vibrations were shown. Next, the nonlinear dynamics of the rotating rigid shaft were analyzed numerically with the nonlinear stiffness obtained by a commercial code that utilizes the two-dimensional (2D) Reynolds equation. The dynamic properties of the supporting structure were modeled with a complex stiffness coefficient. As a result, a Hopf bifurcation was found and a subharmonic limit cycle appeared spontaneously as observed in the experiments. The parametric studies revealed the influences of the dynamic properties of the structural components, especially the sensitive effect of the damping of the bearing support on the onset frequency and the amplitude of these vibrations. Furthermore, linear eigenvalue analysis of the motion equations clarified the mechanism of the sensitive effects.
Low-Coherence Digital Holography for Enhanced 3D Measurement
Authors: Park No-Cheol , Jeon Sungbin , Lee Jae-Yong , Jang Se-Hwan , Cho Jang-Hyun , Lim Jin-Sang , Kim Young-Joo , Park Young-Pil
Published: November 2018

In this paper, phase quantitative measurements using digital holography (DH) with low-coherence light sources are presented. Compared with conventional laser-based DH, low-coherence light sources have advantages of better image quality, less speckle noise, and smaller system configurations. As a light source, we utilized light-emitting diode (LED) and quantum dot (QD) film. In particular, quantum dot film emits low-coherence lights with adjustable wavelength and high conversion efficiency, which has versatility for additional methods including dual-wavelength reconstruction. Experimental results verify the quality enhanced quantitative measurement of proposed methods compared with conventional systems.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Adsorption Process of Anti-Corrosion Additives on Copper and Oxidized Copper Surfaces
Authors: Nishikawa Kohei , Akiyama Hirotoshi , Yagishita Kazuhiro , Washizu Hitoshi
Published: November 2018

Newly formed metal surface is often unstable and becomes stable when it is terminated with another molecule, but the original color and properties may be diminished when it is covered with oxygen or gasses in atmosphere. Anti-copper-corrosion additives adsorb onto the surface of copper and it is used in order to prevent this phenomena and save copper’s color and properties [1]. There are few molecule findings about anti-copper-corrosion additive, however, and the mechanism of adsorbtion onto the surface of cupper and prevent corrosion. Recently, real-time instrumentation technique using Otto-SPR was proposed, and it is becoming possible to observe how additives adsorb onto the surface in molecular level [2].
Coarse-Grain Simulation of Lubricant Polymer Solutions
Authors: Washizu Hitoshi , Yoshida Hiroaki , Usui Soma , Kawate Taiki
Published: November 2018

Polymer solution is used as lubricant in Tribological applications. Viscosity index improver is used to normalize temperature dependence of viscosity of the lubrication oil. Biological system such as synovial joint is a kind of polymer solution and strongly related to Tribology. Here we show our numerical simulation approach to investigate the dynamics of polymer solution. The numerical scheme is for simulating the dynamics of suspensions of Brownian particles, coupling molecular motion treated by Langevin equation and hydrodynamics treated by lattice Boltzmann method. The motion of polymer segments are simulated under shear condition in bulk, and in confined geometry. The viscosity change due to the change of polymer structure is found both in bulk and in confined geometry. In order to simulate realistic polymers, we modify each polymer segment as polar and non-polar particles. Point dipoles are added on the polar segments. Since the relative permittivity is very different in water and oil condition, the structure of the polymer is strongly affected by the distribution of the polar segments.
Acoustic resonances in gas-filled spherical bulb with parabolic temperature profile
Authors: Koulakis John P. , Pree Seth , Putterman Seth
Published: November 2018

Acoustics is used to probe the temperature profile within a sulfur plasma lamp. A spherically symmetric temperature profile is assumed that drops with the square of the radius, consistent with a constant volumetric heating model. Acoustic resonance frequencies are calculated exactly in the case of an ideal gas. Experimental measurement of a few resonant frequencies allows determination of the temperature profile curvature. This technique can be viewed as an extension of ultrasonic resonant spectroscopy to systems that are highly non-uniform due to off-equilibrium energy flow.
Thermal Stability of a Mercuric Reductase from the Red Sea Atlantis II Hot Brine Environment as Analyzed by Site-Directed Mutagenesis
Authors: Maged Mohamad , El Hosseiny Ahmed , Saadeldin Mona Kamal , Aziz Ramy K. , Ramadan Eman
Published: November 2018

The Red Sea is an attractive environment for bioprospecting. There are 25 brine-filled deeps in the Red Sea. The Atlantis II brine pool is the biggest and hottest of such hydrothermal ecosystems. We generated an environmental mercuric reductase library from the lowermost layer of the Atlantis II brine pool, in which we identified two variants of the mercuric reductase enzyme (MerA). One is the previously described halophilic and thermostable ATII-LCL MerA and the other is a nonhalophilic relatively less thermostable enzyme, designated ATII-LCL-NH MerA. We used the ATII-LCL-NH enzyme as a parent molecule to locate the amino acid residues involved in the noticeably higher thermotolerance of the homolog ATII-LCL MerA. Moreover, we designed a novel enzyme with superior thermal stability. This enzyme might have strong potential in the bioremediation of mercuric toxicity.
Molecular Basis for the Evolution of Species-Specific Hemoglobin Capture by Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Choby Jacob E. , Buechi Hanna B. , Farrand Allison J. , Skaar Eric P. , Barber Matthew F.
Published: November 2018

During infection, bacteria must steal metals, including iron, from the host tissue. Therefore, pathogenic bacteria have evolved metal acquisition systems to overcome the elaborate processes mammals use to withhold metal from pathogens.
Staphylococcus aureus
uses IsdB, a hemoglobin receptor, to thieve iron-containing heme from hemoglobin within human blood. We find evidence that primate hemoglobin has undergone rapid evolution at protein surfaces contacted by IsdB. Additionally, variation in the hemoglobin sequences among primates, or variation in IsdB of related staphylococci, reduces bacterial hemoglobin capture. Together, these data suggest that
S. aureus
has evolved to recognize human hemoglobin in the face of rapid evolution at the IsdB binding interface, consistent with repeated evolutionary conflicts in the battle for iron during host-pathogen interactions.
Healthcare professionals’ perceptions and perspectives on biosimilar medicines and the barriers and facilitators to their prescribing in UK: a qualitative study
Authors: Aladul Mohammed Ibrahim , Fitzpatrick Raymond William , Chapman Stephen Robert
Published: November 2018

Objective

To investigate UK healthcare professionals’ perceptions and perspectives towards biosimilar infliximab, etanercept and insulin glargine and the potential barriers and facilitators to their prescribing.

Design

A cross-sectional qualitative study design was used.

Setting

Five hospitals within the West Midlands area in UK.

Interventions

30 min face-to-face, semistructured interviews of healthcare professionals.

Participants

22 healthcare professionals (consultants, nurses and pharmacists) participated in the semistructured interviews.

Outcomes

Participants’ opinion and attitudes about biosimilars and the barriers and facilitators to the prescribing of infliximab, etanercept and insulin glargine biosimilars in gastroenterology, rheumatology and diabetology specialties.

Results

This study showed that UK healthcare professionals had good knowledge of biosimilars and were content to initiate them. Healthcare professionals disagreed with biosimilar auto-substitution at pharmacy level and multiple switching. Subtle differences among healthcare professionals were identified in the acceptance of switching stable patients, indication extrapolation and cost savings sharing.

Conclusion

Safety and efficacy concerns, patients’ opinion and how cost savings were shared were the identified barriers to considering prescribing biosimilars. Real-life data and financial incentives were the suggested facilitators to increase biosimilar utilisation.
Effect of two behavioural ‘nudging’ interventions on management decisions for low back pain: a randomised vignette-based study in general practitioners
Authors: Soon Jason , Traeger Adrian C , Elshaug Adam G. , Cvejic Erin , Maher Chris G , Doust Jenny A , Mathieson Stephanie , McCaffery Kirsten , Bonner Carissa
Published: November 2018

Objective

‘Nudges’ are subtle cognitive cues thought to influence behaviour. We investigated whether embedding nudges in a general practitioner (GP) clinical decision support display can reduce low-value management decisions .

Methods

Australian GPs completed four clinical vignettes of patients with low back pain. Participants chose from three guideline-concordant and three guideline-discordant (low-value) management options for each vignette, on a computer screen. A 2×2 factorial design randomised participants to two possible nudge interventions: ‘partition display’ nudge (low-value options presented horizontally, high-value options listed vertically) or ‘default option’ nudge (high-value options presented as the default, low-value options presented only after clicking for more). The primary outcome was the proportion of scenarios where practitioners chose at least one of the low-value care options.

Results

120 GPs (72% male, 28% female) completed the trial (n=480 vignettes). Participants using a conventional menu display without nudges chose at least one low-value care option in 42% of scenarios. Participants exposed to the default option nudge were 44% less likely to choose at least one low-value care option (OR 0.56, 95%CI 0.37 to 0.85; p=0.006) compared with those not exposed. The partition display nudge had no effect on choice of low-value care (OR 1.08, 95%CI 0.72 to 1.64; p=0.7). There was no interaction between the nudges (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.41 to 2.15; p=0.89).

Interpretation

A default option nudge reduced the odds of choosing low-value options for low back pain in clinical vignettes. Embedding high value options as defaults in clinical decision support tools could improve quality of care. More research is needed into how nudges impact clinical decision-making in different contexts.
Effects of restrictive and non‐restrictive harnesses on shoulder extension in dogs at walk and trot
Authors: Lafuente M Pilar , Provis Laura , Schmalz Emily Anne
Published: November 2018

The study aimed to compare the effect of restrictive and non‐restrictive harnesses on shoulder extension of dogs at walk and trot. This was a prospective study of nine dogs. Dogs were walked and trotted on a treadmill at a comfortable walking and trotting speed, first with no harness, then with each harness type, with and without added weights. Dogs were filmed and the angle of shoulder extension was measured using non‐reflective markers and a video analysis software. Significant decrease in shoulder extension was found with both types of harnesses in comparison with no harness, except for the restrictive harness with weights. Shoulder extension was 2.6° and 4.4° less in dogs wearing a non‐restrictive harness than in dogs wearing a restrictive harness, at walk and trot, respectively. The addition of weights did not consistently add more restriction to shoulder extension. The results of this study indicate that harnesses do limit shoulder extension, but perhaps not in the way originally anticipated, as results show extension is significantly reduced under the non‐restrictive harnesses compared with the restrictive harnesses, with and without weights.
Overview of microbial risks in water distribution networks and their health consequences: quantification, modelling, trends, and future implications
Authors: Viñas Victor , Malm Annika , Pettersson Thomas J.R.
Published: November 2018

The water distribution network (WDN) is usually the final physical barrier preventing contamination of the drinking water before it reaches consumers. Because the WDN is at the end of the supply chain, and often with limited online water quality monitoring, the probability of an incident to be detected and remediated in time is low. Microbial risks that can affect the distribution network are: intrusion, cross-connections and backflows, inadequate management of reservoirs, improper main pipe repair and (or) maintenance work, and biofilms. Epidemiological investigations have proven that these risks have been sources of waterborne outbreaks. Increasingly since the 1990s, studies have also indicated that the contribution of these risks to the endemic level of disease is not negligible. To address the increasing health risks associated to WDNs, researchers have developed tools for risk quantification and risk management. This review aims to present the recent advancements in the field involving epidemiological investigations, use of quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) for modelling, risk mitigation, and decision-support. Increasing the awareness of the progress achieved, but also of the limitations and challenges faced, will aid in accelerating the implementation of QMRA tools for WDN risk management and as a decision-support tool.
Natural reusable calcium-rich adsorbent for the removal of phosphorus from water: proof of concept of a circular economy
Authors: Lamont Kristine , Pensini Erica , Daguppati Prasad , Rudra Ramesh , van de Vegte John , Levangie Janice
Published: November 2018

A calcium-rich rock (limestone) was used as adsorbent to remove phosphorus from water. Phosphorus could be subsequently desorbed from limestone at pH = 4, and potentially reused as fertilizer following pH neutralization. Sorption of phosphorus onto limestone was not affected by 100 mM KCl or by the nitrogen present in a commercial fertilizer, but it was hindered by 100 mM NaCl, urea and river water. The phosphorus removed was however never below ∼9 mg P/kg rock, and it increased with increasing phosphorus concentrations in water. Phosphorus removal increased with 100 mM CaCl2 at neutral pH, likely due to its precipitation. Mixing for 30 s enhanced phosphorus sorption. Desorption of phosphorus from limestone following sorption in deionized water was ∼50%, ∼22%, and ∼11% at pH = 4, pH = 7, and pH = 11, respectively. Phosphorus desorption was lower when sorption had occurred in river water than in deionized water or in 100 mM urea.
Characterization of electron beams emitted from dense plasma focus machines using argon, neon and nitrogen
Authors: Akel M. , Al-Hawat Sh. , Lee S. , Saw S. H.
Published: November 2018

The measured current traces of two low energy machines namely the AECS PF-2 and INTI PF are used for studying of the produced electron beam features using the modified Lee code (RADPFV5.15REB) at different conditions. The fitting procedures between measured and computed current traces are made for each point of pressure. In the case of AECS PF-2 working with neon, the electron fluence reaches the maximum value [Formula: see text] electrons m[Formula: see text] for 1.6 Torr and the flux achieves [Formula: see text] electrons m[Formula: see text]s[Formula: see text] near 1.5 Torr. The electron number has a peak of [Formula: see text] at 0.9 Torr. The computed results demonstarte also the maximum value of the power flow density of [Formula: see text] Wm[Formula: see text], and the superior damage factor of around [Formula: see text] Wm[Formula: see text]s[Formula: see text] at a pressure of 0.4 Torr. Argon presents the action of radiative cooling topping at highly magnified [Formula: see text] m[Formula: see text]s[Formula: see text] at 0.9 Torr. The damage factor reaches almost [Formula: see text] Wm[Formula: see text]s[Formula: see text] for Ar but it is only [Formula: see text] Wm[Formula: see text]s[Formula: see text] for N2. The huge values for argon are a result of enhanced compression due to radiative cooling. In the case of INTI PF device, the electron energy extends from 58 keV (for N2) to 256 keV (for Ar). The results indicate that the electron fluence ranges from [Formula: see text] electrons m[Formula: see text] for N2 to [Formula: see text] electrons m[Formula: see text] for Ar.
Approximating the volume of tropical polytopes is difficult
Authors: Gaubert Stéphane , MacCaig Marie
Published: November 2018

We investigate the complexity of counting the number of integer points in tropical polytopes, and the complexity of calculating their volume. We study the tropical analogue of the outer parallel body and establish bounds for its volume. We deduce that there is no approximation algorithm of factor [Formula: see text] for the volume of a tropical polytope given by [Formula: see text] for the volume of a tropical polytope given by [Formula: see text] vertices in a space of dimension [Formula: see text], unless P[Formula: see text]NP. Neither is there such an approximation algorithm for counting the number of integer points in tropical polytopes described by vertices. It follows that approximating these values for tropical polytopes is more difficult than for classical polytopes. Our proofs use a reduction from the problem of calculating the tropical rank.
Semigroup rings as weakly factorial domains, II
Authors: Chang Gyu Whan , Oh Dong Yeol
Published: November 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be an integral domain, [Formula: see text] be a nonzero torsionless commutative cancellative monoid with quotient group [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] be the semigroup ring of [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text]. In this paper, among other things, we show that if [Formula: see text] (respectively, [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is a weakly factorial domain if and only if [Formula: see text] is a weakly factorial GCD-domain, [Formula: see text] is a weakly factorial GCD-semigroup, and [Formula: see text] is of type [Formula: see text] (respectively, [Formula: see text] except [Formula: see text]).
Dynamic Response of Multi-bay Frames Subjected to Successive Moving Forces
Authors: Demirtas Salih , Ozturk Hasan , Sabuncu Mustafa
Published: November 2018

This paper investigates the dynamic responses of multi-bay frames with identical bay lengths subjected to a transverse single moving load and successive moving loads with a constant interval at a constant speed. The effects of the bay length and the speed of the moving load on the response of the multi-bay frame subjected to a single point load are investigated numerically by the finite element method. A computer code is developed by using MATLAB to perform the finite element analysis. The Newmark method is employed to solve for the dynamic responses of the multi-bay frame. With this, the dynamic response of the frame subjected to successive moving loads with a constant interval is investigated. Also, the resonance and cancellation speeds are determined by using the 3D relationship of speed parameter-force span length to beam length ratio-dynamic magnification factor and the associated contour lines. The maximum impact factor of a 1-bay frame and multi-bay frames under single moving load are determined at the specific speed parameters. Those values are independent of elastic modulus, area moment of inertia, beam/column lengths of the frame and also the number of bays forming the frame. It is also found that the first resonance response in the vertical direction of the frame is related to the second mode of vibration.
RESEARCH ON RIGID BODY INVERSE DYNAMICS OF A NOVEL 6-PRRS PARALLEL ROBOT
Authors: LIU YUBIN , LIU GANGFENG
Published: November 2018

A systematic methodology for solving the inverse dynamics of a 6-PRRS parallel robot is presented. Based on the principle of virtual work and the Lagrange approach, a methodology for deriving the dynamical equations of motion is developed. To resolve the inconsistency between complications of established dynamic model and real-time control, a simplifying strategy of the dynamic model is presented. The dynamic character of the 6-PRRS parallel robot is analyzed by example calculation, and a full and precise dynamic model using simulation software is established. Verification results show the validity of the presented algorithm, and the simplifying strategies are practical and efficient.
THE EFFECT OF MUSCLE STRENGTH AND AEROBIC FUNCTION IN THE ELDERLY ACCORDING TO EXERCISE LOAD PATTERN USING INDOOR SMALL CYCLING SYSTEM
Authors: KANG SEUNG-ROK , LEE YOUNG-CHOON , HONG CHUL-UN , YU CHANG HO , KWON TAE-KYU
Published: November 2018

We were investigating the muscle strength and aerobic function effect on the aged according to active and passive load using compact cycle system. We recruited twenty old participants and they performed shoulder rotating, upper cycling and lower cycling exercise. We measured the muscular activity, respiratory gas analysis and body heat. The result of muscular activity showed that the passive load could cause muscular activity at 15.4–65.9% compared to active load. We thought that the passive exercise could provide the prevention of spasticity and maintain effect of remaining muscle function in the elderly by caused muscular activity over 50%. The result of oxygen consumption showed that it is the active exercise that used the bigger oxygen consumption at 42.4% during lower cycling. We thought that the active exercise used the big muscles of lower limbs including trunk muscles during lower cycling. The result of body temperature showed that it rises with increase in oxygen consumption and heart rate, and it increased the bigger for lower cycling. The foundation of this study could apply to fundamental research for developing exercise load of indoor rehabilitation exercise system with convenience and easy use to the elderly.